Ree Katrak Opening & Talk October 4, 5pm-8pm

We LOVE celebrating all the artists here at Art Up Front Street. We feel like we have such a wonderfully diverse group. Ree Katrak joined us less than a year ago and we are thrilled she is sharing her art with us (and you!) ... as well as her thought process for making it. Sometimes the process of making abstract art comes from such an obscure place in one's core. The organic nature of "how this comes to be" can be difficult to express. Where does the artist start? What parts of the artist get expressed? Is it REALLY something one can put into words? Join us this October 4th for the opening reception talk of Ree Hall Katrak.

Ree Hall Katrak

has been a professional artist since 1987 showing at various venues throughout the Northeast and Washington State. She began using watercolors, than moved toward print-making and most recently she is working in acrylics and mixed media. The themes are always abstract in nature with lots of color and gestural marks.

Exhibition Dates • October 4—30

at ART UP FRONT STREET 

Art Up Front Street Studios and Gallery
120 Front Street Exeter NH, 03833
603 418 6286

Art Up Front Street is open Tue-Wed 10 – 7, plus Thu-Sat 10-4.

Opening Reception • October 4, 5pm-8pm

Artist Discussion entitled, Demystifying Abstract Art, 6pm

Relax and give the image a chance to strut its stuff—relax, stop wondering what it is all 'about'—like many strange and familiar things, Life included, art isn't 'about,' it simply is. . . . Don't try to enjoy it, let it try to enjoy you. DON'T TRY TO UNDERSTAND IT, LET IT TRY TO UNDERSTAND – e. e. cummings writing about his play, HIM.

Save the date: OPEN STUDIOS November 2+3

This is one of our favorite events... why? Because we (the artists) get to really plan our individual messages we want to share with the world. Should we be making art that resonates with the "cultured eye"? Art that might appeal to someone's expectations?
Well, maybe, (or M-A-Y-be, as my daughter would say, creating skepticism) but we artists also have this thing we need to express.... a "thing" we need to work out or explore. Half the fun, if not all, is pushing up our next idea... or exploring a really cool process with which we have fallen in love. Maybe it is a technique... maybe it is a certain size or scale of art... maybe it is a color. Maybe we just want to see what sticks. ....Maybe we have a place in our hearts that needs to be opened up ...so others can be in "it" for just a moment.
We can't tell you how many times, when we discuss among ourselves an art process .... eventually the conversation comes down to one. tiny. detail. that no one will ever notice or care about, but.... it is still very much a part of the process for the artist.... and ....it is still valid in that artist's energy given to a piece.
Have you read this far? Really? Ummm, oh, we mean, great! Because the other reason OPEN STUDIOS is one of our favorite events is because you humor us and honor us just by walking through the door to stop to take a look at what we have been obsessing about.
Looking forward to seeing you November 2 and 3! Share with a friend.

Would you give us a review?

Hello art friends, we are on TripAdvisor. Have you visited our studios? Would you give us a review? 

It can be short and sweet or long and detailed. Thank you in advance. 

We love knowing that you are thinking of us and we love it when you visit. 

Just today a high school student came in with her aunt. The student loves her art classes at Exeter High School. She had a few samples of her work... and we had a lovely conversation of possible aspirations. She inspired us and we hope we inspired her. 

These simple interactions are just some of the things we love about doing what we do. Yes, we love art. Yes, we love an environment where we can make stuff. But the adventures and conversations that come through our doors keep our hearts warm. 

If you have a moment, click the link to go to TripAdvisor. 

We would LOVE to hear from you.

Thank you!

From all of us at Art Up Front Street

Natasha Stoppel Opening September 6 at Art Up Front Street

Other Worlds of Now and Then

An exhibition by Natasha Stoppel

September 6th - 27th

Opening Reception

September 6th

5 pm - 8 pm

Explore the fantastical Other Worlds of Now and Then with artist Natasha Stoppel. Her work combines real-world experiences from around the world and molds them with pattern, line and color to create fantasy creatures and realms of imagination.

Examine: How does your history and experiences reflect your current reality? 

Natasha is a traveling artist exploring the world one creation at a time. After leaving her corporate job in 2014 she launched Artist Explores the World, a blog and Youtube channel designed to feature art and travel. Since then she has trailblazed a creative path into bullet journaling, videography, jewelry making and pyrography. When not solo backpacking she’s focused on turning her experiences into creative works. She seeks to inspire others to explore their artistic soul and pursue creative journeys. 

Natasha’s artwork has been exhibited across the country and in Lacoste, France. She currently works for Exeter TV filming local artists and their personal art stories. She is also a freelance videographer and social media specialist. Education BFA in Animation, double minor in Illustration and Sequential Art. Natasha is a permanent artist at Art Up Front Street Studios and Gallery in Exeter, NH.

For more visit: ArtistExploresTheWorld.com

Join us for Deb Wheeler-Bean's Reception. EXHIBIT runs through August 30.

Opening Reception at Art Up Front Street in Exeter

Friday, August 2, 5pm to 8pm

Exhibit runs August 2 through August 30

Deb Wheeler-Bean is a mixed media artist, a teacher, an innovator, an alchemist …creating and living in Exeter, NH. “I look closely at the world – always searching for the beauty within it. But that isn’t a reach for me because I truly see beauty everywhere, in everything. Just as the alchemist strives to change base metal (lead) to precious metal (gold), I strive to use my art to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.”

Deb finds the “treasure” in raw materials and recycled items, then gives them another beautiful breath. 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.

She is also a writer, poet, and lover of words.

“I want to make art that means something,” she said. “I want to use language, to weave worlds into people’s lives that are going to sustain them and help them through the day.”

