Arts on Main

Community Arts Center in Gloucester, Virginia

July 2023 First Friday: “In the Marsh” Group Show featuring Jason Abbott, Bill Casto, Carolyn Dudley, & Michael Kravchak

July 2023 First Friday: “In the Marsh” Group Show
featuring
Jason Abbott, Bill Casto, Carolyn Dudley,  and Michael Kravchak, Sr.
Friday, July 7
6:00pm-8:00pm

During the month of July 2023, Arts on Main will exhibit, “In the Marsh,” a group show that will feature four local artists: Jason Abbott, Bill Casto, Carolyn Dudley, and Michael Kravchak, Sr. This exhibition will include both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional works, and both abstract and realistic representations of life in the marsh. The opening of the show will take place at our First Friday event on Friday, July 7 from 6:00PM – 8:00PM. The body of work will be on display from July 7 – July 29.

Jason Abbott

   

“Art has always played a major role in my life.  It wasn’t until recently that I decided to share my art. I am a self-taught artist.  I have spent my life experimenting, learning, and building my technique. My desire is to create art that evokes an emotion in the observer.” Jason Abbott

Bill Casto

   

“I am an Interpretive Wood Sculptor concentrating primarily on wildfowl. I use driftwood from local waters and found weathered wood to carve interpretive or stylized pieces of art. I attempt to capture the essence of the wildfowl rather than a realistic duplication of the subject. My sculptures emphasize form, content, movement, and are totally original and one of a kind. I am a former College Football Coach and Athletic Director locally at the College of William and Mary and The Apprentice School. I have been carving wildfowl sculptures for over 20 years competing at the top level for the past level ten years at the prestigious “Ward World Wildfowl Carving Championships. In 2013 my entry “Crane Dance” placed “Third Best in World” (Interpretive Division). In 2014 my sculpture “Swan Dive” was judged “Second Best in World”. In 2015 my carving “Wild Riders” placed 1ST “Best in the World”. In 2016 “Arctic Tern” was awarded 2nd in “Masters” Interpretive Division. In 2017 “Wingman” placed 2nd in “Masters” and “Lil Egret” won 3rd place.” –Bill Casto

Carolyn Dudley

   

“My artwork comes from my perception of the landscape and the people around me. Whether it be through realistic or abstract representation, the goal of my work is to not only document my experience in a setting but to create an experience for the viewer as well. The following poem By Mary Oliver, “At Blackwater Pond”, inspires me greatly.” –Carolyn Thompson Dudley

“At Blackwater Pond the tossed waters have settled
after a night of rain.
I dip my cupped hands. I drink
a long time. It tastes
like stone, leaves, fire. It falls cold
into my body, waking the bones. I hear them
deep inside me, whispering
oh what is that beautiful thing
that just happened.”

Michael S. Kravchak , Sr.

   

“I majored in architecture in college, with a minor in art history. I studied under Professor Amy Fell, Professor John Gardner, and Sculpture Professor, J. Cherry. I have always enjoyed the Arts, and I have experimented in many mediums, i.e., pencil, oils, acrylics, pen and ink, and clay sculpture.

For many years, I painted and sketched for relaxation; however, I always wanted to learn to work in watercolor. Upon my retirement as a District Manager from UGI, an energy company, I took my first course in watercolor with Robert Burnell at Portsmouth Fine Arts Institute. I have also taken a semester course with Betty Anglin at Christopher Newport University.

I have found my greatest challenge and satisfaction working in watercolor. I enjoy painting local and historical scenes from the Tidewater area and along the Chesapeake Bay. I also enjoy painting scenes from the Outer Banks of North Carolina and many other beautiful places I have been fortunate enough to visit.” -Michael S. Kravchak, Sr.

 

Live music will be provided by The Tidewinders.

First Friday is on July 7 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. This event is FREE and open to the public. Light refreshments will be provided. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

If you would like to sponsor this monthly exhibit & First Friday event, call the gallery at (804) 864-9464.

August First Friday: Nautical Group Show featuring Jason Abbott, Margaret Benton Jones, Al Latorre, Morgan McKinney, Norris Padgett III, Jeff Satterthwaite, and James Timberlake

Nautical Group Show
featuring
Jason Abbott, Margaret Benton Jones, Al Latorre, Morgan McKinney, Norris Padgett III, Jeff Satterthwaite, and James Timberlake
Friday, August 5
6:00pm-8:00pm

Sponsored by Lori & Mike Dershowitz

During the month of August, Arts on Main will host a nautical themed group show featuring local and regional artists: Jason Abbott, Margaret Benton Jones, Al Latorre, Morgan McKinney, Norris Padgett III, Jeff Satterthwaite, and James Timberlake. The opening of the show will take place on First Friday, August 5 from 6pm-8pm. This is a free event and open to the public. The show will be on display from August 5- August 27.

