Featured Artist Presentations
2023 - 2024 Season
TUESDAY MEETINGS |
WEDNESDAY MEETINGS |
Tuesday, March 26, 2024
Diane Castle Babcock has been practicing the art of linoleum block printing for more than forty years. The process she uses is called the reduction method, because she continually cuts away from one block to create a multiple color image. Her images are created in four to six steps of cutting and printing. As the print is created, the block is destroyed, ensuring a limited edition.
If you'd like instructions - "Recipe for Reduction Printmaking" - click here. You will have to request permission to see it.
Diane graduated from Nazareth College and Binghamton University with degrees in art and an art education certification. She retired from Adirondack High School in Boonville, NY where she taught Art. Diane has received numerous awards including those at the Clothesline Festival, Corn Hill Art Festival, Artists’ Row, and Colorscape Chenango and is a juried member of the Roycroft Arts and Craftsmen Guild. She exhibits her work in galleries in the Adirondacks, Rochester and East Aurora, New York as well as North Carolina. Her work is represented by The Gallery Store, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY; H’Art Studio and Gallery, North Creek, NY; The Copper Shop, East Aurora, NY; Artisan Cove, East Rochester, NY. She also has an Etsy shop, dcastlebabcockart. Her website is: www.dcastlebabcockart.com
If you'd like instructions - "Recipe for Reduction Printmaking" - click here. You will have to request permission to see it.
Diane graduated from Nazareth College and Binghamton University with degrees in art and an art education certification. She retired from Adirondack High School in Boonville, NY where she taught Art. Diane has received numerous awards including those at the Clothesline Festival, Corn Hill Art Festival, Artists’ Row, and Colorscape Chenango and is a juried member of the Roycroft Arts and Craftsmen Guild. She exhibits her work in galleries in the Adirondacks, Rochester and East Aurora, New York as well as North Carolina. Her work is represented by The Gallery Store, Memorial Art Gallery, Rochester, NY; H’Art Studio and Gallery, North Creek, NY; The Copper Shop, East Aurora, NY; Artisan Cove, East Rochester, NY. She also has an Etsy shop, dcastlebabcockart. Her website is: www.dcastlebabcockart.com
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Leslie Werlin taught a class on the basics of making prints using a reusable gelatin plate. Class participants used stencils, stamps, and other textural objects to create images on paper. Prints from the class are able either to stand on their own or be further embellished with other art materials.
Leslie Werlin is a prolific artist. She has always done art and always taken art classes. A psychology major in college, Leslie transitioned into art therapy when returning to work after having her children. Leslie loves the process of experimenting and following an organic process in creating a work rather than starting from a detailed plan. She is most interested in abstract mixed media paintings and often incorporates faces in her work. Leslie sees herself as a builder, scaffolding one thing upon another, layering in textures and colors, even cutting up her works to use in a new way. She believes that artists must learn to forgive themselves and find a way out of a painting that frustrates them. Leslie has learned to set those paintings aside, pull them back out and rework them, always finding the most joy in the exploration and play.
Leslie Werlin is a prolific artist. She has always done art and always taken art classes. A psychology major in college, Leslie transitioned into art therapy when returning to work after having her children. Leslie loves the process of experimenting and following an organic process in creating a work rather than starting from a detailed plan. She is most interested in abstract mixed media paintings and often incorporates faces in her work. Leslie sees herself as a builder, scaffolding one thing upon another, layering in textures and colors, even cutting up her works to use in a new way. She believes that artists must learn to forgive themselves and find a way out of a painting that frustrates them. Leslie has learned to set those paintings aside, pull them back out and rework them, always finding the most joy in the exploration and play.
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
Multi-media artist, Victoria Brzustowicz, gave an art demonstration in gouache painting.
Brzustowicz knew from an early age that art was her calling. She is a fine artist, illustrator, and| art instructor who has a BA in studio art from Wells College, where she studied with painter William Roberts. She also studied painting and printmaking at Rochester Institute of Technology. She has attended workshops with many nationally-recognized painters, including Lori Putnam, Aline Ordman, and Ken DeWaard. Brzustowicz is a signature member of the Rochester Art Club, and the co-founder and current chair of Greater Rochester Plein Air Painters. She teaches at The Art Stop (Penfield, NY) and Flower City Art Center (Rochester, NY). She has also taught plein air workshops for Cummings Nature Center (Rochester Museum & Science Center) and Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY.
