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Artist Registry

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Aida Wojcik In reality, I began to paint after my last child went off to college and I was left with an "emptiness" for the first time in my life. One day my son, Wojtek, came home, took the television remote control from my hand and replaced it with a few brushes, paints and canvas. I attended Suffolk Community College for three years, where I took formal art lessons with Roni Carson. Before too long, my lifelong dream became my new life. I love to play with paints and now every blank canvas invites me to express my feelings. When I paint women, they are sexually inviting...somewhat aloof...alone; but far from hopeless. I joyfully depict nature in bold compositions, infused with vivid colors and texture. Currently I am passionately exploring working on indoor murals and mosaics and I have also begun to experiment with making glass counter tops. My own kitchen is my testing ground for this new artistic direction. My children - Wojtek, David and Sara are my inspiration, as well as my toughest critics, motivators and advisors. In the years since I began to paint I have filled my home with canvases, paints and brushes … and these days I own just a few articles of clothing that have not been stained with paints. Though I still have much to learn I am not done dreaming. Art is my life now, and I invite you to view a few of my pieces on the Women Sharing Art site. As a member of Women Sharing Art I was recently part of a group show in the BAFFA Art Gallery in Sayville. My work has also been exhibited at the Long Island Museum in Stony Brook and in Brooklyn at the Europa Art Gallery and Kurier Plus Gallery. If you have a dream you would like to see painted, I am available for commission and welcome the opportunity to paint your dream.
Alain K. Khadem Vanitas still life painters of the 16th and 17th century had a remarkable ability to capture the impermanence of life on canvas. They employed a host of iconic objects ranging from pensive skulls and flickering candles to rotting fruit and fading flowers in order to compose vivid pictorial messages of remarkable complexity, eloquence and beauty that spoke of the profound futility of earthly existence. In my latest collection of still life imagery, I follow in the footsteps of great masters of the baroque period, harnessing the ambiguous meaning of objects and exploiting their semiotic value in order to compose elaborate visual riddles that not only evoke the fleeting qualities of time and the transience of life in general, but place the accent on the futility of modern life in particular.
Allan Simpson Allan Simpson is a Queens-based artist who works in oil, water color and printmaking mediums. He studied at the Art Student's League and the Printmaking Workshop in New York City. Much of his work reflects the skyline, bridges, harbors and rooftop views of the city, but he enjoys the ocean and shore views of Long Island as well. His work is in any collections and the one political statement he made as an edition of prints "Portrait of JFK" is in the Library of Congress, the Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts.
Bobbi Mastrangelo Bobbi Mastrangelo is internationally known for her “Grate Works.” She transforms manhole covers, sewers, and grates into artistic streetscapes. Her sculpture relief works appear so real that viewers wonder how she could even lift them to hang on a wall. Exquisite works on her handmade paper vary from little jewel-like mandalas to imaginative constructions incorporating bamboo, textural fibers and special effects.
Carolyn Sheehan Born in Queens, New York. Painter and printmaker, living and working in New York and France. My work is a diary of my existence, a way to deal with the psychological matrix of my surroundings and the people who inhabit them. Commencing with existing forms, my images are transformed through the interplay of materials, such as wood, copper, canvas, paper, wax and the process of manipulation, which are painting, stitching, carving, constructing and molding, as well as with the emotional traces that arise from those efforts, into a visual imprint of my inner voice.
Claire White Claire Nicolas White is a poet, novelist, playwright,, biographer, translator, art critic and librettist. Her work has appeared in such publications as The New Yorker, Atlantic Monthly, Harper's Bazaar and The Paris Review. She was born in the Netherlands and came to America when World War II began. In 1947 she married Robert White, the sculptor and painter, and moved to Saint James where she has lived with her family ever since.
Debra Urso When artists are born they immerge with a sense of wonderment. I was born an artist, always gazing, imagining thoughts on surfaces, stimulating inspiration from deep within. My passion for the art world promulgated me to center my life around my calling. I achieved my bachelors degree from the State University of New York College at Cortland majoring in Fine Art and minoring in Art History. I then pursued a successful career as a Textile Designer in Manhattan.I spent the beginning of my career focused on the commercial end of the arts. To fuel my constant need for learning I continued my education and went on to receive a Masters of Art Education from Long Island University at C.W.Post.Presently I teach Fine Art for the Sayville School District.Students' work continually inspires me.I immerse myself in the creative process of self-expression everyday.I welcome opportunities to display my work for others to become enveloped in my realm of artistic expression, which is blended with my life experiences.
Doreen Dunham Palette knives, brushes, fingers, rags, and anything else within reach are the tools with which I try to bend reality to stir the emotions.I use oils and acrylics to create abstracts, portraits and figures that are rooted in Expressionism and enlivened by the bold use of color and form. I am currently collaborating with a writer/poet on a series of text paintings. I am a founding member of the BrennabuArts, Community of Artists - a group with studios on the south coast of Rhode Island, Smith Island on Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore, Maryland. My portfolio can be viewed on my website.
Dwayne Kerr His masterful mix of sounds and grooves is the memorable variable that makes flutist Dwayne Kerr, of the Erykah Badu Band (Neda Stela), a rising figure in contemporary music today. Playing an instrument that traditionally has been heard more often than seen, Kerr has put the flute up front on display with his unique playing style in his debut CD, “Flutation,” which was released on DManns Records in January 2003. While touring and recording with Erykah Badu for the last five years, Dwayne added his sound to recordings including Ms. Badu's version of the Chaka Khan hit, "Hollywood", which is on the soundtrack/CD to the Spike Lee movie "Bamboozled" on Motown Records and Erykah's song, "Today" which is on the Red Star Sounds compilation CD on Epic Records. Kerr played on Erykah's latest CD, Worldwide Underground and her previous CD, Mama's Gun, on Motown Records.
Evelyn Ramos As a Puerto Rican-American, the act of painting is both cathartic and a spiritual offering. In the past my work exemplified my personal, internalized wish-fulfillment for motherhood. The painstakingly pained hearts, with their "private voices" express anguish, wounds and psychological pain. Other dualities can be found in my work. On one hand, there is primal art-making, prompted by the subconscious. The unconscious speaks through archetypal symbols, and their use is a way of improvisation and the integral to the process of risk-taking. On the other hand, my works are anchored in technological processes through the use of photos that specify the material and life's realities. The use of text is an integral part of "visual language" that is means of staying committed to certain issues, such as the dangers and bondage of addiction, that are common to many people. Another important issue is the voicelessness of the Puerto Rican people. I use text in my imagery to articulate the unheard. Furthermore, be among the voices of the devastation of Aids has had on our communities- and it's not over yet. Puerto Rico is the back door to the Americans and how drugs have endangered our people.
