Natural Imperfection

Claire Lukas, Painter

Words by Paula Damiano

“If it’s brown and decaying, it’s more interesting to me.” That’s the philosophy of painter Claire Lukas, whose nature-inspired works are on display at The Shawnee Gallery (Shawnee-on-Delaware, PA). Claire, who is also a middle school art teacher, paints “things on their last legs, like dead leaves with a portion bitten off.” She feels the perfect flower doesn’t need to be reproduced – how could you improve upon it?

Claire will be featured in an upcoming exhibition “The Life of the Tree” at the gallery, which is housed in a historic Craftsman-style cottage that was originally apart of the Worthington estate. In fact, the gallery, near the legendary Shawnee Inn, was once a craft studio that produced the now highly-collectible Shawnee Lenape Indian technique, reed baskets.

Examples of Claire’s work at the gallery include a series of pieces done in collaboration with her artist husband Emil Lukas. These creations feature a textural element done in plaster by Emil, like bubbles on a stream or the fine veining of a leaf, combined with an organic-themed watercolor by Claire. She says Emil creates the plaster portion first, then they jointly decide what image Claire will add to complete the piece; like a clump of wildflowers or a scavenged arrowhead.

Claire began working with watercolors while in high school. Then the medium took a back seat in her artistic life while she earned a degree in drawing. “A lot of people find watercolor very difficult,” Claire says. “But I went right back to it after college. It was just like riding a bike.”

There was a professional hiatus in Claire’s life when childcare dominated her daily calendar. When she started painting again, she did only single subjects – a disembodied leaf, an abandoned cocoon – because that’s all the time she could carve out for herself. Now family commitments allow her to create more complex images, like a leaf together with its stem and branch: “whole botanicals in the traditional style,” as she describes them. For the past 10 years, her work has been primarily watercolor botanicals.

Claire is also very excited about two current collaborative projects. One is The WE Project, in conjunction with Connexions Gallery in Easton, PA. In this project, 114 artists are working on 10 × 10 panels. Four artists will ultimately work on each panel, which is then passed along to other artists who add their creative input. The final work of art is a surprise even to the artists themselves – they never know what the next creative talent will add to

the panel!

Claire is involved in a second, similar collaborative project with the Nazareth Artists Exchange. She says she enjoys this multi-artist approach, as it frees her to work in materials and styles she doesn’t ordinarily use – like acrylic paint layered over maps and applied as strata of varying sizes. “I love the colors, and I’m using all different widths on the panels.” The hues and thickness of the stripes represent different events in her life: narrow and red for the loss of a loved one, wide and green for prosperity.

Claire’s nature-inspired work has a delicate beauty, while her focus on less than perfect botanical materials gives it an unexpected dark and sophisticated twist. “If it’s dead or dying, my friends all know to save it for me,” she explains. Art fans should also look forward to her colorful collaborative panels from the local artists’ projects. This painter exemplifies some of the best and brightest of the Poconos’ creative talent. n

For more information on The Shawnee Gallery and Claire Lukas’ work, go to http://web.mac.com/cgriffin66/iWeb/The_Shawnee_Gallery_18356/Shawnee_Gallery_Home.html.

Victor Stabin and The Carbon County Cultural Project in Jim Thorpe, PA

Founded in February 2008 by Victor Stabin and his wife Joan, The Carbon County Cultural Project (CCCP) has truly become a premiere locavore destination in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Formerly a wireworks factory c. 1850, the space consists of three galleries, a “thing” shop, a farm-to-table organic cuisine restaurant and pub. Visitors to The CCCP will agree that there is plenty of local flavor to “ponder, explore & sample” under one roof. Stabin, a renowned illustrator and fine artist, found his way to the small mountain town of Jim Thorpe while still dating Joan. At the time working as the Director of Internet for Reuter’s in New York City, Joan felt the Jim Thorpe row house to be a perfect escape from the hectic pace of the city and corporate America. After battling cancer, Stabin decided he would leave the commute behind and stay in Jim Thorpe joined by Joan, who felt as though she had gone as far as she could in the corporate world. Together they have created a feast for the senses up a winding road in Jim Thorpe where the sights, sounds and smells within the building invite you to stay and relax. The zoning process was difficult, but guided by the philosophy of “let the building tell us what to do,” the couple hired a “Motley-Artist Crew” of workers that helped to make the amazing space of The CCCP come to life. Stabin reminisced and laughed about having to teach “spackling 101” at one point during construction. What started from the idea of a gallery space quickly turned in to a special place open to all.