 

Jason Abbott

“My inspiration comes from the natural beauty around me. Living in the tidewater region of Virginia, I have the luxury of experiencing the constantly changing light and water conditions. My paintings range from realism to impressionism depending on the subject and technique.”

     

Margaret Benton Jones is a Yorktown artist who grew up in the Tidewater area. She knew painting was what she wanted to do and even built an art studio before ever picking up a paint brush after retiring as an Operating Room Nurse. Her primary medium is acrylic where she enjoys all subjects from sailboats to sunflowers. She has a unique way of expressing her passion for life on canvas using bright colors and bold brush strokes.

     

Al Latorre

“I paint in oils on canvas, my art represents my past, present, and merely subjects that I am drawn to such as, landscapes, seascapes of Virginia and other places I have resided or visited.

Although by trade, I was a Graphic Designer and had formal training in Visual Communications from Northeastern University, I am primarily self-taught in oil painting, I feel I have been blessed with an eye to paint pleasing, peaceful scenes we can all relate to. I have been painting for over 40 years primarily in oils and watercolors.”

     

Morgan McKinney is a painter of Contemporary Impressionism living in Richmond, Virginia. His distinctive style is influenced by a career as a graphic artist, a years long search for bright, vivid, saturated color, and a love/hate relationship with OCD. Painting full time since 2003, his quest for these vibrant colors led to the evolution of a unique approach. It involves painting individual segments with solid colors which have been premixed on the pallet, not blended and muddied on the canvas. Although slow and tedious, the distinct separation and purity of all colors and gradations, along with the impactful use of contrast and light, result in an almost mosaic, crystalline composition. His oil paintings, inspired by the love of sailing and architecture, are praised for evoking feelings of calmness and tranquility. “I want viewers to step into my paintings for a brief moment, pause, and experience light, color, and serenity the way I see it,” says McKinney. “No deep contemplation required.”

     

Norris Padgett III is a well-known Southern artist working in many media: watercolor, acrylic, pastels, oils and wood. His work is represented in many private collections and galleries in the southeast. Norris grew up loving everything nautical and it remains a stronger passion today to paint a bygone time expressed through rich color and limitless imagination.

Jeff Satterthwaite

“I am a Creative Retoucher who has over thirty years of industry experience working with distinguished Art Directors, Designers, & Photographers around the globe. I currently call Richmond, Virginia my home. I have lived and worked in the Metropolitan cities of Ft. Lauderdale, New Orleans, St. Louis, Charlotte, Toronto and New York. I have been fortunate to learn and work alongside some of the most talented, and acknowledged Creatives in our industry, and our combined talents have allowed me to create contemporary art and advertising that move markets. Our combined artistry consistently serves as visual waypoints to increase monetary reward in our changing economy. My personal successes have been featured in PDN, Archive, Graphics and Photoshop Creative UK.”

     

James Timberlake

“The finest compliment I could receive is for a group of people to see a painting of mine and each person has a completely different interpretation, with no two people seeing the same thing. That is what I set out to achieve through my work. After taking a break for several years, it is good to creating again. Making abstract paintings is an emotional experience for me. Each piece comes from my heart and imagination- getting to share that with others brings me great satisfaction.

I started painting later in life while in my mid-fifties, inspired by my surroundings in an art community in Richmond, VA and by many artists that I worked around daily. A special thanks to Matt Lively, who just by being a neighbor and friend, helped guide me through the basics. Matt gave me the opportunity to help him in his studio, which is where I received the very best education.

I love using oil on wood panels and canvas to create abstract artwork. I especially love the many layers of colors in each painting.  I take the time to allow each layer to dry and then repeat the process. Sometimes, the process takes much patience and time, at other times the painting is produced more quickly. The key is to know when to stop. Once a painting has a depressed or aged appearance, I feel the ultimate pleasure and know that the piece is finished.”

Live music will be provided by Jerry Sowers.

Jerry Sowers is an acoustic singer-songwriter from Newport News, VA. Singing and playing music from the age of 14, he continues to sing traditional as well as original folk music. Audiences enjoy not only his music, but his ability in keeping them both engaged and entertained with song subjects that range from humorous to serious social concerns.
Throughout his career, Jerry has performed in coffee house venues as well as larger auditoriums in several states up and down the East Coast, Ohio and in Michigan. His first CD, ‘Simple and Free’, was recorded and published in 2009 with a balanced mix of original songs and covers.

Jerry’s full-time occupation is teaching music in the Hampton City Schools system, where he has worked with children of all ages to inspire music and creativity in our youth. He also leads the music program in a local Methodist Church in Hampton, VA. Jerry’s two sons and three grandchildren are the pride and joy in his life.