Francine Corso Francine, a graduate of the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences (NYU), worked for the Grumman corporation testing software on the Lunar Module(LM), and worked with embedded software in avionics for various military aircrafts, has overcome so much to become the accomplished artist she is today. One afternoon she was found unconcious on her kitchen floor due to a massive brain hemorrage. Not expected to live, she not only fought for her life, but went on to gaining the ability to even drive. Her daughter bought her a box of pastels and paper one Christmas. even though Francine had no background in art, Francine enrolled in an art class and thus changed her life. Francine now studies with various artists, enters her work in exhibitions and has won many awards. "I try to make my art uplifting and inspiring, adding a little more beauty to my surroundings. I am a nature lover, animal rights activist, and tree hugger. I attempt to take simple images in nature and life, depicting them as a thing of beauty. I use color for not only decorative purposes, but an emotional effect.
Franco Jona I am a physicist now retired from the Department of Materials Science at SUNY Stony Brook. I have done some painting more or less all my life, but more intensely in the past several years. So far, I am doing exclusively watercolor and oil pastels.
Geraldine A. McCue As long as I can remember I have been intrigued with the beauty of nature. I spent many hours of my adolescence absorbing the details of the infamous National Geographic photographs. Unlike most, it was easy for me to choose my major while attending college in Cerritos California, and with honors I graduated with a degree in photography. It was clear that I found my passion in the ability to capture the beauty of nature through the art of photography. Throughout my adult life I have had the pleasure of surrounding myself with the technical and artistic aspects of photography. I have been employed at various photographic laboratories and currently am pleased to be the Manager at Epixel Laboratories in Elmont, New York. My leisure time has been consumed with the joy of photography and it has been a bonus to realize that others enjoy my work. More specifically, my photographs have been published in Lighthouse Digest, Birds & Blooms, The Neighbor Newspapers and have won awards from the Photographic Federation of Long Island. Several photographs have been chosen by Long Island Birding, Smithsonian Magazine and Better Photo as Editor's pick to be posted on their websites. It was particularly pleasing to have the opportunity to share my work at several photography exhibits which include Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, African American Museum Of Nassau County, Castello di Borghese Vineyard and Winery, Fire Island Lighthouse, Sweetbriar Nature Center, and many libraries. I will continue to pursue my passion in photography by opening eyes and discovering the beauty of nature.
Gunter Stern Gunter Stern has been involved in art and music throughout his life both as a painter, lyricist and vocalist. He studied art at Pratt Institute, Mexico City College and enjoyed an art scholarship to the Brooklyn Museum Art School. His paintings have appeared extensively on Long Island in many galleries including Mills Pond, Omni, Gallery North, and Elaine Benson. His works have been shown in museums such as The Heckscher, Parrish Art Museum, Islip Museum and the Nassau County Museum of Fine Arts. He has also been shown at the Adam Baumgold Gallery in New York. He is listed in the Catalog of American Portraits at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.
Gustavo J. Lucin Although art is considered a personal expression of the artist, I believe that a piece of art also conveys messages that are universal. This is the result of our human condition...we all experience sorrow , loss, loneliness, happiness, hope, and other emotions that in the end unify us to be the people of the world. In this series of paintings I expressed some of the strongest emotions I had to confront in my life. When we confront strong emotions we refuge into what is familiar and comforting for our souls. I grew up in a coastal zone by the Atlantic Ocean, and the ocean gives me peace and comfort. Across history the ocean, rivers and water in general play a role and are represented in many religious or spiritual rituals of rebirth and cleansing.
Hattie Gershowitz As an artist, I am always looking for exciting and beautiful subject matter that will stir within the viewer some inspiration and excitement. Each painting is a set of problems to be solved;a study of values and shapes. Each land and seascape releases a new challenge. Color is used to heighten the quality of emotion, which is an integral part of my work. My purpose is to reveal the excitement and wonder of the beauty around us.
Howard Stevens For 36 years, Howard Stevens enjoyed his professorial role at Suffolk County Community College interacting with students in the Radio/TV/Film program. After retiring in 2001, he rediscovered his interest in photography and has enjoyed traveling throughout the world capturing images. Not locked into any particular theme, his interest in color and form find an outlet in almost any situation. He is constantly looking for new visual experiences to share with others through his photographs. Howard is co-president of the Paumanok Camera Club and currently exhibits his work in Long Island galleries and outdoor art shows. He is a member of the Smithtown Arts Council, East End Arts Council, the North Shore Public Library Art Forum and the Art League of Long Island.
Iacopo Pasquinelli I admit that I’m not cut out to paint in plein air.I am too slow and too sensitive.In front of a beautiful landscape I feel overwhelmed, distracted by thousands of details and absolutely powerless.I rise above this handicap, because the will to paint remains, with the help of my camera and my work in the studio.In this way, I dominate my emotions and concentrate on the sensations I feel.I prefer to paint my entire field of vision, choosing compositions with perspective points that draw the viewers into the painting, while allowing me to get drunk from the air. The air wraps itself around everything, whether beautiful or ugly, and it has the power to transform the beautiful into the breathtaking. Sometimes it takes the humidity from the soil, other times it allows light to cut through it in an unexpected way or it may be so dense that it creates veils that emphasize depth. Once in a while I succeed in transporting you with me to take a deep breath.Other times I have finished the air in my brush and I excuse myself.
Ira Higgins I grew up in Vermont.  My room over looked a river.  This began my inspiration as an artist.  My mother has a masters degree in Art and was the director of the Wood Art Gallery in Montpelier Vermont. This influence gave me the worldly knowledge to match my God given talent.  I left Vermont to attend college in southern California.  I then moved to Maui Hawaii where I ran my own business, surfed, and created paintings.  I eventually met my wife there who I now live with on Long Island with our 5 children.  My unique style embodies a unique feel.  I started my career as an artist to spend more time with my family and give more to the LORD.
J Lefsky My paintings, I believe, are powerful expressions of the beauty of the natural world, close-up and boldly colorful.They are filled with a strength and passion.My strength and passion.I also try fill them with the tremendous joy I feel of being able to witness this splendor in the gardens and fields of Long Island. My goal is to draw from this beauty, capture the uniqueness of each plant, enlarge upon these features, and present it in such a way that when they are viewed – they take your breath away. It is up to you to see - if I am successful.
