ArtWalk and David Magdalenski

If you’re familiar with the Newburyport and north shore area of Boston, you know there is no shortage of talented and creative people living and working in the region. Visitors flock to the coastline to experience the history and culture that makes New England unlike any other part of the country. The summer is a unique time to visit because, well, it’s summer! When a good portion of your year consists of snow, below freezing temperatures and rain, seeing that thermostat reach above seventy degrees makes us here in Newburyport appreciate even more the beauty we surrounded by in this historic town.


What better timing then to host the June ArtWalk downtown with other galleries and shops. We were fortunate to have artist David Magdalenski join us this past Saturday in the gallery, to demonstrate how he creates his beautiful pieces. David works with acrylics and many of his paintings are of recognizable streets and landmarks in Newburyport and the surrounding area. To see art hanging in a gallery is one thing, but to watch the artist in the process of creating makes you a part of its history. It was great to have David here to answer questions and share his talent with everyone, and we enjoyed welcoming old and new faces to Valerie’s Gallery! Stop in or check out our website to see more of David's work!
~Amanda at Valerie's Gallery

David gets a little help from some visitors!



ArtWalk is next Saturday with Jim Conley

Jim Conley, silversmith and goldsmith, will be doing a jewelry-making demonstration from 3 to 6 pm at Valerie's Gallery. There will also be a wine and cheese reception for Jim from 6 to 8 pm. Please join us in this special event and also visit the artwalk website to see what else will be taking place around town.

Floorcloth demonstration

During this past Saturday's ArtWalk on June 26, we were fortunate to have Eileen Whalen of Newburyport, here to show us the steps involved in painting floorcloths. Eileen sells her floorcloths and painted furniture at the store.

She begins with a pre-bound heavy canvas which she paints with an interior latex paint. Eileen then sponges and stipple brushes a darker blue acrylic paint on it to create a watery background.

In this next step (above) Eileen lays a mylar stencil she's created wtih a stencil burner over the entire floorcloth. You can see from previous uses which colors are generally used where.

Here, employee Amanda Breen applies the paint to one of the fish designs. Eileen then continues with other customers' help to add additional stencil overlays to create dimension to the little fish and then adds seaweed and bubble designs sporadically around.

The finished floorcloth! When fully dry, the floorcloth is then painted with four coats of a marine polyurethane to make the design waterproof and wear very well underfoot. Contact us for more information and pictures of available designs at 978-499-8444.

ArtWalk 10/24/09

The next Newburyport ArtWalk is Saturday, 10/24 from 3 to 7 pm.

Meet Robin Luciano Beaty Aug. 22, 3-6 pm

Here at Valerie's, Robin Luciano Beaty will have a featured show of her newest encaustic paintings from August 19 through Sept. 21. Come meet Robin during a special art opening during the upcoming ArtWalk on Saturday, August 22 from 3 to 6 pm. Robin uses encaustic wax mixed and mixed media to create wonderful, textural paintings. It's a fascinating medium to work with, requiring a warm palette for the "wax" paint and brushes, and materials such as a heat gun, and items to embed in her paintings. We hope you'll stop by to meet robin and see the show.

And back by popular demand...

Well that's not exactly true, but Eileen's demonstration was very popular and fascinating for adults and children so we've asked her back. During the Saturday, June 27 ArtWalk, Eileen will once again be demonstrating how she paints floorcloths and other painting techniques. Eileen also does painted furniture, gilding, wall murals, and more. She will also be teaching upcoming classes at the Tannery at her new studio. Please come by; we'd love to show you her work.

Matthew Smith, printmaker "Then and Now" at Valerie's Gallery on April 4

For the first ArtWalk on Saturday, April 4, from 3 to 7 pm, we will present "Matthew Smith: Then and Now" -- Rare, earlier works by printmaker Matthew Smith, depicting whales with swirling waters and aurora borealis skies, will be featured. *** Matthew will also be at the gallery on Saturday, April 4 *** introducing his newest works as part of this special show which runs through April.

Newburyport ArtWalk 10/25

On Saturday, Oct. 25 from 3 - 7 pm, the galleries of Newburyport will be hosting the final ArtWalk for 2008. At our gallery, please join us to meet artist Robin Luciano Beaty from 3 to 5 pm. Robin paints small encaustic paintings of winter trees in fields and ocean views in a series called "Above and Beyond."