Arts & Entertainment

Kensington Artist's Works Will Be Shown at Canton Library

"Parallel Visions" showcases painters who inspire one another.

 

Every Thursday a small group of artists has gotten together to paint and go to lunch. This Saturday, the five that make up “Parallel Visions” will gather in a more public forum — an opening reception for their display at .

“We are all mature artists that come together,” said Carolyn Newell of Avon. “We inspire each other.”

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The group also includes Walter Kendra of Collinsville, Estrid Eklof of Kensington, Lisa Tellier of East Haddam and Josa Weatherwax of East Hampton.

The five artists, most of whom have been in the group for nearly five years, said the process of working together is a nurturing one.

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They’ve worked at such places as Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Ashlawn Farm in Old Lyme and during the winter at Ballek's Garden Center in East Haddam.

“It’s just supportive,” Kendra said.

And the results can be interesting.

“Our styles are all very different,” said Estrid Eklof of Kensington. “Sometimes you would not know we’re painting at the same place.”

Speaking of results, as the artists look over the work at lunch, it isn't only compliments that come forward.

“We go to lunch and we critique each other,” Tellier said. “We all enjoy learning and growing.”

The group started when Eklof and Newell met Tellier at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts.

They began working with Susan Bogle Finnegan, a Hartford area artist and professor who still mentors the group.

Eklof knew Kendra, since they taught music and art respectively at Central Connecticut State University. Weatherwax joined the group more recently.

In addition to painting together, the group enjoys exhibiting together and estimates that this is about the tenth time they’ve done so.

“Parallel Visions,” will run at from Wednesday, May 2, through Saturday, June 30.  An opening reception will be held on Saturday, May 5, from 2 to 4 p.m.


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