the artful mind artzine september 2024
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PROMOTING ARTISTS IN ALL VENUES IN THE BERKSHIRES & BEYOND SINCE 1994
THE ARTFUL MIND
SEPTEMBER 2024
Visual Artist BRUCE LAIRD Photograph by Edward Acker
Digital Photo-Scans & Giclée Printing
"Sundown" - Dorothy Fox
. Accurate Photo-Reproductions of Artwork
. Photoshop Repairs - Paintings & Photographs
. Archival / Giclée Prints Up To 42"x 90"
. Artbook Design and Production
. Restoration of Damaged Photos
Drop-off & Pick-up Available in Great Barrington, MA and Millerton, NY
Studio located in Mount Washington, MA l berkshiredigital.com l 413·644·9663
THE ARTFUL MIND
IN PRINT SINCE 1994
SEPTEMBER 2024
CALENDAR OF EVENTS ...4
Interview with BRUCE LAIRD
Cover and Inside Photograph by Edward Acker
and other photographs courtesy of the Artist ...20
Re-Visit with Photographer BRUCE PANOCK
Portrait of the Artist by Bobby Miller and
other photographs courtesy of the Artist ...30
RICHARD BRITELL | FICTION
“Mouse Face”
from the Series Stories for Children...47
MINING MY LIFE.
DIARIES OF JANE GENNARO ... 48
Publisher Harryet Candee
Copy Editor Marguerite Bride
Third Eye Jeff Bynack
Distribution
Ruby Aver
Contributing Photographers
Edward Acker Tasja Keetman Bobby Miller
Contributing Writers
Richard Britell
Jane Gennaro
Advertising / Editorial inquiries
and Subscriptions by mail:
413 - 645 - 4114
artfulmind@yahoo.com
Read the online version: ISSUU.COM
FB: ARTFUL MIND GALLERY for Artful Minds 23
THE ARTFUL MIND
PO Box 985
Great Barrington, MA 01230
SERIOUS HOT OR
ICED CHOCOLATE
GOURMET GELATO
AND TREATS
HAND CRAFTED
IN THE BERKSHIRES
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
Escape into Chocolate
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55 PITTSFIELD/LENOX ROAD
ROUTE 7, LENOX MA
413-637-9820
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THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 1
2 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Music Mountain Summer Festival: Merz Trio
September 8 @ 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Merz Trio
“Alma Mahler Goes West”
musicmountain.org / 860-824-7126
Eleventh Annual Berkshire Pottery Tour
September 28, 8 am - 5pm
Stockbridge, Richmond, Monterey, Great Barrington, Housatonic:
Ben Evans, Paula Shalan, Berkshire Art Center, Lorimar Burns, Dan Bellow Pottery,
Ellen Grenedier, Michael Marcus
Maps: lorimer@berkshireartcenter.org / 413-717-0798
Art
510 WARREN STREET GALLERY
510 Warren st, Hudson NY
518-822-0510 / 510warrenstgallery@gmail.com
Featured artists each month.
ART ON MAIN GALLERY
38 Main st, West Stockbridge, MA
www.berkshireartists.org
September 12-22: ReVision: The Art of Seeing Beyond:
Reception, Saturday, September 14, 2 – 4 pm
Artist Talk, Saturday, September 21, 2 pm: Thom Lipiczky,
Marcelene I. Mosca, Susan Sabino.
BECKET ARTS CENTER
7 Brooker Hill Rd, Becket , MA
413-623-6635 office@becketartscenter.org
September 10, 10am-1pm
Plein Aire Painting Workshop
BERKSHIRE BOTANICAL GARDEN
5 West Stockbridge Rd, Stockbridge, MA
413-298-3926 BerkshireBotanical.org
June 1 through Oct. 6 (outdoor sculpture exhibit);
Aug. 10 through Oct. 6 (indoor exhibition); Todd
McGrain,“The Lost Bird Project” Opening reception
BERKSHIRE MUSEUM
39 South St, Pittsfield, MA
Through Sept 18: Black Woman as MUSE: Exhibition
by Jerry Taliaferro
BILL ARNING EXHIBITIONS
17 Broad Street, Kinderhook, NY
bill@billarning.com
Through October 13: Other Beings: Four Painters
Bringing Roughly 20 Unique Faces: Hannah Barrett,
Richard Butler, James Esber, Cruz Ortiz
CARRIE HADDAD GALLERY
622 Warren St, Hudson NY
info@carriehaddadgallery.com
Through Oct 12: Understories, a group exhibition of
painting and mixed-media works by Anne Francey,
Allyson Levy, Eileen Murphy, Rinal Parikh, Ragellah
4 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
Rourke and Annika Tucksmith. In the upstairs gallery,
there will be a solo show of new paintings by David
Konigsberg.
ECLIPSE MILL GALLERY
248 Union st, North Adams, MA
Carlos Caicedo : Paper and Pencils
September 3 - 30.
Reception Sept 6, 5-7pm; Performance by
Wendell Beavers
THE CLARK MUSEUM
225 South St, Williamstown, MA
clarkart.edu
Through October 14, 2024
Guillaume Lethière : Born in Sainte-Anne, Guadeloupe,
Guillaume Lethière (1760–1832) was a key
figure in French painting during the late eighteenth
and early nineteenth centuries.
CLOCK TOWER ARTISTS’ STUDIOS & GALLERY
www.ArtintheBerkshires.com
See full schedule on their website. The Clock Tower
Artists is a collective of working artists in the heart of
Pittsfield, located in the beautiful Berkshires - a cultural
destination in the hills of Western Massachusetts.
The artist studios are on the 3rd floor of the
Clock Tower Business Center, where many open studios
and art events are held
GALLERY NORTH
9 Eagle St, North Adams, MA
802-379-0759
A fine art gallery featuring contemplative, exciting,
and affordable art by Marilyn Cavallari, Ghetta
Hirsch, Sean McCusker and Mallory Rich.
FENNIMORE ART MUSEUM
5798 State Highway 80, Cooperstown, NY
info@fenireart.org
www.fenimoreartmuseum.org
Bob Dylan Remastered: Drawings from the Road,
thru Sept 15.
LABspace
2642 NY Route 23, Hillsdale, NY @labspace_art
Through Sept 29: ELEVATION In their first two person
show together, Adrian Meraz and Christina Tenaglia
work separately and together, integrating
ideas of influence, of commingling; and of entanglement.
LICHTENSTEIN CENTER for the ARTS
28 Renne Ave, Pittsfield, MA
Visible: Opening reception Oct 5, 3-5pm.
MAD ROSE GALLERY
5916 N Elm Ave, Millerton, NY
Photography / Fine Art
MASS MoCA
1040Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA
info@massmoca.org
Through November 3: The Plastic Bag Store: The
Plastic Bag Store is an immersive, multimedia experience
by Brooklyn-based artist Robin Frohardt that
uses humor, craft, and a critical lens to question our
culture of consumption and convenience — specifically,
the enduring effects of single-use plastics. The
shelves are stocked with thousands of original, handsculpted
items — produce and meat, dry goods and
toiletries, cakes and sushi rolls — all made from discarded,
single-use plastics in an endless cacophony
of packaging.
PAMELA SALISBURY GALLERY
362 1/2 Warren St, Hudson, NY
Through Oct 5: Understory: Snakes, Snails, and the
Forest Floor
SOUTHERN VERMONT ARTS CENTER
860 SVAC Drive, West Road, Manchester, VT
Through September 22: Sand to Splendor: The Nature
of Glass; Through September 22: Pastel Panorama:
Journeys with a Medium
SUSAN ELEY FINE ART
433 Warren St., Hudson, NY
Through October 13: Eighteen: Ted Dixon
THE RE INSTITUTE
1395 Boston Corners Rd, Millerton, NY
theReInstitute@gmail.com
September 21 - Octover 26: Kathleen Kucka,
Janice Stemmermann
After Summer
CARRIE MAE WEEMS: REMEMBER TO DREAM
Through December 1.
Remember to Dream revisits the range and breadth of Carrie Mae Weems’s prolific career
through seldom displayed and lesser-known works that demonstrate the evolution of her
pioneering, politically engaged practice.
Hessel Museum of Art
CCS Bard / Bard College Annondale-on-Hudson ccs@bard.edu
Exhibits: Doug Fitch: mixed media
Human/Nature
Through October 31.
James Holl: The Landscape Painter: The Book
September 14 - Oct 31
TurnPark Art Space
2 Moscow Rd, West Stockbridge, MA
THE WIT GALLERY
27 Church St, Lenox, MA
Contemporary Fine Art and Sculpture ongoing
display of artists work
Theater
MAC-HAYDN THEATRE
1925 NY-203, Chatham NY
518-392-9292
September 5-15: The Fantasticks
SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY
70 Kemble St, Lenox, MA
413-637-3353 shakespeare.org
Through October 13, 2 / 7pm: Three Tall Persian
Women
THEATRE on the ROAD
Rosendale, NY
www.theatreontheroad.com
September 26 / 27, 7pm: DRACULA. For the third
consecutive year, Theatre on the Road, a traveling
company based in Rosendale, New York, will produce
and stage Dracula at the Widow Jane Mine.
Music
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS WITH MUSIC
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
14 Castle St, Gt Barrington, MA
October 20, 4 pm: Drama and Melodrama —
The Schumanns
IVAN DALIA: BACH TO ROCK
Church on The Hill, Lenox
Saturdays: August 31, September 28 at 7pm |
A Journey through the generations & genres of
music that bring people together in the Berkshires.
