August 24th, 2011
I met Susan Gladstone last year. She is a potter located right here in Rehoboth Beach. The name of her company is called The Happyrock Pottery. Her studio is in the shops at Celebration Mall on 20 Baltimore Ave. Tel. 410-375-7120. She does not have a website yet but if you see something on this post, please giver her a call, email her at thehappyrock@earthlink.net. Or, better yet, visit her studio.
Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had never seen Susan’s pottery. She told me that she had been a potter for 40 years. Giving it her full attention for about 16 years.
Susan is a native of Baltimore, Maryland. For many years she was a member of Baltimore Clayworks. This is the region’s only cultural institution dedicated solely to the ceramic arts. Now, she is part of the Rehoboth Beach artists’ community. She is a welcomed addition to our area. I think you will love her pieces.
I decided to visit her studio. It is so funny because what is now called Celebration Mall was the original Epworth Church. Many years ago they had a great pre-school. One of my sons attended for several years; great lasting friendships were made then.
There are several artists located in the Celebration Mall. I am glad I stopped by because I had no idea. Different and very impressive.
Her studio is where my son’s classroom was located. It really brought so many memories. But, I was there to see her work with her hands.
I am in awe and amazement to see someone shape a lump of clay into something as beautiful as some of her pieces.
The Raku pottery has small cracks that turn black. These are made by the deposits of carbon in them, turning them black, no matter what color of clay used. The final product is unique.
Susan was working on a “vessel” or bowl when I got there. She made it look so easy. She did a little bit of trimming and then exclaimed: It is not centered. I don’t like it. She picked it up and started kneading it just like bread. She was starting all over again. Here are the pictures from that first start when the term used is “throwing”.
Susan threw that moist lump of clay on a bat. A bat is an accessory. Okay, Susan, if you say so. A lot of people just use the wheel head instead.
Susan found the “center” of the clay by moving a thumb across the lump until no more friction was felt.
Then, the next step was the opening. Susan’s thumbs kept working the clay and stopped very close from the bat.
The sides are pulled up and then the process of “shaping” the vessel or bowl begins. This shaping continues for some time until the desired thickness is obtained.
Susan has Raku pottery, as well as wood fired pottery.
She also has plenty of very affordable pieces that are, obviously, made by hand and no two are alike. Different sizes and colors; the minis were beautiful.
She is also a member of the Rehoboth Art League. That’s where I first saw her pottery.
I learned a few things. I hope I posted them correctly. If not, I will never hear the end of it. She’ll let me know.
Have a good one!! Talk to you later….
November 10th, 2010
It is the night before the begining of a frenzy of movie enthusiasts descend on our beaches. On Wednesday, November 10th until Sunday, November 14th the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival will be taking place.
This year, it will be the 13th year in which American and Independent films, including shorts, documentaries and features will be here in Rehoboth Beach.
All films will be presented at the Movies at Midway. For all information pertaining to the festival please visit www.rehobothfilm.com.
Already there are so many sell-outs, but even though a film might be listed as sold-out, there are many tickets that come back to the Box Office throughout the Festival so visit the Box Office in the Big Tent to check screening status.
It has been suggested that Sunday afternoon is a wonderful time to purchase tickets as many movie marathoners end early and return tickets.
The Big Tent was getting ready this afternoon. It is located behind the theater and it is where you will go to check the status of screenings, eat, buy posters, t-shirts, etc. etc.
I have to tell you about Anita Peghini-Raber. She is an artist and has been active in the local art scene for many years.
She sent me an e-mail yesterday and told me that she hoped to see me at the festival and that she was a sponsor of one of the films: Alamar.
Alamar – “Filmmaker Pedro Gonzalez- Rubio treats the eyes and soul to a breathtaking vision of life at tropical waters’ edge through the bonding of a father and his young son.
Jorge grew up in Mexico and has been separated from his wife Roberta for several years. She longs to return to her roots in Rome and is taking their 5 year old son with her. Intent upon imparting his Mayan heritage to his son, Jorge is given several weeks to take Natan to the Chinchorro reef on the Mexican coast.
At first, the boy finds this new way of life uncomfortable, getting seasick on the boat and working constantly, but his father eventually eases him into the rhythms of a fisherman’s life.