FOOD
Knowing the gallery would always have shows and openings that required catering, the couple decided to create their own restaurant and pub to accommodate the need. “If we were going to create a restaurant,” Stabin said, “it might as well be really good.” And really good FLOW is. Featuring organic farm-to-table cuisine for lunch and dinner, the chefs prepare each meal with a rustic simplicity. Executive Chef Nate Weida, Sous Chef Austin Hollis and Lunch Cook Adrianna Gritz, source the best local ingredients to bring to table. Stabin said, “Trattoria 903 used to have the best lunch in the area, but now that Adrianna Gritz has come to FLOW, we have the best lunch.” House-made Apple Tree Dairy Chevre Potato Pierogies and Friendly Farms Free Range Chicken Breast served with Friendly Farms Corn Risotto, Grilled Kauffman’s Farms White Peaches and Foie Gras Butter make up just a sampling of the small, but confident menu. Main courses range in price from $10.00 (for the Starving Artists Special, of course) to $28.00. Reservations are accepted with early bookings suggested, especially on weekends.l Call 570.325.8200 and ask for the table for two by the glass box overlooking the creek that “flows” through the restaurant... it’s my favorite.

ART
Stabin’s artworks have appeared in major publications such as Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, Rolling Stone and have also appeared on more than a dozen postage stamps commissioned by the USPS. His recent Turtle Series was inspired by a snorkeling trip in the Caribbean, during which Stabin swam with a sea turtle for 30 minutes. When the turtle left his side, Stabin felt a sense of longing. The Turtle Series paintings hope to represent and nuture the relationship between man and animal, with 10% of sales benefitting the Audubon Society. The limited edition prints are housed in the Stabin Morykin main gallery. The Dynasty Gallery houses the work of Skyler & Arielle Stabin, daughter’s of Victor and Joan, who show their art and are a part of the sales process. At only five and seven years old the girls are already learning the business. Named after its first contributor Marshall Arisman, the Arisman Gallery showcases new work by predominant mid-career artists. Currently showing is the photography exhibit of Tom Storm, “World in a Bubble.” The “Thing Shop” acts as a gift shop of sorts and brims with all-things Stabin; there his cards, books and small prints are available for sale. The CCCP has plans for a flexible performance space debuting in 2011, the Hiatt Center will offer rotating shows in the venue. Visit the gallery online @ TheCCCP.org

DRINK
The Carbon County Cultural Pub serves a delightful list of fine wine and artisanal beer. The pub also shows off a private label wine available for purchase by the bottle. Each sip on the list pairs with a bite on the menu, foodies rejoice.

Works in Watercolor by Marcos Oksenhendler and Thomas Augusta

by Heather Hanson

View vibrant pops of color and warm, welcoming landscapes through the captivating watercolor paintings of Marcos Oksenhendler and Thomas Augusta, on display throughout August and September at the Pocono Community Theater in East Stroudsburg. Both local artists have called the Pocono area home for over 20 years and have recently lent their collective experience as Art Directors at prestigious NYC companies to the Pocono Community Theater, as Chair and Co-chair of the Art Committee. “ We wanted to give back to our community and get involved with the artistic renaissance we see happening here” explained Oksenhendler. To both talented artists, the Pocono Community Theater has been the venue that many budding artists in our community have been looking for. With a different show occurring every two months and the public responding, both Oksenhendler and Augusta see big potential in the PCT gallery. “We have had several pieces sell from each exhibit,” said Augusta, “the public is certainly taking notice.”

