I have saved this Sunday for the tour and one of my first stops includes another take on Clouds Over Whiteface--this one a vibrant oil painting by Terrance D. Young of Young's Gallery in Jay. Young's Gallery has always been a favorite place for me. I used to meet folks there regularly some years back for meditation and my theatre troupe has given intimate performances in the gallery space. Terry's prints and paintings grace the walls and his unique books are on display alongside his wife Sue's incredible ceramic pieces.
This is actually my second stop of the day. My first studio was also in Jay at Barbara Smith's Buttons Buttons. Here I am surrounded by vintage pillows oh so charmingly appointed with buttons. Barbara has impeccable taste and is an incredible fabric designer and seamstress. She shares another recent art form today which she claims is easy to do though I doubt it would come easy for me—leaf and fern prints on pillows and lampshades.
From Jay, I move on to Jeri Wright's photography studio in Wilmington. I have seen Jeri's work at many shows and exhibits over the years but have never before been to her home/studio. I learn that she does her own matting and framing but has been hampered by an injured arm this summer. I ask her if the digital age has affected her work and she answers, "only when it comes to printing. No more darkroom." We agree that this may be a good thing but have a more extended discussion on black-and-white photography and movies and she admits that, "film still has its own special splendor."
Then it's off to Lake Placid where I meet Jacqueline Altman, a watercolor artist, in her studio/home overlooking Lake Placid itself. Her Adirondack landscapes are a specialty and it is no wonder that she has such a mastery over this genre with the incredible lake-mountain view from her studio window.
I only caught a few of the amazing artists at work in this three-day event. As I mentioned previously, there were 45 participants! The North Country is rich in many things—including the numbers of artists who live and work here and who so generously share their creative process with the rest of us. Keep an eye on the Adirondack Artists Guild web site for more information about these artists and upcoming exhibits, as well as for information on next year's Artist at Work Studio Tour.
Kathleen Recchia has been enjoying the arts in the Adirondacks for about 20 years—both as observer and participant (acting, directing, and producing). She also enjoys cross-country skiing, swimming, juggling, and hosting visitors to the area at her bed & breakfast in Jay.