Brzustowicz focused on abstract painting for most of her career, but in 2015 she was introduced to the techniques of painting alla prima, and since then she has focused on painting outside the studio. Her work explores the line between abstraction and representation, with an emphasis on surface and mark-making. Oils, pastels, and gouache are her favored media, along with relief printing. “Painting is a combination of observation and exploration for me, not literal reporting. Whether outdoors or in the studio, each painting follows its own trajectory, and I discover what that is as the painting develops,” says Brzustowicz. “I want the viewer to feel the life and energy that attracted me to a subject matter in the first place.”
Her work has been exhibited at the MAG Finger Lakes Exhibition, through Rochester Art Club, Pastel Society of Western New York, and Penfield Art Association, and at plein air festivals in the area. You can view more of her work on her website, VictoriaBCreative.com as well as Facebook & Instagram
Brzustowicz knew from an early age that art was her calling. She is a fine artist, illustrator, and| art instructor who has a BA in studio art from Wells College, where she studied with painter William Roberts. She also studied painting and printmaking at Rochester Institute of Technology. She has attended workshops with many nationally-recognized painters, including Lori Putnam, Aline Ordman, and Ken DeWaard. Brzustowicz is a signature member of the Rochester Art Club, and the co-founder and current chair of Greater Rochester Plein Air Painters. She teaches at The Art Stop (Penfield, NY) and Flower City Art Center (Rochester, NY). She has also taught plein air workshops for Cummings Nature Center (Rochester Museum & Science Center) and Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY.
Brzustowicz focused on abstract painting for most of her career, but in 2015 she was introduced to the techniques of painting alla prima, and since then she has focused on painting outside the studio. Her work explores the line between abstraction and representation, with an emphasis on surface and mark-making. Oils, pastels, and gouache are her favored media, along with relief printing. “Painting is a combination of observation and exploration for me, not literal reporting. Whether outdoors or in the studio, each painting follows its own trajectory, and I discover what that is as the painting develops,” says Brzustowicz. “I want the viewer to feel the life and energy that attracted me to a subject matter in the first place.”
Her work has been exhibited at the MAG Finger Lakes Exhibition, through Rochester Art Club, Pastel Society of Western New York, and Penfield Art Association, and at plein air festivals in the area. You can view more of her work on her website, VictoriaBCreative.com as well as Facebook & Instagram
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Nancy Wiley is a portrait and figurative oil painter, with a loose, impressionistic style. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in illustration, Wiley worked for many years creating small sculptures and three-dimensional illustrations. She always wanted to paint full time and now is grateful to be concentrating on her art in her sunny studio at the Anderson Arts Building, Rochester, NY.
She states “My goal is to portray, through figurative painting, the emotional interactions, and mysteries of life. I use bold, unblended brush strokes to evoke emotion and energy. With the depiction of familiar subjects, I hope to create accessibility for the viewer to relate to something in the painting that they might recognize and respond to personally.”
She states “My goal is to portray, through figurative painting, the emotional interactions, and mysteries of life. I use bold, unblended brush strokes to evoke emotion and energy. With the depiction of familiar subjects, I hope to create accessibility for the viewer to relate to something in the painting that they might recognize and respond to personally.”
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Ken Kassel demonstrated matting and framing works of art by hand.
Ken Kassel presented an excellent lecture and demo on DIY Picture Framing. There was a full house in attendance at the Library to learn about framing including various framing tools (gizmos to us newbies), specialized materials (framing "notions"), single & double matting, various types of frames (wood, metal or "hobby shop"), measurements and checks prior to cutting (measure twice, cut once), helpful technique hints (how to cut mats while saving fingers), wiring (without getting wired), good sources of framing materials, and professional frame shops (if all else fails).
