
Works by textile artist Melinda Cox:
Enjoy works by Jamestown-resident artists Jenn & David Clancy:
Serene seascapes and surreal bird oil paintings by Jessica Pisano:
linger & learn this thursday, 6-8p
Works by textile artist Melinda Cox:
Enjoy works by Jamestown-resident artists Jenn & David Clancy:
Serene seascapes and surreal bird oil paintings by Jessica Pisano:
featuring art talk with Tracy Glover & special guest Alyn Carlson
Be sure to attend our 2nd of three linger & learn events this Thursday, 6/28 from 6pm – 8pm. Last month’s event was a warm gathering marked with gallerist Candita Clayton sharing her insights on the benefits of collecting handmade objects. Candita’s encouragement to engage and collaborate with an artist, instead of just buying from afar, is the topic of our July and August linger & learn events.
On Thursday evening, artist Tracy Glover will share how she engages with designers and homeowners to select from her artisan lighting fixtures and objects to complement a home. (Her talk will begin at 6:45 pm, so be sure to time your arrival. You won’t want to miss it.)
Tracy regularly welcomes clients and designers into her Pawtucket studio to understand her process, see work in progress and be inspired by the possibilities of her glass lighting and objects. We’ll recreate a small version of Tracy’s studio at taste, enabling her to share with our guests an experience similar to visiting her in Pawtucket. She’ll provide examples of her work and taste designers will chime in with case studies of interiors we’ve designed that incorporate Tracy’s work.
As a special bonus, artist Alyn Carlson will also contribute to the dialog and share how she and Tracy are collaborating on a special project. Alyn’s work is in the gallery at taste this summer and her relationship with fellow artist Tracy is a wonderful view into the way artists work together in our small state of abundant talent.
And if that’s not enough to tempt you to join us, we’ll welcome back Vanessa Piche to the gallery at taste with new work and introduce artist Kate Wilson’s brilliant works in photography as well.
The red front door opens at 6pm and Tracy’s talk will start at 6:45 pm. Join us for what I expect to be a lovely, inspirational evening.
(To tempt you even more, work from Tracy, Vanessa and Kate follows below.)
Only the best,
Scenes from last month’s linger & learn event featuring gallerist Candita Clayton with work by Kelly Milukas, Susan Freda and Alyn Carlson.
Kate Wilson joins us with her joy-filled works that are “lovingly dye-sublimated onto aluminum”. We’re thrilled to have the energy and positivity of her work in our midst.
Tracy Glover’s pendants, light fixtures and glass objects are works of art we regularly incorporate into our client homes because of their timeless qualities. Never overly trendy or kitschy, Tracy’s work brings the quality of craft to an interior for years of come.
Dear friend and coastal artist Vanessa Piche can be seen on the beach and in the marsh capturing the color, light and scenes of our seaside towns. Ever working and always vibrant, we love having Vanessa around us and with us each summer.
the first of three evenings in our 2018 summer series
The first event in our 2018 summer series was a lovely gathering, filled with friends and rich learning opportunities. The gallery at taste is brimming with art by Kelly Milukas, Susan Freda and Alyn Carlson. Be sure to stop by this month to see their exquisite work.
Candita Clayton was in the house to kick-off the linger & learn series, with insights on how to demystify selecting art and how to best engage with an artist to deepen the experience of acquiring art. And, equally imporatant – curbing those tendencies to fill your walls with anything less than a handmade piece of art.
A good time was had by all. Be sure to attend a linger & learn event later this summer – Thursday evenings, June 28th and August 2nd.
Enjoy the snapshots and videos of Candita’s talk below. Remember, our doors are open all summer long for doses of artful inspiration…
Only the best,
join us!
We hear from many of you that you look forward to our open studio events every summer for connection and inspiration. We’re so glad. Since 2015, we’ve opened our red front door for three Thursday evenings in the summer to welcome friends, neighbors and favorite artists to our gallery.
This summer we’re expanding to include an art & design learning opportunity each evening. I’m bubbling over with excitement and pride about our guest speaker and artist line-up. (I met with artist Susan Freda this week to select her work that we’ll debut at the gallery at taste later this month and I’m over the moon excited. She is an extraordinary artist creating work from the heart that speaks to so many people.)
Our first Linger & Learn event happens Thursday evening, May 31st from 6pm – 8pm at our Jamestown Studio. Join us then for a cocktail and a nibble to absorb art wisdom from friend and gallerist Candita Clayton and take in the work of Susan Freda, Kelly Milukas and Alyn Carlson.
