Compiling Comments

 Art by the Brook Studio announces Spring Art Preview

March 29, 2013

Hillsborough, NH – Locally owned Art by the Brook Studio (formerly Modes of Expression) announced today that it will run a Spring Art Preview and watercolor sale effective May 5^th through June 1st. Artist Sheila Psaledas will provide private or group open studio shows by appointment at Art by the Brook, 738 Beard Road in Hillsborough, N.H.   

Art by the Brook Studio opened its first Open Studio show in November of 2011 and is owned by Sheila Psaledas. Visitors from New England and beyond find just what they need in original paintings, giclee prints, and greeting cards at Art by the Brook Studio. Many have scheduled private studio previews at this location over the past 5 years.  Psaledas also holds Open Studios as a member of NH Open Doors Weekend, held each November, and visited by many who take advantage of products made by New Hampshire artists and crafts people in NH.

Art by the Brook Studio will also have a 50% savings watercolor sale during its Spring Preview. The painting , "Birches and Rocks", watercolor is one of several selected works included in this special sale.

 Psaledas is known for her colorful paintings of New England landscapes and has received many art awards of excellence at local and regional outdoor shows throughout the area. Those interested in buying fine art to grace the home, office or for gifts will enjoy the E-Z Lay-A-Way plan for purchasing fine art. MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Personalized Previews are also available for those looking for color coordinated  paintings with  home and office decor. You can customize your preview when you contact the artist for your studio visit. Each Open Studio Preview features refreshments, music and a free gift to those attending.

For more information, please visit

http://www.landscapesofnewengland.com/.

To schedule an Open Studio Preview please contact the artist through the website or telephone information below. You can learn more about the artist and her work by visiting the contact link on her website:

Art by the Brook Studio,

738 Beard Rd.

Hillsborough, NH 03244

Office: Tel. 603-478-0922 from 9 am to 5 pm weekdays.

sheilapsaledas@sheilapsaledasfineart.com

http://www.landscapesofnewengland.com/contact

           Tenacious Grace          Pastel                                 New England Winter   Watercolor                   Morning Meditation             Pastel           January Morning at Fellows Farm  watercolor

            I've discovered that many people who buy art like one medium as their special favorite. And some of these people will only buy paintings  with that medium.  Over the years I have exhibited oils, acrylics, watercolors pastels, monotypes, and mixed media collages.  I like all of them and have sold a number of them each year at local and regional shows.  I am currently working in oils on panels and canvases.  These seem to do hold up well in all kinds of weather, when exhibiting at outdoor shows.  Last year a client entering my booth wanted to know why I don't show watercolors anymore at the outdoor shows except as matted bin works. 

          My explanation to her describes an incident at one show about 4 years ago where I hung framed watercolors and pastels.  The day began as partly sunny and hot.  As the sun shone on the glass of the framed works, a layer of steamy moisture could be seen developing on the inside glass surface. I needed to take quite some time moving paintings back and forth away from the sunny spots and repeating the same process a short time later, so none of my works would be damaged. I suppose that wasn't too bad, but at those times I was ignoring my clients in my frantic shifting!

          The day darkened.  The woman across from me began dancing a rain dance, thinking it would make the rain go away.  I tried to tell her it would do just the opposite (we artists can be very superstitious).  By noon, the skies opened up and we were blasted by rain so hard, it was pouring through the tent!  Some hail fell.

I rushed around like a mad woman throwing plastic painter's tarps over my racks of framed paintings to prevent loss of work.  Good thing I brought the painter's drops, or I would have needed to fold up and go home.  The rain stopped briefly about 2 PM, but poured again right at clean up time.  I lost some mats, 3 watercolors and 1 pastel to the weather.Now, my watercolors are matted and placed in a plastic sleeve. If it rains, I pull the bin into my tent, and if needed, I'll throw a painter's drop over that. they are safe and customers can still look at them.

         Do I miss showing my framed watercolors and pastels at exhibits?  Sure I do, but I am not willing to take the chance with the weather; I give those brave artists who still do, a big chunk of respect for their bravery and hope that the weather will behave.  I tend to be more cautious-I exhbit in New England.

          I offer my framed watercolors and pastels at my studio.  Above, are some examples of both watercolors and pastels. And here's a nice break for my customers.  When you are ready to purchase a watercolor or pastel from the studio you will get it at 50% off for a limited time.  This offer is good until June 2013.  You'll want to take advantage of this offer if you are looking for gifts for Mom or Dad, an up-coming wedding or birthday, or because you love watercolors or pastels and want one for yourself! I have others that are not posted on my site; you can see all of them in person if you schedule a private showing at the studio.  Call in advance by visiting  http://www.landscapesofnewengland.com

When you visit, I'll have the wine and munchies out.

Best regards,

Sheila

          "Banner Day", oil on canvas, was painted with fond memories of small European towns and late afternoon light and atmosphere.  I recall long days spent shopping for special gifts to bring home, then tiredly lugging many packages back to my hotel.  Closed shops and late afternoon sunlight lend the feeling of the day's end.  This activity is usually saved for the day before I leave for home, as I like to paint as much as possible while on vacation. Are you feeling déjà vu? Do you think you have been here before?  The buildings have emerged from my imagination, but anyone who has visited a city like this has seen something very similar.  Please respond to this blog and tell me what city it reminds you of. Visit http://www.landscapesofnewengland.com/contact

Framed with a contemporary 1" black contour moulding, this small painting lends a bright spot of color to a small wall.

