Local Artist to Debut Original Songs at Spring Art Show

There is a special breed of humans who are known as artists, musicians, performers and entertainers and this world of creative souls is a vast and vibrant one. In Central New Jersey there is an artist haven, the duCret School of Art that cultivates those who know innately and by instinct – that they must do what they must do…no matter what. Though duCret is known as a visual arts school, it is not uncommon for its talented students to be multi-dimensional in their gifting. Take Rae Cauley of Westfield, NJ for instance. Oftentimes, over the three years that she has attended the school, one could find her camped out in the school cafeteria beyond class time, sketching out her very unusual and part psychedelic, part metaphysical interpretations of human consciousness in black and white ink. In time, some of those renderings would take on hits of brilliant color which always made for eye popping visual art pieces, when completed. One could spend a serious amount of time meditating on the hundreds of images that arise in each piece. And as art often unfolds before one's very own eyes, over the past few years a consistent body of work has begun to emerge.

Somewhere in the last year or so, Rae got the idea to put her designs on clothing wear, which is not only the sign of a ‘big thinker’ in the making, but also the designs made for really cool-styled high heels, t-shirts and sneakers. But what many people haven’t known until recently is that perhaps Rae’s ‘first love’ is not visual art at all, but it is in performing art, for in the last year – she has taken vocal coaching and has written and recorded five songs in a local recording studio in her spare time. Working toward her album, her clothing line and her visual art line has become a full time lifestyle and there is no mistaking that, with a little bit more time on her side – success in one or all endeavors is bound to happen.

This Sunday, April 29^th between 2 – 4pm, Rae will be performing her 5 recorded songs at the duCret Art Show & Sale. Admission is free and there will be refreshments amidst a host of student original art including; jewelry, stained glass, sculpture, ceramics, oil, acrylic & water color paintings and charcoal & pastel drawings, including digital art and mixed media. Whole families are invited to come out and meet NJ’s emerging artists. The show will be held in the auditorium at duCret, which is located at 1030 Central Avenue, Plainfield NJ 07060. More details can be found at www.ducret.edu.

When Art Theft Becomes Art Itself

When you ask him how as a policeman he got started in art, Charlie will politely correct your perception. "It's the other way around. I am an artist first and then a policeman," he states with a  refreshing mix of artistic exuberance and sensibility that emits only from those who are clearly established 'in their element'.  Actually, artist Charlie is a police sergeant, an art theft investigator and art loss consultant as well, formally speaking. Even though he's worked on some of the largest art theft cases in human history, which is an unusual offshoot of the crime solving industry to begin with,  leave it to an artist to take things to a whole new level. And this particular art theft consultant has done just that. On May 16th at 8pm Charles Sabba will seamlessly blend both careers and present to the public some behind-the-scenes insight on the search for the thieves via The Gardner Museum Heist Exhibition-lecture at the Salmagundi Club in NYC.

Accompanying Charles at his lecture will be an 8' x 10' Isabella Steward Gardner Heist freshly painted depiction, which includes many of the prominent figures that were and are involved in the 22 year old 'unsolved' case. If ever there were a way to artfully document this fascinating study of human behavior at it's worst and best -  it is through Mr. Sabba, who paints with the unusual edge of an insider's eye. The estimated heist price was $500 million and included works by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Degas and Manet. It connected an heiress, mobsters and politicians, and a host of prominent business men and women spanning over a few decades and continents. The incredible irony of this long-running hi-end drama and the upcoming unveiling in May is that the original criminals actually kicked off the heist - dressed in police uniforms.

Mr. Sabba, who can often be found in his art loft at The duCret School of Art, located in Plainfield NJ, is a typical artist only in that - as artists often do - he has managed to put a whole new and rather lighthearted twist on the redundant theme of 'humans stealing from other humans'. It temporarily lifts a  soul's focus away from the similarily unsolvable political and banking industry foibles of recent years. Perhaps in the very near future, someone might even be savvy enough to commission Mr. Sabba to paint the connected-iconic figures involved in creating and proliferating the 'disappearing money syndrome' that became a devastated world economy! Both the upcoming lecture and exhibition at the Salmagundi Club are open to the public and the admission is free. In the name of the world's largest 'whodunit' art theft case, this should be one very interesting crowd to mingle amongst. A reception party will begin at 6:30pm and the lecture will begin at 8pm. The Salmagundi Dining Room and bar will be open to the public during the exhibition. For dinner reservations, call(212) 255-7740. Dinner is served Tues - Fri, 6 - 9pm with the bar open Mon - Fri, 5:00 - 10:30pm. The Salmagundi Club is located at Forty-Seven Fifth Avenue | New York, NY 10003. For more information regarding Charles Sabba, contact duCret school of Art at 908-757-7171 between 9am - 4pm or visit www.ducret.edu.

