art up front street.... Deb Wheeler-Bean abstract and assemblage

Deb's eye for finding design and beauty is evident in everything she touches. Whether it's abstract, pen and ink, a simple pencil sketch, or found objects that will eventually become her next work of art. Sometimes she finds "it"... and sometimes "it" finds her. Whatever way it happens, we are always pulled in.

art up front street.... Dale Atkins' soft sculptural vessels .....

Dale has had a lifetime of making art... she can make anything. Her attention to detail and sincerity of purpose shows in her work. These hand built coil pieces show her connection with nature, her love of avian shapes, and her intense process-oriented style. Both of these earthy shapes are formed by working the clay into coils, then building and pressing, sculpting along the way, firing, then adding a thin layer of glaze to allow the texture to be evident, and then a final firing. Dale's art will be at At Up Front Street Open Studios Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13.

art up front street.... It just wouldn't be spring without ...

Deb McLarnon's butterflies. Beautiful specimens of nature and happiness. Someone should follow Deb around sometime and take photos of her taking photos of butterflies. Does she chase them? Is she silent? Does she ever swear if they fly away before she gets "the shot"? We don't think so, really... who can swear while watching a butterfly. The process is fleeting .... but one thing not so fleeting - Deb's love for this moment of beauty. You can find Deb's work this May 12 and 13 at Art Up Front Street Open Studios. Tell a friend.

art up front street... Nicole Couillard assembles prints

Today is a beautiful sunny day.... a nice day to celebrate Nicole Couillard. We should cast a bronze statue in honor of her.... she has been here since DAY ONE in the snow and in the rain.... filtering, processing, hauling, painting, baking (yes... she brings treats :-)), making decisions, yard saling, sharing and keeping us smiling especially when she brings her Corgy, Ellie. Today she's putting prints together for the show in two weeks. You will get to meet her on Saturday of the show. That day she will be greeting, pouring a beverage or two, and directing guests to studios. Get her autograph. Super nice people should always sign autographs.

art up front street.... Anne Kenny resident artist

When people first see Anne's work, they are not quite sure what they are actually seeing... the pieces, the wire, the color.... what is it? On closer examination, copper mesh is realized, a blue patina, shavings, wire, circuitry? All elements fit together ... and then your brain asks you "do I process this on my left side... or my right?"

Anne Kenny, hand stitched Industrial Quilts

art up front street.... we speak color here.

This is just a friendly art "warning" ... If you in ANY way have reservations about .... or anxiety over swimming in bold color... then we would recommend you stay far, far, away this May 12 and 13 :-). Gaby Grossman has originals and prints on the way in, Wo Schiffman has blues and circles, and somewhere, some how we are sure you will find GREEN. It's spring thank goodness....

art up front street.... new guest ... metal artist Jeff Whittum

Look for spectacular flying things on the porch of the studios Friday and Saturday, May 12 and 13. Jeff Whittum's new metal. Here is a sneak peek. Thanks for sharing, Jeff!

To benefit Womenade of Greater Squamscott

These little gems by Lenny Willis are going to be for sale at Art Up Front Street May 12 and 13. Beautiful photography abstracts titled "Optimism". $10 each with $5 going to Womenade of Greater Squamscott. They are crisp little prints each trimmed and mounted on white foamcore.... perfect "gift thought" for someone special. Who doesn't need a little "Optimism"? :-) Thank you, Lenny! — with Lenny Willis and Womenade of Greater Squamscott 

art up front street.... back yard greenspace and welcoming paint days

The greenspace at the studios is getting a clean-up... it's almost time for outdoor inspiration. We had a beautiful time painting in summer 2015 at the studio on Union Street. 2016 was the year for adventure and possibility. Now here we are in 2017 at Art Up Front Street almost ready for the wonderful days ahead. Join us for paint days in the garden this June and July. You can bring any medium you want (paint, pencil, watercolor), any surface you want, and your snack. This is not intended to be instructional, but if you are seeking advice, we will share. We will create from 10-1 Thursdays each week. June 29, July 6, 13, 20, and 27. Sign up for one or sign up for all.... but you do have to sign up! It's FREE. Call us or email. Happy summer days ahead... we look forward to creating with you.

4 guest artists will be at the Spring Show this May.... Scott Kuckler, Sarah Koff, Dale Atkins, & Deb McLarnon

Scott Kuckler - Photography.

Sarah Koff Studios - Printmaking.

Dale Atkins - Pottery.

Deb McLarnon -Photography.

The party starts, Friday, May 12 from 1 to 7. We have a solid group of Art Up Front Street resident artists... but having our special guest artists make things even lovelier. Deb McLarnon has been showing her photography with Art on Union Street, Seacoast Photographers, and outdoor festivals for more than six years. She regularly teams up with her seacoast photography friends to do on location shoots with the group. Sarah Koff Studios has her wonderful hand-made prints at the Portsmouth farmers market, has done custom print work for clients, created logos and created signage. She is one of the artists at an upcoming print show at 3S Artspace in Portsmouth.... yay for Sarah! Scott Kuckler is the edgy, sometimes serious photographer whose images can occasionally be haunting.... yet always beautiful and provocative. He has shown at several galleries, travelled widely for stunning imagery, and has presented at Pecha Kucha, Portsmouth at 3S Artspace. Dale Atkins, pottery, loves the process of creating forms and hand building. Her vessels reflect her love of shape and efficient design. She'a a maker, gallery hanger, art restorer, puppet maker, gardener. Each one of this year's guest artists have volumes of creative energy and unique art processes. Bring your questions and be happily enlightened.....

art up front street.... Dawn Amey's design

This is going to sound very obscure.... mainly because the technology Dawn combines with her design work is something new to us here at art up front street. First, we should say, thank goodness again for differences.... because we can learn from each other. Dawn's work combines laser cutting technology with her original designs. Her past has been in design, lighting, furniture building, home decor, retail.... basically Dawn can build, make, sew, wire, create almost anything.... so to put a clear label on her art process possibilities is a challenge. Imagine being able to: ....cut designs in wood (ok, easy enough to understand), etch designs in metal or glass (ok, another concept we can grasp), etch designs in fabric? (ok... much more interesting. What DO you do with that?), etch phone cases? (yep), etch a laptop cover? (yep). Ok, imagine flat pieces of very thin wood laser cut with organic design shapes that are then assembled and wired to become wall sconces?.... (yes. calling all interior designers :-) !). The pic above is of one small project Dawn has done here. She created our studio numbers out of glass tiles. Beautiful.

art up front street.... Anne Kenny's contemporary style

Anne Kenny paves the way for another "view" of how metal can be worked into unexpected results. Anne's art background includes, among many things, working with textiles and quilting. She experimented with different materials... and now designs "Industrial Quilts" made of wire, mesh, recycled metals, and circuitry parts. Her creations look like they are made for interiors that focus on clean form and utilitarian materials... very contemporary and very unique. Anne currently has a piece of her work in the permanent collection of the Currier Gallery in Manchester, NH. She will be exhibiting her "Industrial Quilts" and small modern geometric paintings at art up front street for the spring show.