Jacqueline Gelfuso I am an artist because it is an incontestable part of my being. My first love is drawing and the human figure is my inspiration. I have discovered that drawing is really an intricate part of any artwork. It is my contention that drawing becomes the initial creative response to inspiration. It is through drawing, that I have found a way to navigate and explore my own methods of painting. Working on large-scale paintings requires the involvement of my entire body. It is crucial to my work that line acts as my drawing tool. I focus on line quality to describe the structure of the body. In some areas of my paintings, I allow the initial drawing to show through. I begin with a sketch of the figure in vine charcoal and instinctively know when some lines become more important than others. This allows me to paint and draw simultaneously. I work with earth tones and a monochromatic palette which allows me to directly reference old master drawings. I call it ‘the struggle’, as I spend hours drawing and erasing repeatedly in the attempt to depict what I 'see'. When I say 'see', I speak of the process of carving out a three dimensional form with your drawing tool, on a two dimensional surface. As an artist, it is my job to ‘find’ just the right line in order to describe the form I am depicting. Once I have the found the correct line, it becomes emotional, a sensation, as if my eyes have been closed the whole time, and just then, have opened to reveal the reality of what is in front of me. Intimacy has become an important element in my work on three levels. First, my canvas acts as drawing paper, which is either stretched or stapled directly on the wall. I am physically with it throughout the entire process which develops the intensity of reality. Second, when I form a close relationship with someone, I am usually honored by their willingness to be part of my life. In essence, I feed my desire to really know someone by depicting them. The action of searching and finding their form through drawing/painting becomes my personal expression of the importance of that individual in my life. My third expression of intimacy is through self-portraits. I have discovered they have been the solution in my attempt to understand my emotions. Like a visual journal, painting myself documents who I am in various moments of my life. I mean to, and very surely, hold conversations with past artists. I may strive to draw like an old master, but elements in the drawing will place them in this moment. I believe my work conveys my own experience of life, as I see it. It provides a way for me to connect with others, to compare and contrast my life to theirs.
James Fischetti James Fischetti, a self-taught artist, has been showing his work in the Long Island area for the past 25 years. Working in several media, he primarily focuses on painting and photography. I believe in working entirely from what my nervous system dictates to me at the moment of inspiration. Nature has its way of revealing what path to take at any given moment. With this philosophy in mind, Fischetti's work has taken many different paths, resulting in a broad body of work that attempts to defy easy categorization. Mr. Fischetti is currently represented by Peter Marcelle Contemporary. Images below: L to R Blood Brothers, Vortex3, MicroChasm, Buried Connections
Jamie Stroud While attending the School of Visual Arts in New York as a Sequential Art major, I had the privilege of studying under Will Eisner and Harvey Kurtsman. While at SVA, I worked as a technical illustrator, producing work for Grumman Corporation and the U.S. Army. After graduating in 1980, I freelanced for a number of magazines before being hired full-time by Broadway Bill of Fare magazine. As assistant art director, I illustrated two covers every month and countless spot and advertising illustrations. The covers gave me opportunities to experiment with styles and materials. Soon after, I was hired by Cablevision to be both an art director and staff illustrator. I continued to produce pieces executed in a variety of style and media, including pen and ink cartoons, oils, and pastel sports portraits. During this period I would often take night classes at SVA and the Art Students League. My career slowly drifted away from illustrations to publication design. In 1998 I gravitated back to my first love, illustration, and began working solely as a freelancer, most of my work coming from trade publications. Although they don't offer the prestige or pay of a consumer magazine, I found they offer a good deal of creative freedom. In 2000, I illustrated my first children's book The Little Green House. Now, I work predominantly in pen and ink and colorize digitally. I also teach at the college level. In 2006, I returned to school to earn my MA degree in Illustration. There I studied with many great illustrators including Melanie Reim, Murray Tinkleman, and Vincent DiFate. I graduated from FIT, in NYC, in 2008 with a 4.0 cum. My illustration is humorous and thought-provoking and I often write children's stories with them.
Janice Milusich I am dedicated to the enhancement of the literary skill of writing, and the encouragement of children's love of reading. It is my goal to reinforce the growth of both of these creative endeavors for all children Janice Milusich is a teacher, and a writer. She has published a children’s picture book entitled, Off Go Their Engines, Off Go Their Lights, with Dutton Children's Books. She has recently finished a middle grade fantasy novel and is presently working on another picture book and a historical fiction early chapter book. She is available for classroom visits/ book signings and writing workshops for children.
Jeanette Martone Awareness of the common linkage found in our humanity, the fragility of our cultures, and the vulnerability of those living the barest existence, teetering on the edge of life, inspires the foundation of my work. Since 1994 I have traveled to the Dominican Republic to participate in volunteer projects assisting the poor. Experiences there have contributed to the evolution of my art. As I depict my subjects, they are captured in a moment of time, revealing their inner grace and the beauty that can be found in the infinite details of their environment; the sun cracked earth, the drape of tired fabric, and the detritus of struggle. By limiting color, and emphasizing texture in my graphite drawings, attention is focused on the essential elements of the subject. Complex images are formed that are reminiscent of the protoplasmic origins of life we share. The simplicity and purity of pencil and paper lend an immediacy and intimacy to the work, creating an interconnectedness between the subject and viewer
Jennifer Berotti My work is often influenced by my love of natural shapes and my desire to manipulate them. My goal is to always make beautiful images that are slightly "off" in order to draw the viewer in for a closer look. Never take something for face value, there should be something more. While making Three Trees in the Ivy I tried to evoke the feeling of calm clarity, which is possible on a quiet walk through the woods. Possibly alone, with few distractions, we start to see, hear and feel more than we first noticed. Nooks and crevasses start to look different, branches creek behind us at the very moment we pass them, and the wind moves something...but it's gone. In this moment observation makes a leap to imagination and the image that I wish to make is no longer a realistic representation of a landscape but a shadowy grove of scarred trees who guard a path to somewhere else. I guess I started out to be an Illustrator but I stopped halfway. There is always some story in my work but I can never bring myself to finish it. I prefer to let the viewers come to their own conclusions. I think that’s the test of my work. A piece is successful when people see beyond the apparent aesthetic quality. To think about art, for me, is as great a joy as looking at it.