World Renowned Artist Teaches Pastel Techniques

duCret school of Art is pleased to announce that internationally recognized pastel artist Leslie Delgyer will conduct a three week Saturday Morning Pastel Workshop on April 14, 21 and 28th at the duCret School of Art. Workshops run from 10am - 12:30pm, with Q & A in the last half hour of workshop. The series will be devoted to showing students the techniques that brought her commissions from Prince Phillip, Ronald Reagan and accolades from world governments and will touch base on her work on behalf of our planet's endangered animals. Learn how to use pastels to create art so detailed that it resembles a photograph. It is a huge opportunity to study with one of America's premier wildlife artists. The workshop encourages beginners, but also will address professionals looking to pick up special / advanced techniques. Early registration is encouraged as there is limited seating.

$125.00 fee covers all three workshops. Pro-rated workshops after April 14 are allowed, provided there is seating available. Beginners & pro artists must bring to first class, 11 x 14 multi-toned pastel pad and assorted pastel pencils. Ages 16+ to senior citizens are invited to attend.To Register: call 908-757-7171 between 9am - 4pm, Mon - Fri or go to the duCret website, download registration form and mail-in or walk-in. duCret School of Art is located at 1030 Central Avenue, Plainfield, New Jersey, 07060

You're Invited! duCret's 85th Anniversary Art Show & Sale!

On March 25th, from 2 - 5pm duCret will host its annual Faculty-Alumni Art Show & Sale. If ever there were a way to meet history in person, it would be at this year's art show celebration, which marks duCret's 85th year in art education! Amassing at this year's show is a long list of notable duCret artists, many who have become either nationally or internationally known. For instance, Peter Caras who was tutored by Norman Rockwell and the famous western artist James Bama, has produced over 1,700 published illustrations in his own right. Considered one of today's foremost paperback cover artists, Peter now passes the legendary painting methods on to his students at duCret. Then there's Charles Sabba, who has divided his life between being a police officer, a forensic sketch artist and an artist himself. This unique combination manifested in an equally unique career path as Charles became particularly involved in investigating crimes related with art, which has led him to working on some of the biggest art theft cases in US history. One can often find Charles sequestered in his studio at duCret, painting the history of the cases he's worked onto to canvas.

Flip to the wondrous world of nature and animal kingdom and this coming spring art show will feature the works of two internationally known wildlife artists, Doug Allen and Leslie Delgyer. An artist and author, Doug has traveled to faraway places such as Africa to paint wild animals. Following a short period of time in the Army, Doug was selected to illustrate a series of big game animals of North America for Outdoor Life Magazine, a series that later turned into a book, Big Game Animals. Douglas Allen is a member of the Salmagundi Club in New York City and an executive board member of the Society of Animal Artists. Award winner Leslie Delgyer who has been commissioned for the World Wildlife Fund by Prince Phillip for her exquisite ability in pastel, has painted Ronald Reagan's dog, received personal accolades from the King of England and world governments for her renditions of endangered species.

Michael Donato a duCret instructor and prolific children's book illustrator, has also published illustrations in Business Week, The Oxford American, Travel & Leisure, N.Y. Woman, Parenting, MS. Magazine, Audio, Sales & Marketing Management, 3.2.1. Contact, Scholastics, Choices, and many more. Feminist movement artists and lecturer Joan Arbeiter co-authored Lives and Works: Talks With Women Artists, Vol 2 (1996,1999) with Beryl Smith and the late Sally S. Swenson. She has been published, quoted, reviewed or reproduced in Manhattan Arts International, Spirit Taking Form by Nancy Azara, Language Visual Art, Frontiers, Women's Art Journal, World Hunger Year Magazine, catalogue essays and publications of Douglass College and Rutgers University and on radio, TV and the internet. She actively hosts workshops on the history of women in art at duCret, as well as instructs students at the school. Dean Field, an instructor at duCret stands as yet another formidable multi-talent who has given concerts in NJ, Kansas City, and Marco Island and has authored books for national museums as well as maintaining his own art studio. The works of yet another duCret graduate and NJ artist, Rhoda Yanow is in the collection of The Butler Institute of American Art, The Chinese Government, a Pastel Painting for the First Pastel Museum in China, Pastel Society of America, Newark Museum, NJ; Newark Public Library, New Jersey Ballet, Prince Albert Museum, London, Rensselaer University, NY, Township of West Orange, NJ, Shering Pharmaceuticals, Warner Lambert Company, Morris Plains and numerous other private collections.

The diversified paths that many of the duCret alumni have taken are as far reaching as the mind can imagine. A show of this magnitude, with so many prominent artists of the past few decades is an event worth taking part in! duCret invites art lovers, families and friends to come out and view the work of duCret faculty, alumni and board members and to meet and mingle with those who have dedicated their lives to the arts.

