Category: Mixed Media

Debbie Engel Maker Mondays August 2023

8/15/2023

Debbie Engel

Debbie Engel is a mixed media abstract artist who joined SCAA in 2020. She exhibits regularly here, and won the Lorenzo & Elizabeth Kinney award for Best Floral in 2021 as well as the Merit award at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda in 2021, her second home. She was also a featured artist in one of our Member's Invitational exhibits in 2022. Debbie taught Visual Arts at Chariho Regional School District for 30 years where she was awarded Chariho Teacher of the year for 1990-1991 and Charlestown Elementary School teacher the year for 2006-2007. She also received the RI State of the Arts Award in 1992 and Rhode Island Elementary Art Teacher of the year in 2006-2007. Following her retirement, she now teaches Monoprintmaking techniques at here at SCAA in the summertime.

Where are you from, and what do you make?

I lived most of my life in wonderful South County. My family owned a beach house in Point Judith. On the last day of school, we packed our bags and headed to the beach! My husband and I have lived in Narragansett and Charlestown for the past 50 years. Upon retirement in 2014, we now split our time between Punta Gorda, Florida and Charlestown, RI.

In 5th grade, many moons ago, I won a local art contest that enabled me to take Saturday art classes at RISD. I can still smell the turpentine that permeated the air as I sat on very high stools at the drawing table.

Well, the rest is history. My high school art teacher encouraged me to pursue my interest in art and helped me with my portfolio to apply to the Art Education program at RIC. I spent 30 years as a public school visual art teacher for the Chariho School District. I loved teaching and planning engaging and fun lessons for my students. But it really left no time for my own art. It wasn’t until my retirement that I actively started thinking about what kind of art I wanted to make. I took an abstract painting class at the Visual Arts Center in Punta Gorda, and I was hooked.

I love to say that I am a happy “student” now, learning new art approaches and techniques every day.

Lorrenzo and Elizabeth Kinney Award for best floral

What inspires you to create?

The flora and fauna of living in two beautiful states gives me my inspiration. I enjoy taking notice of the ever changing colors, patterns and textures that surround me everyday and it gives me something to reflect on. Acting intuitively gives me the freedom to explore the many possibilities of creating art. Concentrating on the art making rather than the outcome gives me great freedom. I have learned to trust my instincts, to improve my techniques and hopefully find my voice.

Which artist outside of your chosen medium has had the most impact on your art? What do they do and in what way do they influence you?

I am drawn to the works of Henri Mattise. His energetic and bold colors, flattened forms, expressive lines and decorative patterns are very appealing to me. Also, his use of collage papers and silhouette cut outs is something I use often in my own artwork.

Is there a work of art that has changed your life or how you view the world in some way?

While in college in the early seventies, I took several photography classes. I loved the medium and the places it took me. Capturing candid photos while seeking the “moment of truth” always captured my eye. The first piece of artwork that changed how I viewed the world is the iconic photo of Florence Owens, a migrant worker and mother of seven children during the Great Depression. It was taken by Dorothea Lange (1895-1965), titled “Migrant Mother.” It struck me to the core. It saddened me to think of the impoverished and their daily struggle to survive. It left an indelible impression on me to this day.

As a member of SCAA, what do you like most about us?

I am honored to be a member of SCAA. This true gem in South County is flourishing under the tireless efforts of its administrators, board members, staff and teachers. The constant outpouring of support from its members and community is remarkable. Events like the Great Art Heist, Evening under the Trees, and the Holiday Sale are among my favorites.

The continuous flow of Juried and Members Exhibits gives its members opportunities to showcase their talents often.

SCAA also has a wide variety of art classes for all levels and the amazing pottery studio is always filled with talented artisans.

Tell us a joke.

Q. How does Salvador Dali start his mornings?
A. With a bowl of “Surreal”.

Rebecca Hamilton Stockdill - Maker Mondays March 2023

3/6/2023

Rebecca Hamilton Stockdill

Rebecca is a relatively new member here, but she and her art are becoming familiar to those who frequent our gallery. Most of her work is done in oils or mixed media. Rebecca is an important part of the local art community, being the former President and current Treasurer of the Board of Directors at Warwick Center for the Arts.

Where are you from, and what do you make?

I currently live in East Greenwich, RI. I've been in Rhode Island since 2008, but before that I've lived in (reverse chronological order) New York, Michigan, New Orleans, California and Massachusetts.

How long have you been seriously pursuing art?

I took my first real art class at the Art Students League of New York, probably in 2002 or 2003. It was a portrait painting class with live models, so I certainly jumped right into the deep end! However, I didn't get serious about creating art until about 5 years ago. I exhibited in my first show in 2019 which was a Member Show at the Warwick Center for the Arts.