Jennifer Drucker Born in NYC and currently residing on Long Island with her husband and three children, Jennifer received her first camera for her eighth birthday. She has been creating photographs ever since. Jennifer graduated with a BFA in photography from Long Island University in 1991 where she studied with Arthur Leipzig and Joan Powers. She was presented with the Photography Award for Artistic Excellence upon graduating. She received her MFA also at Long Island University in 2004 where she studied with Frank Dituri. Her work has been included in numerous exhibits in both the United States and Europe. She was recently included in an exhibition at the International Museum of Women in Art in Abruzzo, Italy where her work is now part of the permanent collection.
Jill Amorosano Long Island artist, Jill Amorosano has had the great opportunity to exhibit her artwork at many New York venues. She is not only a dedicated artist, but an educator as well.Some art classes that she has taught include 20th Century Masters, Cartooning, Art Rocks, Plein Air, and Ukrainian Egg Workshops. She holds a Bachelors Degree in History and Education and a Masters Degree in Liberal Arts.Her favorite medium to paint in is oil, but does not confine herself to this medium alone. "Art is experimentation in every direction and there should never be any boundaries to it. The uniqueness and beauty of art is that you can take it in the direction you wish." Her artwork exemplifies the use of a lot of bold color and encompasses impressionism, surrealism, and folk art. Being an avid outdoors person a favorite subject matter of hers is nature. Her artwork has won awards at the Long Island Fair for the last two year. Ms. Amorosano volunteers art for local schools, churches and hospitals. She is currently accepting commissioned work.For more information please be sure to check out her webpage at http://www.jada-art.com.
Joan Sicignano My art is a way to learn about life and nature. I am constantly aware of the beauty that surround us. My passion for art is a gift from God, painting is my way of saying Thank You. I have received numerous awards and my art is in the home of collectors throughout the country.
John Killelea John Killelea studied painting and sculpture at Pratt Institute and has an MFA from NYU Film School. He works in graphite, watercolor, video and photography, and is both a screenwriter and filmmaker.In the past he has taught art, photography and filmmaking in public schools and college. My interest has always been to capture story and mood; what is happening below the surface of the image, often involving conflicting and sometimes dark emotions experienced at a particular moment in time. My recent work has been an exploration of my childhood and upbringing: a journey into, and discovery of the self.I've done several self portraits involving family members, trying to capture thoughts, gestures and meaning.
Jones, Al Al Jones was half of the international Acro/Balancing Act “THE TWO EARLS”. For many years, they performed in clubs and theatres all over the world, often sharing the bill with legendary Jazz singers and musicians. In 1980, he and his wife Sherrill left Paris and settled in Stony Brook to raise their four sons. Locally, he developed a second career in acting and has appeared in plays all over the Island from Far Rockaway to the Hamptons. He's continued to paint and has spent the past few years developing his collector’s series, “The Heart of Jazz”.
Joy Goldkind Saint James artist Joy Goldkind's interest in art is focused in the traditional and classical painters and photographers. As she studied photography it soon became clear to her that the early processes of technique and hands on crafts is what she loves to do. Her attention was turned to early pictorial images that led her to learn alternate processes. Goldkind prefers to work with Bromoil prints, as this method allows her the control over the image she desires.
Joyce Bressler Joyce Bressler graduated from the high school of Music and Art, received her BA in Art from Queens College and her MA in Art from UCLA. Joyce has been a resident of Commack for the past 40 years , having taught art full time on the secondary level, continuing (currently) education and privately in her studio. her work has appeared in several group shows throughout Long Island and Manhattan, as well as some one-woman shows. Joyce works with watercolor in the Alla Prima technique, painting directly on paper with out the use of pencil. This technique insures a spontaneous and fluid approach to her subject. Her main concern within her art is color and light, and their resulting interaction to form a kind of Lyrical Impression. Newsday has described her work as "A free search of line and spontaneous interpretation that holds the viewer".
Joycelyn Bila Drawing inspiration from the human face, Joycelyn creates portraits and figures in oils and acrylics. Her deep respect and admiration of Native American and Hispanic People and their culture has influenced much of her work. Some of her subjects are those she has had the honor of meeting, knowing and photographing over many years. Chief Spirit Eagle, a Comanche Peace Chief, commissioned Joycelyn to draw and paint his portrait. She is the only artist ever permitted to do so. Joycelyn also works in watercolors; painting flowers, plants and landscapes. Her watercolor “Cascade of Caladiums” is shown on the left below.Though mostly self taught, Joycelyn studied for several years under a master artist. She is the resident artist for the Women’s Enrichment Ministry of her church. Joycelyn’s work has been shown locally and at Mills Pond House Gallery. Joycelyn also creates elaborate glass painting using enamels. Along with her work in fine art, she is also a Certified Instructor in “One Stroke” decorative art. Residing with her husband Nick, Joycelyn is a lifelong Long Island native and a Nesconset resident whose roots go back to Sicily and Puerto Rico. They have two grown daughters, Josephine and Gloria. Her family, heritage and the traditions they share are a constant source of encouragement, strength and inspiration.
Judith Contrino My family tree is filled with artists, writers, musicians and performers.  I am a person who loves people.  I have been drawing, crafting, and singing all my life.  Painting is relatively new for me as, as I have only explored colors and different mediums for about 10 years.  Personalized greeting cards are another love of mine. They provide me with  yet another way to connect with people and give joy to those around me. In my paintings I like to create calm and tranquility, something to daydream about, or something to stir a memory.   I have had a number of my works displayed at Gallery OnThe Hill, Mills Pond House, the Smithtown Library and Kings Park Library. My painting DEEP AUTUMN DREAMS took 3rd Place at Our Lady of the Island Art Show in 2009. At present I am the leader of the Smithtown Library Art Group, Main Branch.
Julia Adams Julia Adams is an artist, working in her studio on Long Island. She is a surrealist, combining reality and fantasy, as her vibrant imagination dictates. Color is a very important part of her work. Recently, she has created a cycle of paintings in blue, a color which she regards as universal and beautiful, and a color which provides a special, subtle intensity. Julia is inspired by nature, with her greatest inspiration being trees, a subject which frequently appears in her paintings.
Katherine Hiscox Katherine Hiscox taught art for many years in a special school for adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems. She brought a background of art education, special education and art therapy together to formulate a program that benefited many students. Eight years ago, she left teaching to focus on her work as an artist. She can be seen locally painting the harbors, marshlands and gardens of Long Island. Katherine also enjoys drawing and painting the figure and looks to capture gestures and body language. Her work can often be seen in local exhibitions. Katherine has received awards for her watercolors and is pleased to have her artwork in several collections and beautiful homes on Long Island.