Ken Kassel presented an excellent lecture and demo on DIY Picture Framing. There was a full house in attendance at the Library to learn about framing including various framing tools (gizmos to us newbies), specialized materials (framing "notions"), single & double matting, various types of frames (wood, metal or "hobby shop"), measurements and checks prior to cutting (measure twice, cut once), helpful technique hints (how to cut mats while saving fingers), wiring (without getting wired), good sources of framing materials, and professional frame shops (if all else fails).
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
These AIC artists led the group in making holiday greeting cards, using layered papers, cutouts, folded 3D shapes, torn pages and other found items, watercolor, repurposed old greeting cards, and custom artistry.
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Noma was born and raised in upstate NY. She considers herself a self-taught artist, being largely influenced as a young child by her ingenious father and in part, her gifted mother. She realized from the first time she held a crayon and began to draw, that pictures were a compelling force that dictated feelings, inspiring the viewers to have a sense of who she was. Art allowed her to express thoughts without words, which in fact stimulated her quiet whispers, not only of herself but others.
Noma has been a professional artist/illustrator for over thirty years. Clients include: The London Times, The San Francisco Times, John Hopkins, McGraw Hill, Essence, Upsher Smith, Business Law Today, Supply Chain Magazine, LA Times, Harvard Business Journal, Information Weekly and countless other businesses and private individuals.
Noma's response to art constitutes a body of work which redirects viewers from being overly linked with technology, to having a revitalizing connection with nature. Through her use of color, design and subject matter, one becomes at peace with what is truly important in life, that is, our earth and all that it contains. Noma believes in focusing her creative ability on bringing light to this place we call home, we will in turn bring harmony between mankind and all of creation. "If we do not reestablish ecological unity with the natural world, all of our artistic accomplishments will be meaningless." Noma's work is executed in a variety of materials, it is simplistic, abstract, and conceptual.
Noma has been a professional artist/illustrator for over thirty years. Clients include: The London Times, The San Francisco Times, John Hopkins, McGraw Hill, Essence, Upsher Smith, Business Law Today, Supply Chain Magazine, LA Times, Harvard Business Journal, Information Weekly and countless other businesses and private individuals.
Noma's response to art constitutes a body of work which redirects viewers from being overly linked with technology, to having a revitalizing connection with nature. Through her use of color, design and subject matter, one becomes at peace with what is truly important in life, that is, our earth and all that it contains. Noma believes in focusing her creative ability on bringing light to this place we call home, we will in turn bring harmony between mankind and all of creation. "If we do not reestablish ecological unity with the natural world, all of our artistic accomplishments will be meaningless." Noma's work is executed in a variety of materials, it is simplistic, abstract, and conceptual.
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Gail Johnson is an English Language Arts Teacher through Pathways in Technology (NYS P-TECH) Program and an Adjunct Professor at Monroe Community College. Gail’s pastel artwork is an exploration of color and its ability to evoke emotion. She is constantly inspired by the vibrant hues in nature and how light interacts with these colors to create a sense of movement and energy. Using vibrant, bold colors, she strives to capture this energy and bring it to life in art. With pastel paintings, Gail wants to create a sense of wonder in the viewer and transport them to a place of joy, beauty and color. Her art reminds people of the beauty around them and prompts them to see color in a new way. Her process begins with the selection of colors that she finds striking, and then she sometimes layers and blends these colors to create depth and movement. The pastel medium allows for a unique blending of colors, which is a key aspect of her work. Gail’s goal is to create artwork that is not only pleasing to the eye, but also evokes emotion, inspiring the viewer to see the world differently.
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
The Irondequoit Public Library and Irondequoit Art Club offered a hands instruction Mixed Media Collage led by Lydia Boddie-Rice.
This class took a hands-on approach to exploring the techniques, materials, and process of creating collages using paper and fabric. Participants explored collage as a powerful form of artistic expression using images and photographs collected from their own sources. Participants worked with a pair of scissors and printed images, fabrics, and papers that were meaningful to them to use in their collages.