Ivan creates a memorable evening of music, stories
& smiles with original interpretations of great music
performed in the Berkshires from 1950 to 2024.
EGREMONT BARN
17 Main st, South Egremont, MA
theegremontbarn.com (Full schedule)
September 6, 7:30pm: Deadman’s Waltz; Oct 5,
7:30pm: King Kyote
MAHAIWE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
14 Castle St, Gt. Barrington, MA
mahaiwe.org
September 28, 7:30pm: Villalobos brothers
The Villalobos Brothers are a Grammy-winning, violin-wielding,
family band that has been recognized
as one of the foremost Contemporary
Mexican ensembles in the world.
MUSIC MOUNTAIN
225 Music Mountain Road, Falls Village, CT
September 7: Silent Film & Live Music. Internationally
acclaimed silent film musicians Donnie
Sosin and Joanna Seaton create a live score for
Buster Keaton’s hilarious silver screen comedies
SHERLOCK JR. (100th anniversary!) and his 1922
short COPS.
NEW MARLBOROUGH MEETING HOUSE
154 Hartsville-New Marlborough Rd,
New Marlborough, MA
https://nmmeetinghouse.org/
September 14, 4:30pm:
From Mozart to Piazzolla: A Panarama of Musical Expression;
violinist Eugene Drucker, cellist Roberta
Cooper, and pianist Gili Melamed-Lev
RACEBROOK LODGE
864 Undermountain Rd, Sheffield, MA
info@rblodge.com
September 15, 7 - 10pm: The InBetweens; September
22, 8pm: Tambacum; Spetember 26, 8pm:
Alash; September 28, 8pm: Fire of the Heart: Brenda
McMorrow & John De Kadt; October 18, 20; 7/6pm:
Space Panorama by Andy Dawson
SANDISFIELD ARTS CENTER
Hammertown Rd, Sandisfield, MA
www.sandisfieldartcenter.org
October 6, 4pm: Bill Taylor and Friends. This concert
features Bill Taylor playing along with two woodwind
players, Gerold Mohn and Cathy Mohn, and French
horn player Stewart Edelstein and singer Jaye Alison
Moscariello.
TANNERY POND CONCERTS
110 Darrow Rd, New Lebanon, NY
888-820-1696
Capitalregionclassical.org/product/israeli-chamberproject-1/
September 7, 7:30 - 9:30pm: Israeli Chamber Project.
Khachaturian: Trio, Bartók: Hungarian Peasant
Songs (selections), Dvořák: G-major Sonatina, Op.
100. Gershwin: Three Preludes, Ben-Haim: Three
Songs without Words, Bartók: Contrasts
Film
IMAGES CINEMA
50 Spring st, Williamstown MA
413-458-1039
MAHAIWE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
14 Castle Street, Gt Barrington, MA
September 27, 7pm:Film: Crooklyn, 1994: Crooklyn
is a semi-autobiographical film directed by Spike Lee
and co-written with his siblings. Lee also co-stars in
this family portrait about growing up in Brooklyn during
the 1970s.
To be included
in the calendar
please send to
artfulmind@yahoo.com
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 5
BAND PRACTICE
MATT BERNSON
Matt Bernson is a figurative artist who intuitively
uses bold lines and bright color to expressively
portray the human figure in playful and
provocative ways. Matt graduated from MassArt
with a BFA in Animation & Painting and has
worked as a caricaturist and tattoo artist. His style
could be described as a flavor of illustrative expressionism:
a combination of strong lines and
graphic composition paired with vivid color and
loose brush strokes to hint at a narrative for the
viewer to feel through. Matt Bernson brings attention
to the human body with unique methodologies
to help the viewer find new levels of
appreciation for the figure.
Matt Bernson-
ArtByMattBernson.com /
matthew.bernson@gmail.com
Instagram @MattBernson.Art
WAKING UP TO A NEW DAY FROM BREAKAWAY SERIES
MIXED MEDIA ON CANVAS, 36"X48"
ERIKA LARSKAYA
Confinement and Breakaway examine the mental
state of struggle to make sense of our environment,
both physical and psychological. I
incorporate childlike drawing to represent nonconformity;
the unadulterated state before we get
confined by rules, commitment, insecurities, and
other “add-ons.”
“I distress and repair parts of the painting, as
we do within ourselves. The drawings of floor
plans and elevations, which I use as a starting
point, create a sense of enclosure, which I expand
by continuing the lines outward, breaking the
structural pattern. This alters the sense of confinement,
breaking away from the [rigid, static]
norm”.
Erika Larskaya -
https://www.erikalarskaya.art
WOVEN THOUGHTS
ACRYLIC ON CANVAS 24X24” SOLD
RUBY AVER
STREET ZEN
Growing up on the Southside of Chicago in the
60s was a history rich and troubled time. As a
youth, playing in the streets demanded grit.
Teaching Tai chi for the last 30 years requires a
Zen state of mind. My paintings come from this
quiet place that exhibit the rich grit of my youth .
Movement, shape and color dominate, spontaneously
combining raw as well as delicate impulses.
Ruby Aver -
Housatonic Studio open by appointment:
413-854-7007, rdaver2@gmail.com,
Instagram: rdaver2
Carolyn M. Abrams
And The Message is...
I am incredibly pleased to announce that “And the Message Is”
created by yours truly will be one of the featured artworks at the
“Visible” exhibit at the Lichtenstein Center for the Arts.
October 4 — November 23, 2024
VISiBLE Opening Reception:
Saturday, October 5, 3-5 pm
Breakers at Sunrise, 12 x 12, oils/cold wax medium
Atmospheric and Inspirational Art
www.carolynabrams.com
MEMBER GUILD OF BERKSHIRE ARTISTS
6 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
Lichtenstein Center for the Arts
28 Renne Avenue Pittsfield, MA
Artist, Illustrator, Writer, Peace Lover, and Creativity Coach
www:elizabethcassidystudioworks.com
elizabeth cassidy studio works
ITALIAN PIANIST & SHOWMAN
IVAN DALIA PRESENTS
FROM Bach
TO Rock
A Musical Journey through the generations & genres of music that
bring people together in the Berkshires. Ivan creates a memorable
evening of Music Stories & Smiles, with original interpretations of
great music performed in the Berkshires from 1950 to 2024.
Saturdays | August 31 | SEPTEMBER 28
CHURCH ON THE HILL, LENOX | 7PM
GET DETAILS & TICKETS
www.ivandalia.com
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 7
janet cooper
JOHN HUFFAKER Sculptor
Flying Gallop, 2024, Bronze, Limited Edition of 4, 11.5w x 7”h
Untitled, 48” x 72” 2”
www.janetcooperdesigns.com
Jhuffaker@fairpoint.net
Ruby Aver
Prone to Selfies Acrylic on canvas, 24”x 30”
rdaver2@gmail.com
Instagram: rdaver2.
Housatonic Studio open by appointment:
413-854-7007
We found these great artisens while on
Av. Hidalgo, in I.M, Q.Roo, Mex.
All handmade items using silver, wood, glass,
natural fibers & mixed medium.
That’s the life of an island artisan.
7.24 Harryet Candee
8 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 9
10 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 11
Erika Larskaya
“68”, 10” x10” Mixed media on Paper
"As an abstract artist, I search for ways to represent the invisible, subtle, and unexpressed.
I am driven to lay out fleeting and intangible experiences on physical surfaces". —Erika Larskaya
Erika Larskaya Studio at 79 Main St. Torrington, CT www.erikalarskaya.art
12 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
/
SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED
JOANNA KLAIN RICHARD CRIDDLE
JOANNA KLAIN
On View:
OCTOBER 3 - 30
RECEPTION:
SATURDAY OCTOBER 5, 4-7PM
Artist’s Shared Talks: Saturday, October 19, 3 pm
RICHARD CRIDDLE
Eclipse Mill Gallery, 243 Union St. North Adams
(Half a mile east of MASSMoCA on Route 2)
Open Thursdays — Sunday’s noon til 6pm or by appointment or chance.
Inquires: eclipsemill.com
Email: paperflats@icloud.com richardcriddle55@gmail.com
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 13
BERKSHIRE AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY
berkshirephotographer.com
Onota Lake, Pontoosuc Lake & Mt Greylock
Ghetta Hirsch
My oil painting “Stained Rocks” 10” x 10”
is currently exhibited at Gallery North:
www.gallerynorthadams.com
9 Eagle Street in North Adams.
I am now a renting member of this new gallery and this
allows me to show my forgotten or favorite pieces freely.
We are five artists friends in Gallery North: Marilyn Cavallari,
Sean McCusker, Mallory Rich, Barbara Patton and Ghetta
Hirsch and we change our exhibits each month. Different art
mediums are offered to your eyes and an Opening Reception
takes place every first of the month from 4 to 7.
I am inviting you to see art chosen by our artists and visit our
new Gallery North right on Eagle Street, a very historical part
of North Adams.
My Home Studio is also welcoming you if you prefer
visiting an Art Studio.
Call or text at 413‐597 1716 to schedule.
Visit my Website at:
ghetta‐hirsch.squarespace.com
for more information.