First Friday will take place on Friday, August 5 from 6:00pm-8:00pm. This event is free and open to the public. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Thank you to our First Friday sponsor, Lori & Mike Dershowitz!

 

Artist Feature: Jason Abbott & Jessica Belvin-Coker

In our Artist Feature for the month, we introduce you to two local artists who find their inspiration in the natural world. We decided to reach out to Jason Abbott and Jessica Belvin-Coker, for a quick “Q + A”, to find out a little bit more about them and to see if the current quarantine has changed their work in any way.

Meet Jason Abbott

Q: Can you describe your work in three words?

A: Natural, Fluid, Harmonious

Q: What type of work do you do and what kind of mediums do you use?

A: I focus mainly on landscapes in oils now.  Sometimes I use acrylics depending on my mood.  Most of my life I drew using graphite and ink. I would say the ink sketches are still where my heart is, but oils offer a challenge that I don’t feel I will ever be truly comfortable with.  There is always that desire to make a scene look more natural, more realistic, without being stoic and mechanical.

Q: Where do you draw most of your inspiration from?

A: I draw inspiration from the scenery around me.  We are so fortunate here in the Tidewater to experience a constant interplay of water, land, and sky.  I am also unashamedly inspired by other artists. I am keen to try and not copy an artist’s subject or style or technique, but when I see a work that really grabs me …. it’s hard not to incorporate a piece of that in my next attempt.

Q: Have you always been artistic?

A: I have always drawn and created.  As a child, I remember drawing pictures all the time.  It was how I dealt with sitting in class for 8 hours a day.  

I had the Childcraft series of books, if anyone remembers those, and my favorite one was the dark blue one entitled “Make and Do”, I believe.  It was full of arts and crafts, and my parents would try to accomodate my collection of materials needed to complete as many of the crafts in the book as I could.  

At a very young age I remember seeing Albrecht Durer’s wood prints and engravings and thinking that his work was as good as it could get.  “The Knight, Death, and the Devil” had me drawing nothing but pictures of devils and bat wings when I was 5 and 6 years old, thinking back it probably caused some concern for my parents.

Q: Did you grow up in a creative family? 

A: My parents were very creative.  My mother with the way she cooked and the sense of comedy that she instilled in us, and my father used his creativity in the remodeling of houses and an ability to fix anything and everything.  They are both two of the most self-reliant humans I’ve known, and I believe that is the essence of creativity.

Q: How did this influence you and your path in life?

A: Mainly by instilling the confidence in me that anything that someone else can do I could also do it, if I apply the work necessary.

Q: What has been the most challenging part of being an artist?

A: The most challenging part of being an artist for me is staying inspired.  It is rare that I want to paint. It is usually something that hits me out of the blue and I have to take advantage of that drive while it lasts.  Most of the time it is like trying to make yourself eat when you have no appetite.

Q: Has being in quarantine changed your work or the way that you work in any way?

A: The funny part of being in a “quarantined” state is that I have actually had more time than ever to paint and have not painted at all.   My wife asks me, “Why aren’t you painting? You have all this time…” I think that, like most people, the uncertainty and the unprecedented (at least in our lifetime) nature of this event has most of us in a level of anxiety that we’re not sure exactly how to cope with.  There is such a feeling of a suspended, limbo existence right now, I find it hard to incorporate something that it is so important to me.

Q: Where would you like to see your work go in the future?

A: I am really unsure of where I would like my art to go, other than to improve.  

The art that I have produced has never been an intellectual or planned pursuit.  I have seen some artists that develop a concept for their art, plan it, layout designs.  I have tried this, thinking that it is the “correct” way to create art. It never worked for me.  But who knows, it may be exactly what I need in order to grow as an artist.  

I would like to try sculpting.  The few times I have tried, it was very satisfying, but my family has to share our living room with me as my studio, so I think bringing in a table and clay may upset an already delicate balance.  One day.

To experience more of Jason’s work you can visit his website or follow him on Instagram (@jasonabbott.art) or Facebook

Meet Jessica Belvin-Coker

Q: Can you describe your work in three words?

A: Whimsical, lively, earthy. Those would probably be the first 3 drawn out of the pot.

Q:What type of work do you do and what kind of mediums do you use? 

A: My work mainly revolves around the natural world. I like to capture the scenes of our native wildlife and make it into something of my own, with an emphasis on natural history illustration. Watercolor is my one and only. I joke sometimes that watercolor chose me – I did not choose watercolor. I’m so glad that it did.

Juvenile Ospreys: 9×12 watercolor “This is actually from an Osprey nesting box my husband and his brother built a few years ago; right in Urbanna. They are a backyard species that returns every year to our creek. This is their hatch from the summer of 2018. I painted this from a reference photograph I took. It’s a real experience to watch Ospreys breed and return each year. A true staple of the Chesapeake Bay.”

