From left are Betty Decker and Suzanne Markham, special exhibits chairs; Kaye Licherdell, one of the artists in the current show; and Penfield Deputy Town Supervisor Debbie Crawford.
Paintings by six PAA members are on display through June 30 in the new gallery space at the Penfield Town Hall, 3100 Atlantic Ave.
The exhibit, on view in the lobby area 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, features 22 paintings. PAA members Suzanne Markham and Betty Decker and PAA President Doug Bloom worked with former Penfield Town Supervisor Marie Cinti and Deputy Town Supervisor Debbie Drawe to launch the project. A new exhibit will open in July.
The artists featured in the current exhibit are:
Pat Gough has studied art all her life. At age 6 she began studying under Aileen McCarthy, Covington, KY, a student of Cincinnati/Covington artist Frank Duveneck. Gough has a B.S. in art from Empire State College, NY. She has taught art at the Cincinnati Art Museum, the McCarthy studio and The Foreman Center, Fairport, NY. She is a member of National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, Oil Painters of America and American Women Artists.
Yui Kinney grew up in a lovely country with a fascinating culture in Southeast Asia. Wild animals are her favorite subjects for paintings; she finds every single life to be unique and extraordinary. Before beginning each piece, she searches for the unique quality she hopes to see in the finished product and focuses on achieving it. The challenge of capturing the personalities and spirits of the models are the keys of her paintings.
Kaye Licherdell became interested in learning copperplate calligraphy and other historical scripts in 2014 after a long career in accounting. Additionally, she learned watercolor painting to compliment calligraphy in cards, prints and commissions. “I’ve now used those combined skills to prepare artwork for weddings and events, such as invitations, envelopes, signs and menus. I enjoy painting florals in a loose, impressionist style, still lifes and landscapes.”
Nancy Mallo likes to paint aesthetically pleasing landscapes and interesting portraits of animals and people. Her media are pastel, oils and graphite pencil with a current focus on pastels. She began her art journey after her son graduated from high school by taking decorative art workshops. At a certain point, her husband told her to “take it up a notch.” She did so by taking a workshop from noted Rochester artist Brian O’Neill, then a drawing and painting classes at the Art Stop in Penfield. She has studied portraits with Darrel Tank’s online graphite pencil portrait classes and currently with Johannes Vloorthuis’ live landscape workshops.
Shelley Simpson says “Art for me started at the age of 6 years with a stack of pancakes. I entered a Pancake Coloring Contest at the Breen’s store in Macedon. I was told by the owner/judge that by far my entry was the best. However, my choice of color for the pancakes was off. I won Second Place. I was not a happy little shopper. I had told my mother that I needed the big box of crayons that had the sharpener in the back. I had to wait for that box of crayons until third grade. I took all kinds of art classes in school. I love all types of mediums. I have retired and my dad and I have been doing a lot of oil paintings. I am having the time of my life. Thank you for letting me share my story.”
Bob Winter started painting in an adult education class 55 years ago, “BC” (before children). Helen Harter was his instructor. “She opened doors and windows by stopping the class and saying ‘whatever you are holding in your hand, you can’t use it for the next hour.’ I opened drawers, emptied waste baskets looking for something to hold paint. What a learning experience. She made you think outside the box.
“For 51 years, I didn’t touch a paint brush! I retired four years ago at 84, as an interior designer for Drapery Industries. Due to family health, I needed a diversion, and joined a class at the Penfield Rec center with Martha Sweeney. Martha was a student in my class 55 years ago.
“Presently, I’m involved in two painting groups without instructors. You learn so much more by fellow artists’ comments and suggestions. I am very comfortable with oil media. If I make a mistake, I just wipe it off and start over. My subjects are usually nature and scenery. After taking photos, I will attempt to put it on canvas. It’s always a challenge mixing color. I am still learning and enjoying!”
Some of the 22 paintings by six PAA members on display through June 30 at the Penfield Town Hall, 3100 Atlantic Ave.