Stained Rocks, 10” x 10”
MARK MELLINGER
Paintings - Collage - Constructions
Psilocybin Picnic
Acrylic on canvas. 48x48
Jinga Falls Acrylic and gold leaf on canvas. 48x48
Collection of Berkshire Bank
CLOCK TOWER ARTISTS
3rd Floor 75 South Church St Pittsfield MA
914. 260. 7413
instagram@mellinger3301
markmellinger680@gmail.com
Ich sehe dich in Tausend Bilder-W
Acrylic and collage on canvas 10x10
Ich sehe dich 3
Acrylic and collage on canvas 10x10
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 15
CANDACE EATON
Genesis Oil on canvas, 50” x 44” $8,000
631.413.5057 • candaceeatonstudio@gmail.com • www.candaceeaton.com
16 •SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
UNTITLED, 24”X36”X6”
JANET COOPER
THE ART OF FIGURING OUT
WHAT KIND OF ARTIST I AM
Fabrics, anatomy, stitches, colors and bricologue
are words, imbued with intense emotionality for
me, a maker, collector and lover of objects and
places.
My first love was clay, so basic, earthy and obsessively
compelling, I adored making pottery
shapes and objects, resembling torsos. A period
of fascination with vintage tin cans, bottle caps
and junky metal discards followed. Metal was
sheared, punched, riveted and assembled into figurative
shapes. I began to use fabrics with these
works and eventually abandoned metal for hand
stitching doll sculptures, totems and collages, all
with second hand or recycled fabrics.
Lately I have introduced paint and waxes into
my work. I also am using animal bones, those armatures
of mammal form. I am recycling old
works into the new, a kind of synthesis of who I
have been with whom I am now.
I am also returning to jewelry or ornament making.
as well as fashioning a collection of garden
and street wear art aprons.
Janet Cooper -
janetcoop@gmail.com
www.janetcooperdesigns.com
WHERE IS KIZER. ACRYLIC ON CANVAS 74” X 70”
MARK MELLINGER
My two careers, art and psychoanalysis, concern
what can be said and what remains mute. In
painting, collage and constructions of wood and
iron I’m interested in the eloquence of the materials.
Avoiding a recognizable style in favor of experimentation,
I explore the possibilities of the
media. Our world and culture are dissolving. Art
can create precious islands of meaning and joy.
Mark will be showing his work at Hotel on
North, February 2 - March 31, 2024, 297 North
St., Pittsfield, MA 01201
Mark V. Mellinger, Ph.D.-
914-260-7413, 75 S Church St, Pittsfield MA,
instagram@mellinger3301
ABSTRACTED MEMORIES I, ACRYLIC, LATEX AND GRAPHITE
ON BOARD, 12” X 16”, 2022
JAYE ALISON
MOSCARIELLO
Jaye Alison Moscariello harnesses water-based
mediums like acrylic and watercolor, influenced
by a creative upbringing and artistic journey.
Through abstraction and intuitive color selection,
she captures the interplay between forms, with
lines that articulate deep-seated emotions. Her art
resonates with joy and upliftment, transforming
personal and worldly complexities into visual harmony.
The artist is passionate about creating art, painting
on flat, smooth surfaces, and using materials
that are environmentally friendly.
Moscariello’s work has been exhibited both nationally
and internationally, and has appeared in
print, film, television, the web and Off Off Broadway.
Jaye Alison -
310-970-4517 / jayealison.com
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done.
Let everyone else decide if it’s good or
bad,whether they love it or hate it. While they
are deciding, make even more art.”
—Andy Warhol
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 17
RICHARD TALBERT
”Cape Cod” features a striking abstract composition created using watercolor on paper. The piece measures 30" x 22" and has
a vibrant interplay of colors and forms. Dominant hues of greens, blues, and yellows overlap and blend, creating a sense of
fluidity and depth. The edges of the painting show a hint of the paper's texture, enhancing the organic feel of the piece. Patches
of washed color and subtle gradations indicate a mastery of watercolor techniques, allowing the translucent layers to interact
harmoniously. This composition captivates with its serene yet dynamic essence, evocative of natural landscapes. I'm influenced
by The Hudson River School of Landscape Painting and Peruvian Textiles. This piece is a testament to my mastery of watercolor
and abstract expressionism. The ability to evoke a tranquil yet engaging atmosphere and this work inspires thought and reflection
in a truly compelling manner.
Email: Richtalbert1@gmail.com
My Lenox Studio is open by appointment. 413.347.3888
richtalbert1@gmail.com website: richardtalbertdesign.com
18 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
RICHARD NELSON
THE ALPHABET SERIES FROM A TO Z ...
Digital Art nojrevned@hotmail.com
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 19
BRUCE LAIRD
Interview by Harryet Candee
Photography by Edward Acker & Courtesy of the Artist
20 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
Inside the studio of Bruce Laird, visual artist
Mixing materials, for me, is just combining mediums to construct a composition. For example, I have a variety
of mediums and materials in my studio. Balance is most important in my compositions. My MBA is in studio
art with a focus on painting. I’ve expanded my vocabulary! —Bruce Laird
Harryet Candee: I've observed elements in your
artwork such as grids, collage, toys, strong contrast,
and photography. Can you elaborate on
what these elements signify to you?
Bruce Laird: I can tell you have been checking
out my studio.
Grids: Grids give me a basis for my larger paintings.
They're easy to build on, and I work to step
into the grid and make it mine.
Collage: I often cut up my photographs and then
reassemble them, based on color or form, into visuals
resembling mosaics. I also use various print
paper and vintage dress patterns for contrast.
Toys: I collect toys and figurines from secondhand
store tag sales. Sometimes, people (fellow
artists) will give me pieces. I have collections in
my studio for ideas for box assemblages, which
can be themed-based. Sometimes, I'll use plastic
people in real or imaginary environments.
Strong contrast: I enjoy combining bold colors,
often less complementary ones, to see how they
read together. It doesn't always work, but it
makes a strong contrast! I painted large geometric
shapes and played with optics to create 3D effects.
Photography: I am intrigued with shadows at different
times of the day—often cutting and overlaying
images.
You often take what you see, crop it down, and
create an abstract painting from this exploration.
Can you explain this process?
BL: My process has evolved by developing a
sense of creating a solid composition. My initial
"style" was more representational but not realistic.
I have moved to a more abstract vocabulary
through artist workshops, logging time at the studio,
collaborating with other artists, reading, and
researching. My art will continue to evolve in
this direction until I change!
In what ways do you work with illusion in your
art-making?
BL: With my photographic compositions, I move
to illusion by overlapping geometric, angular
shapes to create layers and tension for the viewer
to discover. I like to blur the borders to create
movement.
What is your definition of experimentation, and
how do you approach it?
BL: For me, it creates an environment in the studio
that gives me many reference points. For
example, if I am working on a collage that needs
a boost of something, some energy.
Have you ever reached a point where you need
to move on to the next art project because something
didn't work out as expected? What do you
do in this case?
BL: I usually sense when I have flushed out an
idea to the point where it is time to change direction.
Continued on next page...
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 21
VISUAL ARTIST BRUCE LAIRD
Think In The Box, Mixed media
Off The Surface, Acrylic, mixed media
22 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
VISUAL ARTIST BRUCE LAIRD
Off The Surface Too Acrylic, mixed media
Floating Grid Acrylic, mixed media
For example, if it doesn't work out, I will leave
it for a week or two and revisit it. Sometimes I
see the solution immediately, but if not, I'll Gesso
over the parts not working out and take off in a
new direction.
The portraiture paintings you continually enjoy
creating all seem to offer hommage to an individual.
There is a consistent style using alphabet
letters to convey a message, intense color,
and high contrast. Please tell us more about this
body of work.
BL: I have always enjoyed featuring friends and
family or well-known people I've read about and
found some aspects interesting. I've done surreal
paintings of my dad and family. Usually, I'll include
text as a border. I was inspired to do a
painting of Anne Frank after visiting her family's
hiding place in Amsterdam. I met Jane Randolph
at a painting workshop in Umbria. She was quite
a celebrity in Hollywood during the 40s. We developed
a friendship through art.
What guidelines do you follow when sketching
with a pencil? Do these sketches go to another
level using color? What intrigues you about the
simple art of sketching?
BL: When I sketch, I try not to think of rules but
concentrate on capturing the image's immediacy.
I usually use a pencil or a fine-ink pen, depending
on how realistic the image needs to be. I've
always enjoyed continuous line drawing and
have sketchbooks from my time in Italy and
France.
I am intrigued by the simplicity of materials, just
paper and an instrument. It's also easier to carry,
and I can use them almost anywhere. When I
travel, I always have a pad and pencils with me.
It's a good opportunity to do rubbings and keep
a journal of places I've visited. I collect paper
from the locations, such as posters on lampposts,
newspapers, menus, tickets, and receipts. When
I'm back in the studio, I create collages. Of
course, I also photograph everything.
Bruce, how important is it for you to show your
work in public spaces? I was honored to have
your work in the Hudson art show, Fly On The
Convas, this past May.
BL: I know it is important to get my work in
front of as many eyes as possible to get reactions
from viewers. Often, I am surprised by people's
responses to my work, which show me things
and new ways I had never thought of. My work
has been shown in galleries in New York City,
Long Island, Connecticut, and national and international
juried shows. Success is always keeping
my art-making in motion and not becoming
static.
Do you feel a special connection between creating
art and your hometown and boyhood
memories now?
BL: I grew up in North Adams. I only had art instruction
once I started at BCC. Great professors
encouraged me to become more fluid and take
risks. Continued on next page...