Here’s why you should attend…
At twenty-one years old, Candita started collecting art with $125 she’d scraped together after college to buy a small print that spoke to her. Since then, she’s added to her own collection, edited friends’ and clients’ collections and demystified art buying along the way. Today, that print still hangs in her living room and symbolizes her buy-what-you-love philosophy to acquiring handmade objects.
Candita will share her approach to buying original art (at any price point – even $125), including:
The red front door opens at 6pm and Candita’s talk will start at 6:45 pm-ish. Join us for what I expect to be a lovely, inspirational evening.
(To tempt you even more, work from Susan, Kelly and Alyn follows below.)
Only the best,
P.S. Mark your calendars for all the Linger & Learn events this summer…
Thursday, May 31st with gallerist Candita Clayton
Thursday, June 28th with glass artist Tracy Glover
Thursday, August 2nd with textile artist Melinda Cox
Sue Freda – Kozo Dress
Alyn Carlson – Aqua Linea 1216
Kelly Milukas – Spinal – 18 x 10 inches
Sue Freda – Abaca Dress
Alyn Carlson – Aqua Linea 1316
Kelly Milukas – Oxygen – 6 x 6 inches
Sue Freda – Collagraph 2
Kelly Milukas – Done at Dawn Bandwidth
Sue Freda – Collagraph 5
Kelly Milukas – Drench Gaia
Sue Freda – Filasidus
Kelly Milukas – Oceanic – 10 x 10 inches
Sue Freda – Hyacinth Vitroll
Kelly Milukas – The Modern Past – 6 x 6 inches
team taste lends a hand
We’re all too aware of the devastation that Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma have caused the past several weeks. After endless images and news stories, we’re all feeling heartache for the families impacted and the urge to do something meaningful to help if we can.
Like so many, we have friends, family and associates in the Houston area and throughout Florida. In the days during Harvey, I reached out to collaborator and cabinetmaker Jonathon Dahl, whose home is in the Houston area. He shared with me images of the flood waters as it creeped closer and closer to his house – home to him, his wife and children.
Luckily, the water began to recede, leaving the Dahl family home untouched. Jonathon’s workshop (and therefore, livelihood) sustained flood damage, but with positivity and hard work, he was up and running again in a few days. Then his phone began to ring…
At least 10 of Jonathon’s customers lost everything in the flood. And the last several days have been filled with Jonathon and his crew helping to clean out houses he reports as heart wrenching work.
To lend a hand to the families Jonathon is helping to recover, taste will be donating 100 design hours in the coming weeks to design cabinetry, select flooring and fixtures and create color palettes for new interiors. Our collaboration with Jonathon Dahl is something I hope will alleviate a fraction of the stress the families will face as they rebuild their homes and their lives. And, provide a bit of joy.
Let us know if you’d like to help out with a donation of funds to help the families Jonathon is serving in the Houston area. We can all lend a hand.
In gratitude,
Team taste is ready to help. This photo was taken in a Rhode Island home finished with Jonathon this summer.
Join us!
Our July Open House was another warm and inspired gathering, with art and conversation enjoyed by all. As I plan this month’s Open House – our last of the season – I realize it means summer is waning. Be sure to join us as we wrap up Summer 2017 with a final burst of inspiration and artistic talent, including…
Debby Krim brings her ‘Colors of White’ photography series which has been seen in the Sandra Bullock / Ryan Reynolds movie “The Proposal,” Wendy Wahl’s three-dimensional studies of twisted paper adds new dimension to the walls, North Kingstown artist Vanessa Piche returns with her beautiful land and seascapes paintings of life along New England’s coasts, and Rhode Island artist Tiffany Adams joins us with her ceramic masterpieces.
Stop in on Thursday, August 17th between 5pm – 8pm to view our new selections. Enjoy great conversation with our artists, then grab dinner at one of Jamestown’s finest – FiSH across the street or Simpatico next door to taste.
I hope to see you next week. In the meantime, meet our artists below and view a quick snapshot of their exceptional work.
