Gail Cunliffe: The Box of Eight Explodes!

The Shoe Factory Art Co-op presents a new art exhibit at Starry Nites Café. “Gail Cunliffe: The Box of Eight Explodes!” features new acrylic paintings on canvas by the Webster, NY artist. Whether approaching her abstract imagery with a palette knife or carefully planning an architectural retro design, Cunliffe delivers a variety of painting styles in hot, bold colors.

A Rochester native, she spent most of her adult life raising a family while teaching school; fourth grade at Rochester City School District and second grade at Holy Cross School.  Not until retirement did she venture into painting.  We interviewed the fledgling artist to gain insight into her creative life.

Shoe Factory:  When did you start creating art? 
Gail Cunliffe:   I did not start to formally create art until I retired.  What I realize now is that during my twenty years of teaching, my classroom was my canvas.  Walls were always covered with murals and other colorfully explosive displays related to various subject matter. 

"Symphony of Colors" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe

SF:  Where did you learn your craft?  GC:  Upon retirement, I took an introductory art course that absolutely changed my life.   I was always in awe of the beauty of the world around me, both outside and inside environments.  And now to be able to put my interpretation of these spaces on canvas was a gift that I had given myself.
I’ve studied with Lori Aman for two years.  She is a local artist and an art educator.  I have taken workshops from Judy Soprano, Betsy Liano, Valerie Larsen, Sandra Grana, and Jim Mott, all of whom are local artists.

"Cabo" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe

  

SF:  What is your art medium?  GC:  I paint with acrylics using a variety of materials such as brushes, plastic and metal scrapers, squeegies, sponges, foam brushes, rollers, etc.

SF:  How do you make your art?  GC:  My intent is not to always create what I see.  I am thrilled by using color crashing onto canvas as my own interpretation.  For example, my southwest canyon series is painted in an abstract format.  My interiors tend towards a more realistic approach but always with an element of abstract and a touch of the whimsical.

"Gray Matters" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe

SF:  What are you currently working on?  GC:  I have begun to explore painting an enlarged single flower in an abstract, somewhat blurry format.  A constant is my use of bold color.  Colors that compliment each other and colors that clash with a lot of noise.

"Blooming Flower" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe

SF:  What or who are your influences?  GC:  My influences are artists John Nieto, Michelle Chrisman, Phyllis Kapp, and Barbara Bowles.

SF:  Have you always been a creative person?  GC:  I'm a pretty straight forward kind of person who sets herself free when I have a colorful palette and an artistic tool in my hand.

"Red Sunglasses" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe

SF:  How has being an artist changed or affected your life?  GC:  My style of art fits my wish to be less than perfect.  It allows me the freedom to "mess" with the world around me.

"Uptown" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe

SF:  What do consider some of your artistic accomplishments?  GC:  It is very encouraging to have my work validated by professionals in the field who honor me with awards at local art shows.

SF:  What is your favorite art related experience so far?  GC:  The weekend that I spent in Albuquerque, New Mexico taking a workshop from Michelle Chrisman.  Painting on the banks of the Rio Grande from a high bluff left me speechless.

"Fireworks" acrylic on canvas by Gail Cunliffe

SF:  What is your ultimate goal as an artist?
GC:  To continue having people who purchase my art come back to tell me how much they enjoy walking into their homes to be greeted by my paintings.

SF:  What are your needs as an artist in Rochester?  What would you like to see changed?  GC:  I would like to see more local artists given the privilege to create art for local facilities such as hospitals, Hillside, the Al Sigl Center, etc. I will never forget the television program that featured how art along the halls of cancer center hospital was often the catalyst towards healing as patients spent great amounts of time walking, observing, and being thrilled by the donated works of art.  I would also like to see more themed art as fundraisers, for example:  artists create a painting in their style on the face of a violin as a fundraiser for Rochester's RPO.  

