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"Following Where Art Leads Me" will debut this Friday, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Octagon Art Gallery at Patterson Library. This show will be on display until Friday, November 11.
"Following Where Art Leads Me" is a collection of photo-realistic paintings from local artist Susan Forrester-Mackay. The collection focuses on Mackay's travels and the many different people and experiences she had because of art. Mackay explains the motivations behind her work in her artist statement for the show: "I create artwork because the beauty of the process is the best mind-altering state I've ever known. The subject of human beings is an endless source of fascination for me; hence most of my work is figurative and evocative. Always focusing on the variety of every day gestures and experiences. Sometimes it's places that still hold the essence of human experience. Sometimes it's emotions that worry or things that delight the human soul and imagination. But I believe the universal themes are felt by all at one time or another. I paint in many ways, with many emotions. There is always a thread which stitches my work together such as color and subject. My brush works ranges from detailed strokes to wide explosions. The direction depends on my mood, my subject's mood and makes for the diversity and expressive creativity that I crave. I hope you enjoy this art journey with its many twists and turns. As someone once said, 'A journey which leads in a straight line, leads no where.'
I have been graced with many awards since the late 1960s. I had my first "One-Woman Show: A Second Look" in Buffalo, New York, in the 1970s after winning first place in sculpture. And the rest of they say is history. Twists and turns later, my work resides in many states and Mexico, in private homes and a couple museums. I am a patron member of the Portrait Society of America, Artists United, Americans for the Arts and a proud founding member of the North Shore Arts Alliance. Sincerely, Susan Forrester-Mackay"
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by Finley Paige Gelsimino October has to be one of my favorite times of the year. First of all, I'm not alone in enjoying the cooler temperatures after a brutal summer of heat. But what really excites me is Halloween! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays. For the past few years, I have attended comic-cons and conventions, designing my own costumes each time I go. This tradition carries on during Halloween, for which I also make my own costume. Dressing up for the holiday is fun no matter what, but there is something rewarding about using your own creativity to make your own costume. Last Friday, I began teaching a Costuming and Makeup Workshop in the children's area. I brought in some old fabrics to use as well as tools such as my sewing machine. In addition, I will also be helping with Makeup tutorials. For anyone, of any age, who needs help with their costume, I'd be happy to help. Stop by the library on the Fridays leading up to Halloween, from 3 to 5 p.m. for all costume-related help. Until then, I wanted to write here and share some tips online for those who can't make it. Tip #1: Even though blood, wound, and zombie makeup is a lot of fun, make sure to stay safe! A lot of that makeup isn't meant to be put near the eyes. Make sure to read the directions or buy makeup specifically for around the eyes. Sometimes face paint, fake blood, or latex may cause skin irritation, even when they are not close to your eyes. Always test out your makeup before the big day! Come on down to the library to learn more! Tip #2: Trying to put your Halloween costume together but you don't know how to sew? A hot glue gun or super glue will be your best friend! You can also use Heat and Bond to put symbols or designs on your costume, no sewing required! The only thing you'll need is an iron. If you want to give sewing a try or don't have a hot glue gun, no worries! The library has both available, including a sewing machine!
I hope that this post was of use to you during preparations for your costume. Feel free to drop by anytime during either the workshop or library hours for other tips.
Until next time! by Amy Stephenson "Home Away from Home" is a program held on the first Monday of each month at the Patterson Library. All home-schooled families are invited to join. Together, we read stories, share homemade food and recipes, play games and work on engaging arts and crafts. To find out more information, call the library at 326-2154. FAVORITE RECIPES FROM "Home Away from Home" |
 | ...there was a need to rebuild. A need to create, to reinvent, to become something new. To become. To create. To grow. I decided I wanted to become an artist and I did just that. |
My artwork was and is my therapy. My tree spirits represent new life. Mother nature and her ability to give life, to create. They represent the death of the human part of me. The self that was destroyed. There was nothing left. Grow is one of my favorite words. I try to grow everyday. I grow through my artwork. I grow through my children. I try to incorporate a lot of organic material in my work to bring life into my pieces.