The 85th Year celebration Art Show & Sale Opening Reception will be held on March 25th in the school's auditorium at 1030 Central Ave, Plainfield NJ. The event is free and refreshments will be served. Click here for more details.

duCret Instructor Helps Launch International Art Gallery

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Ed Wetzel with Mamta & Vinay Nair, Gallery Owners

One thing that makes duCret School of Art so special is that all instructors are actually working artists in their own right. This prerequisite set forth by the art institution brings a whole new dimension of education to the attending students, for they are constantly exposed to world activities that their teachers are involved in all throughout the year. Ed Wetzel, a local Metuchen artist, past Art Co-Op owner, and ducret faculty member currently runs his own Plein Air / Painting Studio in Metuchen. He's quite active in the town in which he resides, which includes yearly participation in the local June Bug Festival each year, speaking engagements at Metuchen High School and most recently in assisting in VAM ART's gallery opening titled, "Resurgence 2012".

VAM Art Gallery, located at 15 Station Street in Metuchen, NJ opened it's doors to the public with a smashing array of art from international artists hailing from Australia, Bahrain, Qatar, Singapore, UAE and the USA. The work of fifteen artists from five nations representing four continents was formally showcased on January 18th, at “Resurgence 2012”. They include internationally acclaimed artists like Hikaru Yumura, Jiro Inagaki, Ad Arma, Murali Cheeroth and N.N. Rimzon who will be presenting their latest works along with the works of highly recognized artists like Martin Reyna, Pradeep Puthoor, Ashok Kumar Gopalan, Rita Kaplan, T.M. Aziz, Mathai Tom, Mukesh Sharma, Pratul Dash, Birenda Pani, Rani Rekha and Sreelal.K.S. Violinists and dishes of fresh fruit and cheese added a sweet ambiance to an already warm room filled with enthusiastic art appreciators.

VAM is an initiative that works to bring together and promote all aspects of contemporary art for better interaction and understanding among acclaimed artists, art enthusiasts and art collectors globally. Contemporary art is a universal visual language that people from every nation and culture can share. VAM showcases the work of artists from diverse perspectives world wide and provides a forum for artistic communication on the world stage. Aiming to be the prime enablers who can positively influence the enlightened fraternity from the global community, in identifying, recognizing and collecting work of gifted artists who are consistently committed to their work, the new gallery presents their work through a series of international exhibitions, organizing art appreciation programs to increase the awareness on contemporary art scene there by broadening the art collector base and organizing art exchange programs and workshops to offer opportunities to talented emerging artists to work with internationally acclaimed artists.

duCret School of Art in NJ's oldest private and non-profit art institution, with classes for children and adults year round. Located at 1030 Central Avenue, Plainfield NJ 07060, more information can be found at the school's website, www.ducret.edu  or by calling 908-757-7171.

Judith Banyas, duCret Faculty Featured at Les Malamut

duCret instructor, Judith Banyas delights in the wonder and beauty of nature. The colors of a sunset, the power of a waterfall or the serenity of a mountain stream have always awed her. She strives to get her viewer to see a scene through her eyes and hopefully feel the emotions she felt as she stood there. This  artist's eye and love of nature has for 35 years and counting, been passed down to her students. That's right. For 35 years Judith has been instructing duCret students in the art of landscape. Not only is she an instructor, she is also a graduate of duCret.

For a lifetime, Banyas has been drawn to the natural beauty of the Delaware River Basin and as a kayaker she gets to see a part of the river that is not seen by any other means. As an artist, Banyas wants to give everyone a chance to see the charm and the grandeur of the river. “I have chosen pastels to make this statement because the colors are as rich as the ones I see. With the soft pastels I can ‘get my hands into the picture’ so to speak. Working with pastels makes me feel that I am in direct contact with every part of the river as I work. I hope in each of my pictures to convey the love I have for the river and its environs.” A life long resident of Roselle Park, Banyas A life long resident of Roselle Park, Banyas was a co-owner of JM Madison Gallery in Middletown, NJ from 1975 to 1977. She has exhibited most recently at the Casano Community Center Art Gallery, Roselle Park, 29th Annual Mountain, NJ Art Show, the 2009 Annual Christmas Small Works Show at the Swain Galleries in Plainfield, NJ and the 2009 Annual Christmas Small Works Show at The Artist Framer in Cranford, NJ. She was part of the 2008 3rd Annual Members Juried Show at PSNJ, 2008 Annual Christmas Small Works Show at the Swain Galleries, and was in the Ridgewood Art Institute 27th Annual Regional Open Juried Show. Judith's work will be featured at Les Malamut Art Gallery, at 1980 Morris Avenue in Union NJ, from December 3rd to January 15th. The Opening Reception is December 7th from 6 - 9pm. Judith is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of New Jersey. For more information or to purchase her paintings, contact Judith  at 908-241-9859 or  judithbanyas@yahoo.com

duCret Photographer Assigned on Rin Tin Tin Tour



Rin Tin TIn has a Hollywood star!