Kathleen McArdle As an artist living on Long Island's North Shore, I draw inspiration from every aspect of life here. The play of light and the relationship of colors and shapes in the fields and beaches are the resource for my landscapes. The abundance and variety of produce and flowers to be found at the farm stands and in gardens are the elements of my still life paintings. And old family photographs of bygone times are the framework for a series on which I am presently working. My preferred medium is acrylic on canvas. I find acrylic paint to be very versatile; bright colors that can be subdued with glazes, swift drying which allows for immediate changes and responsive to many textural approaches. I also enjoy exploring with watercolor on paper. Experimentation with watercolors has led to results that are sometimes satisfying, sometimes dismal, but always exciting and fruitful.
Katja Oljuscha Grunther I suppose every creative process should probably begin with some kind of overflowing feeling that longs to be able to transmit what it is one sees and cares about, into some sort of permanent form. For me, that transmitter has been my camera, and the final form a fine art digital print I would love to be able to learn some of the old master's techniques: platinum and palladium, gum bichromate, bromoil or cyanotype; some of Edward Steichen's images fairly glow with a deep, luminous tone that can never be duplicated (in my view) through this digital world. And so, as best as I am able, I will continue to strive toward whatever are the best of my capacities within the limitations and opportunities that are mine to live.
Kyle Blumenthal My series "Hope" is inspired by spiritual visions I see before I open my eyes in the morning and at times in meditations. Birds in flight with outstretched wings, wild flower fields, sunflowers, gardens, Theatrical Installations, costumes and fantasy figures, all appear in the large paintings that comprise the "hope" series. I often portray unity in separation in my subject matter through the use of divided canvases. Regardless of what I am painting I use my entire body as I move across the canvases. I paint with oils on canvas and scrim and at times incorporate fabrics and light. The combinations of transparencies, translucent and opaque materials in my work reflect the ethereal and material.
Lauren Koch When I was 11 years-old, living on Long Island, I had a Fisher-Price PXL 2000 Video Camera. My sister and I made 10-minute movies with dramatic plots acted out through Barbie dolls. My passion for capturing images actually began much younger, in elementary school. I was infatuated with the Polaroid camera, taking still shots of my toys in staged scenarios and labeling each one with a different title. Looking back, I think that as a child I used the camera lens to frame my understanding of the world; to better understand human relationships and my sense of belonging. I became interested in SLR photography during my last semester as an undergraduate psychology student. In an introductory black and white (B&W) course, I produced my first serious work. It involved passionately applying face paint on my subjects and myself, designing costumes, and posing in a staged primeval forest setting. From this experience, I realized that through photography I could shape my vision of the world and engage in the creative process of visual cultural production. My photography has greatly developed since I was a child, what remains is my preference for creating work that is more theatrical than documentary in style. My photography explores concepts of gender, identity and authenticity of human emotion using traditional techniques (analog B&W and color photography) as well as digital imaging.
Linda Cole Whether I am inspired by a landscape or seascape, figure or still life, my love of color is what moves me to paint. And through color I try to express my surrounding environment; its mood, its season, its light or its time of day.I work in three mediums – oil, pastel and watercolor, each helping the other to grow. My paintings are a collection of learning experiences and are not limited to a particular subject or style; rather, I am constantly seeking new challenges and ever hopeful that I'll be a lifelong student.
Lynda Lehmann I'm an abstract painter (mostly Abstract Expressionist) and photographer with a passion for color and the forms of nature. I enjoy making digital art as well, and discovering new visual experiences, whatever the medium.  I'm interested in the spiritual aspect of creative process and how it connects us to our beautiful planet.  Observing "the human condition," I wonder how we can transform society and preserve our Earth, by taking personal responsibility and empowering our best selves. Painting is a kinetic experience for me, as the work takes on a life of it's own and calls on me to revel in its formal and color variations.  I love the sense of discovery in approaching each painting with only a few parameters and rarely, preconceptions.  I enjoy the ambiguity, adventure, and unpredictability of layering paint and watching the visual experience unfold.  As life and perception are forever changing in passing nuances of time and space, paintings reflecting this impermanence and mutability resonate with me: in them I see the energy, flux and dynamism of nature.
Margaret Miller Margaret Miller, a Smithtown resident and adjunct associate professor, has been creating her sculptures for years. Often, parts of her structures are found objects which have been given a new life. These objects are fused together to create personal interpretations of varied themes. For instance one of her works,  Doming, incorporates found objects to create a transparent, playful and mysterious piece. Margaret has shown in galleries throughout Long Island and beyond for over thirty years.
Maria Fairchild Maria Fairchild excels in the traditional Appalachian style of banjo playing known as clawhammer or frailing. She plays 19th century dance tunes, sings ballads and work songs from America’s past, and speaks of the people and times that produced this unforgettable music. Maria is one of those rare performers who really inhabits the stage. She is a splendid instrumentalist, in particular she is a virtuoso clawhammer banjo player and a great singer. Authentic Quebecois songs and Old Time banjo music are tied together by Maria's sly and engaging wit. Her unique ability to make traditional material feel contemporary and accessible along with her sparkling stage presence makes Maria's performances a compelling and memorable experience. She has performed in major folk venues on both coasts as well as in Canada and England. She has previously performed at the Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle, the Portland Folklore Society in Oregon, the Vancouver Folk Song Society in Canada, the Cecil Sharp House in London, England and locally at LITMA and the UU Fellowship of Huntington. In addition to performing as a featured solo artist, Maria is currently working with Larry Moser and Mary Nagin in the contradance band Dance All Night.
