Black and White Friday

We recently had our Black and White Friday exhibition, the latest color-themed exhibition at the gallery. The event was actually a twist on the annual “Black Friday” an economic term for the largest shopping day of the year, the Friday after Thanksgiving, that traditionally pushes business into the black - or profit margin. We thought it would be a fun challenge to use the theme to challenge our artists and it worked. Our artists stepped up to the challenge creating some rare, unique, and wonderful works of art.

Jayne Adams hasn't worked in black and white since her college days, but she stepped up to this challenge and created three amazing pieces.

Kim Bernard became so inspired by the idea she is now creating a series of black and white encaustic's, beginning with two currently on show.


Dustan Knight created her koi series in black and white with just a hint of red. This was a nice surprise to see her stretch her skills as a fine art watercolorist.

Not to mention, Michael Palmer came out of now where and created his Favela series in just black and white ink. The show also feature Jeanne’ McCartin’s wall sculpture from the haunting “Dreams and Nightmare" series.
Even Carol Roll, surprised us at the last minute by creating a small mache sculpture and Lauren Pollaro created a wonderful small mixed media assemblage.

Glorious Water ohh Glorious Watercolor

Dustan Knight is at it again, "Amoskego Falls" by Knight was recently commissioned by New Hampshire State Council for the Arts. What an amazing piece. I saw it in person before the installation and it knocked my socks off, it's a whopping 72" x 48" original watercolor. If your in the area of Manchester, NH I highly recommend seeing the piece in person.

Just installed in the new Library at the Manchester Community College Campus in Manchester NH.

"The competition is tip-top for these awards and I am thrilled to have one of my paintings included."~ Dustan Knight

The Arts program is a national program that reserves 1/2% (or there abouts) of a public buildings' overall budget for original art. The process for submitting proposals for consideration is a lengthy one. Artists must first qualify to present through a jury process and then, if they are selected, they go to the site for a tour and building presentation. They have a couple months to come up with a proposal for the site. Usually the folks that live or work at the building site participate in the jurying so they are able to request the art pieces create a certain feeling, or relate to the buildings use or location. Some of the ideas from the group suggested water and reference to Manchester the Amoskeag River. It was the main travel and working route for lumber and transporting wool. The mills along its shores really defined the city in the 1800's and early 1900's. The waterfall is a source of electric power and recently the State has built a salmon ladder. The river is one of just a few North Atlantic salmon spawning river left and many nature conservancy groups have come together to try to make it passable for the fish to travel upstream once again. Its a very fragile project that has actually succeeded to some extent. There are salmon ladder windows that allow visitors to actually watch the fish underwater as they swim upstream against the tremendous flow of the falls. Very dramatic and powerful. "I was thinking about all that plus the effort of being in school and struggling against the real world's demands to seek higher level of understandings. I know I often felt like I was fighting to succeed in my career during my years at school. The library is really where it all happens, you are on your own, pushing ahead...striving."~ Dustan Knight. It is painted so 'big' - big color big expression.

Illustrations hit Bowersock Gallery

Our "Illustration Exhibit" opens Friday, May 22nd with an artist reception starting at 7pm.
Also, we just received these wonderful pieces in from Tess Feltes and Joy Kolitsky; more are arriving as we become closer to the event. This show will be one for the books.

Full story>>>

To Become an Artist

Some fun facts about our artists?

When and how did you first become interested in Art?

"I've always been an artist. I think it's something your born with. I can't imagine ignoring that part of myself to be someone or something else." - Darlou Gams

"I never 'chose' to be an artist; it chose me. It is not unlike an addiction- its what I have to do."- Michael Palmer

"I probably have been an artist my whole life. As a child I sketched with colored stones on slate and sculpted clay babies in nests while playing in the backyard. My mother kept me occupied with a flour/salt/water homemade clay and collage from her ladies magazines and sketched nonstop." - Christopher Gowell

"I grew up with art materials, books and gallery trips as part of everyday life. I can remember looking through my moms fine art books when I was for or five..." - Dustan Knight

Touched by an Artist

First off, "what an amazing painter; William Thomson is truly one of the best American painters alive."

The experience of rifling through over 500 paintings was an experience unto itself. It was the first time in a long while where art moved me in such a way that it gave me goose bumps and put tears to my eyes. (Claudia went with me and both of us had red eyes by the time we were done). It took over 4 hours to go through his entire collection, I could not stop.

Bill Thomson's work creates a multitude of feelings, moods even some harsh realities but what's apparent is the skill of his brush and the use of color. His brush work is flawless using broad and tight strokes, creating soft and sharp edges but they all blend creating a mood in each piece. His color usage is spectacular using mostly earth tones in his pallet. Bill works in all kinds of mediums from acrylic, encaustic, egg tempera, oil to watercolor but somehow they all tie together producing an amazing image.

We are thrilled with the opportunity to add Thomson to our collection.

Represented in collections of; Britain Museum of American Art, Holyoke Museum of Art & History, Mattatuck Museum, DeCordova Museum, Berkshire Museum, and Slater Museum.

What Economy?

I asked some of our artists this question; "Any advice for an artist just starting out in this current economy?" When I originally asked this question I had emerging artists in mind but after reading through the artist's comments, I realized this really wasn't about emerging at all. The question could be for any artist who is working in this current economy.

I became so energized after reading their comments; I knew they needed to be shared.

Any advice for an artist just starting out in this current economy?


"Just work! Get in the studio! This is a great time to focus on making better works, push, stretch, take risks, maybe fail, but explore new territory." -Kim Bernard




"I began sculpting full time during the 80's recession and has a very successful career which supported me as a sculptor for then years. You have to work hard and have a lot of luck (which you create for yourself), and have faith that your work is worth struggling for." -Christopher Gowell




"Sure- They are 2 non-related issues, so forget the economy and just paint! Your job is to work and improve." -Gail Sauter



"Just do it! Shine on and be thrifty. Creative people learn they need to take the time for thoughts to peculate from their unconscious. Allowing space for gathered reflection to come forward is part of the process of making art." -Wen Redmond
Check out "The Wire" just released today about this Obama piece.




"Being an artist is a lifetime lifestyle." -Dustan Knight




So I said "what economy" these artists have over three decades of experience, devoted their time and lives to their passion and not to mention they are extremely talented. So they must know what they're talking about.

More encouragement is Sotheby's and Art News Blog "But a Christie's auction in New York has blown my theory of an auction slowdown out of the water. The total for the night was an impressive $325 million, which is the second highest total for a post war and contemporary art auction." from Art News.

In Review with Artscope Magazine

Thanks to all the hard work and support from Artscope Magazine. They did a fantastic review on "Dream of Music and Art" featuring works by Dustan Knight and Lauren Pollaro along with the sounds of Susan Marabito.







Other reviews from Artscope;
"Artscope capsule previews: From The Art Complex's "Complex Women" exhibition in Duxbury to Bowersock Gallery's Amy Palmer and Erin McFarland's opening shows in Provincetown."