Only the best,
Debby Krim – Photograph
Debby Krim – Splash – Photograph
Debby Krim – Charismatic Gyre – Photograph
Debby Krim – Curl – Photograph
Debby Krim – Joie de Vivre – Photograph
Debby Krim – Three Petals – Photograph
Debby Krim – Whorls – Photograph
Debby Krim – Floralscape – Photograph
Vanessa Piche – Big Sky Over Zeek’s Creek – Oil 24 x 24 inches
Vanessa Piche – Beach Amigos – Oil
Vanessa Piche – Newport Wharf – 12 x 24 inches
Vanessa Piche – Conversations – Oil – 12 x 16 inches
Vanessa Piche – Coastal Glow – Oil – 48 x 36 inches
Vanessa Piche – Beach Stroll – Oil
Vanessa Piche – Around the Mark – Oil – 20 x 16 inches
Vanessa Piche – Beach Boogie Woogie – Oil
Wendy Wahl – Arboreal Anatomy 2008 – Installation of Paper and Steel – 35′ x 12′ x 15′
Wendy Wahl – EB #17; 2008 – Paper – 14 x 18 inches
Wendy Wahl – EB Mixed Editions; 2009 – Installation of Paper and Stainless Steel – 60 x 16 x 17 inches, 50 x 78 x 17 inches, 60 x 95 x 17 inches
Wendy Wahl – EB #16 – Paper
Wendy Wahl – EB #11 – Paper
Wendy Wahl – EB #12 – Paper
Wendy Wahl – Seeds #2; 2014 – Paper – 11 x 14 inches
our first gallery night is Thursday, July 20th
Gallery nights return to taste for our third summer at our storefront studio & gallery in the heart of Jamestown. Plan to make an evening out of it and have dinner at Fish across the street or Simpatico next door.
As always, we’re excited to bring new artists to taste and this summer is no exception. Coral Bourgeois, a tactile, mosaic tile artist known for her bright, colorful pieces, will be joining Jamestown local Christian Potter Drury and her vibrant interpretations of life around her, Jessica Pisano and her new series of birds in flight, and Kelly Jo Shows and her unique portraits of artists’ shoes.
I’ve included their profiles below along with several of their completed pieces of work. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for July 20th (and our other upcoming Gallery Show on August 17th…details to follow).
Only the best,
Coral Bourgeois – Big Fish – Tile Mosaic
Coral Bourgeois – Elephants – Tile Mosaic
Coral Bourgeois – Layers – Tile Mosaic
Coral Bourgeois – Tile Mosaic
Coral Bourgeois – Yellow Fish – Tile Mosaic
Coral Bourgeois – Tiled Staircase
Jessica Pisano – The Silent Language – Oil
Jessica Pisano – Crossing Paths – Oil
Jessica Pisano – Afternoon Reflection – Oil and Gold Leaf
Jessica Pisano – Still Waters – Oil and Silver Leaf
Kelly Jo Shows – Portrait of an Artist: John Casey – Oil
Kelly Jo Shows – Portrait of an Aartist: Alan Needler – Oil
Kelly Jo Shows – Portrait of an Artist: Candy Chang – Oil
Kelly Jo Shows – Portrait of an Artist: Patrick Finster – Oil
Kelly Jo Shows – Portrait of an Artist: The Art Guys – Oil
Christian Drury – High Tide – Acrylic & Mixed Medium
Christian Drury – Mount Wilson – Gouache, Watercolor, Pastel Collage
Christian Potter Drury – Opera Coat for David Lynch – collage, varnished
Christian Potter Drury – en famille – Acrylic, Collage, Pastel, Ink, Watercolor, Varnish
Christian Potter Drury – Buds – Watercolor, Acrylic, India Ink, Collage, Varnish
Christian Potter Drury – In the Deep Dark Forest You Will See a Golden Light – Acrylic, Pencil, Watercolor, Varnish
Our fresh coat of paint has dried and we’ve refreshed the gallery at taste, complete with new work brimming with images of warm days and nights. Dora Atwater Millikin and Susan Strauss return to the gallery with bold and lively new work, just in time for summer. Be sure to stop by the gallery at taste, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5 pm, to view Dora’s and Susan’s new selection of paintings.
About Dora…
Though not unfamiliar to our walls, we are pleased to show new work by the Massachusetts artist Dora Atwater Millikin. Known for her roadways, summer camper series and the geometry found in everyday life, we’re pleased to present a new series of early morning, evening and coastal scenes.
“Ordinary, mundane objects are featured, not omitted, and the works are meant to engage scenes of contemporary life that transcends the everyday. My urban subjects depict objects associated with a more leisurely life and are in direct contrast to nature. Their titles such as “No Parking” or “Parking this side only” allude to the complicated network of rules and privileges installed to maintain order in an overly congested world.
As site specific as the places in my paintings may be, hopefully, anyone can relate to the universal nature of their activity. What is my message? My message is to find the rhythm and beauty in the world around me and to give an interpretation of life in my time as seen through my eyes.”
Also no stranger to the gallery at taste is Susan Strauss. Her loose, dynamic style captures the essence of the scene. Strauss brings a new set of small works featuring spring and summer hued landscapes to our gallery along with several large pieces that demand the center of attention.
“Each new painting is fresh, open to risk and growth. I paint from direct observation of both inner and outer landscape.
