Paint Newton a Success!

Last Saturday TraillWorks was host to artists from around the state who came to set up easels on Spring Street and "Paint Newton." The weather held for a great day of plein air painting, despite the heat. Though in our inaugural event 13 artists registered, we had a total of six actually attend. One of our artists, David Ohlerking, was stranded in Philadelphia with a broken windshield and was unfortunately not able to attend. 

Painting in progress by Alison Tuday

Painting in progress by Janet Howard-Fatta

Entry to the event was not juried, but awards were given in three categories: Grand Prize, Best Student / Amateur Artist, and a People's Choice award voted by passersby on the street. The paint out was held from noon - 5pm, at which point the artists came back to TraillWorks for an awards ceremony and reception, part of our opening for our current exhibit, Contemporary Landscapes. 

Participating artists were Alison Tuday of Bernardsville, NJ, Janet Howard-Fatta, of Warwick, NY, Judy Lock of Branchville, NJ, Marilyn Rose of West Caldwell, NJ, Wendy Stamer of Sparta, NJ, and Cole Longcor of Stillwater, NJ.

Painting by Wendy Stamer of Sparta, NJ

Marilyn Rose painting

The Grand Prize was juried by me and awarded to Marilyn Rose of West Caldwell, NJ, for her watercolor paintings of Newton. Best Student / Amateur Artist went to Alison Tuday, of Bernardsville, NJ. A student of David Ohlerking, Alison's vibrant works were mainly painted with her fingers. The People's Choice award went to Cole Longcor, and young budding artist from Sussex County. And finally, from the ballots entered in the People's Choice contest, a random voter was selected to win an artist's proof of one of my giclées. Congrats to Doug DeWitte of Newton for being drawn. 

Best Student / Amateur winner, Alison Tuday

Grand Prize winner, Marilyn Rose

People's Choice Award winner, Cole Longcor

Doug DeWitte, Winner of an AP Giclée, Homage to Julia by Jennie Traill Schaeffer

Several pieces by the winners are on display at TraillWorks and are available for sale. Special thanks to the sponsors of this event, the New Jersey Society of En Plein Air Painters, the Sussex County Arts & Heritage Council, the Craft Creators, and the New Spring Street Group. For more about Paint Newton, read a review by The Alternative Press here.

Holiday Greetings from TraillWorks

2011 has been a year of growth at TraillWorks because of you; thank you for your continued support throughout this, my fourth year on Spring Street in Newton, NJ (7 years in business all-together)! I'm looking forward to exciting news and changes for 2012.

I'd like to acknowledge the many artists who have entrusted TraillWorks with the care and sale of their work, including: Brenda Decker, Martha C. Hall, David Ohlerking, Amanda Gordon Miller, Kristin Muller, Phylis Barfoot, Linda Finkelstein, Janet Howard-Fatta, Christine Marie Murphy, Heidi Lanino, Lisa Hirkaler, Ted Petrochko, Karin Lowney-Seed, Andrea Rosenfeld, Emily Bittner, Martha Traill Schaeffer, and Bernadette Blaney.

I'd also like to express gratitude to the many interns and employees  who have worked with me over the year.  You played an integral part in the positive developments at the studio and gallery. Thank you to Corrie Guddemi, Kassandra Talmadge, Ashley Allenforth, Tim Conkling, Alyse DiBlasio, and Janelle Ferraro for your hard work and commitment.

Finally, to all of my students, collectors, fans and supporters, I look forward to helping you grow creatively in 2012.  Experience the brilliance of handmade art at TraillWorks all year long.

TraillWorks Gives Thanks

The holidays come around every year too quickly for me, and now having a toddler and a retail gallery, every one's birthdays, my anniversary and multiple religious celebrations, it sometimes seems too much. But, I want to switch gears from the usual grumble of the holidays and express my gratitude for so many people in my life and for the ability to celebrate to many people in my life for the next month.

I have been surrounded by the most supportive people throughout my life and most importantly, I am so grateful to my husband for his unending confidence in my business and in me as a mother. He is my best friend, and as I've heard stories of families being apart for the holidays - I am fortunate to spend mine with my entire family. My son, the joy of my life, brings me unending love, hugs and kisses. He reminds me to stay young, and I believe he makes me more creative. My parents and sister, all artists in their own right, have been by my side as TraillWorks has grown from my bedroom studio in my home almost 7 years ago! I also have the most supportive in-laws, who continue to encourage and help in numerous ways.

I want to individually thank all of the people directly responsible at TraillWorks, from the artists who exhibit, to the employees and interns without whom we couldn't have the success we're having. 

Employees / Interns: 

Kassandra Talmadge, graphic designer / marketing / sales associate

Alyse DiBlasio, former gallery intern

Janelle Farrero, current graphic design intern

Artists:

Phylis Barfoot, Emily Bittner, Liesl Carlson, Brenda Decker, Janet Howard-Fatta, Linda Finkelstein, Joann Wells Greenbaum, Martha C. Hall, Lisa Hirkaler, 

Heidi Lanino, Karin Lowney-Seed, Amanda Gordon Miller, Kristin Muller, 

Marie Christine Murphy, David Ohlerking, Ted Petrochko, 
Andrea Rosenfeld, Martha Traill Schaeffer

And, most importantly, I am grateful for the collectors, students, followers and fans of TraillWorks, as well as the merchants on Spring Street, who continue to believe in what we're creating here in Sussex County, NJ. 

May you all have a scrumptious and blessed Thanksgiving with whomever is special to you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. 