Webster, NY artist Gail Cunliffe

 
Exhibit Location: Starry Nites Café, 696 University Ave., Rochester, NY
Show duration: January 20th-April 5th, 2014
Hours: Open daily & nightly, call (585)271-2630, free admission

While viewing Gail’s artwork, Starry Nites patrons can enjoy specialty drinks, gourmet coffees, beer and wine, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts!

Starry Nites Cafe website: www.starrynitescafe.com
Shoe Factory Art Co-op website: www.shoefactoryarts.com

To apply for an art show, visit the Shoe Factory website: http://www.shoefactoryarts.com/CallforArtists.html

Ex-Hippie Cures Winter Blues with Island Color

featured photo "Bow Silhouette" by Bruce Bozman

Rochesterians can enjoy some relief from seasonal grey skies and winter doldrums by viewing Bruce Bozman’s new photography exhibit “Island Color”.  The Shoe Factory Art Co-op is hosting the Hammondsport artist’s vibrant show in its satellite gallery at Starry Nites Café.  The images on display are tantalizing abstractions of Bozman’s travels, highlighting visual snippets of his sailing journeys in the Caribbean and Grenadines as well as artistic viewpoints of his home base in the Finger Lakes.

"Water Rivulets on Red Keel" by Bruce Bozman

Born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, Bozman’s interest in photography started in college.  He began shooting images on backpack motorcycle excursions, developing rolls of film in a homemade black and white darkroom.  He majored in industrial design at the University of Cincinnati, making the Dean’s list and completing four of the five year program before dropping out to join the youthful revolution of his era.  He headed west in 1968.

"Beached Workboat" by Bruce Bozman

His free spirit landed him in San Francisco, where he received a post-college education living in a commune.  Bozman still values the mind-expanding, counterculture experiences an authentic hippie lifestyle had to offer.  Outgrowing tight living quarters, Bruce traveled across country with a VW bus search party to find new digs.  A dilapidated farm in Steuben County, NY became the ultimate choice for the entire commune (15 adults and 8 kids) to move east with the intention of living off the land.  Although the group disbanded after a few years, Bozman felt at home in the beauty of the Finger Lakes and has lived in the region ever since.

"Sailboat Hull" by Bruce Bozman

He went on to open a high end woodworking business in 1979, designing and building custom office furniture for corporate clients.  He developed a line of hardwood computer furniture and enlisted a production crew of six employees.  Finding a niche, Bozman’s enterprise was hired to create display cases and pedestals for Steuben Glass, Baccarat Crystal, and Lalique Crystal.  When steady client Stueben closed up shop in 2011, Bozman followed suit to pursue the photographic arts.

"Sea Turtles" by Bruce Bozman

Bozman’s rekindled passion for photography closed the door on his primitive darkroom of years past.  He now makes use of new technology with a digital camera and a playground of filter enhancements and printing processes.  What hasn’t changed is his sense of adventure, travel, and exploration with his artistic eye.  Showing his work in the art festival circuit has proven to be a good fit.  In a very short time he has won recognition with numerous awards of distinction and best in show. 

Photographer Bruce Bozman during sailboat race

The current "Island Color" exhibit features Bozman’s tantalizing abstractions of the Caribbean taken on his yearly catamaran sailing trips.  He finds his images while anchored, combing the beach or swimming with a waterproof camera.  His compositions feature glimmering light on ship's bows, sterns, and sails.  Sun beaten boats reflect water and sky in hot colors.  Other pieces are similarly shot closer to home on Keuka Lake.   Whether the photo is a well-composed pictorial of an exotic beach or an indistinguishable abstract of the weathered hull of a sailboat, Bozman’s colorful and sunlit images guarantee the viewer cheer and escape from the Northeast winter blues. 

"Sunlight Reflections on White Hull" by Bruce Bozman

“Bruce Bozman:  Island Color” is hosted by the Shoe Factory Art Co-op and is currently on display at Starry Nites Café through January 18th, 2014.  Admission is free.  Photographs are available for purchase, printed on canvas or matted and framed under glass.