Maria Loreta Celitan Maria Loreta Celitan, founder and Artistic Director of Sol y Sombra, has studied Spanish dance both here and in Spain with some of it's foremost artists including La Tati, Paco Fernandez, Ciro, Azorin, Paco Romero, Carmen Cortes, Guito Tomas de Madrid. Besides her work as principal artist with Sol y Sombra, Maria Loreta has performed with numerous Spanish dance companies including Estrella Morena's Ballet de Madrid, the American Spanish Dance Theatre and Jose Molina's Bailes Espanoles with which she toured for many years throughout the U.S. and abroad. Her credits include appearances at the U.N., Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors, Town Hall, the Chateaux Madrid, Constitution Hall and the Kravis Center, Jacob's Pillow as well as innumerable colleges and cultural centers throughout the U.S. Besides Spanish dance of which she is an accomplished professional, Maria Loreta holds degrees in Art, Art History, a M.A. in Comparative Religions and an advanced Certificate in Gerontology. In dance and dance related fields, Maria has studied extensively Classical Ballet, Modern Dance, Near Eastern Dance and Bharatanatyam (Classical Indian Dance). She is a RYT and holds certification in: advanced Hatha Yoga and Cardiac Yoga from the Integral Yoga Institutes; Creative Movement for Children from Jack Weiner's School of Creative Movement and Dance Therapy from the Turtle Bay Music School. When not performing, Maria Loreta has taught Spanish Dance for numerous schools and institutions throughout the New York Metropolitan area including the Seiskaya School of Ballet, the Connecticut Ballet & the Ballet of Puerto Rico, as well as master classes for the Suffolk Community College, Bridgeport University’s Regional Center for the Arts and University of Georgia Arts and Humanities Center. Currently, she is on the dance faculty of SUNY Stony Brook where she teaches Spanish & Latin dance forms. An avid arts-in-education exponent, Maria has worked for such well known arts-in-education programs as The National Theater, Young Audiences, and Arts Connection. With Sol y Sombra , she has given programs for the BOCES Arts in Humanities Programs in numerous upstate New York, Suffolk & Nassau Counties. She has become a teaching artist for the Tilles Center Institute for Arts & Culture, a satellite of Lincoln Center’s Institute for Aesthetic Education.
Marlene Weinstein My goal is to create a visual world in which the ordinary becomes captivating and unexpected. I strive to create images that exceed the boundaries of our vision by blending realism and imagination.Through the camera, I pursue with both joy and frustration that which is usually temporary.
Maryellen Cox Maryellen Cox has been involved in both the doing of art and the teaching of art for most of her life. She is a graduate of Herron School of Art and has studied with architectural artist, Harry Davis and portrait painter, Edmund Brucker. Her paintings are part of many private collections and have been included in exhibitions throughout Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Washington, New York, Connecticut, California, Montana, Alaska, Belize, Nova Scotia, and Puerto Rico. She is fascinated by the human face and her paintings often include the faces of family members.
Melissa Imossi Recently I have been drawn to the natural world. As I spend more and more time indoors amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, I seem to miss the time I spent outdoors when I was young, just enjoying the beauty and magic in nature. In our world that revolves around technological advances, we fail to notice the grandeur and simple wonders found in nature. How can we notice this quiet, simple beauty when we walk around with phones plastered to our ears while we rush from place to place? My recent paintings focus on the beauty and individuality of the organic forms found in the natural world. Nature is waiting for us to notice her once more; to be nourished by her and to be transported to another place within ourselves - a quiet, peaceful place.
Meredith Toto My paintings consider the things we can destroy: family heritage, personal memories, relationships, the body, the environment. I find my inspiration in what others consider the most gruesome of images and, rather than glorify the horrific elements, I seek to transform them--inviting viewers to discover beauty or solace or enlightenment through the artwork's intimacy. My artwork can be expressed as the binarism "Pretty Disease" The viewer is seduced with the loveliness of a captured moment and then forced to look again, confronting the eerie underside of what seemed no more than a luscious depiction of sweetness and light.
Michael Parisi Michael Parisi of Port Jefferson specializes in commission work for people and pets. A member of the Portrait Society of America, he has had extensive education in art, and graduated from the Manhattan Institute of Drafting and Design, and the American Art School.  He has had various exhibits across Long Island and is regularly invited to do demo shows at private parties, hospitals, nursing homes, restaurants and art groups. He teaches adult and children’s portrait classes in charcoal, oil or pastels. Michael has loved art all his life; in fact, he calls art his passion. In his career, he has completed over 5,000 portraits and has a special love for Long Island landscape.
Monica Agosta The best way to describe Monica Agosta's photography is love at first sight - whether it was the first time she saw an Ansel Adams image or the excitement she felt when she received her first camera for free after mailing in several Bazooka gum wrappers at age eight - love is infused in her artistry. Agosta worked as a photo assistant for the Associated Press in Manhattan during the news service's 150th anniversary in 1998. She also served as a photo assistant at Gannett's Journal News, during it's "birth" that same year, and had some of her work published weekly in the gardening section of the paper. In 1991, she interned at Eyewitness News, WABC-TV on the assignment desk an learned the video production process, skills that added to the depth of her photography. Agosta received her degree in Radio/Television production at the State University of New York at New Paltz in 1991. Although mainly self-taught, she received instruction in 2006 at The Maine Photographic Workshops with Ira Block, a National Geographic photographer, in 1997 at the International Center of Photography in Manhattan with Maggie Steber, a documentary photographer, and a photojournalism class with Yva Momatiuk of National Geographic at SUNY - New Paltz in 1990. Agosta has participated in several juried group and solo shows of her work at various Art Councils, libraries and galleries here on Long Island. Agosta has won numerous awards for her work. She was a finalist in the 1997 spring photography contest sponsored by Photographer's Forum Magazine. Her photo entitled "Catch the Wave" depicted a surfer from Huntington Beach, California on a wild ride was ranked in the top five percent of 32,000 entries and appeared in a book called The Best of Photography Annual: 1997. While she was a member of the Westchester Professional Photographer's Association in 1997, she won a number of merit awards recognizing her work with outdoor photography. She was a semi-finalist for International Library of Photography Photo Contest in 2001. Her photo entitled "Uh-O" shows here son Vinnie, then a curious one-year-old child caught in the act of making a mess with birthday cake all over his face.
Nancy Wernersbach Happy is the word admirers and collectors often use to describe Nancy Wernersbach's artwork. Her nature-inspired oil and watercolor paintings are windows to the outdoors and create quiet spaces and beautiful places for viewers to enjoy wherever they are displayed.
Nicholas J.Valentino Attending Parsons School of Design gave me the skills and confidence to pursue my craft. Self-taught, I have been using my own techniques to create more contemporary pieces. I like to work with mixed media and “throw-away” items. My passion is creating a new spin on automotive parts. They now have a new life and purpose.