Marcos Oksenhendler is most pleased with his paintings when the realms of realism and abstraction play an equal part. “ It forces the observer to look at a piece in two ways at the same time” he explained. Examples of this are evident in the bright, swirling colors of his work, which after closer observation become reminiscent of the tangling vines and broad leaves of water lilies. His love of art was sparked as a child, while watching is father sketch clothing designs at his tailor shop in Morocco. After migrating to America at the age of 11, Oksenhendler pursued his passion for art and studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. For over 20 years Oksenhendler built a fruitful artistic career in New York City, as both a freelance illustrator for companies such as Tiffany’s and Estee Lauder and worked his way from Fashion Illustrator to Art Director of the Daily News. Inspired by the natural aspects of the Poconos, Oksenhendler took up watercolor painting 15 years ago, and devotes much of his creative energy to the medium. “ I like watercolor because there is a challenge that I enjoy in controlling it” said Oksenhendler of his art.

Thomas Augusta considers himself a watercolorist with a graphic eye, often thinking about lines and negative space before ever touching a brush to the canvas. Born and raised in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Augusta cultivated his artistic talents at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and in recent years has dedicated his talents to supporting local artistic efforts through organizations like the Pocono Arts Council. After working as a well-respected designer in the fast-paced advertising industry of New York City for 20 years, Augusta has now taken up watercolor painting as a full-time career. In the bucolic setting of his home in Portland, Pa., nestled near the Delaware River, he has found an abundance of inspiration for his work. “ I paint what I think is pleasing to the eye. Landscapes, cityscapes, and still lifes all begin with strong composition and a sense of design. “ Often, Augusta’s works combine expertly placed negative space and complex color, bringing to life an amber field or inviting garden scene.

Photographer Stephen Lippay

words by Tom Eccleston

The morning sun slices its way through the forest of trees, reflecting off the motionless pond below. Mist rises from the water, creating an effect of flowing lava when joined by the fiery orb. The greenery surrounding the blue pool beacons toward the sky, a ceaseless expanse of thinning white clouds....
Such are the scenes of countless lush summerscapes throughout the Pocono region. One only needs to use imagination to bring this bucolic tranquility to life. But when imagination is lacking, turn to a Stephen Lippay photograph to awaken the senses. “I love nature,” says Lippay, 31, a freelance photographer based in Cresco. “Outdoors is where I belong. I love to capture abandoned places, like old buildings and farms. I’m attracted to remote locations, sunrises, and water, especially water.”
Although his interest in taking pictures blossomed during childhood, it wasn’t until 1994 that Lippay began to consider photography as a genuine hobby. The intervening years have seen an enhanced learning curve in Lippay’s self-taught skills, allowing him to amass a prodigious body of work. “I’ve been taking thousands of photographs, incorporating ideas, and contributing to professional projects, all while meeting great new people,” he says. And those thousands of photographs are now being shared with the rest of the world. In addition to freelancing for Local Flair, Lippay has done promotional work for Mt. Airy Casino, Fernwood Resort, and the Stroudsburg Chapter of the March of Dimes.
Wanting to make a permanent transition to the point, click, and shoot realm, Lippay recently ended his long-standing career as a chef to focus his efforts on picture-taking. “Photography is what’s in my blood,” declares Lippay. “It’s my very soul. I no longer want a ‘what if’ attitude in my life. Regardless of the outcome, at least I tried.” That being the case, he is ready to branch out in every direction possible. Weddings, events, ads, models, portraits: It’s all fair game to an energetic Lippay, who is continually trying to learn new techniques and aspects of his craft. The goal is to not only make prospective clients happy, but also achieve a measure of personal satisfaction. “Photographers are hired because the end result is left up to the perspective of their creative interests. They often achieve these results due to their own intuitive eye for composition,” he says.
An ongoing source of inspiration for Lippay is his family and spirituality, both of which are inexorably linked. Last summer, as his father prepared for a heart transplant, Lippay captured the delicate process on film. In retrospect, the Lippay clan believes Stephen’s photography talents were meant to serve a higher purpose. “I can look at something, anything, and immediately see a picture-taking subject,” he says. “It’s my gift, and I’m lucky to have it.”
To view a sampling of Stephen Lippay’s photography, log onto: www.flickr.com/photos/slippay/sets.