Starry Nites Café is located in the unique Flat Iron Building at 696 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607.  Café patrons can enjoy specialty drinks, gourmet coffees, beer and wine, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.  Open daily and nightly.  Call (585) 271-2630 for hours. 

Artists who would like to display their work at Starry Nites may apply through the Shoe Factory Art Co-op’s website http://www.shoefactoryarts.com/CallforArtists.html.  To view more artwork by local artists, visit the Shoe Factory Art Co-op’s gallery at 250 N. Goodman St., Studio 212, Rochester, NY 14607. 

Valerie Berner Art Exhibit

graphic design by Beth Brown

When not working as a full-time art therapist helping local youth and families at one of Hillside’s Family of Agencies, Rochester artist Valerie Berner spends much of her free time creating her own artwork.  She finds her inspiration in nature and expresses her artistic talents in the form of acrylic paintings on paper.  Her current body of work can be seen at her solo art exhibit “Sunrise to Moonset” at Starry Nites Café.

"A Bridge for Li Po" acrylic on paper

Berner’s graphic painted designs often depict either a single sphere, or multiple globes, set in a bold landscape of colorful skies, mountains, water, trees, and flowers.  These orbs can be interpreted as rising suns and descending moons, or vice versa.  Her palette of bright blue, green, purple, red, orange, and yellow paint gives the simple shapes a pleasing visual impact.  Her completed works are professionally matted and framed under glass, adding a finished gloss to her painted paper.  Sizes and prices vary for the artist’s original paintings and giclee prints.

"Gumball Trees" acrylic and ink on paper

Having created art throughout her childhood, Berner focused on painting in college.  She studied psychology and fine arts at St. Lawrence University, ultimately achieving a master’s degree in art therapy from Nazareth College.  Valerie utilizes the healing power of expressive arts on a daily basis through her employment as a licensed creative arts therapist.

“Sunrise to Moonset” is hosted by the Shoe Factory Art Co-op and can be seen at Starry Nites Café from August 5th through September 28th.  Show extended through November 2nd. An artist’s reception will be held at the cafe on Friday, August 16^th from 6-8pm.  Admission is free and artwork is available for purchase.  

Valerie Berner in her studio

Starry Nites Café is located in the unique Flat Iron Building at 696 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607.  Café patrons can enjoy specialty drinks, gourmet coffees, beer and wine, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.  Open daily and nightly.  Call (585) 271-2630 for hours or visit www.starrynitescafe.com .  

"Their View" acrylic on paper

"Days Getting Longer" acrylic on paper

Artists who would like to display their work at Starry Nites may apply through the Shoe Factory Art Co-op’s website www.shoefactoryarts.com/CallforArtists.html.  

To view more artwork by local artists, visit the Shoe Factory Art Co-op’s gallery at 250 N. Goodman St., Studio 212, Rochester, NY 14607. 

"Lone Tree" acrylic and ink on paper

"New Waves" acrylic on paper

Valerie Berner art opening at Starry Nites Cafe August 2013

Hex Signs & Barn Stars Exhibit

Rochester artist Beth Brown is obsessed with stars.  Not the celebrity variety of Hollywood fame, but the kind that adorn the barns of Pennsylvania’s farm country.  Hex signs to be exact.  These colorful geometric designs enclosed within a circle have been painted on barns in the rural counties of PA for nearly 200 years. 

 

Brown’s fascination with this subject has resulted in her series of painted studies for an exhibit called “Hex Signs & Barn Stars” now featured at Starry Nites Café.  Loosely based on the traditional designs, she has created a variety of stars with acrylic paints on mostly round shaped canvases and wood.  5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 16 pointed stars are depicted, many painted with a crackle finish to make them appear worn with time. 

Starry Nites Cafe display

German in origin, this type of traditional folk art was sprung from fraktur drawings, stemming from the rich history of Pennsylvania Dutch (Deutsch) culture.  Hex signs were used by farmers to decorate their barns and, some say, to ward off evil spirits or bring good luck or fortune to the farm dwellers.