Rebecca Hamilton Stockdill Breath mixed media 8x10in

Breathe, Mixed Media 8x10in

What inspires you to create?

What inspires me to create? Wow! This is a difficult one to answer, because, I guess everything inspires me to create! I'm not sure if this answers the question, but I was thinking about how I don't really enjoy playing competitive games, but I really enjoy creating things. Rather than being part of a zero sum game where there are winners and losers, and everyone is fighting over the same resources, art is additive and infinite. It produces joy, wonder, excitement, or even revulsion -- which can be experienced by its creator and viewers, over and over again, without taking anything away.

Which artist outside of your chosen medium has had the most impact on your art? What do they do and in what way do they influence you?

I am a huge fan of the fashion designer Betsey Johnson. I love her bold use of color and fun textural fabrics. I adore her juxtaposition of incongruous images in her work, such as pink skulls and roses, or flowers printed on combat boots. These are all styles of expression that I try to incorporate into my own work. Also, she was rocking technicolor hair long before it was trendy!

Rebecca Hamilton Stockdill Summer in New York - Mixed Media - 36x48

Summer in New York, Mixed Media, 36x48in

The Mask We Made mixed media 11x14in

As a member of SCAA, what do you like most about us?

My two favorite things about SCAA are the wonderful staff and the stunning exhibits. Every time I visit SCAA, there is someone on staff to greet me, chat for a bit and make me feel welcome in the space. And, I am consistently blown away by the quality of artwork at the exhibits -- I love that such a wide variety of styles and media are always exhibited. SCAA truly showcases Rhode Island's artistic talents.

Tell us a joke.

What kind of shoes do artists wear? Sketchers!

View more of Rebecca work on
her website or
Instagram @rebecca_art_and_stuff.

Paula Imbergamo Maker Mondays January 2023

1/2/2023

Paula Imbergamo

Assemblage artist Paula Imbergamo has been involved with SCAA in many ways since 2014. She has been a teacher, board member, student, and exhibiting artist, including participating in a Members Invitational Exhibit in 2016. Her enthusiasm about assemblage and her love of art is inspiring to all she meets.

Where are you from, and what do you make?

I’m Paula Imbergamo, originally from Boston and Worcester and I live in the village of Matunuck. I am primarily a mixed media assemblage artist. Combining a variety of media and interesting found objects to create 3-dimensional vignettes with the goal of telling a story is an all-consuming passion for me.

How long have you been seriously pursuing art?

It began with crayon portraits I drew of my parents at age three, to art lessons in elementary school, middle and high school, and then on to college and grad school to further my study of visual art. I had a career in teaching and now in retirement, I teach, create, and pursue greater knowledge of my medium and the visual arts as a whole.

What inspires you to create?

So many things inspire me – objects, history, artists, and pop culture past and present, etc. My work is an evocation of themes or subjects that simultaneously inspire me at any one time.

Which artist outside of your chosen medium has had the most impact on your art? What do they do and in what way do they influence you?

It’s difficult to name a single artist outside of my chosen medium that has impacted me because there are numerous artists whose work continuously excites me. The painters O’Keeffe, Van Gogh, Klimt and Warhol are mainstays of my admiration. They influence me with color, pattern, composition and content

Is there a work of art that has changed your life or how you view the world in some way?

At the Smithsonian American Art Museum, I experienced the monumental work, “Electronic Superhighway: Continental U.S., Alaska, Hawaii” by Korean American video artist, Nam June Paik. It is amazing in scale and a mesmerizing feast for the eyes with its neon state outlines and constantly changing video imagery.

As a member of SCAA, what do you like most about us?

I have always appreciated the warm and welcoming atmosphere of SCAA. As a newcomer to South County and an artist looking for classes and kinship among other artists, I found an immediate place and an open invitation, as all members do, to exhibit their work. I am exceedingly grateful for that.

Ann E. Bianchi - Maker Mondays November 2022

11/7/2022

Ann E. Bianchi

Ann is a long-time member of the SCAA who joined in 2006. She is an award-winning artist who was featured in one of our Members' Invitational exhibits. She has won the Lorenzo & Elizabeth Kinney Award Floral from South County Art Association as well as winning first place for “Anchored in Argenteuil“ in the Re-Composed Classics exhibit at Wickford Art Association. Four of her Historical Illustrations were printed on a set of collectible Stamped Postage Envelopes in 2013, and she also had 7 pieces of Art accepted for the movie set of “NOS4A2” in 2019. Ann has been exhibiting and teaching with us for many years, fostering a warm and encouraging environment in her classes.

Where are you from, and what do you make?

Born in Westerly RI, raised and currently live in West Warwick, RI.

