The 4 Benefits Of Appreciating The Fine Arts

What can the fine arts do for us?

• Fine Art Influences: great fine art has the power to positively lift our spirit and mood, so owing and displaying great fine art, not only can transform our home and office's ambiance, but can beneficially influence our circles of friends and clients.
• Fine Art Inspires: Appreciating great masterpieces where excellent techniques and harmonious compositions show us true examples of human ingenuity, can give us the right inspiration to accomplish our ambitious goals and dreams.
• Fine Art Relaxes: by really looking at a fine artwork we can deeply admire the artist's  insights, vivid imagination and skills. Like the practice of meditation, really looking at artworks can helps us release stress. Visit your local art museum and try it for yourself.
• Fine Art Advocates Local Pride: owning art created and sold by local living artists means that you are supporting small businesses and your local community instead of the big corporations. Plus, visiting local art openings can be a great way to meet new people in your community and that's a win win situation!

Discover Local Treasures

Search for upcoming art fairs in the events' section of the newspaper. Browse the web and check out the websites of local artists, visit local artists' co-ops and art galleries and absorb all the local treasures in your community, you won't regret it!

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~ FOR THE ONONDAGA COUNTY RESIDENTS ~

The 15th Annual Westcott Art Trail
Honoring Lauren Ritchie
Featuring over 60 area artists in 15+ locations.
This is a fund raiser for the Westcott Community Center

2015 Art Trail
Saturday, June 6 (10-5) and Sunday, June 7 (12-5pm)

About Westcott Art Trail

This art fair has grown to one of the finest arts & craft offerings in Syracuse. This year we are having 60+ artists, of extraordinary quality, in 15+ locations around the neighborhood. The locations include artists’ homes and studios that stretch from Meadowbrook to Berkley and from Broad to Avondale and beyond. Local artists work in a range of mediums, including ceramics, glass, jewelry, fibers, painting, and sculpture.

Many artists will be demonstrating their craft in mediums including silk painting, henna, watercolor, ceramic wheel throwing and firing, oil painting, origami, jewelry making techniques, and others.

The heart of the Art Trail, the Westcott Community Center (at the corner of Euclid Avenue and Westcott Street) will host many artists. In addition to the art, the Westcott Community Center will offer the East Side Farmer's Market, on Sunday, Onondaga Earth Core will be offering rain barrels at no charge, a Bake Sale to benefit our youth programs, a Saturday only Harp Performance, by harpists Mary O’Reilly and Ruth Thompson and much more.

Unveiling the Symbolic Tree

Two weeks have passed since the grand opening of Trees of Onondaga: An Art Exhibition at the beautiful Onondaga Free Library in Syracuse, NY. 

I decided to make this post visually interesting and simple by sharing with you all the moments that made this event really special. To learn more about this project read Melinda Johnson's beautiful article at "Artist Maria Rizzo ends her community tree projects with art exhibition,".

To follow are some pictures of the event taken by photographer, Ray Trudell.

At the event, I gave the 1st limited edition print to each of the photographers whose local trees were selected to be painted by me in 2014 then Tom Howard gave a wonderful presentation about some of the best trees we have in Onondaga county!

Lastly, the Symbolic Tree created by 45 Onondaga County residents was finally unveiled. But before showing the final piece, I want to share some of the many people who painted into this piece throughout 2014.

And now is the time to show the final piece!

View fullsize

View fullsize

The Onondaga Symbolic Tree, created by forty-five Onondaga County residents, was donated to the Onondaga Free Library on Saturday, March 14, 2015. It's limited edition prints are available online at https://squareup.com/market/maria-rizzo-art

Credits:

My latest projects were made possible with a $2,500 Individual Artist Commission Grant from CNY Arts Decentralization Program.
Here is a list of participating libraries and residents:
    •    Solvay Public Library, April 5: Wendy Pitoniak, Pattie Hicks-Fiegl, Suzanne Masters, Mitzie Testani and Teresa Gardner-Barndollar.
    •    Liverpool Public Library, April 13: Domenico Gigante, Mary Mollica and Kathryn Wehrung.
    •    Fayetteville Free Library, April 19: Nicole Moss, Lewis Karpel and Angela Cwickla.
    •    Skaneateles Library, April 26: Megan Jae Riggs, Renee Marati and Deb Tomushunas.
    •    Onondaga Free Library, May 4: Ray Trudell, Susi Buschbacher and Lynn Hofsonner.
    •    Salina Library, May 17: Vicky Storey, Celine Nicholas, Kathleen Reed-Buck and Anne Iles.
    •    Fairmount Community Library, May 31: Marylin L. Marcy, Dan Elsbey and Linda Helles.
    •    Maxwell Memorial Library, June 7: Shailesh Joshi, Mick Mather, Rena Brower and Theresa Stachurski.
    •    Baldwinsville Public Library, June 14: Maryann Guinta, Steve Nyland and Jeff Madison.
    •    East Syracuse Free Library, June 21: Angela Arrey-Wastavino.
    •    LaFayette Public Library, June 28: Connie Marion.
    •    Dewitt Community Library, July 12: Father and son, Nick and Nick Lozoponi.
    •    Marcellus Free Library, July 19: Debbie Fratter, Paulette Quinn and Stephanie Moncavage.
    •    Manlius Library, Sept. 6: Ellen McCoy and Phoebe Vitharana.
    •    Tully Library, Sept. 20: Sonya Shepherd, Brianna Darling and Isabella Puentes.
    •    Petit Library, Nov. 1: Stasya Erickson and Lynne Odell.

The Story Behind the 'Trees Along The Canal'

This week I highlight the story of Mary Mollica and her photo of trees along the DeWitt canal in New York. She is one of the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

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Describe yourself: name, age, location, what do you do for a living and what are some of your hobbies? Mary Mollica, 47, Liverpool, NY  Artist & Owner of The Decorative Paintbrush, It's funny that you ask about "hobbies" because I really don't have any I don't think? lol! My profession and my hobbies all sort of intertwine. I love to paint, hunt for antiques and refurbish them into art.  I also love photography & writing my blog-you name it!  If it's creative I'm trying it!

Why did you choose to photograph this particular tree/ trees? I loved the way the colors of this particular tree and its surroundings all worked together.  It just looked so peaceful and serene.

What time of the year was it?  I took this at the beginning of Fall

What is the exact location of this tree? This tree was at one of the stops/entrances along the Erie Canal in DeWitt

Do you know the type of tree you have captured? Does this tree have a particular meaning to you? I believe it's an Oak Tree.  Like I said, I was drawn to it because of its vibrant colors, as if it were ablaze against the cool back drop of the sky & water.  I love the way the Oak tree develops from a tiny acorn into a mighty, intricate tree-old and wise. 

How did you find out about this challenge? I found about this challenge via Face Book

The making of the 'Trees Along The Canal'     

The reason why I chose to paint this tree is very simple: I LOVE FALL COLORS and this photo truly capture the hues of this beautiful season. Below you will see the development of this painting.

The finished piece is a 30x24" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas and was completed during the month of March of 2015.

Trees Along The Canal, 30x24" acrylic on canvas by Maria Rizzo.

The Story behind the 'Unknown Tree'

This week I highlight the story of Bryan and his photo of a unknown tree in Oran, NY. He is one of the eight winners of the Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge, an interactive art project that asked Onondaga County residents to go into nature, find the most beautiful trees in our county, and send their suggestions to me with a photo.

I asked Bryan to share with us who he is, what he does for a living, what are some of his hobbies, why was he compelled to photograph this scene, if he knew what type of trees they are and how did he found out about this challenge. Here it's his response:

Bryan Hills, 64, born in DeRuyter--live in Jamesville, now retired--formerly customer service supervisor for Crouse Hinds in Syracuse, like golf, walking, building wood projects, being outdoors.

I have passed by this tree many times, at different times of the year, it always caught my attention, I look forward to seeing the changes in its appearance every time I go by.

The picture was taken on March 23, 2014. The tree is located in a field on the east side of Oran-Delphi Rd, about 4 miles from Oran, NY. I do not know the type of tree, as far as meaning, the tree just always intrigued me.

 I found out about the challange when you had your art showing at the Half Moon bakery in Jamesville.  My wife and I brought our brother and sister in law to view your paintings.  We had met you at the parade of homes in Jamesville.

The making of the 'Unknown Tree'     

I chose to paint this tree from Oran, NY because I loved its dancing shape against the beautiful winter colors of the background. if you think you know what type of tree this is, don't hesitate to let me know, actually, I would love to find out!

Below you will find the development of this painting:

The final piece is a 24x30" acrylic on gallery wrap canvas finished in February 2015.

Unknown Tree, 24x30" acrylic on canvas, 2015 by Maria Rizzo.