 

Beth Brown painting a hex sign

Brown’s recent fixation on the historical signs started about six months ago.  “I’ve been carrying around a library book on Hex signs like it’s my bible,” she says.  “As an artist, once I get motivated creatively by a new art form, I try to absorb and learn the subject as much as I can, visually and intellectually, until I get it out of my system and move on to a new inspiration.”  Regarding her attraction to the subject, she explains, “I’m not really sure why I’m so drawn to them.  To me, the stars on the barns express the historical and cultural heritage of the community and a sense of pride in their livelihood.  The signs act as beacons speaking to passersby throughout the Pennsylvania countryside.  But mostly they evoke a sense of mystery and wonder that captures my attention.”   When asked about the association of magic in the signs, Brown says, “I find the folklore relating to the stars fascinating, but I don’t pretend to be an expert on the purposes of their symbolic meanings.  I’m mostly focused on their decorative aspects.” 

Although the paintings for sale at the exhibit are strictly for interior use, Brown can also custom make the signs to hang outdoors on homes, garages, or barns.

Brown studied drawing and painting at The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.  She is a fine and decorative artist, portrait and mural painter, and art gallery owner.  She represents local artists in her exhibit space The Shoe Factory Art Co-op located in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts.  Her business Moonblossom Signworks features her hand painted signs for home or business, and vintage style faux antique signs.  She teaches drawing and painting for teens and adults in her workshop, Beth Brown Art & Design Studio.

The show, hosted by the Shoe Factory Art Co-op, is on display at Starry Nites Café from May 13th through August 3rd.  Admission is free. 

Starry Nites Café is located in the unique Flat Iron Building at 696 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607.  Café patrons can enjoy specialty drinks, gourmet coffees, beer and wine, homemade soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.  Open daily and nightly.  Call (585) 271-2630 for hours or visit www.starrynitescafe.com .

Beth Brown’s websites:  www.moonblossomsignworks.com, www.bethbrownartist.com

To view more artwork by local artists, visit the Shoe Factory Art Co-op’s gallery at 250 N. Goodman St., Studio 212, Rochester, NY 14607.  Phone: 585-732-0036 Email: studio212@shoefactoryarts.com Website: www.shoefactoryarts.com .

A Tasty Art Show

The Shoe Factory Art Co-op, an art gallery in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts, is hosting a tasty art show at nearby Starry Nites Café.  The exhibit “Let Them Eat Cake! Portraits of Pastries” will whet the appetite of café patrons by displaying artistic depictions of baked goods by 15 imaginative artists. These delectable artworks of subjects such as cakes, muffins, donuts, and pies are in the form of paintings, photography, mixed media, fiber art, and glass. 

The show will feature the work of Phil Bliss, Diana Bonilla, Marian Cameron, Starr Fazzina, Mark Groaning, Ryan McAlpine, Janel McKee, Mary Beth Lee, Mary Lee Pagliaroli, Jessica Pembroke, Tom Ritz, Ria Tafani, Dani Wagner, Pauline Wegman, and Mollie Wolf. 

Artwork is available for purchase. Admission is free.


Star Spangled Muffin acrylic by Phil Bliss

Also on view is the café’s glass display case of tantalizing fresh baked pastries one can choose from to accompany a Starry Nites gourmet coffee or specialty drink.  Beer & wine, homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches are also on the menu.

Show runs February 18^th through May 12^th.

Starry Nites Café is located in the unique Flat Iron Building at 696 University Ave., Rochester, NY 14607.  Open daily and nightly.  Call (585) 271-2630 for hours or visit www.starrynitescafe.com .

To view more artwork by local artists, visit the Shoe Factory Art Co-op’s gallery at 250 N. Goodman St., Studio 212, Rochester, NY 14607.  Phone: 585-732-0036 Email: studio212@shoefactoryarts.com Website: www.shoefactoryarts.com .