For artists and creatives seeking inspiration and guidance, a myriad of enriching reads awaits. Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon is a gem that encourages embracing influence and fostering creativity by drawing from diverse sources. For those navigating the tumultuous waters of the creative process, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic offers a refreshing perspective on facing fears and embracing curiosity. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield serves as a rallying cry against procrastination and self-doubt, urging readers to conquer resistance and unlock their creative potential. Additionally, here ..read more

Art is not created in a vacuum; it is influenced by the world around us, including literature. Just as painters draw inspiration from the colors of nature and musicians find melodies in the rhythm of life, artists of all kinds often find themselves drawn to the pages of a good book for creative fuel. So, what are the literary tastes shaping the minds and imaginations of our vibrant art community today? Here are just a few picks from our New England Wax community: The Story of Art Without Men, by Katy Hessel  Selected by N.E.W. member Deborah Peeples. “It’s a wonderful survey of women ar ..read more

January 3-February 29, 2024 at the Helen Bumpus Gallery located in the Duxbury Free Library Phantom Wakes, 20″ x 20″ x 6″, encaustic form over old letters and encaustic on wooden panel Unfolding Time is an apt title for this wonderful show of the encaustic paintings of Stephanie Roberts-Camello. Stephanie approaches encaustic in a very unique way, layering historical family letters with encaustic paint then pulling back, revealing and folding the encaustic layers into sculptural forms.  The Announcement, 12.5″x 12″ x 4.5″, encaustic relief, old letter, gelatin silver print on cradled wood ..read more

A few years ago I was met with a number of very challenging personal and professional circumstances that continuously stole my focus and began to chip away at my studio time. While in the thick of it, I wasn’t simply able to step away from the circumstances but I was able to take notes on how I would “take back” my time, concentration, and energy.  As we look into the New Year with thoughts about time management and studio practices, I thought I’d share five steps or “rules” I follow that might inspire you as you map out your work time. Never, never start your day with email. Email wil ..read more

Holy Cross College, in its spectacular glassy new Prior Performing Arts Center, has a compelling exhibition, Always Be Around: Corita Kent, Community and Pedagogy, celebrating the art of Corita Kent, a Massachusetts artist and practicing nun known as Sister Mary Corita. Anyone driving to Cape Cod on Route 3 from Boston will see her bright splashes of color on this gas storage tank. Kent’s serigraphs (silkscreen prints) generally, scatter text with social and political messages throughout colorful imagery. What attracted me most was the show’s creative and meaningful educational component.&nb ..read more

Glass Vessels by Lino Tagliapietra Have you ever thought about starting an art collection? Where and how do you begin? There are so many places to see original art; museums, galleries, art fairs, open studios, and many local art exhibits through art centers and libraries as well as the internet. The way to begin is to collect what interests you. You don’t need a lot of money to start. Artists and galleries are always willing to work on a payment plan with you. Another option is to contact an artist directly and schedule a studio visit. Throughout the coming year, I plan to interview both serio ..read more

SARAH ALEXANDER + KAY HARTUNG “Vice Versa” celebrates the harmonious balance of opposites. Vibrant geometric shapes, intricate botanical drawings, and sculpture meet in an interplay of contrasting styles. Boundaries blur, revealing a world where artistic expressions seamlessly invert and complement one another. During SoWa’s celebrated monthly First Friday event Fountain Street Gallery ,Boston artists Kay Hartung & Sarah Alexander launched their spirited Vice Versa exhibit. This dynamic show is a display of opposites that invites the viewer to explore eye ..read more

By Elemental: Debra Claffey, Patricia Gerkin, Donna Hamil Talman and Charyl Weissbach at the Grimshaw Gudewicz Gallery in Fall River, MA. September 7- October 19, 2023 “The art comes from our appreciation of nature and our concern about the way we humans are damaging the Earth. We focus on biological approaches that can help restore the Earth. We hope viewing the exhibition will inspire people to take greater care.” Donna Hamil Talman This show is breathtaking! Located at Bristol Community College in Fall River, this show is hung beautifully in the Grimshaw Gudewicz Gallery. The pieces of De ..read more

Afternoon sunlight poured into the intimate Mary Castelnovo Gallery at the Providence Art Club. Rhode Island artist, Angel Dean, boldly filled the gallery with her solo exhibition called Flesh, Flora, and Flux. This emboldened exhibition is alive with paintings that present colorful florals, luscious forms, and vivid movement. Working in a variety of mediums from cold wax, encaustic paint, oil, and even marble dust, Dean’s work pulls you into deep reflection. She celebrates vivid colors and shapes, both in her paintings and sculptural forms. Her powerful sculptural forms, created with plaste ..read more

Review submitted by New England Wax member, Lola Baltzell My cousin invited me to see the Edvard Munch show “Trembling Earth” at the Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA., and I’m so glad that he did. The show runs through October 15 and this is the only stop in the US. It will be shown in Potsdam in November and Oslo in April 2024. Admittedly, Munch’s “The Scream” – a lithograph – is the image I was most familiar with it’s ubiquitous – coffee cups, socks and mouse pads. He’s mostly considered a figure painter, but this show focuses mostly on landscape. I was delighted to see a whole diffe ..read more