Natasha Dikarena    

Wishing You Blue Sky

As I submerge in the stories and struggles currently unfolding from my motherland Ukraine, I feel determined to create sculptures that serve as symbols of hope, resilience, and unity. Each piece embodies a longing for a peaceful scene, where the clouds of war disperse, revealing a serene and boundless blue sky. Hands serve as symbols of healing from the wounds of war, both physical and emotional. Birds remind us that even in the face of disaster, there is always the possibility of renewal and the arrival of good tidings. The all-seeing eyes incorporated into hands and birds watch over us, representing wisdom and protection. These eyes remind us that we are never alone in our pursuit of healing, as they guide us towards a brighter future. This exhibition is an homage to the incredible resilience of my fellow Ukrainians and a tribute to the power of compassion during difficult times. Through my art, I hope to not only shed light on the ongoing war in Ukraine but also to highlight the strength and beauty that persist amidst the turmoil. I hope that one day, our collective dreams for a peaceful future will be realized, and we will bask under the embrace of a radiant blue sky.

Janice Leahy                                  

In Somnis Veritas:  In Dreams There is Truth

I wanted to be different, a bit of a non-conformist.  I like edgy art; I’m not attached to any one
particular theme. Therefore, my work is a mixed bag of this and that. I’m attracted to bold
colors, working with profiles or abandoned buildings; interior and exterior. There is something
that makes one look deeper at those images.  I consider this my darker contemporary phase. 
I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a child.  I studied business in college for economic
purposes (though I was accepted at two art colleges).  I did take the one-off class for art in
addition to business class but never completed any art degree.
​My work has been shown at NE Galleries.  I am a member of the Seacoast Art Association in
Exeter, NH, the Nashua Art Association in Nashua, NH and the Salem Art Association in Salem,
MA.  My work was published in the Apero Fine Art Catalogue (Oct. 2018).
Grief took over when I lost my spouse in 2019 and son in 2020.  I switched my primary medium
from Oil to Acrylic. Both losses have been difficult but also inspirational to me through my faith.
I am thankful for every day I breathe.  I believe my works reflect that.

Dave Turbide     

Capturing the Dunes: An Everchanging Vista

“I love to walk on the beach early in the morning and late in the afternoon when erosion control fences (we used to call them snow fences), dunes and plant life create an ever-changing vista and unique visual images to photograph and later paint.

“I’ve painted enough sand dunes and erosion control fences to run out of clever names, so now I merely number them. I have long been intrigued by the movement of sand along the beach over time as wind and waves conspire to create infinitely varied patterns and configurations. The fences contribute to that evolution by interrupting the smooth wind currents creating more swirls and hills (dunes). Then the sea grass takes root, providing more swirls and capturing individual grains into micro-dunes. Finally, in early morning and late afternoon the sun provides the lighting that brings all this motion into view. And it is always changing. One can visit the same spot, day after day and at various times of day, and enjoy natures continually changing artwork.” 

Dave started painting with watercolors when he was about 60 and learned much about painting from Doris Rice workshops here at SAA.   A week-long “intensive” class with Todd Bonita in 2019 added oils to Dave’s repertoire. The transition to acrylics occurred naturally from there.

Linn Stilwell                                  

Naturally Curious:  The Character of Wildlife

When I was photographing wildlife, my goal was to get a really well-composed photo with enough detail that you really felt you were viewing the special attributes of a particular animal or bird.  As I began to paint wildlife, I became much more interested in providing a view into their character, so moved from wanting to record a particular animal or bird to delving into their character on another level. See them toss their heads, preen feathers, curl their furry tails right around and over a cold nose, and you will know that is what life is like for them.

As a painter I have an ability to entice the viewer to look at a painting on another level, to gaze into the eyes of a bird, to detect the shift of feathers, the vapor coming off the back of a sheep in the morning air, to note that an owl stands firm in a storm torn landscape despite being threatened.

These things are important to us as we humans try to do what we can for the environment and for one another despite being threatened by storms. These images were chosen especially for this show to bring out your curiosity, just as mine has been enlivened, and look deeper into the natural world.