8th Annual Artist Studio Tour Spotlights Local Talent

More than sixty artists, whose works represented an array of media, participated in the South Orange & Maplewood Artists Studio Tour Sunday afternoon. Presented by 1978 Maplewood Arts Center and the Pierro Gallery of South Orange, their personal, eclectic and striking art was on display at several local galleries,  restaurants and other venues.

“I enjoy doing abstract landscapes,” said Maplewood photographer Allan Wood. “My focus is usually on nature. It’s what has always attracted me artistically.” A geologist by trade, Wood is originally from New Zealand and has participated in the tour for three years. His polished yet impassioned photographs were featured this year at 1978 Arts Center.

Also on display at the Center was the work of photographer and Patch writer Joy Yagid. Her work is lively, eye-catching, and immediately draws the view into each photograph.

“I tend to look for stunning images and vibrant colors and patterns,” said Yagid. “I’ve been shooting since I was eight years old.”

The work of Florence Wint, who has been an artist her entire life, was featured at Express Yourself Studio. Although Wint has worked with clay, sculpture and printmaking in the past, the focus of her work these days is multi-media art. “It’s more or less fantasy,” said the Maplewood resident. “It’s fabric and acrylic. I start with life drawings or nude figures and add fabric to the paintings.” A Jewish artist, Wint said she enjoys working with African fabric because "it’s abstract, vibrant, and colorful.”

Express Yourself also hosted artist Cathleen McCoy-Bristol. Her work ranged from peaceful scenic paintings to powerful portraits. “Oil is my favorite medium,” said McCoy-Bristol, who was raised in Newark but now lives in Maplewood. “I occasionally do collages, acrylic, watercolor, and pen & ink work as well. My work is sensitive to the beauty of all people.”

South Orange restaurant Stony’s featured the works of watercolor artist Jinnie May, photographer Rick Hauser, and designs by BeastlyBeasties (Ann Vollum).

Kitchen a la Mode displayed the paintings and drawings of still life artist Jo Bradney. Her paintings of kitchen items were a perfect fit for the store specializing in culinary products.

Newark artist Tiffany Williams was the featured artist at Astah’s Art Gallery. Although she has been drawing and painting since 1990, she threw herself deeply into her work five years ago after the death of her mother. “That time in my life encouraged me to put all my energy into my art,” she said. “All of my art is really the window to my soul. Everything is a part of me.”

A multi-media artist, one of Williams’ works, contains her mother’s handwriting. Many of her other paintings contained cultural or abstract themes. Originally from South Carolina, she specializes in pencil and ink, watercolor, and acrylic. “I enjoy doing it all.”

For more information about the Tour’s featured artists, visit www.studiotoursoma.org.