Q: Where do you draw most of your inspiration from? 

A: Most of my inspiration comes from my own backyard. I grew up on the York River and all the secret creeks it holds. The woods, the water, and anything related to the amazing Chesapeake Bay has been my reason. I’m an avid birder and naturalist, so that pairs with the painting aspect. My inspirations started to blossom even more when I moved to Urbanna; nestled right along the Rappahannock River. The waterfowl here in the winter is truly amazing, especially spring migration with all the warblers and neotropical migrants passing through. This place has shaped me into the artist I am today. 

(Left: Star Crossed) “This is a 9×12 watercolor. This can be seen either as a Crow or Raven. Whatever you want to view it as! I used a lot of dark/light pigments to create iridescence, and a few brush techniques for the star-burst effect.” (Right: Red-Bellied Woodpeckers) “Two cute male and female Red-bellied Woodpeckers just hanging out and doing what they do! 9×12 watercolor. I had fun with my paint brush and color choices when creating the tree bark effect.”

Q: Have you always been artistic?

A: In some way or another, yes. When it came to painting and drawing…I had to find that side of me by complete accident. I did not know I could “draw” until I tried. I was completely shocked and amazed when I realized my hands, eyes, and brain were communicating in a way that was so foreign, but felt as if I’ve been doing it all along. That’s where it all began.

Q: Did you grow up in a creative family? 

A: Honestly, I might be the first painter from my small family!

Terns of the Chesapeake: “9×12 illustration of a few species of Terns that you would commonly see around our local rivers and creeks. I love shore birds, so this will always be a summer favorite for me.”

Q: What has been the most challenging part of being an artist?

A: Sharing my work has probably been the most challenging part. You create a piece of your soul, share it with the world and hope for the best. A lot of time and energy goes into one drawing or one painting. It’s so much more than putting color on paper, you really have to mentally prepare and work for it in other ways as well. I suppose fear of rejection almost stopped me from sharing. With time, I’ve slowly let go of that fear. 

Q: Has being in quarantine changed your work or the way that you work in any way?

A: 2020 has definitely been an interesting year. This quarantine has actually been positive. I have been able to slow down, re-evaluate and look at my process from a new perspective. I’ve actually started to work on new ideas and step out of my comfort zone. Watercolor is so fluid; there are so many things that can be done, so I’m tapping into my creative side again. I’m thankful for this step-back and being able to have an extended break on life to improve. I tell myself that there is always room to improve with  each day. 

(Left: Sleepy Screechies) “Eastern Screech Owls – (Red and Gray Morph) in tree hollow. 9×12 watercolor. This one features two Eastern Screech Owls sleeping in a cozy and warm tree hollow. It’s a very exciting thing when you can locate and watch them sleep. Especially when you can see each morph color. I kept a fluid background with warm, earthy colors.” (Right: Great Horned Owl) “9×12 watercolor featuring a fierce Great Horned Owl. I kept the realism very minimal in the body, but true to the face.”

Q: Where would you like to see your work go in the future?

A: I would truly love to illustrate and paint pieces for organizations that do a lot for our natural world. National Audubon Society, Ocean Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy, VIMS, and The Chesapeake Bay Foundation are a few to name. I really want to inspire more individuals with my work, possibly spark an interest about the importance of biodiversity. I hope someone is able to get outside, explore and listen… and maybe, they will carry and pass the candle to someone else and so on. 

To experience more of Jessica’s work you can view her piece in our Juried Show exhibit page. You can also follow her on Instagram (@coastalvawild) to view her artwork/photographs and be updated on when her website launches.

Please note that the opinions expressed by the artists are their own, in their own words, and are not necessarily opinions expressed or shared by Arts On Main or its representatives.

“Autumn Colors” Exhibition

A celebration of the colors of the season featuring artists, Jason Abbott, Carolyn Thompson Dudley, Melanie Hartman, George Jennings, Harriet McGee, Rose Nygaard & Mary Montague Sikes. Landscapes, figurative & abstract art in a variety of mediums will be on display.

 

“On the Crowded Street” Mary Montague Sikes

 

 

Live music by Crimson Fox

Crimson Fox

Crimson Fox is a musical duo comprised of Matthew Crim on double bass and Micah Foxx on acoustic guitar and vocals. Performing mostly in Coastal Virginia and the Southeastern US, Crimson Fox can be spotted at local breweries, wineries and distilleries, as well as listening rooms and national music venues. The acoustic duo are influenced by many genres of American and world music such as:  folk, roots, rhythm & blues, reggae, soul and jazz.

The opening is from 6:00pm-8:00pm and is free and open to the public, with beer, wine and paninis available. The exhibition runs for the month of November.