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 23
BRUCE LAIRD VISUAL ARTIST
Hommage to Anne Frank, Acrylic on canvas
Future Father, Acrylic on canvas
Hommage to Jane Randolph, Acrylic on canvas
24 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
VISUAL ARTIST BRUCE LAIRD
Homage to New Hampshire, Acrylic on Watercolor paper
Redefining The Grid, Acrylic on canvas
At BCC, I had art exhibits. I then transferred to
the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
My earliest art memories are of my father going
out on weekends to do watercolors around Williamstown,
as he would often take me with him.
After graduating from the University of Massachusetts
Amherst, I moved to Long Island in the
'70s with a BFA in painting and art education.
However, I was not able to find a teaching position.
I know you love working with shadows. Can
you reveal how you work with shadows?
BL: I am intrigued by shadows in my photography
because shadows are fluid and change based
on sunlight. Every photo seems unique to that
moment. I enjoy cutting up prints of shadow
photographs to overlap or reconstruct to make a
more interesting visual.
You have gathered a selection of found objects
that inspire your artistic process.
BL: I am constantly aware of my surroundings,
always looking for interesting objects and inspiration
to incorporate into my art. I always have
my phone ready to capture anything that catches
my eye.
We never stop learning. Do you agree?
BL: I agree that one can never stop learning. I
attend workshops whenever I can. I just finished
a week at the University of New Hampshire at
Keene.
Do you know when the art piece you create will
take on full color or perhaps be in black and
white?
BL: I will transition to black and white to develop
a different vocabulary if I have worked a
lot in color.
You and Deborah H. Carter have been collaborating
on art projects, which has been an excellent
experience for both of you. Deborah
creates 3-D artwork using recycled and upcycled
materials from nature and various finds.
How has the collaboration been going? What
projects have you been working on together?
BL: My collaboration with Deborah has been ongoing
for several months. We are working on a
dress design for the World of Wearable Art in
New Zealand. We were delighted to be accepted
for September 2024. Deb has excellent work discipline
and endless creativity. We work well as a
team, solving problems, and are happy to be part
of an international wearable art design show.
Bruce, what makes you want to be an art creator?
BL: Art-making is a way to document my life's
journey. I always incorporate "fun" elements into
all my projects. At this point, if I'm not having
fun, then I won't do it!
What are you recently working on?
BL: My latest work from this summer's workshop
focused on deepening mark-making and
creating more layering in my compositions.
Continued on next page...
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 25
VISUAL ARTIST BRUCE LAIRD
Studio photograph at Clock Towers of Bruce Laird by Edward Acker
Technology has a way of rendering things obsolete.
How do you appreciate the old and the
new and combine them?
BL: It is important to me to appreciate the integrity
of objects, old and new. I don't use any apps
to enhance photos. I have used slide rulers and
computer chips in my art toolbox in my work.
Tell us about how wonderful it is to work in
your studio at the Clock Towers and about your
equally exciting and talented neighbors.
BL: Fortunately, I found and secured a space in
Clock Towers. Working with such an accomplished
group of artists is the best! Having conversations,
sharing materials, and being open to
suggestions is wonderful.
Is there something missing in your life? What
big ideas are you daring to explore next? Please
give us a good glimpse of your ingenious imagination,
Bruce.
BL: I try not to overthink what I do in the studio
or my life. I am a believer in fully experiencing
one day at a time. I don't project what I'm going
to do next. It is more exciting to let my art
evolve. Come into my studio, and you can see
my imagination on the walls!
What do you love about living and working in
the Berkshires? Would you want to live anywhere
else at this time?
BL: Life has been less hectic in the Berkshires,
26 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
and the area supports the arts. Sure, it would be
fun to live in Aix-en-Provence or Amsterdam.
Right now, I am content to be here.
"Every time I enter your studio, you greet me
warmly, offer me a piece of candy, and share
your handmade art, which I appreciate. When
did you first start this gift-giving tradition? You
have a unique talent for making anyone go
from feeling sad to happy!"
BL: As long as I have had a studio, it has been
important to make people feel welcome. I would
give a handmade card—something people could
leave with, sort of as a remembrance. Recently,
I've been making "art pins," just clip-on pins
made with photos that I cut to size. Come pick
one up!
As you examine your life and its historical influences,
which events have shaped your perception
of art?
BL: The music and art of the 60s, which were exploding
as I finished high school and entered
BCC, definitely impacted my perceptions of life.
Aside from creating art, what other activities do
you find fulfilling or enjoyable when you have
spare time?
BL: In my spare time, I read different types of
books, biographies, and poetry. Lately, I've been
reading about Women and Art. I've also been
teaching myself piano and being more consistent
with journaling.
What topics pique your interest when you overhear
conversations at a gallery opening, in the
elevator, or anywhere else?
BL: It is especially fun to hear people talk about
your work when they don't realize the artist is
standing beside them. Those statements are honest.
What interests you, and what do you like to discuss
when sitting around with people?
BL: I try to listen to other people more than I
speak. I have no desire to be in the spotlight, and
I would never engage in specific topics.
"If you were granted three wishes, what would
you wish for?"
BL: Three wishes—okay. 1) To eliminate
hunger, 2) To put politicians who declare war on
the front lines so that there would be world
peace, and 3) for more people to practice kindness.
It costs nothing, and it is easy once you
have the awareness.
F
Studio #307
Clock Tower Artists Business Center
75 South Church Street, Pittsfield, MA
Gallery
T Lapinski
Chris Malcomson
Sarkan
THE GUILD OF BERKSHIRE ARTISTS
Sept 12 - Sept 22
"ReVision- The Art of Seeing Beyond"
Thom Lipiczky
Marcelene I. Mosca
Susan Sabino
Sept 26 - Oct 6
"The Cold Waxers"
Participants in the Guild's
Advanced Cold Wax Workshops
Oct 10 - Nov 3
"ab-strac-tion"
Karen Dolmanisth
Chris Malcomson
Virginia Bradley
Nov 14 - Dec 1
"Canvas and Clay: Paintings and Pottery
by Alice Dugan"
Alice Dugan
Alice Dugan
Susan Sabino
Virginia Bradley
Art on Main - Gallery
38 Main Street, West Stockbridge, MA 01266
Gallery Hours: Thursday - Sunday, 11 - 4pm
For more information about the exhibit and current
Art on Main Gallery Shows and hours go to our website
www.berkshireartists.org
Karen Dolmanisth
PRESENTED BY THE GUILD OF BERKSHIRE ARTISTS
Pat Hogan
28 •SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
M.I MOSCA
K CARMEAN
E KARR
ART ON MAIN
GALLERY
The final round of artist member shows is coming
up in September through November at Art on
Main Gallery are as follows:
Woodworking artist Thom Lipiczky describes
his work: "I always try to remember that wood
comes from trees, and I try to demonstrate this
connection in whatever I’m building in some way.
Sometimes it’s highlighting grain or knots or accentuating
a shape like a leaf or branching. Using
“salvaged” materials like old beams and floorboards
reminds me of the history people have had
with wood."
Having written and taught poetry for many
years Marcelene I. Mosca strives to translate the
sensations and truths that inspire and inform it in
her visual work… the stroke of a brush, interactions
of color and texture in the abstract reflect
the human experience.
Artist Susan Sabino combines natural light
with macro photography to capture the harmony
between light, color and texture to create an
ethereal quality in her abstract botanical images.
Alice Dugan has been an oil painter for 30
years, both in the United States and Costa Rica.
She discovered an affinity for wheel-thrown pottery
when she moved to the area four years ago.
In both mediums, her emphasis is on color combinations
that reflect light and enhance form.
Karen Dolmanisth creates experiential sculpture
environments, paintings, drawing, prints,
video, photography, ceramic sculpture, and interdisciplinary
performative work that communicate
through an abstract and symbolic visual lexicon
that are process based and often temporal, illuminating
cycles of change, the science and mysteries
of transformation and stages of integration and
wholeness.
Alchemy and the performative aspects of painting
are the basis of Virginia Bradley’s abstract
painting practice. Environmental issues surrounding
climate change have been formative in her
practice.
Chris Malcomson’s abstraction paintings are
often portals inviting the viewer to explore other
layers of consciousness. Color and form are primary
elements in his practice.
Artists participating in the exhibit “The Cold
Waxers” are Elsa Karr, Jane Craker, S. R. Aiken,
Pat Hogan, Annie Milfie, Cheryl Binder, Karen
Carmean, Marcelene I. Mosca, Sue Arkan and
Amy Pressman
Check out our full-page ad for dates of each
show, receptions and artist talks or go to website
www.berkshireartists.org for more info.
Art on Main Gallery- 38 Main Street, West Stockbridge,
MA.
CANOE MEADOWS IN SPRING, WATERCOLOR
MARGUERITE BRIDE
COMMISSIONS
For the past few years my professional painting
career has led me to more commission work.
While I still paint and love doing house/inn/business
portraits, other scenes have become part of
my portfolio as well….retirement paintings including
special buildings and people, scenes
where a proposal happened (and he said YES), nature
scenes that capture the peace and spirit of the
Berkshires, landscape views from windows, lots
of wedding venues, college paintings for new
graduates…the list goes on. Each painting is special,
personal and meaningful.
The process is easy. If you are local to the
Berkshires, I will visit the home/site, take many
photos and do a few sketches on site. If now I will
work from your photos. Drawing is the next phase
and where your input is valuable…what to include,
what to leave out or move, season, time of
day, pets in or out? So many fun things to consider
when creating and personalizing your treasure and
future heirloom.