"Beyond the Bay"  Oil/panel

          The oil painting shown here is one I did from imagination and memories of my childhood travels to Maine to visit my father's brother, Uncle John and Aunt Muriel (sadly now both deceased).  Living in Milbridge, Maine, a small rural seaside town north of Bar Harbor, Uncle John and Aunt Muriel were of a sturdier stock than many of us.  Uncle owned a general store and other businesses in town and Aunt owned a dress shop.  He also enjoyed lobster fishing and sometimes took us out on his boat to help.  He may have been one of the few lobstermen in the bay that pulled up traps by hand, without a winch, so perhaps you can appreciate his strength and motivation.  They were humble, generous people who lived simply.  Summer days were spent in happy play with our cousins on that bluff at the coast, picking 'goose grass' for a side dish with boiled lobster and 'wrinkles', and walking at low tide to the isolated strip of sand for a quick freezing dip (Back then, I was sure polar bears would be swimming close by). 

          The rutted dirt road in this painting shows islands and ocean beyond the bay, and although it is not the same view we had when driving to the camp, to me, it captures the same feeling of those warm summer days and cool coastal breezes in northern Maine.

         Thanks to all of my many clinets and supporters who have visited and bought work at my events this year.  You are greatly loved and appreciated!  Please visit my events page after the turn of the year to learn about the shows I am planning in 2013.  In the meantime, happy holidays.

          I paint every day, as many artists do, sometimes outdoors on location but more often than not, I paint in the studio.  Working entirely from source material can often leave me with an unfulfilled feeling, especially if I have doggedly followed the photo sources while painting. I usually try to paint an hour or two on location, quickly setting the composition, adding loose areas of color to represent the mood and time of day.  Back at the studio I often begin with the photos I took while at the location, and then tuck them out of sight, away from my eyes to present my feelings of the subject purely.  When the colors, composition and other elements are all flowing together the time in the studio seems to fly.  Spending time in the moment, creating a painting with my inner being makes my heart sing.  Many of us engage in activities  we love whether it is art, music, sports, or any hobby that erases time. There is no time other than the present, and when you are in the moment enjoying what you most want to do, your heart sings.

         "Green Barn", oil on canvas is simply one of my paintings that made my heart sing in its creation.  what makes your heart sing?  Follow that path.

Sheila Psaledas

Bright yellow birches always get my attention.  There's something about the vivid mix of warm and cool yellows set against the autumn landscape that acts like a color magnet for my eyes.  The combination of bright yellow birch foliage and watery reflections absolutely has to be painted, in my oppinion!

"Winter Brook"    Watercolor                                  "Beyond Great Meadow"           Pastel

The miniature watercolor seen on the left is one I did last winter after a brief snowfall.  I planned to go out to the Dover/Exeter, NH area to photograph a salt marsh inlet and perhaps paint from my car.  I'm a woos and do not paint plein air in cold weather. I detoured through Dunbarton to see if I could take a few pictures of the Great Meadow Marsh on Robert Rogers Road. The large pastel shown on the right is one I did years ago of the scenic area, so I hoped for more source information, if nothing else.  In "Winter Brook", my attention was drawn to this very small brook with sunlight peeking through from behind.  I parked and sat in the back of my Yukon with my watercolors to quickly capture the scene.  I often do miniatures to gather information for a larger painting, but in retrospect, I think this one will stand alone. It is  reminiscent of other winter brooks in countryside.  Perhaps it reminds you of a favorite spot you like to visit in New England. If so, please let me know when you respond to this e-mail newsletter.

Many thanks to all of you, both new visitors and clients at my recent Open Studio.  Your continued support and interest in my work is truly appreciated.  If you missed the Open Studio and would still like to view the my paintings, please contact me by responding here.  I am currently planning a private pre-holiday showing on a Sunday in December; I will announce that date soon to let you know about it. Please visit my website http://www.landscapesofnewengland.com to see current works and events.

If you are a new client and receiving this newsletter for the first time, I hope you enjoy receiving and reading it.  You can cancel the newsletter anytime.

Warm wishes for a wonderful holiday season,

Sheila

Beautiful autumn foliage attracts many "Leaf Peepers" to New England each fall.  I couldn't resist getting out during an afternoon this autumn to capture the color of these two sugar maples.  Be sure to stop by my Open Studio on November 3rd to see it in person.  Visit my events page to get all of the details.

"Apple Trees"            Oil/panel

          People buy art for different reasons. some are attracted to certain colors, some to the subject, but many tell me they are emotionally stirred by the works they buy, while others say they are simply matching colors in the room or a couch.

           At an outdoor show this summer, I overheard two women discussing a smaller painting of mine at length.  The person shopping for art liked my works and her friend was helping her find the right painting for her wall.  The  woman liked the subject, thought that it would go well on a narrow side wall in her living room, and felt the colors would work with the room.  After much discussion her friend said she wasn't sure the painting would match the couch fabric.  ("Ouch!", I thought.)  I asked what colors were the most dominant in the room.  She said the walls were all white, but the couch had a brocade type fabric with many bright colors.  I went out on a limb and asked if one of the brocade colors was also in my painting.  Yes, the owner of the couch said there was teal in the brocade, and the blue-green in the painting looked like a match to her.  I asked, "Does it really need to match the couch perfectly, especially if the painting will hang on an opposite wall?"  She agreed and said she thought it would work just fine.  I let her know that if she decided it wouldn't work she could ship the painting back to me within two weeks, as long as it came back to me in the same condition she bought it, and I would refund her money.  She bought the painting.

          Unfortunately I do not have a photo of the one she bought, but  thought you'd like to see one that received many favorable comments this summer.  "Apple Trees" shows a favorite time of the year in New Hampshire, when the apples are ripe and ready to pick. Fall visitors to the orchards spend a weekend day with the family or friends picking apples for pies, jelly, or my favorite Apple Crisp!!

"Apple Trees", original oil on panel,  is available by clicking here.  Also archival giclee prints can be purchased at this site.

Sheila Psaledas