Lydia Boddie-Rice is President & Creative Principal of Boddie Works Creations and Consulting, the business backdrop for her re-emergence as a creative who strives to integrate all forms of artistic expression in every aspect of her life. As a visual artist and illustrator, her creations bring a practical understanding of the creative process to her personal and professional pursuits. Lydia holds a bachelor’s degree in Art from Brown, a master’s degree in Agency Counseling from Rhode Island College, and K-12 Art Education Teaching Certification from Rhode Island School of Design. She has received numerous honors and awards for her professional contributions and expertise and is an avid champion for emerging artists. You can learn more about Lydia and her work at her website: https://linktr.ee/lydiaboddierice
Lydia is a member of the Irondequoit Art Club.
This class took a hands-on approach to exploring the techniques, materials, and process of creating collages using paper and fabric. Participants explored collage as a powerful form of artistic expression using images and photographs collected from their own sources. Participants worked with a pair of scissors and printed images, fabrics, and papers that were meaningful to them to use in their collages.
Lydia Boddie-Rice is President & Creative Principal of Boddie Works Creations and Consulting, the business backdrop for her re-emergence as a creative who strives to integrate all forms of artistic expression in every aspect of her life. As a visual artist and illustrator, her creations bring a practical understanding of the creative process to her personal and professional pursuits. Lydia holds a bachelor’s degree in Art from Brown, a master’s degree in Agency Counseling from Rhode Island College, and K-12 Art Education Teaching Certification from Rhode Island School of Design. She has received numerous honors and awards for her professional contributions and expertise and is an avid champion for emerging artists. You can learn more about Lydia and her work at her website: https://linktr.ee/lydiaboddierice
Lydia is a member of the Irondequoit Art Club.
2022 - 2023 Season
TUESDAY MEETINGS |
WEDNESDAY MEETINGS |
Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Amy Hutto lives in Bath, NY. She is originally from Texas and lived in Colorado for five years before making the move to her current location. Amy is a retired art educator with 23 years in public schools in central Texas. All these experiences have and continue to influence her art; from her youth growing up in a rural ranching community to the wildlife she often encountered in daily life of the Front Range.
Animals are a favorite subject, and she enjoys painting both domestic and wildlife. People comment on her joyful use of color and her combination of abstraction and representational style that lends a touch of whimsy to each of her paintings.
Amy is an award-winning artist whose work is held in public and private collections both nationally and internationally and is a member of the National Association of Women Artists, as well as the Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes. She has been featured on the cover of several magazines, including a feature in "Life in the Finger Lakes" as well as being interviewed on "Mornings in Corning".
Amy Hutto has spent years developing her style, drawing upon her life’s experiences for inspiration, incorporating techniques she learned or self-discovered, and always striving for growth. Her bold color palette, layered application, and use of visual and tactile texture, with a finish of gold leaf, are meant to capture attention, but it is the admiration she has for her subject and the joy she imparts in her art adds to the lasting impression.
Animals are a favorite subject, and she enjoys painting both domestic and wildlife. People comment on her joyful use of color and her combination of abstraction and representational style that lends a touch of whimsy to each of her paintings.
Amy is an award-winning artist whose work is held in public and private collections both nationally and internationally and is a member of the National Association of Women Artists, as well as the Arts Council of the Southern Finger Lakes. She has been featured on the cover of several magazines, including a feature in "Life in the Finger Lakes" as well as being interviewed on "Mornings in Corning".
Amy Hutto has spent years developing her style, drawing upon her life’s experiences for inspiration, incorporating techniques she learned or self-discovered, and always striving for growth. Her bold color palette, layered application, and use of visual and tactile texture, with a finish of gold leaf, are meant to capture attention, but it is the admiration she has for her subject and the joy she imparts in her art adds to the lasting impression.
Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Karen Pesch taught the attendees how to create a simple book and cover. Participants learned how to create a ‘signature’ and attach it to a simple cover. Plain mixed media paper and all materials to create your 4 x 6” book was provided. Attendees brought favorite papers, cloth, charms, stickers, ribbon, etc., to cover their books and make them their own.