Once the drawing is approved, I paint. The
painting process will take about a week….most
of the time is spent in the preparation phase before
the painting begins.
Is this a surprise gift for someone? I love surprises
and do it all the time! I can be very stealth
at taking photos. Or are you nervous that the scene
might not be exactly what the recipient wants? A
gift certificate is perfect, then I will work directly
with the recipient.
Be in touch and I will answer all your questions.
And check out the “House Portrait” pages
of my website….lots of information and details.
Marguerite Bride –
413-841-1659; margebride-paintings.com;
margebride@aol.com;
Facebook: Marguerite Bride Watercolors.
Instagram: margebride.
LONNY JARRETT
BERKSHIRE SCENIC
PHOTOGRAPHY
My initial memory of awakening to the creative
impulse was hearing the first chord of the Beatles,
Hard Day’s Night, when I was six years old. I
knew something big was happening at that moment,
and I had to get on board! I began studying
at the Guitar Workshop, the first guitar school in
America. I’ve performed music most of my life
and play jazz fusion with my band Redshift.
My interest in photography blossomed as an
electron-microscopist publishing neuro- and molecular-biological
research out of UMASS/Amherst
and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine
in the Bronx in my early 20s.
As a lifelong meditator, martial artist, musician,
and photographer, everything I engage with
comes from the same unified intention toward engendering
the true, the good, and the beautiful. I
endeavor to capture the light that seeps through
everything in landscape and nature photography.
Lonny Jarrett -
Community: Nourishingdestiny.com
Books: Spiritpathpress.com
Art: Berkshirescenicphotography.com
Teaching: Lonnyjarrett.com
ARTFULMIND@YAHOO.COM
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 29
Portrait by Bobby Miller
Abstract Trees
BRUCE PANOCK
PHOTOGRAPHER
Re-Visit with the Artist...
30 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
Contrasting Ideas
“A journey of Exploration”—Bruce Panock
Interview by Harryet Candee
Harryet Candee: You have not stayed still
since our last interview in September/October
2021, Bruce. What is new in your life?
Bruce Panock: I continue to work. It has been
more than 10 years since my lung transplant, and
the limitations remain, but I am making my path
and finding how I want to interact with life and
the world around me. I am finding what is important
and how I want to express these ideas in
my art.
I have come to realize that my art is part of the
evolution of how my world has changed since
the surgery and how I view the world. It is my
visual diary of sorts.
Photographers, as with many artists, spend time
alone developing their ideas and ways to express
them. I find my world is yet a bit more isolated.
I explore this isolation with my work. What it
means, and how it evolves.
“For this body of work, everything starts with
the search for shapes and patterns in the landscape.
When I get back to the computer. I then
mask out what doesn’t add to the subject. This
could take days of effort. When the shapes and
patterns have revealed themselves, I begin
thinking about the background, the colors, and
the textures. It all evolves … or fails magnificently.”
Can you tell me if the following statement still
holds today, about the series of photographic
art you created in the past, which included
"Life, Death, Flight", "Doorway", "Abstract
Rock Formation", and "Flight, Freedom
Hope", Contrasting Ideas”? Have your creative
ideas and processes changed since then?
BP: The statement still holds, but the ideas continue
to be developed. There are still many attempts
that result in failures. These failures
remain as building blocks in the creation of the
work. I still struggle with color. I have zero background
in color theory, so there are many mistakes,
but I keep moving.
My processes in creating the work and developing
ideas have advanced (I hope). The ideas
are still hard to “put down on paper.” I keep
notes, try many different approaches to put a
voice to the idea and make many mistakes. But
the process always has the same starting point…
. put in the effort and the ideas will come.
I have admired your fine art photography for
many years. Each piece takes me to a door,
then the door opens. I find myself in another
evolving world that tells a story, often emotionally
charged, without words. I see your
work as exploratory and imaginative, pushing
Continued on next page...
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 31
Abstract Milkweed
In the Shadows
artistic boundaries and intricately designed.
The viewer can only imagine the effort it takes
to achieve such a remarkable outcome. Your
work is always beautifully and professionally
framed, an important selling point. Bruce,
what series of photographs are you currently
working on?
BP: What series? That I must admit is the hardest
question for me to answer. Unlike documentary
photographers who stick with projects that have
a specific story to tell, or horror to share with us,
my work does not, or at least, has not had such a
focus to date. Unlike friends of mine who have
passions for horses or dogs, their work shows
their love affair with these beautiful creatures. I
live in a different space. My art/story comes from
the circumstances that have been part of my life
for more than 10 years, and continue to be part
of my life
I make photographs often. I collect shapes, lines,
and movement. Some colors appeal for various
32 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
reasons. And then the basic effort begins. I remove
(mask out in Photoshop) the features that
do not strike a chord with me. These features do
not add to the idea or thought that I want to share.
It is a certain movement and flow that I am looking
for, and then I begin to address what I want
to say. The image may come together, or not. I
never delete anything. One can never tell when
the idea will gel or my Photoshop talents will
catch up to my needs. There are groupings by
subject which are added to over the years. But
no one project at a time.
When you show work in an exhibition or a
gallery, do you need to adjust your artwork to
fit the venue? I hope this has only enhanced
your art-making process and made it more inspiring
for you.
BP: I rarely adjust my work to fit the needs of a
venue, or its audience. It is hard to imagine that
my work fits every gallery or exhibition. I have
been looking for a gallery in which my work fits.
It is work that naturally fits within the vision of
the gallery. I look for exhibitions in which my
work naturally has a place. It is not that I do not
think about how people will view my art, but I
have a certain thought that I want to express, a
certain idea that I want to share.
I have the good fortune to be part of a vibrant
photography community where I share my work.
People will offer suggestions, or try to note
weaknesses in the work. I go home and review
the work considering the comments and critiques.
Sometimes I will make subtle changes if
what I try to share is not compromised. After all,
we learn from our mistakes.
I may have versions of an image, but that is part
of the process of finding the best way to express
a thought.
In your statement, you mentioned that the
world contains both beauty and joy, as well as
BRUCE PANOCK RE-VISIT WITH THE ARTIST
What We’ve Done
ugliness and pain. Can you give examples of
how you express these contrasting experiences
through art? It is interesting to think about
what the world would be like without these
contrasting emotions.
BP: The Berkshires are filled with beauty. Its
forests, its fields its gardens, not to mention all
of the arts that we have are within a short drive.
The entire County inspires all art forms and the
setting in which to create.
And yet, in all of this beauty, there is the risk of
Nature being destroyed. Whether this destruction
is to the waterways, our fields, or our wildlife
and their habitat. It’s frightening what is possible
if we do nothing. We are fortunate in that there
are organizations that are trying to preserve what
we value so much.
We have a history all around us. There are buildings
throughout the county that have a beauty
that is more than what is on display inside of
them. The image made at the Mass Moca Power
Plant shares what would have happened had not
people with vision made such a wonderful place
to see inquisitive minds at work.
There is much in the world which is aggravating
and frightening. I am trying to add my voice in
protest of humanity’s ever-present desire/tendency
to destroy itself. I try to share my fears of
where we are headed if we don’t care for these
treasures.
I find it fascinating how the time spent viewing
art can feel both short and long. What
message would you want viewers to take away
from their time contemplating your work, regardless
of how long it takes them to fully understand
it?
BP: I hope that people will pause, just long
enough to look at the work and let it touch them.
Granted the art might not resonate, and they will
move on. But for some viewers, they might
pause for a few moments more and allow the
work to start a conversation that might allow the
interaction to go further. I hope that I have
opened a door through which the viewer might
go.
I put a great deal of thought into the artwork. But
once it is on the wall, it is up to the viewer to engage
and decide whether the art has some meaning
for them.
If you were to create a series, or just one piece
that sums up your life and will receive great
exposure, what elements of nature and theme
would be at the top of your list to include, and
why? What challenge would you enjoy taking
on with this piece? What fears can you let go
of and just create for the sake of creating with
this, if that is at all possible?
BP: Hard question. The answer is a project that
evolves from isolation to abandonment, to forgotten.
All one needs to do is look around.
Continued on next page...
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 33
End of the Slope
How many fields have overgrown homes where
people once lived and raised their families?
They are forgotten and Nature has reclaimed the
land. How many older, beautiful homes are purchased
for the land? The buildings are knocked
down to build something new and shiny without
thinking of the beauty in the building that is
being knocked down. How many factories are
just knocked down, forgotten, and never to be
used for some current need, before people with
a vision can repurpose them, saving their history?
How many people have a life filled with
their accomplishments, however great or small,
only to find themselves abandoned, and then forgotten?
It is hard for me to engage with people in a way
that would tell the story. I am still trying to find
a way. I think much of the art that I have made
thus far is setting me on the path to telling this
idea, this story. This is the project that I am trying
34 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
to find a way to give voice to.
Have you observed any current, trending, innovative,
cutting-edge technical and creative
processes in artmaking, specifically, photography,
that interest you to try out? How brave
would you need to be to add AI to your work?
BP: I think any of us who work in the digital
space today use Artificial Intelligence (AI) unless
we are limiting ourselves to dodging and burning.
Even so, it is hard to say where AI can be
found. The features of so many editing tools employ
AI “under the hood” of the program.
In my work, I use AI to edit out unwanted features
(i.e. poles, branches, and wires). I often
combine many images into one work, and at
times I need to fill in small gaps, thus the need
for AI to aid in filling the spaces. I do not use AI
to add skies, or other features to the images.
