Landscapes, Women Take Center Stage in New Exhibit

You can always expect more than coffee and tasty treats at the in Briarcliff Manor. 

Whether fervently working solo on a laptop or convening with friends and colleagues, patrons are regularly treated to view diverse collections of artwork that typically adorn the walls.

Abigail Wallace, proprietor of Moonbean, regularly rotates a selection of exhibits, providing viewing pleasure for the clientele as well as visibility for artists. The current exhibit, titled Colours is running now through the end of March and is by artist Teri Maxine Bartolo-Corso. It is a collection of landscapes and portraits executed in oil on linen—linen since, according to Corso, it “offers a finer canvas.” 

Corso, who grew up and lives in Montclair, NJ, was introduced to the Moonbean by her stepdaughter Christina Marcellino, who is a Briarcliff Manor resident and recommended she display the artist’s work by enthusiastically stating, “You’ve got to bring your paintings here!”

Corso studied design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, which led to such varied careers as a technical illustrator for Bride magazine, a clothing designer on Seventh Avenue in Manhattan’s garment district and eventually ample work in the theatre as a costume designer. Interested in fashion and the arts, Corso said “I wanted to be Edith Head” (the American costume designer and recipient of eight Academy Awards).

In her earlier years Corso was first inspired, at age 10, by the works of Michelangelo and later by a Dutch grandmother. The grandmother, who was both an artist and collector, reportedly owned a work by Rembrandt, which was never recovered upon her death. Throughout the years Corso had exposure to art executed in multiple media; her mother painted in oils, while her grandmother painted using water colors. This influence can easily be seen in Corso’s work as she executes her ideas in pastels, watercolors and oils, though preferring oils.

Among her favorite subjects are, “Landscapes...and interesting women from around the world! I appreciate the emotions in the face…the idea of what a woman in particular country is about these days. We are Western and we hear about women in Ghana and Egypt, but what are they really like?”

Corso conducts research on the women and their culture prior to beginning her projects.

If a particular landscape captures her attention, as it did with a castle in France—which is part of the Colours exhibit—she takes a photograph and begins a project anew. 

Corso accepts requests for private commissions, such as family or home portraits, and can be done in any medium. Typically Corso prefers to meet the subject initially, take several photos to begin the piece, and finishes up with one or two private sittings.

Any suggestions for budding artists? 

“I think to work with other artists is important. A real interest should be there… take classes and try not to work alone. And develop trained hand-eye coordination.”

Corso has been honored with several awards and has exhibited in such noted venues such as The Montclair Art Museum and The Salmagundi Club in New York City. Her work is also is a part of the permanent collection of the Anna Pavlova Museum in London. 

Or you can simply stop into Moonbean Café for a viewing.