Nicole Sena Evans I have been writing however, for my whole life. I come from a musical and creative family. When I was ten, I asked my father who was a jazz percussionist, to teach me to play the drums. My grandmother suggested that I should play something more lady-like... My parents bought my first piano, and I studied for about a year until they divorced. That is probably when I really started to pour myself into my writing. It wasn't until about 1998 that I taught myself to play chords by ear. Once I did that my music grew at a phenomenal pace.  I began to figure out my songs one by one. Since then, I have almost filled what was a brand new book with what has become a journal of not only my own life, but my views on the world as well... Listen to my CD's at: www.CDbaby.com/NicoleSenaEvans then, write a review!!! listen to three live tracks at: www.myspace.com/NicoleSenaEvansMusic thank you!!! -Nicole
Nora Chapa Mendoza The urge to create has always been a part of my life – and now the painting of women has become my primary objective. I paint women of the earth, free, strong, passionate women who themselves embody the spirit of mother earth; thus the entity is complete. In order that my art reflect my life, it is inevitable that the artist free the spirit and spontaneously embrace the soul. Each day I look eagerly to yet another opportunity to observe and express the pain and dignity of human endeavor. In 1953 Ms. Mendoza moved to Michigan where she has lived ever since. She took art classes at the center for creative studies in Detroit for a number of years. Over the past 35 years, her paintings have taken on a fierce spirit of individualism and have become known for the hidden forms within the abstract. Landscapes, Hispanic, Indian and Chicano people figure predominately in her abstract and impressionist-realist paintings. Ms. Mendoza exhibits extensively nationally and internationally in invitational, one person and group exhibitions. She served ten years on the Michigan Council for the Arts and as a mentor of several emerging artists, Hispanic arts organizations and Hispanic community cultural events. Nora Chapa Mendoza was the recipient of the Governor’s Arts Award as the Michigan Artist of the year in 1999. She was honored for her artistic contributions to Michigan's cultural milieu and for her service to the community. She was appointed to serve as a member of the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs from 1991 – 2001. in the past forty years Nora's own experiences and accumulated knowledge are the more valuable assets that she brings to the media of art and teaching. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, and her work is represented among many important collections around the world.
Pamela Topham I have lived most of my life in an uncommonly beautiful place of wetlands, farmland, endless sea and sky. I also travel to find other places of similar and contrasting aesthetic inspiration, in the tradition of Thomas Moran. My tapestries reflect my longtime devotion to preserving and interpreting these visual impressions. Detailed colored pencil drawings, photographs and multiple site visits are sources for the tapestry designs. I weave on a high warp tapestry loom using wool silk and linen in varied textures and hues to form the foreground, while fine gradations of wool and silk capture the interplay of the ever-changing relationships of Earth, Sea and sky in the distance. While my artistic vision is landscape based, abstraction that has its roots in tapestry evolve as I expand the possibilities of my medium.
Pat D'Aversa I have spent all of my working years as a Registered Nurse in hospital nursing and this career has taught me to stop and smell the flowers. In the past 20 years I have pursued my love of photography by taking courses, workshops and working in the field. In 1998 I joined a camera club and discovered my fierce competitive nature! The film camera eventually gave way to the instant gratification of the digital world. My photography has evolved from snapshots to floral portraits and much of my early work has been macro photography of flowers. I think the flower is one of the most sensual of creations and I have strived to present it as such. I view each flower as an individual with distinct character, drawing the viewer into the photo with a sense of its fragrance and the feel of its petal. I think I have been able to portray the sensual beauty of the flower. Some of my newer work has become more abstract as I enhance some work with applications in Photoshop. I also enjoy doing portrait work, landscape and nature photography
Patty Schwarz My subject matter represents my inner being. I want to express emotion through color and light through my own artistic interpretation and I am passionate about all the wondrous and beautifully vibrant colors that surround me in everyday life and in my travels.I want the viewer to see that emotion."To see my art is to know me."
Rain Skye Haunted by the Holocaust, the work reflects my sadness.
Rasma Kupers Dos Born in Latvia, Rasma Kupers Dos came to United States in 1949. She was educated at University of Minnesota, B.F.A. Studied printmaking with Malcolm Meyers, painting with Cameron Booth, Walter Quirt, Louis Schanker; and photography with Allen Downs. After a year abroad (1960) and post-grad studies in Paris (1963 & 1964) at Atelier 17 with S.W.Hayter in printmaking, painting with Henri Goetz and life drawing at Academie de la Grande Chaumiere. Rasma participated with Methode Bedard, a collective experimental group, culminating in an exhibition, “Towards a New Golden Rule” at the Musee d’Art Moderne, September 1964. She is presently active with two watercolor groups, Night Heron Artists, New Village Watercolor Group, and life drawing group at SUNY-Stony Brook. In 50’s & 60’s exhibited prints, oil paintings, and theatre design with University of Minnesota, Midwest Students in Iowa and experimental group of artists in Paris, France. Recently participated in group exhibits with watercolor paintings, juried photography shows at STAC – Mills Pond House, w/c paintings at Cultural & Educational Center, Stony Brook, PJAC- art show at Jefferson Ferry, PJ Country Club and local libraries.
Roberto Perinuzzi Roberto Perinuzzi is an accomplished artist who has won numerous awards. He was born in Italy where he enjoyed an early education in art school. He studied for several years under an impressionist teacher who would inspire him for the rest of his life. Roberto creates his work with patience intricacy fascination, and with a meticulous technique he manages to bring forth to life what he feels. He captivates the viewer with his geometric shapes his use of color and composition. With all this he tries to show objects that are not of this world but the world in his mind.
Ross Barbera My paintings explore the visual interaction occurring between streams, ponds and bodies of water with their surrounding landscape environments. Inspired by the interplay and rich visual diversity of elements within these natural settings, I have been involved in an ongoing photographic exploration of Northeast forest preserves in search of subject matter. I am particularly interested in close up views that reveal tiny worlds of subtle harmonies and rhythms, and where the recognizable becomes abstract. I hope my work communicates something of the peace and contemplativeness that I experience when visiting these natural places.
Shain Bard People often point to my paintings and say they know that place.That is the nicest thing they could say to me, because then I know I have struck a chord in them, and yet, while they are somehow familiar with the territory, they are also "seeing" it for the first time.It is, of course, as much of an internal place as well as external. Nature and art are within and without us, something close to what I would call "home". It is those moments when we most fully connect to our surroundings, those held-breath moments, that I am interested in. I also see the idiosyncratic forms of nature as instruments in an orchestra, and light as the conductor. I am a conduit of that light as I create my compositions.