Technology is always evolving. But it will struggle
to exceed the creative process of a human
being. It may do things faster, but at least at this
time, it is hard to replace the creative human influence.
As we look around, there are so many
creatives who use these tools to express their
ideas. Like many others, I use the tools to fit my
needs.
I am always looking at the art made by others,
regardless of genre. There are so many creative
people making art. I admit to following in the
steps of others, but with my methods, and my
voice, and to a degree, I will use whatever tools
are available to me. The ideas and voice are still
mine.
Has your photography work ever led you into
other areas such as portraiture, the animal
kingdom, politics, or underground taboo subjects?
Of those subjects which might you explore
or never go near,?
BRUCE PANOCK RE-VISIT WITH THE ARTIST
Reaching for the Heavens
Tree and Building at Night
BP: I rarely do portraiture. I am just not good at
directing people. I do some family photographs,
but this is rare.
As I indicated earlier, I regularly employ politics
as an influence for my work. I do not attend political
gatherings due to my health restrictions but
my frustrations with our political environment,
and the lies and falsehoods that are often spread
are sources for ideas to be incorporated into my
art. I will explore how we are not so slowly damaging
our environment. Living in the Berkshires,
I have an appreciation for the beauty of Nature.
I have never explored our Western United States
but thankfully many photographers have, and I
have a great appreciation for their work, and a
great jealousy not being able to visit these open
places.
When I lived in NYC, I would rent studio space
and hire models to explore the nude. What interested
me was the lines and the flow of the human
form. These images have found their way into
the work that I am making today. I would make
more work, but lacking studio space and the
availability of models, at present this work is on
hold.
Looking back over the past five years, what
would you say have been your top achievements
in art? Whether an internal or external
achievement, or both. A progress report, perhaps
of something you managed to break
open and figure out?
BP: I have not given up the desire to have my
work shown in galleries, though I think that I am
closing in on achieving that goal.
With each passing year, I find more in Berkshire
County that draws my interest. Things and places
that we pass by and may not give a second
thought. Yet, with a few minutes to pause and reflect
on what I see in front of me, and how it
might help me express an idea, I find the Berkshires
filled with opportunity.
I am surprised at the places where I find subjects.
Almost all my work is photographed in the
Berkshires. Very recently, I found that the northfacing
wall of Berkshire Medical Center provided
the subject for an image.
G
Panockphotography.com
bruce@panockphotography.com
Instagram @brucepanock
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 35
FRONT STREET GALLERY
LANDSCAPE, KATE KNAPP
Painting classes on Monday and Wednesday
mornings 10-1pm at the studio in Housatonic and
Thursday mornings 10am - 1pm out in the field.
Also available for private critiques. Open to all.
Please come paint with us!
Gallery hours: Open by chance and by appointment anytime
413. 274. 6607 (gallery) 413. 429. 7141 (cell)
413. 528. 9546 (home) www.kateknappartist.com
Front Street, Housatonic, MA
Reseveratrol, Mixed Media Botanical Collage 3’x4’ (2023)
Sally Tiska Rice
BERKSHIRE ROLLING HILLS ART
CLOCK TOWER ARTISTS
Studio 302, 3rd floor
75 South Church St, Pittsfield, MA
(413)-446-8469
www.sallytiskarice.com
sallytiskarice@gmail.com
36 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
JOANNA KLAIN, "SCHRODINGER'S CAT"
MULTIMEDIA ON CANVAS
GLISTEN NO. 2
HARTLEY
LESLEE CARSEWELL
My artwork, be it photography, painting or collage
embraces a very simple notion: how best to
break up space to achieve more serendipity and
greater intuition on the page. Though simple in
theory, this is not so easy to achieve. I work to
make use of both positive and negative space to
create interest, lyricism, elegance, and ambiguity.
Each element informs the whole. This whole, with
luck, is filled with an air of intrigue.
Breaking up space to me has a direct correlation
to music. Rhythm, texture, points of emphasis and
silence all play their parts. Music that inspires me
includes solo piano work by Debussy, Ravel,
Mompou and of course, Schubert and Beethoven.
Working with limited and unadorned materials,
I enhance the initial compositions with color, subtle
but emphatic line work and texture. For me,
painting abstractly removes restraints. I find the
simplicity of line and subsequent forming of
shapes quietly liberating.
Lastly, I want my work to feel crafted, the artist’s
hand in every endeavor.
Leslee Carsewell -
413.229.0155 / 413.854.5757
lcarsewellart@icloud.com
“ DUCK AND COVER” 2019 ( 50”X18”X18”) CERAMIC,
WOOD, STEEL, CINDER BLOCK, ALUMINUM AND BRONZE.
MADE WHILST ON RESIDENCY AT
SALEM ART WORKS, SALEM,NY.
JOANNA KLAIN and
RICHARD CRIDDLE
ECLIPSE MILL GALLERY
"Serendipity played a part when I happened
on Richard Criddle’s sculptures at a gallery in
North Adams. I had been thinking about finding
a sculptor to share an exhibition with me at the
Eclipse Mill Gallery in October. Immediately I
recognized that Richard’s Imaginative sculptures
would harmonize with the multimedia paintings
that I am immersed in now” – Joanna Klain
“On the last day of a group exhibit I was deinstalling
my sculptures when Joanna invited me
to exhibit with her at the Eclipse Mill Gallery. As
we talked, common threads emerged. Both of us
are veterans in our respective fields of printmaking
and metal working. We have both ”loosened
up” from the type casting of these traditional mediums.
We each are making narrative allusions
from fragmented sources. Hence: " SOME AS-
SEMBLY REQUIRED” - Richard Criddle
A reception will be held on Saturday, October
5, 4-7pm. Artist’s Shared talks on Saturday, October
19, at 3pm. The exhibit is on view October
3 – 30.
Eclipse Mill Gallery-
243 Union St. North Adams ( half a mile east of
MASSMoCA on Rte 2). Open Thursdays — Sunday,
noon til 6pm. - or by appointment or chance.
Inquires: eclipse mill.com;
Emails: paperflats@icloud.com /
richardcriddle55@gmail.com
RICHARD TALBERT
I am an Abstract Surrealist Painter and Architect.
I’m also Celebrating the 100-year centennial
of Surrealism.
”Cape Cod” features a striking abstract composition
created using watercolor on paper. The
piece measures 30" x 22" and has a vibrant interplay
of colors and forms. Dominant hues of
greens, blues, and yellows overlap and blend, creating
a sense of fluidity and depth. The edges of
the painting show a hint of the paper's texture, enhancing
the organic feel of the piece. Patches of
washed color and subtle gradations indicate a
mastery of watercolor techniques, allowing the
translucent layers to interact harmoniously. This
composition captivates with its serene yet dynamic
essence, evocative of natural landscapes.
I'm influenced by The Hudson River School of
Landscape Painting and Peruvian Textiles. This
piece is a testament to my mastery of watercolor
and abstract expressionism. The ability to evoke
a tranquil yet engaging atmosphere and this work
inspires thought and reflection in a truly compelling
manner.
My paintings and architecture address the complexities
of form and space in a rectangular format.
These forms are defined spaces and
conscious “transformations” of transparent
planes. Sometimes these abstract images of vision
are distortions and trigger an insubordinate sense
of color. As a Public Muralist, my work can be
provocative as well as reflective of my daily surroundings.
Yet, I am always conscious of Current
American Landscape Painting, the Great Mexican
Muralists of the 1940’s as well as Ancient Peruvian
Textiles.
One man exhibitions include: Gallery Des Artistes,
533 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach,
Florida, 33401. Bonwit Teller & Co., Atrium Gallery,
Bal Harbour Shops, 9700 Collins Avenue,
Bal Harbour Shops and Indoor/Outdoor Shopping
Mall, Bal Harbour, Florida. 33154.
Richard Talbert -
My Lenox Studio is open by appointment:
413-347-3888
richtalbert1@gmail.com,
Website: richardtalbertdesign.com
Fantasy, abandoned by reason,
produces impossible monsters; united with it, she is the mother of the arts and the origin of marvels.
—Francisco de Goya
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 37
“SEAWEED HOLE” OIL ON VINTAGE LINEN, 24”X 30”
GHETTA HIRSCH
This painting is part of a new body of work focussing
on details in a landscape. The paintings I
am working on right now are seen from above or
sideways giving me a raw view of the simplicity
of nature. Contrasts in colors, shapes or textures
are highlighted by the subtract I am using. I went
to Miller’s Art Supply in Pittsfield with pieces of
an 1880 linen sheet that I inherited. This coarse,
irregular and handwoven linen texture provides
an interesting surface to paint on and adds to the
organic effect I am pursuing in my oil painting
currently. It is also extremely taunt and solid.
Enjoy this little piece of Maine, seaweed between
wet rocks on the shore!
If you like seascapes, I have quite a few paintings
on this topic exhibited at Gallery North in
North Adams. www.gallerynorthadams.com
One of my new paintings has been selected to
be exhibited as a banner by Eyes on Art Town
2024, a yearly event in Williamstown. The original
of the painting will be placed at the Spring
Street Market this fall.
Another Summer oil painting is exhibited at
Beckets Art Center and I hope you will be able to
attend the Opening of their “Nature is Wild”
Show, September 20th 5-7, https://www.becketartscenter.org
My Home Studio will welcome you anytime if
you like to browse privately. Just text or call
Ghetta Hirsch-
413-597 1716
ghetta-hirsch.squarespace.com
“I didn’t want a completely passive viewer.
