Talk Turkey with Art

April 24 through May 17 - Artists Reception April 24 from 5:30 to 8pm

This group show highlights the work of artists from the Agawam Community Artist and Artisans and the Tobacco Valley Artist Association. Following see some of the artists featured in this show!

Suzanne Di Sessa

Suzanne Di Sessa is an award winning fine artist who derives inspiration from the abundant beauty in the natural world. Suzanne works in oils to create luminous landscapes and classical still life. She believes her most successful paintings evoke an emotional response. When a viewer lingers with a painting or returns to it to extend their experience she knows the painting is communicating a feeling that resonates.

Her working process involves a period of prolonged observation and research while traversing a landscape or setting up a still life. Various compositions, sketches, and color studies may be done before a painting is initiated. Most works are completed on acid free, archival, wood panels or oil primed linen. A protective layer of varnish is the final step in securing the paintings longevity.

Joe Burger

It’s no surprise that my interests turned to art after a 43-year mechanical engineering career, since it was always a good day at work when the job called for making a sketch or drawing to communicate an idea. My work is usually in the traditional realistic style with considerable detail, and primarily in watercolor. As of late, however, I am moving a bit toward a more impressionistic style, so the viewer can become more engaged and in so doing, fill in the details. I’m grateful for the instruction provided by some of the finest artists in the region. Luck has been on my side recently with two Best-in-Show awards. My work has been accepted in national exhibits several times, and I’m currently a member of several art organizations. The upstairs loft in our Broad Brook home serves as my studio.

Ceil Rossi

I discovered the art of gourd sculptures while living in Arizona for 30 years. My earthy artwork is grown from the ground and it is these hard shelled vessels that have perpetuated my passion for this art. A unique medium for any New England artist, I consider the gourd nature’s pottery.

I use transparent ink dyes so the mottled skin of the gourd shows through. I don’t want to cover the skin of the gourd with heavy acrylic paint because the varying tones of the skin is part of the beauty of the gourd. Gourds have a buttery skin and vary in shapes and it is like working on wood and canvas at the same time. Instead of being a flat canvas the gourd is a 3-dimensional art form that can be carved, cut, wood-burned and painted.

Andrea Burton

Although I have worked with and enjoy all of the various artistic materials, tools and techniques, I consider watercolor painting to be my primary media. My work is representational, blending spontaneity and control. After initial inspiration, my paintings begin with a pencil drawing on Arches paper determining composition, values, colors, and details, followed by washes and glazes, and finishing with the minutia. I am fascinated by the drama of light and color as well as the subtlety of textures. Although my subject matter varies, I am especially moved by the quiet landscapes of New England and California, ocean scenes, and the architectural elements of old buildings. Painting is both my love and escape, and I personally identify with a quote from Gauguin, "I love to paint because it stops me from thinking."

Carla Dempsey

A resident of Feeding Hills for over 40 years, she is relatively a new artist, having painted only a few years. She takes paint classes weekly, and also paints at home occasionally. She is an inspiring artist, and looks forward to years of painting in her retirement. She was an accountant, having worked for Aetna, for many years. Her interest in painting came after attending a Wine & Sip party. Having realized she enjoyed painting so much, and had some talent, she preceded to take lessons and continue painting.
She loves painting abstract, as it seems to give her more freedom, along with a lot of creativity.
This picture represents her love of animals and love of color.

Gloria McLellan

Loretta Medeiros

As an artist Loretta Medeiros paints orchestrating the use of colors concentrating on light, values and composition, creating with each brushstroke as she brings to life the painting on the canvas before her. She has a passion for plein air painting producing anything from delicately rendered painting to impressionistic style painting from life, study and memory. Still life paintings are often nostalgic in nature.

Loretta has provided numerous demonstrations and classes at various venues and teaches classes at Workshop 13 in Ware, Ma. In 2016, Loretta was an award winner in the Academic Artists National show. In 2017, she won the President’s award at the annual Monson Art Show, was accepted into the 2018 Blanche Ames National Juried Art Exhibition and showcases her work at Artworks Gallery in Ware. Ma. Loretta is a members of the Academic Artists.