Karen is a mixed media artist residing in Irondequoit, NY. Art has been Karen’s lifelong hobby, enriched by classes in high school, at RIT, through the MAG, and online. In the past, Karen focused on pen and ink drawings and paintings with acrylics. Retirement has brought Karen the gift of time and a deeper exploration of her creativity. She now uses collage and mixed media to create less representational art. Karen’s recent work has won several Jurors Awards at art club shows and the Bridge Gallery. You may find her work there, on the IAC webpage, at the Artists Cave Gallery in Irondequoit, and on Instagram.
Karen is a mixed media artist residing in Irondequoit, NY. Art has been Karen’s lifelong hobby, enriched by classes in high school, at RIT, through the MAG, and online. In the past, Karen focused on pen and ink drawings and paintings with acrylics. Retirement has brought Karen the gift of time and a deeper exploration of her creativity. She now uses collage and mixed media to create less representational art. Karen’s recent work has won several Jurors Awards at art club shows and the Bridge Gallery. You may find her work there, on the IAC webpage, at the Artists Cave Gallery in Irondequoit, and on Instagram.
Wednesday, April 13, 2023
Sally facilitated exploration of watercolor painting using a variety of papers as well as surfaces treated with watercolor ground, which makes ANY surface ready for watercolor application. She facilitated a lively discussion using examples, demonstration, and a still-life set up to inspire artist attendees. Jeanette Musliner assisted her. Various papers, watercolor ground, and some Daniel Smith paint were provided.
Sally is an exhibiting and award-winning member of the Irondequoit Art club. She began pursuing painting in 1971 as a hobby under the tutelage of Jean Premo. In 1998, toward the end of her career, Sally bought a home overlooking Lake Ontario, returned to painting and joined the IAC. Sally has exhibited her work throughout the region with several downtown art groups, the Irondequoit Farmers Market, the Artists Cave, and the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. She enjoys teaching students of all ages and actively promotes the work of other artists on her social media sites.
Sally is an exhibiting and award-winning member of the Irondequoit Art club. She began pursuing painting in 1971 as a hobby under the tutelage of Jean Premo. In 1998, toward the end of her career, Sally bought a home overlooking Lake Ontario, returned to painting and joined the IAC. Sally has exhibited her work throughout the region with several downtown art groups, the Irondequoit Farmers Market, the Artists Cave, and the Rochester Contemporary Art Center. She enjoys teaching students of all ages and actively promotes the work of other artists on her social media sites.
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Holowka and Perena create prints that bridge the centuries by merging traditional Kallitype printing methods, contemporary 21st century digital imaging technology and watercolor painting. They will describe this fascinating historical process, discuss the inspirations for their work and show their rich tonal hand-colored prints from recent exhibitions.
- Nancy Anne Holowka graduated from Nazareth College with a dual major in Art History and Studio Arts, focusing on Ceramic Art and Photography. She has wide-ranging experience in the arts. Among these are positions as Executive Assistant to the Director of the Memorial Art Gallery, Exhibitions and Awards Juror for signature shows at MAG, Art Collection Coordinator at Jewish Senior Life, and Co-owner and
Exhibiting Artist of the Wildroot Gallery.
Nancy’s solo photography shows include such venues as Lumiere Gallery, Flower City Arts Center and Image City Gallery. Juried exhibitions include the Finger Lakes and the Holiday Craft Show at MAG, two Small Works shows at Main Street Arts in Clifton Springs and the Photographer’s Journey at Image City Photography Gallery. Her Wildroot Group Exhibitions include shows at Nazareth College’s Little and Colacino Galleries, RIT Dyer Art Center, MCC Mercer Gallery, Little Theater Gallery, Main Street Arts Center, Geisel Gallery and Warren Phillips Gallery. Nancy’s work will be included in an upcoming exhibition of the Wildroot Group at Lumiere Photo and will take place in May of this year. [nholowka@rochester.rr.com] - Jen Perena has been studying historic, alternative photographic processes at the Flower City Arts Center for over 15 years and has been independently making kallitypes for 6 years. Her subjects range from vegetable, flower, and cactus portraits to snowy landscapes, to macro images of natural items such as acorns, vines and moss. Jen Perena serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Flower City Arts Center.