Susan Demmet The subject matter of my watercolor paintings and pencil drawings is of prebirth, birth and the events that follow in abstract and fantastical visuals. Hands, coiling cords, embryos, flowers, light and explosions reveal a psychobiography of my early life. Implied in my work is the presence of bodies with their references to generations past and present. My paintings trace the emotional and physical connections between my siblings, parents and important relatives from both my adoptive and biological families. Inherent in my work are the universal feelings of abandonment, confusion, growth and renewal. We are born into existence as innocent babies from a mother's womb. Most babies stay with their biological parents, whereas others are sent to consanguine relations. As well a baby may be adopted or sent to foster care. The placement may be glorious or it may be wrong. The baby is blameless. How do these early events relate to our lives and how will our responses affect future generations? I have been painting most of my life; it is a freeing and therapeutic process, which restores and heals me. I have been exploring these issues since graduating from NYU with a BFA in painting. It is my wish that my work presents to the viewer a pathway to remember and to feel the quality of early life and that the viewer has the opportunity to reflect more deeply on his/her own beginning with all its implications and realities.
Susan Tiffen In brief, I grew up on Long Island, have a classical art education, originally a potter. I've always taken lots of photographs but not as I do now. Please stop by my website to see my work.
Susanne Johnson Susanne Johnson is a Long Island based fine art photographer. Her photographs are passionate reflections of the inner-self and emotions.Her vision captures the beauty of her subjects while maintaining an artistic expression. Susanne holds a B.F.A. in Photography and is currently working on her Masters Degree in Fine Art at C.W. Post Long Island University. Her work has been exhibited throughout the United States and China. She is a member of several professional groups including Professional Women Photographers, College Art Association and the Society for Photographic Education.
Terry Moore I have always loved to draw and sketch, and since grade school I have drawn wherever I could find a blank spot. Over the years I did many pencil and pen & ink drawings. I did many drawings for my friends and family of their pets and homes.I also did all the advertising layouts, drawings and marketing materials for my business. I never studied art, but several years ago I took an Adult Ed course in drawing and painting and learned to do so much more with color. I took the course for several years, using it as a workshop to learn more about painting, pastels and colors.I continue to learn about drawing and painting by taking workshops, live or online, going to demos, reading, and of course, drawing. I find it fascinating to be able to take a blank paper or canvas and make it come alive with animals, peoples, places or things. I enjoy drawing animals and capturing their spirit and uniqueness. I especially love drawing people’s pets, as I know how much it can mean to someone to have a drawing or painting of their pet. I also enjoy doing landscapes, and making it a picture of someplace that people look at and say, "I want to be there" . I hope to continue to grow as an artist and to continuously experiment with different mediums and types of drawings.
Veronique Leriche Fischetti Haiti born artist Veronique Leriche Fischetti uses a variety of media to produce her powerful, driven body of work. Although Veronique’s work is influenced by the art of her homeland, she quickly assimilated her work and her life into a broader palette by becoming familiar with the dynamic  array of contemporary artists she has encountered since moving to New York.
Victoria Beckert I love watercolor and am always trying out new techniques and compositions. Sometimes my art is realistic and serene. Then I get inspired to do something fanciful and whimsical using lots of vibrant color. Art has always been a passion for me since I can remember. I continued my college education in fine arts. Life and reality takes hold along with family and career so I had to put off my creative side for a few years. Now I am at point in life where I can pursue my passion again and loving every minute. I am blessed with a talent that I can share. I have formed alliances with several art groups such as Wet Paint Studios, East End Art Council and Women Sharing Art. My work can be seen on a regular basis at Art and Soul Gallery in Eastport, where I also teach classes in watercolor. I have also donated my artist talents to a non profit organization called Splashes of Hope and recently I have been one of four artists chosen for the 2008 LI2DayWalk for Breast Cancer Poster project announcing this year’s event. You can see more of my work at www.designsbyvictoriabeckert.com. Stop in some time!
Virginia Aschmoneit The camera is my tool of choice to convey landscapes and nature in a graphic form not so much as what my eyes see but what my brain sees after the vision has traveled through my creative process. My style of creativity evolved over time as a result of quietly observing the changes in a natural environment over a course of time.The time spent might be a day, a season or just long enough for the weather to change.Light keeps painting a different picture. Before I begin to finalize my image I have to consider what emotional elements were present when I clicked the shutter. What steps are necessary to achieve my goal? Imaging software takes up where my camera leaves off.Once I have analyzed where I want to go, I utilize this tool to get me there.Time is spent creating an image that challenges the viewer to understand what I saw when I snapped the shutter. Preferably, my images are quiet, not cluttered.They tell a story in a simple way.
Vivien Pollack When I paint, my canvas can range from silk to walls to paper. Color is an integral part of my work, so the strong intensity of silk dyes is a great asset when combining fantasy with intense color to recreate my subject. When I start a silk painting with a preconceived idea many times the painting takes a life of its own and at times I have unexpected results. After deciding on a subject for my work, my hope is to capture the beauty whether it is from my imagination or from nature (trees, meadows, flowers, etc.) in order to inspire others to protect and conserve our land. I frequently travel with my camera and use many of the photos I have taken for inspiration. Since my art background began as a textile designer I find I look for patterns such as in water flowing and leaves on trees. I believe that beauty can be found in the most mundane settings. The key is how you interpret your observations to bring forth that beauty into art. As Edgar Degas once said "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."
Walter E. Harris III (MANKH) Walter E. Harris III (known to fellow poets and friends as "Mankh" started writing in elementary school, and over the years and miles and times spent not writing...the poetry (especially) has taken hold and shaped his creative urges and thus much of his life. My writings are mostly inspired by Nature, various world mythologies and spiritual pathways, historical and current world situations,listening to music, and my personal path which is a combination of Kaballah, Tantra, and Alchemy, as well as the Chinese wisdom-teachings of the Tao Te Ching (Thou Dei Jinn)and I Ching (Ye Jinn). Some of my strongest poetic influences (and enjoyable reads) are Rumi, Gerard Manley Hopkins, Walt Whitman, Rudyard Kipling, Robert Frost, e.e. cummings, William Stafford, Gary Snyder, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Hafiz and Kabir, as well as the "beat" poets, Japanese haiku, plus a somewhat inexplicable connection with the Muse which includes the nine traditional muses of ancient Greece. My writings aim to reflect truth, uplift or calm the reader, and present information that may help the reader (in some way) with his or her life-journey.