Category: Artists

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.