See Deb’s collections of natural and found materials re-purposed into soulful art.

Exhibit runs through August 30.
Art Up Front Street hours:
Tue-Wed 10 – 7
Thu-Sat 10-4.

GALLERY INFORMATION:
Art Up Front Street Studios and Gallery
120 Front Street Exeter NH, 03833
603 418 6286

A few pictures of a great time at Harper Lake's Opening

What a lovely party. Thank you for coming out to the studio for Laura'a show! Our world is enriched by each one of you.  (FYI, the artist in the middle of this top pic is Laura :-)

If you have gotten this far and are still looking for more visual goodness, stop by the studios. 

"Adrift the Surface" 

is on exhibit through the end of August.

Two of five red dots on Laura's work from the opening. Congratulations, Laura!

FIGURE DRAWING at Art Up Front Street August 13

Join us.Tuesday nite, August 13. 6-8:30.

Bring your materials and your surface. We have tables and chairs.
The model this evening is female.
Short poses progressing to longer poses.
Artists bring any medium preferred... pencil, charcoal, water color, and acrylic.... so whatever you enjoy, please, bring!

Parking is on the street AND in the very back left side parking lot.
Entry is in the back on the left side of the building. (If arriving after 6pm, please enter the front gallery door).
Respond by email to sign up. artupfrontstreet@gmail.com

$20
Space is limited to 10 people.
We have tea and other bevs... plus a few apps.
See you soon...

WORKSHOP: Make an arty apron with Corrine Gilman, September 17

 Full fun ahead Tuesday, September 17th, 5:30 to 8 pm, with Corrine Gilman at Art Up Front

Street.

Paint, stamp, stencil and draw with markers to make a whimsical arty apron.

No rules... except to have fun.

Experiment and be playful! Beginners welcome.

~ Learn simple techniques for stamping and mono-printing using things from around the house.

~ Make your own foam stamps to use and take home.

~ ALL MATERIALS (and apron) INCLUDED.

What to bring:

Wear old clothes and bring rubber gloves to protect your hands from

paints and ink.

Cost:

$50.00

Sign up:

Adults
Please, sign up by email to artupfrontstreet@gmail.com.

Limited to 8 students.

About the instructor:

Corrine Gilman is a mixed media textile artist with a studio at Art Up Front Street.

She uses recycled materials in her work whenever possible and

incorporates fabric dyeing, printing, painting, and abstract stitching.

"Stitching by hand is a meditative activity for me and I feel that if

I put good into my work, then I put good into the world."

Her work is her joy and it feeds her soul. "I approach every day as a creative eye

opener and try to notice the world around me.... then let it inform my

work and bring the intuitive to the stitch."

Corrine's work takes many forms. Her art story dolls, above, are often created from her dreams which then

lead to their personalities being expressed through "the stitch".

Whimsy, color and humor are big parts of her creations. 

Don't miss this first-time workshop with Corrine... especially if whimsy is your thing!

August 2: Celebrating creativity with Deb Wheeler-Bean

Opening Reception at Art Up Front Street in Exeter is Friday, August 2, from 5pm to 8pm

Deb Wheeler-Bean is a mixed media artist, a teacher, an innovator, an alchemist …creating and living in Exeter, NH. “I look closely at the world – always searching for the beauty within it. But that isn’t a reach for me because I truly see beauty everywhere, in everything. Just as the alchemist strives to change base metal (lead) to precious metal (gold), I strive to use my art to transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.”

Deb finds the “treasure” in raw materials and recycled items, then gives them another beautiful breath. 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.

She is also a writer, poet, and lover of words.

“I want to make art that means something,” she said. “I want to use language, to weave worlds into people’s lives that are going to sustain them and help them through the day.”

See Deb’s collections of natural and found materials re-purposed into soulful art. Opening date is August 2.

Beverages and bites, free parking, plus all artists’ studios at Art Up Front Street will be open.

Her exhibit runs through August 30.
Art Up Front Street is open Tue-Wed 10 – 7, plus Thu-Sat 10-4.

GALLERY INFORMATION:
Art Up Front Street Studios and Gallery
120 Front Street Exeter NH, 03833
603 418 6286

"Adrift the Surface" by Laura Harper Lake starts Friday

Laura Harper Lake's studio has been a treat for all of us to enter over the last few weeks. 

Delicate images of water, the female form, and the color blue (with luscious hints of sea green!). 

Her entire studio evokes thoughts of dreams, floating, traveling, .... of transcending time. 

One can not help but to feel lighter when being in her "space"..

Join us all this Friday for the reception between 4 and 8. 

A perfect summer treat.

Art Up Front Street artists Corrine Gilman and Natasha Stoppel

Summer series fun and whimsy... we just love these. No doubting the energy both of these artists have! Enjoy this little share of color and boldness .....

"Riding Dreams Away" by Natasha Stoppel

Fabric story doll by Corrine Gilman

So much fabulous this summer...

Laura Harper Lake of Artful Harper Studios has combined her talents with friend and co-worker Sarah Wrightsman. 

They, in their brand new podcast called "Creative Guts", explore the roots of creativity, dive into the hearts of creators, and discover how creativity connects with the world around us. 

We are so excited for them.... be sure and click on the links to find the beginnings of their creative adventure. The second episode is an interview with artist Rose Bryant of Art Up Front Street. Thank you to Laura and Sarah for bringing your energy to podcasting! Looking forward to the conversations ahead. 

Find Creative Guts on facebook

Find Creative Guts podcast here:

https://creative-guts.simplecast.com/

https://open.spotify.com/show/4rm3q1fE7VcKyg5e0y6qHg

https://www.stitcher.com/…/creative-guts-pod…/creative-guts…