CUSHING, MAINE - Ten Artists Participate in Second Annual Cushing Artist’s Open Studio Tour August 3-4, 2013. 

The sleepy peninsula of Cushing, Maine came to the forefront of America’s Art scene with the brushstrokes of one artist. Inspired by the beauty of the landscape and the determination of Maine’s people, Andrew Wyeth’s masterpiece “Christina’s World” captured the rugged individualism of Maine’s saltwater farming tradition. Wyeth also showed artists something the rest of the world didn’t know: The clarion call of the muse sings loudly in Cushing.      

The remaining farms are outnumbered by a new generation of artists along the thirteen mile finger of land on the St. George River. Much like the saltwater farming tradition, each artist creates a livelihood dependent on capturing the area’s seasonal shifts through the medium of art. 

For one weekend, visit the artist’s studios during Cushing Artist’s Open Studio Tour, August 3–4, 2013. 

Phyllis Fales is coordinating the tour of ten participating artists. Last year’s tour was a success she is hoping will build this year. Fales and her sister Karen Jones are partners of Two Sisters – Two Cameras Gallery next to Broad Cove Market. Five of the participating artists are at the gallery, the rest are along the peninsula. Cushing Artist’s Open Studio Tour is held in conjunction with Cushing Arts in the Barn, at the Cushing Historical Society. The Olsen House, where Andrew Wyeth had a studio, is also open for tours from 11:00 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. 

This is a rare opportunity to enjoy conversations with the following artists during this very special event: John Paul Caponigro, Phyllis Fales, Pat Farmer, Victor Goldsmith, Karen Jones, Judy Knowlton, Mark Krehbiel, David Vickery and Trish Weisbrot. This tour offers a chance to glimpse inside the artist’s studios and view the scenic beauty that inspired Wyeth to paint, much still unchanged by progress.                 

Participating Artists

John Paul Caponigro                                                                      

John Paul Caponigro Annual Exhibition 2013: Around The World and Process is a rare opportunity to view glowing auroras, crashing glaciers, colliding icebergs, thundering waterfalls, smoldering volcanoes, shimmering salt flats, and shifting dunes in Arctic Circle, Iceland, Argentina, Bolivia, and Namibia through the artist’s eye. Follow the creative process, featured in Process; writing, drawing, painting, photography. Each discipline contributes to the completion of the finished art. The importance of the process in any art discipline is relevant to the result, a never-ending journey of discovery. Open 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. At 2:00 p.m., John will talk about his latest work.  The studio is located at 73 Cross Road.

Victor Goldsmith, Wood Sculpture

A sculptor working primarily in wood, Victor Goldsmith’s 20 years of sculpting bookends his 22 year architectural career. His works are abstract expressions of natural and musical rhythms scaled for indoor home display. Open Studio Hours: 11:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Location: The studio is a vertical wood sided building on the left side of Pleasant Point Road in Cushing, 150 yards south of the intersection of River Road and Cross Road. Park along the road or next to the studio.

Phyllis Fales, Photography

Phyllis Fales, “Dusk at Pemaquid”

Phyllis Fales is a Maine native with two passions: singing and photography. Singing calms her soul and brings her an inner peace that is enhanced through photographing the beauty of her surroundings. She first picked up a camera in Girl Scouts. “Photography allows me to be involved with the subject but still have my own space behind the camera.”  A move and marriage helped her take the next step with photography. Customers at the market she and her husband owned request postcards, so she printed images of Broad Cove on card stock to sell. She invited her sister Karen Jones to team up under the name, “Two Sisters Two Cameras.” A show was planned; but her husband’s passing a few weeks prior proved to be an unwelcome challenge. The show’s success was a positive indication that she was on the right path and buoyed her through a turbulent time. The old hunting camp on her property had seen many uses since Laura Olsen’s father lived in it, now it was perfect for a small gallery. The space is filled with the iconic images of the Cushing peninsula and Maine’s coastal vistas. Two Sisters - Two Cameras is at 10 River Road, Cushing, next to Broad Cove Market. Hours: Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and Sunday, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Pat Farmer, Mixed Media

As a kid, Pat Farmer spent Saturday mornings in children’s classes the Boston Museum of Fine Arts but later abandoned painting lessons for art history. When she retired to Cushing, she tapped back into creating with pencil and brush. Watercolor and acrylics are her favorites, for allow greater freedom to produce the desired effect. Pat’s studio is located at 104 River Road. 

Karen Jones, Photogrpahy

A Kodak pocket camera sparked Karen’s interest in photography at a young age, and kindled her delight in capturing the “wow” moment. As a kid, her goal was to become a professional photographer. Life gave her many opportunities to hone her skills while raising two children and traveling the world with the Navy. Her interest in photography was rekindled when the nest emptied; she immersed herself in advancing her skills. The “wow” moment is her interpretation of what is beautiful, stunning and worthy of keeping forever. Jones loves the way photography allows her to express herself. Her images focus on the beauty of Maine’s coastal views, flora and fauna and unusual still life imagery in scenic settings. Karen’s work is at Two Sisters – Two Cameras.   

Judy Knowlton, Book Builder 

Judy Knowlton is a catalyst who “mid-wife’s” would-be writers into authors. The New Jersey native began her publishing work in 1985, at the helm of her husband’s counseling firm after his passing. “Quotidian” (One-Day-at-a-Time in Latin) began with two tiny books, Detachment: Seven Simple Steps, and Enabling; both in print today and available on Kindle. The self proclaimed book midwife has brought 30+ books into existence for others in addition to writing 15 of her own, including, Just Where Does Cushing Begin? Knowlton’s work as a book builder adds to the impression that Cushing is a fast becoming a writer’s colony. Visit with Judy at Two Sisters - Two Cameras to discuss her work and share why she considers Cushing to be “the center of the universe, the peaceful eye in the storm of life.” 

Mark Krehbiel, Master Whitesmith

Mark Krehbiel, “Schooner”

Mark Krehbiel has worked to master the ancient art of hand poured pewter jewelry for 25 years. The pewter is based on 2000+ year old white bronze from Britannia. Krehbiel hand pours pewter in a 5’ x 8’ rolling forge, a.k.a, the “Road Warrior Art Studio,” he created to travel to shows in 42 states. His designs are inspired by his life long observations of nature and a boundless curiosity of spiritual paths and cultural traditions. Mark will have his art booth and forge onsite at Two Sisters – Two Cameras.      

David Vickery, Painter

David Vickery, “Art Thief” 

Working from his Cushing studio since 1991, David Vickery’s contemporary realism paintings integrate the relationships between natural and man-made worlds. His work balances the harmonious relationships in an attempt to reconcile the inner, psychological world with the outer world of everyday experience. Vickery was recently featured in Maine Home and Design Magazine. David’s studio is at 5 Maloney Lane. 

Trish Weisbrot, Mixed Media

Trish Weisbrot’s “MINITUDES,” compact, 4” x 6” whimsical pen, ink graphite and watercolor paintings are reminiscent of a child’s favorite storybook. Her bright, funky and fun work is available at Two Sisters – Two Cameras.

Mac Economy

Cushing “Arts in the Barn” Exhibition: Mac Economy

Maine native Mac Economy is a professional musician who began painting abstracts as a new creative outlet five years ago. Mac uses acrylics and mixed media to incorporate deep textures and bold color contrasts in his work. His work is described as vibrant, volcanic and magnetic. “Arts in the Barn” is open Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Sunday, Noon to 4:00 p.m., 17 Hathorne Point Road, Cushing.