Since 2004, Perena has taken part in annual exhibitions at the Genesee Center for the Arts and Education/Flower City Arts Center. She has also participated in the Photographer’s Path 12 at High Falls Gallery and Alternate Paths 2020 and 2022 at Nu-Movement Studio in Rochester. Jen’s work has been featured in several single-day pop-ups, and she has presented artist talks on her work at FCAC on two occasions, one of which was recorded on YouTube. Jen participated in a 5-month Artist Residency in 2018/2019 at Flower City Arts that focused on kallitypes. This concluded with a residency show, ‘The Painted Photograph’ and included a printed book of the show. Upcoming exhibits are scheduled in March for Wall-to-Wall, the 2023 Member’s Exhibition at FCAC and in May for the Abode Artist Solo Wall Show at Abode in Pittsford. [kallitypegirl@gmail.com; www.kallitypegirl.com]
Wednesday, March 8, 2023
Linda is an active and exhibiting member of the Irondequoit Art Club. She has been painting since she was a teenager. Linda took classes in adult education or a few years while attending Nursing School. As a mother and wife, she kept it up by teaching her boys to paint. One of her sons is now a professional artist in Massachusetts. Linda paints in oil, acrylic and watercolor, and she also enjoys many different mediums. Her varied interests led her to explore the Pysanky egg decorating method. Linda says "I also paint murals, saws, and anything that doesn't move- although I did paint a bus once!"
Wednesday, February 28, 2023
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Peter Monacelli was unable to join the IAC meeting to present, because of illness. However, he provided a video documentary about the "1000 Journals Project," below.
As an artist, Peter primarily works in traditional or non-traditional drawing media and keeps daily sketchbooks. Born in Buffalo N.Y, Peter Monacelli was a 26-year-old life insurance salesman when he decided to take art history classes at Monroe Community College (MCC). After earning his Associate Degree from MCC, he earned a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in studio arts from Empire State College. He taught art at MCC where he was promoted to adjunct assistant professor in 2003.
Peter, by trade, is a carpenter. Through his specialty construction company, Monacelli Enterprises, Peter has been involved with many downtown Rochester renovations, including converting Lewis General Tire and Wolting Collision into the Little Theater, and renovating the rehearsal space for the Bucket Dance Theater.
He has had 105 group and 57 one-person art shows since the early 1970s. His commitment to the arts is demonstrated in his gallery showings and his volunteer work for nonprofit agencies. He has been recognized and respected as a “patron of the arts.”
He was inducted into the Monroe Community College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012 and is listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Among his many construction awards, he received the 2014 Betty Strasenburgh Award for Activism in Reshaping Rochester. His artistic awards include SUNY Empire State College Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts, 2015.
As an artist, Peter primarily works in traditional or non-traditional drawing media and keeps daily sketchbooks. Born in Buffalo N.Y, Peter Monacelli was a 26-year-old life insurance salesman when he decided to take art history classes at Monroe Community College (MCC). After earning his Associate Degree from MCC, he earned a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in studio arts from Empire State College. He taught art at MCC where he was promoted to adjunct assistant professor in 2003.
Peter, by trade, is a carpenter. Through his specialty construction company, Monacelli Enterprises, Peter has been involved with many downtown Rochester renovations, including converting Lewis General Tire and Wolting Collision into the Little Theater, and renovating the rehearsal space for the Bucket Dance Theater.
He has had 105 group and 57 one-person art shows since the early 1970s. His commitment to the arts is demonstrated in his gallery showings and his volunteer work for nonprofit agencies. He has been recognized and respected as a “patron of the arts.”
He was inducted into the Monroe Community College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2012 and is listed in Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Among his many construction awards, he received the 2014 Betty Strasenburgh Award for Activism in Reshaping Rochester. His artistic awards include SUNY Empire State College Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Arts, 2015.
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
After getting her degree in art and spending several years as a graphic designer and commercial illustrator, Laura discovered the designs and philosophy of the Arts and Crafts movement. Inspired, she learned printmaking, and submitted her vintage-style block prints to the Roycroft Renaissance Jury. The jury certified her as a Roycroft Renaissance Artisan, and soon elevated her to Master Artisan.