The Pretty Petals of Maria Burd

By Heather Hanson

Nothing embodies the season of spring so well as a fresh bloom folding into full glory atop a waxy, green stem. It is no wonder that Maria Burd, a local artist residing in Moscow Pennsylvania, has found her muse in pretty petals. “I’ve always found inspiration in the beauty of nature, especially the vibrant colors of the many varieties of flowers” Burd said of her work. To date, she has created over 100 original 8”x 8” floral paintings, each inspired by nature and featuring a singular bloom of a unique species.

Encouraged to cultivate her creativity from a young age, Burd finds interest in many aspects of art, but her passion is painting. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Art from Marywood University dedicated to the medium. “I really just enjoy the painting process itself,” she said, “I love holding the brush in my hand, mixing the paint and applying it to the wood surface in delicate strokes. For me, it’s very calming and therapeutic and I tend to get lost in the moment.” Soon Burd plans to take her passion for flowers and painting a step further, “In the near future, I will be starting another series of flower paintings on a much grander scale. I plan to create more detailed, close-up versions of some of my favorite flowers on 36” square canvases,” she told Local Flair.

When asked to describe her painting process Burd explained, “ I travel all over to botanical gardens, public parks and local greenhouses, gathering reference photos and taking notes about each flower. I simply choose whichever one inspires me to paint it .” Burd works in thin layers of oil paint on cabinet grade plywood, which adds interest and texture beyond that of a canvas. Her uncomplicated compositions display both a great attention to detail and keen eye for color balance. Burd’s flowers transcend from feeling like generic representations of their species. Rather, each painting allows its observer to fully appreciate the splendor that nature has provided in this individual creation.

To learn more about the works of Maria Burd and catch a glimpse of her garden of 8” x 8” paintings visit www.mariaburd.com.

The Art of Love

words by Brittany Kessler

Andrei Protsouk is most comfortable creating on the hard wood floors of his Art Gallery at 7 North Sixth Street in Stroudburg. Protsouk has always prefered to work on the floor, simply because, “it is more comfortable that way," he explained. Born in Donetsk, Ukraine, Protsouk has always dreamt of owning his own studio and gallery. In 1994, after a move to the United States, his dream was suddenly within the realm of possibility. “The United States really is the greatest country in the world," Protsouk said, “too often the opportunities that it provides are taken for granted.”
Protsouk’s gallery consists of an array of thematic collections that transmute food, drink, men, women and ultimately the entire universe into comic, petulant and always symbolic representations. Collections such as, “Serious," “Breathtaking," “Tango," and one of his most popular, “Romantique," capture these elements with perfection. The “Romantique” collection focuses on the era of the twenties. This serious yet intimate compilation symbolizes the liveliness and elegance of those eternal times, original paintings such as “Fever” and “L’Amour Sous Umbrelle” tell a story all their own without stating one word. A dog is never just a dog in one of Protsouk’s paintings. It may symbolize a hunger and lust for something illusive beneath the surface of human conciousness. The integral themes within Protsouk’s art and his ability to transform ordinary objects into something beyond what the naked eye can visualize are truly amazing.
Art became the center of Protsouk’s world at age seven when he began taking art classes in the Ukraine. His talents were immediately recognized as he advanced through the various courses without any routine testing. “While all of the other children were playing hockey, I was going to art school three times a week," Protsouk explained. He earned his PhD in Art at Saint Petersburg University, the cultural center of the “New Russia," as named by Peter the Great. Throughout his many years of studying art, he restored and copied the working techniques of the Old Maters at the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Protsouk revealed that he does most of his sketching at home and the majority of his oil painting- his favored medium- in his gallery. Protsouk has displayed his art in many exhibitions around the world including locations such as Germany, Holland, Russia, Ukraine and America. The upcoming debut of his “Paradox” collection will be at the New York City Art Expo in March 2009. “It is very satisfying for me, for any artist, to bring a new image or look into the world of art and publishing," said Protsouk. “Everything in the universe is unique. My job is to illuminate that.”
For more information on Andrei Protsouk visit his Website at www.andreiart.com, or stop by Andrei’s Gallery to check out some of his fascinating work for yourself.