Art means too much
to me. To be able to articulate something
visually is really an important thing.
I wanted to make work where the viewer
wouldn’t walk away.”
– Kara Walker
BIRCH VIHTA
MIXED MEDIA BOTANICAL COLLAGE
2’6”X3’4” 2023
SALLY TISKA RICE
BERKSHIRE ROLLING HILLS
Born and raised in the captivating Berkshires,
Sally Tiska Rice possesses artistic prowess that
breathes life into her canvases. As a versatile
multi-media artist, Sally seamlessly employs a
tapestry of techniques, working in acrylics, watercolors,
oil paints, pastels, collages containing
botanicals and mixed media elements. Her creative
spirit draws inspiration from the idyllic surroundings
of her rural hometown, where she
resides with her husband Mark and cherished
pets.
Sally's artistic process is a dance of spontaneity
and intention. With each stroke of her brush, she
composes artwork that reflects her unique perspective.
Beyond her personal creations, Sally
also welcomes commissioned projects, turning
heartfelt visions into tangible realities. Whether
it's capturing the essence of individuals, beloved
pets, cherished homes, or sacred churches, she
pours her soul into each personalized masterpiece.
Sally's talent has garnered recognition both nationally
and internationally. Her career includes a
remarkable 25-year tenure at Crane Co., where
she lent her hand-painted finesse to crafting exquisite
stationery. Sally is a member of the Clock
Tower Artists of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, the
Guild of Berkshire Artists, the Berkshire Art Association,
and the Becket Arts Center. Follow on
YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram.
Sally’s work is on the gallery walls of the Clock
Tower, Open Monday-Friday 9:00-5:00 pm for
self-guided tours.
Also, 51 Park Restaurant & Tavern in Lee, MA
Berkshire Rolling Hills Art, 75 South Church St,
3rd Floor, Studio 302, Pittsfield, MA. 413-446-
8469.
SallyTiskaRice@gmail.com
www.sallytiskarice.com
https://www.facebook.com/artistsallytiskarice
Fine Art Prints (Pixels), Twitter, LinkedIn,
Instagram, YouTube, TikTok
@DEBORAH_H_CARTER
UPCYCLED WEARABLE ART
PHOTO: KORENMAN.COM
MODEL: VICKI BONNINGTON
DEBORAH H. CARTER
SHOWING AT THE CAHOON
MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 15
Finalist World of Wearable Art 2024
Deborah H. Carter is a multi-media artist from
Lenox, MA, who creates upcycled sustainable
wearable art. Her couture pieces are constructed
from post-consumer waste such as food packaging,
wine corks, cardboard, books, wire, plastic,
and other discarded items and thrifted wares. She
manipulates the color, shape, and texture of her
materials to compel us to question our assumptions
of beauty and worth and ultimately reconsider
our habits and attitudes about waste and
consumerism.
A sewing enthusiast since the age of 8, Deborah
first learned her craft by creating clothing
with her mother and grandmothers. Her passion
took hold as she began to design and sew apparel
and accessories. After graduating with a degree in
fashion design from Parsons School of Design in
New York City, she worked as a women’s sportswear
designer on Seventh Avenue.
Deborah’s art has been exhibited in galleries
and art spaces around the US. She was one of 30
designers selected to showcase her work at the
FS2020 Fashion Show annually at the University
of Saint Andrews, Scotland. She has featured in
the Spring 2023 What Women Create magazine.
Deborah H Carter has been featured in the
Berkshire Magazine, What Women Create magazine
and was a finalist in the World of Wearable-
Art competition in Wellington, New Zealand
2023.
Deborah H Carter-
413-441-3220, Clock Tower Artists
75 S. Church St., Studio 315, 3rd floor.
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Instagram: @deborah_h_carter
Debhcarter@yahoo.com
38 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
ARTFULMIND@YAHOO.COM
LONNY JARRETT FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY
Berkshirescenicphotography.com
413‐298‐4221 Lonny@berkshirescenicphotography.com
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 39
RICHARD NELSON
“THE ALPHABET IN SO
MANY WORDS”
I always like to have projects, some more ambitious
than others. This particular project was to
provide a context for the illustrations for some
odd words. I like the words Zax and Zarf and
wanted to illustrate them. But without illustrating
the rest of the alphabet, it didn’t make sense.
The first four or five were abstract, but that
really didn’t make sense, so I opted to illustrate.
I think, collectively these would work great in a
book format. See what happens!
Richard Nelson-
@ nojrevned@hotmail.com
STILL LIFE BY KATE KNAPP
FRONT ST. GALLERY
Pastels, oils, acrylics and watercolors…abstract
and representational…..landscapes, still lifes and
portraits….a unique variety of painting technique
and styles….you will be transported to another
world and see things in a way you never have before….
join us and experience something different.
Painting classes continue on Monday and Wednesday
mornings 10-1:30pm at the studio and
Thursday mornings out in the field. These classes
are open to all...come to one or come again if it
works for you. All levels and materials welcome.
Private critiques available.
Classes at Front Street are for those wishing to
learn, those who just want to be involved in the
pure enjoyment of art, and/or those who have some
experience under their belt.
Front Street, Housatonic, MA. Gallery open
by appointment or chance anytime. 413-528-
9546 at home or 413-429-7141 (cell)
www.kateknappartist.com
ELIZABETH CASSIDY
LITTLE LOVE LETTERS:
A PEACEFUL REVOLUTION
I created Little Love Letters: A Peaceful Revolution
in 2016. These small cards have my art
and messages of love and acceptance on them.
They have been mailed to our local and international
volunteers who have left over 70,000
cards in different public places for someone to
find and know that they matter.
My cards are all about creating a peaceful revolution.
My hope is that people will feel a little
love when they find a card. I have had people
write to me saying that the right card showed up
for them at the right time.
These cards are what someone described as
“magical.”
If you would like to join this peaceful revolution,
please go to my website, and look for info
under, “Social Impact.” We can make a difference.
We need to make a difference.
The world needs a little more love.
elizabeth cassidy studio works -
www:elizabethcassidystudioworks.com
The perfect gift
to show
friendship
and love.
Find charms that delight
and fascinate.
Hand-made beaded jewelry, plus
there’s so much more to see on
Laura’s online site!
Commissioned pieces welcome
LoopeyLaLa
www.LoopeyLaLa.Etsy.com
Enter promo code ARTFULMIND10 to receive 10% off your purchase
40 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
EDWARD ACKER
PHOTOGRAPHER
Time Flies • Get Pictures
EdwardAckerPhotographer.com
edwardacker302@gmail.com
413. 446. 8348
Matt Bernson
Nap
PORTRAITS • PIN UPS • NUDES
ArtByMattBernson.com
matthew.bernson@gmail.com | Instagram @MattBernson.Art
42 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 43
44 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
BRUCE LAIRD
Clock Tower Artists Business Center
Studio #307
75 South Church Street, Pittsfield, MA
(TOP) Only One (Acrylic on Board)
(BOTTOM) Homage To Hedy. (Acrylic on Canvas)
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 45
EDGE OF RAGE
AMERICAN GYPSY
CANDACE EATON
Hello September Artful Mind issue! Featured
in this issue is one of my favorite paintings, Genesis,
using the Horse as a symbol of our carnal life
and spirit, as I do in many of my works. My move
up to the Berkshires is exciting me about doing
plein air landscaping yet I know I will continue
to do the Archetype series like my American
Gypsy and the JazzHorse pieces like this small
mixed media painting called Edge of Rage. I continue
to personally object to the trend of Branding
myself and create with artistic freedom, which is
necessary for my muses’ whisperings.
Candace Eaton-
631-413- 5057
candaceeatonstudio@gmail.com
www.candaceeaton.com
BERKSHIRE DIGITAL
Since opening in 2005, Berkshire Digital has
done Giclée prints/fine art printing and accurate
photo-reproductions of paintings, illustrations and
photographs.
Giclée prints can be made in many different
sizes from 5”x7” to 42”x 80” on a variety of archival
paper choices. Berkshire Digital was featured
in Photo District News magazine in an
article about fine art printing. See the entire article
on the BerkshireDigital.com website.
Berkshire Digital does accurate photo-reproductions
of paintings and illustrations that can be
used for Giclée prints, books, magazines, brochures,
cards and websites.
“Fred Collins couldn’t have been more professional
or more enjoyable to work with. He did a
beautiful job in photographing paintings carefully,
efficiently, and so accurately. It’s such a
great feeling to know I have these beautiful, useful
files on hand anytime I need them. I wish I’d
called Fred years ago.” ---- Ann Getsinger
We also offer restoration and repair of damaged
or faded photographs. A complete overview of
services offered, along with pricing, can be seen
on the web at BerkshireDigital.com
The owner, Fred Collins, has been a commercial
and fine art photographer for over 30 years having
had studios in Boston, Stamford and the Berkshires.
He offers over 25 years of experience with
Photoshop, enabling retouching, restoration and
enhancement to prints and digital files. The studio
is located in Mt Washington but drop-off and
pick-up is available through Frames On Wheels,
84 Railroad Street in Great Barrington, MA
413-528-0997 and Gilded Moon Framing
17 John Street in Millerton, NY
518-789-3428.
Berkshire Digital -
413-644-9663,
or go online to www.BerkshireDigital.com
PROMOTE YOUR ART HERE...