I paint 2-dimensional Oil and Acrylic paintings on canvas and furniture. I’ve been creating my entire life with Textile and Fiber arts as sewn and color-enhanced works of art. I’ve been busy creating some new items for upcoming holiday sales. Recently I’ve discovered the joy of designing and building small art and 3-dimensional easels from upcycled wood pieces. I enjoy the surprising results of mixed media art.

Fibers and Textiles

Purple Gardens

How long have you been seriously pursuing art?

For about 40 years, although I began with oil painting and pastel lessons at age 9 and was forever in love with art.

What inspires you to create?

My personal creativities are often inspired by writings, music, intuitive feelings, and quiet moments.
I’m inspired by historical scenes, interesting pathways, winding roads, stone walls and the four seasons. Colorful hand dyed fabrics that are cut, sewn, and pieced together in unexpected designs. As a mixed media artist, I enjoy working with unusual, eclectic materials I find and collect. Fulfilling personal painting requests is such a joy. I’ve recently been dabbling in a non-objective style, focusing on brushstrokes, motion, and uplifting color contrasts.

Watchful and Waiting

Mandolins

Which artist outside of your chosen medium has had the most impact on your art? What do they do and in what way do they influence you?

I often create my art to the flow of music, mainly cello and piano. The music artists who influence my artmaking are cellist Yo Yo Ma and pianist Regina Albrink because they provide me with a meditation tranquility.

Is there a work of art that has changed your life or how you view the world in some way?

Experiencing works of art being created by the Tlingit tribal group in Ketchikan, Alaska was an amazing experience. Watching historical creation methods of Native American Totems in their natural environments made me feel that time had stood still. I witnessed a wonderful sense of community, pride for artmaking, and respect for culture through generations. Extremely enlightening.

As a member of the SCAA, what do you like most about us?

The welcoming, warm feeling, I receive when I enter the Helme House

The attention to details of the everyday running of the association

The History of the group and comradery of local community and members

Teaching here and sharing art making with class takers
The fantastic events throughout the year

The variety of media that is created by the many members.

Tell us a joke.

Oh Boy! Had to think hard on this one!

Why did the Red Paint Tube say to the Green Tube “You look amazing today!!".... Because, he’s a Complimentary type of Paint!

Spiritual Guardians

Learn more about Ann E. Bianchi
annebianchi.com

Terry Van Heusen - Maker Mondays August 2022

8/1/2022

Terry Van Heusen

Lady Luck

Terry Van Heusen has been a member of the SCAA for over 20 years. She began exhibiting with us in 2014 and has been included in one of our Member's Invitational shows. Terry is skilled in several different media, including acrylics, clay, and pencil work. She has won Honorable Mentions in both our Earthworks and Members Annual shows, as well as First Place in the Art from the Workshops exhibit.

Where are you from, and what do you make?

Originally from Gloversville, N.Y., I moved to R.I. to attend the Rhode Island School of Design. I paint in acrylics and sculpt in clay- often combining the two.

How long have you been seriously pursuing art?

Since I was a child. While in second grade, the school newspaper published my first illustration- a crayon drawing of the Tooth Fairy. (I really did see her!)

Wrapped

Pensive

What inspires you to create?

Anything that I respond to emotionally can spark an idea. Drawing in the RISD Museum or Roger Williams Park Museum of Natural History is always inspirational.

Which artist outside of your chosen medium has had the most impact on your art? What do they do and in what way do they influence you?

Fashion Designer Todd Oldham (American, b.1961) In 2016 the RISD Museum exhibited All of Everything, a retrospective of his fashions. “Extravagantly embellished ensembles”- a feast for the eyes! One dress created from Bulgari bracelets, paired with an incredibly sculptural quilted coat, was especially thought-provoking. It freed me to pursue ornamentation and embellishment without apology.

Is there a work of art that has changed your life or how you view the world in some way?

Martin Luther King Memorial in Kalamazoo, MI. Sculptor Lisa Reinertson (American, b.1955) The bronze, larger than life figure presents Martin Luther King, Jr. striding forward-- his flowing clerical robe adorned with a bas-relief narrative of the Civil Rights Movement. Lisa Reinertson’s sculptures have increased my awareness of, interest in, and empathy for many of the social and nature-related issues we are experiencing today.

As a member of the SCAA, what do you like most about us?

Originally I joined the SCAA because of the Pottery Studio and still love the connection to clay. The Annual Earthworks Exhibit with live jurying is a totally unique experience!

Gold Mask

Learn more about Terry Van Heusen:
website www.terryvanheusen.com
Instagram @terryvanheusen

Maker Mondays

Debbie Engel Maker Mondays August 2023

Rebecca Hamilton Stockdill - Maker Mondays March 2023

Paula Imbergamo Maker Mondays January 2023

Ann E. Bianchi - Maker Mondays November 2022

Terry Van Heusen - Maker Mondays August 2022

Terry Van Heusen

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