Simply put, I am painting to make visible both seen and non-visual experiences, to explore their interconnection and to reveal their universality.
My goal is to be present in my life and my paintings.”
In other gallery news… summer Gallery Nights will be back on July 20th and August 17th. Mark your calendars!
On July 20th, we’ll feature the layering, textural artist Coral Bourgeois and her mosaic collaged pieces, Kelly Jo Shows’s unique Portrait of an Artist shoe paintings, local artist Christian Potter Drury’s playful, eclectic story pieces, and Jessica Pisano, whom you may recall is a sought after seascape artist. Jessica’s new series features birds in flight in her highly crafted and articulated oil techniques.
August 17th brings Debby Krim and The Colors of White photography study featuring the relationship between positive and negative space, Rhode Island artist Vanessa Piche who has added the Summer Tides and Gannett Summer boating series to her ever-popular shorelines and marsh paintings, Wendy Wahl’s 3D pieces made from unbound pages of discarded encyclopedias, and Tiffany Adams’ organic ceramic sculptures inspired by nature.
Enjoy this glimpse of our current show with Dora Atwater Millikin and Susan Strauss or drop in anytime Monday – Friday between 9am – 5pm to view these stunning pieces in person. And as always, take advantage and “try before you buy” to view pieces in your home or office.
Only the best,
Dora Atwater Millikin – 8pm – oil on linen – 20 x 48 inches
Dora Atwater Millikin – Door, Drum – oil on linen – 28 x 20 inches
Dora Atwater Millikin – Night – oil on linen – 36 x 20 inches
Dora Atwater Millikin – Street Light – oil on linen – 30 x 20 i inches
Dora Atwater Millikin – First Thing – oil on linen – 24 x 36 inches
Dora Atwater Millikin – Morning – oil on linen – 36 x 20 inches
Dora Atwater Millikin – Night Driving – oil on linen – 20 x 28 inches
Dora Atwater Millikin – Vortex – oil on linen – 48 x 72 inches
Dora Atwater Millikin – Summer Place – oil on linen – 24 x 30 inches
Dora Atwater Millikin – Bellow Docks – oil on linen – 28 x 16 inches
Dora Atwater Millikin – Beach Street – oil on linen – 28 x 20 inches
Susan Strauss – Sky or Reflection? – oil on panel – 28 x 36 inches
Susan Strauss – Exceptional Summer Moments – oil on panel – 12 x 16 inches
Susan Strauss – Pardon Gray Trees (left) – oil on panel – 11.5 x 5 inches
Susan Strauss – Pardon Gray Trees (right) – oil on panel – 11.5 x 5 inches
Susan Strauss – The Speed of Summer – oil on panel – 36 x 40 inches
Susan Strauss – Wonderful Place – oil on panel – 12 x 12 inches
Susan Strauss – Iconic – oil on panel – 12 x 18 inches
Susan Strauss – Early July – oil on panel – 11 x 14 inches
Susan Strauss – Entrance – oil on panel – 12 x 16 inches
A post project check-in
Earlier this month I had the pleasure of presenting alongside Jeff Soderbergh, Creator of Custom, Sustainable Furnishings, at the Newport Art Museum during Design Week.
DESIGNxRI’s Design Week is an eleven-day event that celebrates innovative design and architecture throughout Rhode Island. The fantastic team at DESIGNxRI offers talks, tours, luncheons and events such as the Drinks With Designers, where I discussed How Design Works and shared projects with unique challenges/solutions.
To prepare for the talk, I found before photos of three client projects that have been completed for a year or more now, then shared the before photos with my clients to jog their memory of the spaces pre-renovation. Then, I asked them for insight on how the spaces were working for them now, compared to before, and posed these questions:
— How have the rooms changed your views/relationship to adjacent interior rooms? And to the exterior?
— How has the lighting/layout/finishing changed the way you use the space?
— What happens in these spaces now, when family and friends gather, that didn’t happen before?
— What work gets done in these spaces now, that didn’t flow as well before? Why?
— Any unexpected life moments with your children that have resulted from these improved spaces? With friends?
— Any aspect of the design that you were unsure of that you’re glad you incorporate?
The stories I received in response were generous, heartwarming and incredibly fulfilling as a designer. Here’s one of those projects – a master suite in a whole house renovation that is living up to the promise of sanctuary for my clients. And, creating sweet memories.
These client stories are a reminder that thoughtful design can transform our lives. Sometimes the change is sweeping, sometimes it happens in small, incremental ways that add up to easier, meaningful living. Either way, design remains a powerful tool for better living. How can it be harnessed in your home?
Only the best,
scenic seascapes • local mixed media artist • eclectic portraiture