Neighbor News
The Love of Nature ~ Art Show
Portraits of Cats, Dogs and Horses by ShawnaLee Kwashnak and Spiritual Trees by Dawn O'Creene will be on display in Brookfield CT
ShawnaLee Kwashnak and Dawn O'Creene Exhibit at Town Hall ~ The love of Nature
July 19 - August 31, 2016
Opening Reception - Tuesday, August 2, 7:30-8:30 PM
Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday
Brookfield Municipal Center - Town Hall
100 Pocono Road, Brookfield, CT 06804
Drive on Pocono road until you see a giant sculpture of 3 horses and you are there!
Meet the artists! ShawnaLee and Dawn will be there to share their work! The reception will be more traditional with wine and light refreshments.
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ShawnaLee W. Kwashnak loves animals and started creating heartwarming portraits in order to capture the special expressive moments that elude photography. Her award winning works include charcoals on toned art paper, oil paintings, or a blend of graphite with a hint of colored pencils.
ShawnaLee helps support animal shelters such as Danbury Animal Welfare Society as a DAWS Partner, Ct Draft Horse Rescue, Hidden Acres therapeutic riding center etc.
Find out what's happening in Woodbury-Middleburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
ShawnaLee works from photographs and prefers to use as many photo references as possible, as each has information that aids the portrait. Great photographs show clear eye & fur detail and are taken at eye level with indirect lighting. Although not always feasible, it is a special delight to be able to meet the subject, and the best portraits combine live sketch sittings with photographic references.
More information on ShawnaLee can be found at:
www.shawnalee.com
Dawn O'Creene:
"I was born and raised in Danbury, CT and eventually migrated to New York, where I have been living for over eight years. I have always believed that everything was alive since I was small. When I colored in coloring books, I felt that I had to do the nose first so the faces could breathe, then anything related to the senses so that whatever was on the page would be freed. I have always been bad at seeing suffering of any kind....I can't kill anything, not even a stray ant in my home. I refuse to kill spiders or wasps that are found indoors....they will be transported via CupAir outside where they belong. I am a 25 year vegetarian. I work for the Sharon Audubon on weekends in the rehab unit to help with the care and healing of baby birds, the injured and residents. I have two girls, Khandice and Samantha. I live with my youngest daughter, Sam, my husband, four cats, two rats and three birds (ok, four.....the society finches just hatched an egg to our great surprise!) and a library of books. If anyone knows of a vampire to give me immortality so that I can read for all of eternity that would be great. :) When I was younger, I would take these really horrid "artsy" photos. I would use bright flash and practically have the camera right up against the subject. Back then it was 110 film.....thank God for digital....now, none of those photos would survive the delete button! My camera and I are joined at the hip. I am a pain to take walks with, because I will stop constantly when I see something beautiful. Or even ugly, for ugly has a unique beauty. I don't just take photos...but try to make them as my mind sees them. I love rich colors and textures. Many times a photo works in the raw. Other times I will dress it up a little to bring out the drama. The end result has to be a strong atmosphere for me - whether it be peaceful or dark. My second love - and one that I am relatively new at - is painting. My husband, RJ Lucas, taught me his method of painting, which is to paint in reverse on plexiglass with acrylics. I have found it incredibly therapeutic and nervewracking. I am always nervous to put that first dot of paint on any project because it feels so permanent. My favorite thing to paint are trees. I see trees as family, as spiritual guardians. One of my dreams is to see America's oldest accessible trees and find myself surrounded by these tall, wise creatures. I also dabble in watercolors, so eventually those will be shown as well. My wish is to bring beauty, peace and a momentary, magical place to dwell to the eyes and souls of others." Dawn O'Creene
For more information gazingraven@gmail.com.
The Brookfield Arts Commission was chartered by the Town of Brookfield to engage in activities which are intended to promote understanding and appreciation of the arts to residents of the Town of Brookfield
to encourage community participation in arts activities
to coordinate information concerning artists and the arts in the Town of Brookfield
to act as a liaison between artists, schools and the community
to engage in activities designed to encourage local artists in demonstration their talents
and to promote activities that both entertain and enlighten.
The Brookfield Town Hall, where the Brookfield Arts Commission is holding their show, is located on Pocono road in Brookfield Ct. It is easy to find as it is located in the Municipal Center across from the Post Office and sports a beautiful wire sculpture of 3 horses in front.
