Author: nextAdmin1

As a young boy, Rochester NY artist Paul Allen Taylor loved to draw and was influenced by his parents and brothers and sisters, who are also talented. His father was real “draftsman” and was known for his sign painting and leather carvings as well as being a popular elementary teacher. His mother was attending the New York City School of Art when she met and married Paul’s father. Paul also has two siblings, (of seven) a brother and a sister, both with degrees in Art and Design from R.I.T. in Rochester New York. Paul’s grandmother, on his father’s side, was a portrait artist. All this talent flowed into Paul through the bloodlines, and the result is a man who loves to paint and teach. With strong visual and drawing skills, he records with camera and pencil what he finds inspiration for paintings. Painting has given him a stronger sense of the world around him, which in turn makes his paintings seem more “realistic”, although he considers his style anything but realistic.

Paul’s range of subject matter contains old barns, covered bridges, lighthouses, boats, florals and anything else that stirs his interest. Spending many summers as a young boy in the Thousand Islands, Paul is inspired by the St. Lawrence River and the multitude of subjects it has to offer. Some of the scenery he observed as a boy now inspires him to pick up his brushes. The river lighthouses, guide boats and the river wildlife are all at his disposal. He has self-published several of his lighthouse paintings in limited edition Giclee’s.

Today, Paul’s routine is that of an emerging artist, working to develop his career, submitting to exhibits, showing at art festivals and publishing his own prints. He also teaches watercolor classes and workshops. Paul owns and operates his own gallery space where he works one day a week.

Paul has traveled with his family to numerous locations in search of scenery to paint, and sometimes he doesn’t have to go far. That ideal barn may be just down the road, and he’s passed it before, but one thing about it may stir his creativity on any given day. Some of his other popular images come from Cape Cod, Grand Manan Island in New Brunswick Canada, or from a combination of his own ideas and actual photos or sketches he has done.

As an artist, he believes the world has so many paintings in it to be done, they can not possibly be painted. Many times, the mind creates what the world will not reveal. Either way, painters are always in search of that ideal scene, that one image to stir their hearts. Paul’s heart is stirred by the mere act of painting. Hopefully, he can stir something in the hearts of those that view his work.

Jane grace Taylor earned her MFA from Syracuse University. She been involved in the arts for many years In every form, as a teacher in public schools and artist. Jane most recently has been teaching adults Asian style Sumi’e watercolors – at the Kirkland Art center in Clinton, NY. She also ran the adult figure drawing class at the Rome Art and Community center for many years. She is an active award-winning member of the national “Sumi’e Society of America” and won the 2011 Scotty Thornton Award and the Best in Show Award in 2012. Jane was named Best in Show (professional division) at the 2013 NY State Fair.

She continues to take watercolor seminars with well known artists such as Tom Lynch (PBS) of Chicago, Janet Rogers – Florida, Don Andrews, Henry Wo Kee Chee – Washington, D.C. and Cheng Kee Chee – Wisconsin.

Proficient in digital photography and Photoshop CS, Jane trains every year via Skillpath seminars. She has completed large murals (the largest is 60 feet high) in Rome, NY (citizenship award) and Utica, NY.

Mural-Rome Sports Hall of Fame, Police-Fireman Memorial Park – Rome, NY / Dr. King Memorial Park – Utica, NY / Experimental work in sculpture, printmaking / Mura l – Erie Canal Scenes in Verona, NY 2014 Traveling Show – Scenes of Erie Canal, 2014-2015

Jane teaches Life Drawing at The Art Stop, as well as a monthly Sumi’e workshop on Sunday’s from 2:00-5:00

It has been said that Raku pottery was developed in Japan over 400 years ago as the ceremonial tea ware of the Zen Buddhist Masters. Raku is valued because it is believed that the spirit of the maker is embodied in the piece and revealed at the foot (base), which is traditionally left unglazed. It is believed that if we are alert to ourselves when contemplating the Raku form we will recognize in it our own spirit.
In the spirit of Raku, my (Nan’s) work requires you to accept the beauty and imperfections of a completely unglazed form, which I call Naked Raku.

Each porcelain clay body is hand burnished for a smooth finish and fired in an outdoor kiln of wood shavings. It is the direct contact of the fire, which creates the beautiful and random flash markings, which make each piece a natural work of art. The surface variations are endless and many pieces take on the characteristics of wood, metal or stone. I believe my work is a reflection of the endless possibilities of nature and of ourselves.

I’m inspired by nature, life experiences and emotional experiences. Encaustic painting allows me to express brilliant colors, depth and emotion in my work. What is Encaustic? Encaustic is a beeswax-based paint that consists of beeswax, resin and pigment. The word encaustic comes from Greek and means to burn in, which refers to the process of fusing paint. It can be modeled, sculpted, textured and combined with collage materials. It cools immediately, so there is no drying time, yet it can always be reworked.

Encaustic is extremely durable, impervious to moisture and it will not yellow or darken over time. It does not need to be protected by glass or varnished. Techniques involve applying melted colored wax to various surfaces and allowing it to cool. The wax can be re-melted as often as you wish. It’s almost like magic – you can change your artwork at anytime with the touch of heat. Encaustic is a fascinating way to achieve brilliant colors with effects of intriguing and unplanned ways. The basic effects can be controlled, but the forms and color blends are unique every time.

Beside’s Donna’s flight into the fanciful, Donna has worked extensively with the Seneca Park Zoo. Her animal representations are phenomenal. Donna is available for pet commissions as well as commissioning a portrait of a loved one as a fairy or mermaid! Donna teaches our colored pencil course on Sunday’s. Look at our class schedule for more information.

Artist Jake Adams has displayed work in major establishments around the world including Carnegie Hall, Gallery 511 in NYC Chelsea, and The Linden B. Johnson Building in Washington D.C.