Wendy Matthews - Saint Lawrence River Art

My paintings are inspired by the beauty of the St. Lawrence River, Thousand Islands, and Clayton, where I’ve spent a large part of my life. I am currently living on Grindstone Island I am awed everyday by the River’s scenery, large ships of the Saint Lawrence Seaway and spectacular sunsets and sunrises.

My first painting was when I was in High School. My art teacher taught me just enough to get started. She wanted to enter my still life in a contest however being young I procrastinated and was too late to enter the contest. My life quickly became consumed with all the activities of a young adult with children and going to college. I am now retired from the healthcare field. 

In the year 2000, I graduated with a Master of Fine Arts from Rochester Institute of Technology. Surprisingly not in painting but in Multimedia Development. I took some courses in drawing, photography and design but no painting classes. 

It wasn't until 2014 when I was inspired by a local art student at R.I.T. in Rochester. She was painting over water-stained areas on my mother’s 50 year old wall paper. This inspired me to pick up a brush and start painting from a picture I had of an island in the Saint Lawrence River. To my surprise I was told by my friends my picture was impressive. I continued to paint and taught myself via some books and videos to paint with acrylic. From that point on I’ve painted about 6-8 paintings each year, only two of which have been oil. I’ve chosen acrylic due to its fast drying ability and the ease of painting over something I want to change. 

I am presently painting in our log house on Grindstone Island. I have so many inspirations from growing up on the River and raising two boys on Grindstone Island, that I often have a hard time deciding what to paint! I also get inspiration from a childhood friend Steve McMahon, a very accomplished wildlife photographer.

I’m a good example of finding a hidden talent later in life. It definitely was a surprise to me. I hope this encourages people to try new things and go with your instinct try something new! You never know. 

Web Site: wendymatthewsfineart.com

Stephen T. Fletcher

Stephen T. Fletcher: Born in 1967 in Utica, New York, Fletcher is a notable force in this generations Adirondack art scene. Fletcher started painting in oils at a very young age with the influence of his mother who was a hobby artist. He studied Commercial Art, Advertising and Design and later attended Munson Williams Proctor art Institute for fine arts. 

Fletcher's work has won numerous awards and can be found in a myriad of public places and private art collections both in the United States and abroad, and has been seen in numerous exhibitions.

“It seems as long as I have been involved in the arts, I have been chasing the mysteries of light and shadow. Light has always intrigued me in the way it lands, bends and reflects on water, objects, animals and people. In my paintings I incorporate mood as well as a sense of place and time in contrasting shapes, colors, light and shadow. Ever since I was young I have had a fascination with the Adirondack region and its inhabitants. Therefore many of my works involve the many subjects within. In each piece I like to tell a tale in which the viewer can develop their own story. I work within my moods. My paintings may reflect my political views, regional assumptions, religion or anything that peeks my imagination. I like to reflect the sad, heartfelt, sarcastic, tragic, disturbing and sometimes humorous life and times in the mountains. I sincerely hope that in viewing my work, each person can bring away with them a feeling and a mental image of a tale that effected them in some way.” 

–Stephen Fletcher

“Fletcher” currently lives and creates his paintings in Forestport, New York.

http://theartworkofstephentfletcher.bigcartel.com/

August  20-21-  2-Day Plein Air Outdoor Workshop with instructor Barbara  Jablonski.  Paint within the Village of Clayton! Call River Muse  Gallery at 315-285-5162 or email Barbara Jablonski at  bjablons@rochester.rr.com  Limited to first 15 registering artists.

August  22-24- 2nd Annual Clayton Plein Air Competition.  Artists may register  by contacting 

Hope Marshall: infoRiverMuseGallery@yahoo.com, or  Jan Byington: byingtonjan@gmail.com. Competition limited to first 30  registering artists.