As day to day existence carries on, the relationship between man and nature is subtly revealed and the boy learns to live in harmony with the natural world.
While Alamar is a fictional narrative, the film effectively blurs documentary and fiction as the main actors play themselves and the director delicately captures the serenity of life at a realistic pace. Natan’s emotional journey leaves him and the audience with an experience that will remain long after the film comes to a close.”
Alamar is the recipient of many awards and Pedro Gonzalez Rubio is making his filmmaker’s debut.
The movie is going to be shown on:
Friday, 11/12 at 12:40 p.m.
Saturday, 11/13 at 9:40 p.m. sponsored by Anita Peghini-Raber
Sunday, 11/14 at 3:00 p.m.
The movie is in Spanish and Italian with English subtitles and you may visit www.filmovement.com for more information.
Anita has been inspired by the story and it reflects in her new creations; images of ocean scenes and parents with their children.
She tries to create a mood with her paintings and mostly loves to capture her subjects deep in thought.
Anita is exhibiting during the festival at Preshy’s Restaurant. Preshy’s is right there at the Midway Shopping Center on Rt. 1 where the Movies at Midway is located. Perfect place to catch lunch or dinner and then head to your films.
Preshy’s location is 14 Midway Shopping Center. Tel. 302-645-8300.
I went to check out Preshy’s today. Looks are deceiving, you know that. The restaurant was nice inside. Just in case you were wondering. I knew what you were thinking.
I wanted to take some pictures of Anita’s paintings. I will have to tell you that I have not eaten there but the people there were having a great meal.
The special today was a lamb shank and the aroma was so good. Preshy’s specializes in Northern Italian cuisine. Italian is spoken in the restaurant.
Some of the pastas were, Rigatoni Calabrose, Penne Ortolano, Penne Firenze, Penne Arrabiata among others.
Dinner entrees are served with soup or salad and some of them were: Salmon Livornaise, Gamberi Toscani, Chicken Scarpariello, Chicken Francese, Veal Piccata, Marsala or Parmigiana, Salmon Fantasia and other specials.
For dessert they had Tiramisu, Profiterols, Tartufo and others.
Anita’s paintings are exhibited throughout the restaurant. The owner of the restaurant, Roberto, was gracious enough to let me take the pictures.
Note: For more information on Anita Peghini-Raber, please visit her website www.rehobothart.com.
Have a good one… talk to you later…
November 8th, 2010
Art is so subjective. You might not like what I like and vice versa. But, I do enjoy visiting art galleries and museums. I just did that, some weeks ago in New York. The MOMA, modern art, oh yes, did not understand a lot of it but interesting to say the least.
Sometimes something catches your eye. That’s exactly what happened on Saturday when I was walking on Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach. I was going to take a picture of the location where the Clear Space Theatre Company is now located. They are at the old Epworth Church building, now renamed Celebration Mall.
Right on the courtyard and to the side, color caught my eye. There was a sign on the door, Juleez. It was an art studio. So here is what I found out.
Juleez is located on 20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971. Tel. 302-227-3792. The website is www.juleez.com.
The artist? Julie Borden. She was not there but I spoke to Guy.
Juleez is a member of MOSAIC which is an association of privately owned commercial art galleries whose mission is to promote art awareness in the Rehoboth Beach area. If you would like to know about them, please visit www.mosaicrehoboth.com.
You could not help but smile; there was color everywhere. Whimsical, definitely not boring.
Her work is all custom, from her signature curvy piano and piano plates to giclees and hand painted bags. All conversation pieces and very unique.
 Her own national brand 
Her piano pieces are beautifully custom painted; some are music boxes and some are jewelry boxes.
The same goes for the painted musical instruments. At times, an instrument, dear to someone’s heart will be brought in for her to paint. Upon inspection, she will do that, as well.
At the present time a lot of her work is in Wilmington, Delaware at The Grand Opera House & Baby Grand, 818 N. Market St., Tel. 302-652-5577. Website www.grandopera.org.
Wilmington is hosting Art on the Town as part of the Delaware Valley Artist Exchange. For more information, please visit www.WilmingtonDE.gov/artloop.