TraillWorks Artist to Follow: Karin Lowney-Seed

Thank you to TraillWorks' intern, Ashley Allenfort, for interviewing Karin and putting together this month's "TraillWorks' Artist to Follow."

Karin Lowney-Seed is this month's [TraillWorks Artist to Follow]. Her work is on exhibit at TraillWorks through the end of the summer. Karin is a contemporary painter and interior designer who likes to use bold colors and shapes in her pieces. She uses words, flowers, collages, and a bright color palette to show her eye for beauty. When Jennie asked me to interview Karin I was especially excited about the opportunity. Karin was my professor at the County College of Morris during this past Spring Semester. To say that she was an inspiration would be an understatement. Karin helped our class look at art work and the art world in a different way. It was a great experience to be able to have a conversation with her outside of the classroom.

"Rose Water", Acrylic, 36" x 36", Karin Lowney-Seed, $2250

Ashley: You recently had a faux opening at TraillWorks to film the pilot for a new TV reality show. How did that get started and what will the show be about?

Karin Lowney-Seed: I was approached 8 months ago to film a pilot about my life and what I do. I've been doing interior design for years. I help clients in all aspects of life and guide them in the right direction. I was on another reality show on TLC and they wanted to explore that.

Ashley: What's the progress and when or where will it be available for viewing?

Karin Lowney-Seed: The working title is "Karin Clothes to Home" and it is in the preview stage right now. It will then go into editing in around September or November. So we won't know anything until the end of editing which should be sometime in the fall.

 

Ashley: How did you know you were meant to be an artist?

Karin Lowney-Seed: I have always been driven by anything creative. It's what gets me up and going. I'm never bored. It's a passion that won't go away.

Ashley: I heard you had an exhibit in Alaska with your sister. How was that? And what is your sister's medium of choice?

Karin Lowney-Seed: It was a great experience. The biggest challenge was getting the work up there and the expense. [My sister] is a sculptor. We were working together helping each other on our projects. I also put together some collages up there.

Ashley: Other than your sister and yourself, are there any other artists in your family?

Karin Lowney-Seed: My father actually was a sculptor and painter. But children and life kind of took him away from it.

Ashley: What artists inspire you?

Karin Lowney-Seed: Every artist inspires me. I am inspired by anybody why thinks outside the box. I am inspired by the classics like Matisse and Picasso. Also Robert Motherwell. There are too many to name.

Ashley: What is your process when beginning a painting? Is it spontaneous, planned, or a little bit of both?

Karin Lowney-Seed: Both, definitely both. I have a tendency to work tight and loose. If I work too tight it comes out too controlled. If I work too loose it's not controlled enough. I try to find a balance between the two.

Ashley: What got you started painting the roses? Do you have a favorite?

Karin Lowney-Seed: I always have a favorite and then the next one I create becomes the favorite. I've done these [circular flower patterns] for over 30 years in my work. It started out that I was working on something and felt instead of it being a part of the [background of the painting] it should be the [subject of the] painting.

"Fish Pond", Acrylic, 36" x 48", Karin Lowney-Seed, $1695

Ashley: Some of the writing in your paintings remind me of graffiti, was that intentional?

Karin Lowney-Seed: Absolutely. For me...I couldn't see a landscape and abstract it [in my mind]. It wasn't my thing. In Florida I was on the beach and wanted to be able to paint the water in a different way. I decided to write what I saw. I did 25 to 30 sketches and then I got it. I knew what I had to do.

Ashley: What inspires your choice of words for these paintings?

Karin Lowney-Seed: I write what I see. Its just words written over and over until it becomes a landscape.

"Believe", collage, 16" x 20", Karin Lowney-Seed, $225

Ashley: Do you create your collages around a single word within the piece?

Karin Lowney-Seed: No, I usually create them, see where they're going...they're thematic...poetic. They take on a poetic sense. Once they're done a word pops out and that's the only word it could be.

Ashley: How do you decide whether to do a collage or a painting to express your ideas?

Karin Lowney-Seed: I wouldn't say "decide"...it's usually where I am in the process of thinking. Collages come from wondering where to go next. I'm not going to paint the same thing over and over. A collage will be the in between stage. I use collages to problem solve.

Ashley: What are you reading right now?

Karin Lowney-Seed: I just finished Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I'm halfway through Sarah's Key by Tatiana be Rosnay.

Ashley: Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Karin Lowney-Seed: One thing that's interesting...my world between interior design and fine arts had collided. I'm interested to see what's happened between the two. What's happening in the art...the materials and how I see things have become one with my interior designs.

Her work is on exhibit at TraillWorks, 214 Spring St. Newton, through the end of the summer. She'll be stopping in soon to swap in some newer work. Stop in a see what the buzz is all about!

"Suck", Acrylic, 36" x 36", Karin Lowney-Seed, $995

Celebrating International Women's Day at TraillWorks

My mom has been the most influential #artist in my success. Though she gave up her own passion for motherhood, she nurtured my artistic interests, supported art lessons, and mostly asserted that I should always pursue my own path. And, I did. Now, thirty years later, she is following her dreams, designing, making, and selling jewelry at TraillWorks, with much success might I add! Not only does she find the time to produce her jewelry, but she is a fantastic grandma (Marmee) to my son, Joel, a supportive wife to my father, and the best mom. Thanks for encouraging me mom, and happy International Women's Day! 

Silver Ginko Pendant with Pearls and Glass
Pearl and Glass Earrings
by Martha Traill Schaeffer, available at TraillWorks

Who is the most influential or inspirational female artist to you? Please share on our Facebook wall!

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