THE ARTFUL MIND
413. 645. 4114
CLASSIC FLORA, WILDFLOWER ENGAGEMENT RING
TW MCCLELLAND
& DAUGHTERS
CREATIVE FINE JEWELRY
Tim McClelland is a fine jeweler in Great Barrington,
MA known for his 20+ years as the creative
hands and mind behind McTeigue &
McClelland Jewelers. He has been practicing the
art of jewelry making for more than 50 years.
Engagement rings from his Wildflower Collection
are worn by editors of Vogue, Vanity Fair, W,
Town & Country, Martha Stewart Weddings, and
acclaimed by many more. TWM original pieces
have graced the red carpets of the Oscars and
Cannes.
Tim uses ancient and traditional jewelry making
techniques to bring to life timeless, inspired jewelry.
His work is known the world over by jewelry
connoisseurs and those who seek out originality,
beauty and quality. In his designs Tim is inspired
by nature, humor, light, balance, and the materials
themselves. He uses his work to create a joyful
expression in a tiny space. Most importantly Tim
hopes to be of service to his community and customers.
Beginning this Autumn the TWM atelier doors
will open to the public, Thurs., Fri, Sat, 11 - 5pm!
Please join our mailing list via twmcclelland.com
for an invite to the opening.
Contact us directly about all things jewelry at
info@twmcclelland.com or 413-654-3399.
Follow along on Instagram and Pinterest at
@twmcclelland
46 • SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
“Mouse Face”
FROM THE SERIES
“Stories For Children”
As soon as the fox was out of sight Rowena, (the
chicken,) ran out from behind the tree, and stood
in the path, uncertain what to do. She wanted to
head straight for home, but couldn’t because she
would be bound to run into the fox or his friends
on the way. But to go the other way would be to
get further from her home. As she stood there lost
in thought and uncertain what to do, the crow flew
down from his tree and landed right in front of her.
It might have been simply a coincidence, but Jason,
the crow, seemed to want Rowena to continue on
the path down to the lake. He stood there in the
path in front of the chicken, and took several bold
and determined steps in the lake’s direction. When
Rowen didn’t move to Rowena, he looked over his
shoulder and made a loud cawing sound not once,
but three times, and then a forth caw, somewhat
quieter after a little pause. The little quieter exclamation,
following three loud caws, is understood
to act as a kind of question mark, or so I have been
told.
All this was happening at a time before chickens
and crows had really learned how to talk to each
other. And even much later when they had learned
to converse, there was often confusion and misunderstandings.
It was a situation like when a tourist in a foreign
country asks directions, and the native, unable to
explain, simply walks off in the correct direction
waving a hand, so the crow indicated the way one
hop at a time, looking over his shoulder to see if
the chicken would follow him. So the two of them
headed for the lake which was some distance away.
Why was the crow so concerned to look after
Rowena in the first place? First of all, because they
were both birds, birds who hop along on two feet,
and birds are not fond of foxes. Secondly, it was
Rowena who had exclaimed, “Don’t chase the
crows away, they probably think they are chickens,
just like us.” Jason the crow, might not have exactly
understood what Rowena was clucking when
she clucked it, but he understood nevertheless.
Rowena was extremely curious about the lake.
From the chicken coop she had often looked at the
lake in the distance and wondered what it could
possibly be. This is what she thought. The lake
must be a piece of the sky that fell down and landed
on the ground in the distance. It was the same color
as the sky, and it even had clouds in it, if there were
clouds above. Rowena was completely shocked
and confused when she arrived at the edge of the
lake with the crow and discovered that it was completely
wet, and made up entirely of water. Then
she realized what a lake was because in the yard
near the chicken coop the children had a little
swimming pool, it also often looked like the sky,
and was wet all the time, and she had more than
once gone swimming in it.
Rowena ventured out into the water and swam
about for a while, and the crow stood by the shore
and examined various twigs and leaves, but in the
distance he noticed three sets of eyes looking at
Rowena and himself. It was the three foxes who,
not having found the chicken on the path to the
farm, had returned in search of her.
Then it was evening, and as always, a little later
it was night. Then it was cold and Rowena began
to feel a little homesick. She wished she had never
decided to go for a walk, and she did not care that
lakes are made of water, and she had no interest in
what foxes like to eat. She longed to be going to
sleep nestled in the chicken coop, all in a heap with
her brothers and her sisters, where it was simply
impossible to tell where one chicken left off and
another began. She looked around for a spot to settle
down for the night and the crow, who was looking
on from above, flew down and landed on a log
that was floating near the shore.
The log the crow landed on was not all by itself,
it had three brothers and one sister. The brothers
were three logs from a similar tree, and the sister
was a log from a birch tree with different markings
and a different color bark, mostly flaked off. The
five logs were tied together with clothesline rope
that had been cut into three foot sections with a
jackknife. The clothes that the clothesline rope had
been holding up were scattered all over some persons
yard, but that was over a year ago, and the
rope had been long ago replaced.
It was two brothers that took the rope, and used it
to tie together the logs to make a raft. On their raft
they had placed two milk crates containing a shoe
box with six bananas, and several comic books all
missing their covers. Stuffed in between the milk
crates was a quantity of straw which has been intended
to be used for pillows. There were also two
pillow cases, also from the yard where the clothesline
rope had come from. When the clothes from
the yard had been folded it was discovered that the
two pillow cases were missing, and the woman
who discovered the missing laundry simply assumed
that the wind blew them away, and spent a
long time looking for them. The pillow cases were
white with little blue flowers, and now, somewhat
faded, were tucked between the milk crates and the
straw.
The boys had been planning to run away from
home but their plans were disrupted because their
father moved the family to Alabama, where he had
secured a job selling used shoes door to door, so
the raft was never used.
Rowena settled down in the straw to go to sleep
for the night. The crow also went to sleep, perched
on the top of one of the milk crates, but the chicken
had difficulty sleeping. She kept hearing rustling
sounds behind her head, and sometimes she woke
up because of tiny squeaking noises. The squeaks
were coming from a little mouse who found herself
trapped between Rowena’s head, and the back corner
of her milk crate. I refer to the milk crate as
‘hers,’ because she and her family had been living
there for almost a year, and no chickens had bothered
to visit them.
During the night, as Rowena slept and the mouse
struggled to get comfortable, a strong wind began
to blow. It was a hurricane sort of wind. The little
raft struggled up and down and shook back and
forth, until its rope broke and it launched itself out
into the lake. When morning came the crow, the
chicken, and the mouse were way out in the middle
of the lake bobbing up and down, and all was calm.
It was just a few minutes after Rowena woke up
that the hay in the milk crate moved slightly and
Rowena found herself face to face with the mouse.
The mouse had not slept very well and so was not
quite awake, but she completely understood her
great danger; or what she imagined must be her
great danger. She could see that she was trapped in
the corner of her milk crate and was looking into
the visage of the most hideous, gigantic face she
had ever seen in her short life.
Just try to picture yourself in the situation of that
mouse whose name, by the way, was Clara. She
had been given the name Clara because her squeak
had a very slight clarinet type of sound. Who
named her Clara I have been unable to ascertain
yet, but you will just have to take my word for it,
but even so, it is not germane to the dire mouse situation
I am trying to describe for you.
As I was saying, imagine you are like that mouse,
and have found yourself trapped in the corner of a
dark room. In an open door, just a few feet away
from you there is a gigantic repulsive head about
ten feet high, and eight feet from ear to ear. This is
a face that has hysterically malevolent eyes the size
of watermelons. Below the watery watermelon
eyes is some sort of beak that looks like the jaws
of one of those automobile wrecking machines
found in junkyards. Death is inescapable, death is
at your doorstep, but first there is going to be some
dismemberment!
I'm sorry, this will not do. This is supposed to be
a children’s story, of the kind that is read in the
children's section of the library on Saturday morning,
and therefore words like ‘dismemberment,’
would seem to be very out of place. Little children,
even those eating chicken Mcnuggets, would have
trouble visualizing things like dismemberment,
even though it is actually part of their everyday carnivorish
existence.
But in that situation, backed into a corner by a
gigantic birdlike monster, and in the last moments
of your earthly existence, you would have no idea
what to do, would you? This is only because you
do not have the intelligence of the average mouse.
Either that, or Mother Nature did not bother to give
you the necessary resources to deal with that eventuality.
But Clara knew exactly what to do. She leaped
instantly from her corner directly onto Rowena’s
face, and grabbed hold for dear life. Rowena did
what you yourself would certainly do if you found
a mouse suddenly attached to your face. She took
two hops rapidly backwards, and then shook her
head violently left and right. Clara was thrown
completely from off of Rowena’s face, and also
clear of the raft, and disappeared under the water
leaving a trail of bubbles down into the depths. In
the milk crate, under the straw, her little children,
two boys and three girls huddled together in terror,
not knowing if they would even see their Mommy
ever again.
—-RICHARD BRITELL
AUGUST, 2024
THE ARTFUL MIND SEPTEMBER 2024 • 47
48 •SEPTEMBER 2024 THE ARTFUL MIND
BRUCE PANOCK
Cape Cod Abstract Sand and Sky
Panockphotography.com
bruce@panockphotography.com
917-287-8589
Instagram @brucepanock
THE ARTFUL MIND AUGUST 2024 • 49
Deborah H Carter
Upcycled Wearable Art
Photo: Korenman.com
Model: Vicki Bonnington
Showing at the Cahoon Museum
Of American Art through September 15
Represented by the Wit Gallery
Studio: Clock Tower Artists