I grow through my artwork. I grow through my children. I try to incorporate a lot of organic material in my work to bring life into my pieces. |  |
I feel I have worn many masks in this life. One of my favorites so far is this one. Being an artist and a Mother, living in Westfield near Barcelona, which is such a wealth of inspiration for me. I think everyone has there own stuff. I think it's okay to be a little broken. For me, I think it's what makes us all unique and beautiful. As long as we grow from it. Grow with it. I hope my artwork reflects a feeling of becoming something beautiful. I often take a discarded vintage piece of furniture and use it as a canvas or incorporate it into a piece. I like to take something that might otherwise be forgotten and transform it into something wonderful, something that can be treasured. I hope that onlookers can see what can happen from darkness into light. A continued effort always to...grow.
"Grow: a Collaboration with Mixed Media Pieces" will open at the Octagon Art Gallery on Friday, Sept. 16, from 7 to 9 p.m. The show will remain on display through Friday, Oct. 14.
"What a wonderful vacation spot!" Prized North Carolina Vacation Up for Grabs at Our Benefit Auction
8/16/2016
It's mid-August, which means that summer is nearly over, and our Benefit Auction is almost 24 hours away. We have received a generous amount of donations, including antiques, furniture, exercise equipment and more. However, one of the best offerings of the night is the vacation home for a vacation in Duck, North Carolina. At last year's auction, Diana Hamann won it. Here's what Diana had to say about her time in Duck:
What a wonderful vacation spot! Plenty of room for a group of friends, or an extended family to vacation. A relaxing place to walk on the beach, enjoy good restaurants, and fantastic seafood markets.
All you need is food and your clothing.
And don't forget... DUCK DONUTS!
A week-long block is available for choosing during fall of this year or spring 2016. This beach house offers many amenities for a great escape from the cold weather of Western New York. The space is about 2800 square feet with four bedrooms, 3.5 baths and a fully stocked kitchen (no food).
Duck is a small beach town on the east coast of North Carolina. Duck has consistently ranked high on the Travel Channel’s annual America’s Best Beaches list and has placed on the best beaches list since 2000. Duck offers a variety of fun events and great eats that make for a fantastic getaway!
Sound interesting to you? Stop by our Benefit Auction tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 17. The silent auction and preview takes place between 5 to 6:30 p.m. with the auction starting at 6:45 p.m. Admission into the auction is free.
Duck is a small beach town on the east coast of North Carolina. Duck has consistently ranked high on the Travel Channel’s annual America’s Best Beaches list and has placed on the best beaches list since 2000. Duck offers a variety of fun events and great eats that make for a fantastic getaway!
Sound interesting to you? Stop by our Benefit Auction tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 17. The silent auction and preview takes place between 5 to 6:30 p.m. with the auction starting at 6:45 p.m. Admission into the auction is free.
For those of you who don't know, the library has recently added Mango Languages to our list of databases. Mango Languages is a language-learning software where you can master a language, or learn some vocabulary before an international trip. Mango Languages can be accessed in the library, or at home, by any Westfield card holders.
Our friends at Mango recently shared this interesting tidbit about the translation of colors in some East Asian languages. Some languages use the same word for different colors. Read about it below:
Confused? That's okay, because you might not know that some languages distinguish between colors in different ways.. Although we have plenty of names for colors, English speakers tend to think of colors like red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet as the "basic" colors from which we get the others. But these distinctions are not universal.
For a long time, East Asian languages like Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese had one word for what English speakers refer to as “blue” and “green,” using context and other descriptive terms to clarify exactly what is seen. In Japanese, あお (pronounced “ao”) could mean blue, green, or even black depending on the context. So whether you’re talking about the sky, leaves, or horse hair, they’re all あお. However, Japanese and other languages have since developed distinct terms for blue and green. For example, Japanese speakers will refer to “green” objects as being “midori” or “gurīn.”
Other languages make distinctions that English does not. Although English has many different words for shades of blue, only “blue” is considered a standard color. Russian, however, considers light blue (голубой, galu-BOY) and dark blue (синий, SEEnee) two different colors, not just shades of the same color.
Visit the library, or call at 326-2154, to learn how you can get started with Mango Languages today!
I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.
- Groucho Marx
I think of life as a good book. The further you get into it, the more it begins to make sense.–Harold Kushner