Julie Borden attended the Rochester Institute of Technology and to date has completed more than 700 commisioned works of art.
Commissioned work is one of her strengths and does this year-round for clients all over the U.S.
 Painted Chocolate Frames Her mother does not stay behind either. At the gallery in Rehoboth you can see some of her work, under Mad Creations. She works with dichroic glass which is one of the most expensive glass products made today. It is used in jewelry, and in the laser industry for camera filters, by NASA and other commercial applications.
Each piece is as special. Some pieces are smooth to the touch; others have more texture.
I thought the gallery was so interesting and Guy was very friendly and helpful.
At the present time Juleez is open Wednesdays through Sundays. So, if you are in Rehoboth stop by. Remember, it is that time of the year; shopping for the upcoming holidays.
Have a great day….talk to you later….
March 4th, 2010
 The Lobster Man - One of my Favorites Some say passion is your key to success and others say that if you love what you do then you will never work a day in your life.
The subject of my post is Tiffany Erwin Cant. When you meet her for the first time you can feel the passion she feels for her painting; it is palpable.
I met Tiffany, through Anita Jennings. I have written about Anita in the past; she is one of the advertisers on my blog. I have been wanting to write a post about Tiffany and her art.
Tiffany was born in North Carolina. She graduated with a BFA and Certificate in Communication Design from Parsons School of Design in New York City.
She has been a resident in Delray Beach since 1983. She and her husband have travelled extensively.
Tiffany has been painting in oils and other mediums for 30 years and has exhibited her work in the All-Florida Show at the Boca Raton Museum of Art, the Ritter Gallery at Florida Atlantic University, Gallery on Green in Key West and Art Expo in New York City.
Tiffany has lived in the Bahamas and it is only when you have experienced the daily life of your subjects that, as an artist, you can then translate them into a canvass. The faces, expressions, the colors, the fruits, the ocean and fishing; is all real.
Tiffany paints original pieces and from those she has giclees made. Both, originals and giclees are for sale. The prices differ between originals and giclees; sizes also affecting the cost. But, I will tell you that her prices are reasonable. The best way to get an idea of Tiffany’s work is by going to her website. Her type of website is like an exhibit. She is constantly adding to her collection. If you have an interest in Tiffany’s art then please call her to 561-276-3839. She is so easy to talk to. Her website is www.tiffanycant.com.
What is a giclee? The word is derived from the French language word “le gicleur” which means “nozzle”, or more specifically “gicler” which means to squirt, spurt or spray.
A giclee is an individually produced, high resolution, hi-fidelity, high tech reproduction done on a special large format printer. They are produced from digital scans of existing artwork. It is a new vibrant medium for art.
They can be printed from canvass to watercolor paper, to vinyl, to transparent acetates. They are so superior to traditional lithography in nearly every way. Colors are brighter, last longer and details are crisper. Giclees are sold by the square inch. Large print sizes are available.
I invited my friend Donna, from Baltimore, to come with me to meet Tiffany. We arrrived at her house in the morning. She lives in a beautiful piece of property in Delray. Her home is her museum; the paintings adorning many walls in her house. It is a unique Florida house; the paintings enhancing every aspect of her home. The palm trees, the koi ponds, the intracoastal all in unisom to serve as inspiration, as well.
Following is an Exhibit of her work:
Tiffany sometimes paints other subjects. For example, one of her beloved dogs. He is a little older now. The mermaids, the Spanish dancers, the monkey and the coral reef, which is in 3 panels; could be bought as single panels or all 3.
The koi is her newest subject. No giclees have been made yet, but will be done soon. Tiffany does not have to go far to get inspiration since her ponds are all she has to see.
I have to show you Tiffany’s inspiration for the koi paintings; her own backyard.
And what subject could this artist possibly take in the future? Maybe the frogs, perhaps? All she has to do is look past her door.
So, as Donna and I said our farewells, on a chilly South Florida morning, we were warmed up by Tiffany’s graciousness and definitely by her work.
I could have put a sweater on, sat outside and just gaze at the view.
Have a great Day!! Talk to you later…..
Note: Information for giclee was taken from www.en.wikipedia.org and from www.novaspace.com/AUTO/giclee.html.
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