Beginning in September, a duCret staff member was assigned as tour photographer for Rin Tin Tin and attended American Humane Association's fund raising kick-off, ‘Hero Dog Awards’ with Whoopi Goldberg, NYC’s Singing Policeman, Daniel Rodriquez, Victorial Stillwell, Orlando Bloom and other TV stars at the National Arts Club in NYC. Rin Tin Tin, recently assigned as AHA’s new national spokesdog, rang the Stock Exchange Bell on September 7th, honoring all 911 service dogs, several of whom gave their lives in the trade tower rescue effort. This kicked off a huge country-wide tour effort to bring more awareness to animals in service to humanity.



Continuing on to LA with 'Love Your Pet University' President Lorraine Zdeb, the duCret photographer then attended the red carpet celebrity gala, ‘Hero Dog Awards’ TV Special, which was aired on the Hallmark Channel on November 11. This very first tribute to service dogs of America drew a huge celebrity crowd including; co-hosts Carson Kressley and Betty White, Victoria Stilwell, Peter Fonda, Mickey Rooney, Paula Abdul, Prince Lorenzo Borghese, Tinsley Mortimer, Orlando Bloom and about 30 other participating television stars. On December 23rd, a re-run of the ‘Hero Dog Awards’ is scheduled and on December 12th and 16th , the Hallmark Channel will air the ‘Hollywood Christmas Parade’, with Grand Marshall, Marie Osmond and co-hosts Erik Estrada and Laura McKenzie, to which Rin Tin Tin made an appearance accompanied by a brand new 20 foot balloon of Rin Tin Tin that was added to the parade this year. In May 2012, and in alliance with the Bridgewater-Branchburg Holiday Inn Express, Rin Tin Tin will make several personal appearances in NJ, in a huge three-day tribute to service dogs, war veterans and service members of the general community, to which duCret artists also will partake.

Media Opportunities Fly into duCret All Year Long!

Amber at Open Studio

In the past year, duCret School of Art has found itself in the public eye more than once. Ironically, it is the artists emerging from the school who are creating larger-than-life opportunities for other artists of the area. What started as an on-the-spot sculpting opportunity for Ralph Attanasia in Buddy Valastro's bakery one day, led to an opportunity for other sculpting students. For the past few years now, several sculpting students have been regularly featured on TLC’s 'Cake Boss' television series. Last year, television producers flew Ralph to Italy to shoot an episode.

During late August 2011, producers with Parthenon Entertainment, a UK/Canadian production company came on to the 'Fine Art Floor' at duCret and filmed several Tuesday night Open Studio members as part of a documentary on the featured Comic Con model, Amber Love.

Paul Casale captures Amber on Open Studio Art Floor

Amber, who's personal story and growth in the arts is reflected over a period of months in a special chronological journey, speaks to the issue of self esteem and finding one's place in life by digging deep into the soul and bringing forth that which must be expressed, whether it 'fits' into society's standard ideals or not. The film company, Parthenon distributes a diverse portfolio of high quality factual and children's properties for the global marketplace.


Spring Semester at duCret begins on January 16th. duCret is currently accepting applicants for the upcoming semester. To apply to the school, call 908-757-7171 or visit the school between 9am – 4pm, Monday – Friday. Further information can be found at www.ducret.edu.

Ann Swain Honored at duCret 85th Anniversary Celebration

The two institutions both classify as being the oldest that there are in the state of NJ. That duCret School of Art and Swain's Art Gallery have eeked out a collective 229 years of existence in a day and age where businesses are folding everywhere is remarkable. It should pose as a strong melodic note to the world that art does indeed thrive in poor economic times! Even more phenomenal is the fact that through the decades, duCret and Swain's have staunchly supported one another and to-date, they stand as two major beakons of light for NJ artists. One need not travel to Philly or NY to gain ground, connection or instruction in the art world. It exists all right here in Plainfield NJ....as it always has through the last century. In days of old, the tradition of portrait painting and a fine art career were highly esteemed professions. In the 60's art bloomed wildly within the flowerchild-Woodstock generation. Much has changed these past few decades, especially with the arrival of the digital age. Desite the growing demand for technology, both duCret and Swain's have held ground for those who now choose the path less traveled. While duCret has taken on the digital age and now runs courses in all graphic computer arts, including social media, it has also held the training space for those who choose the more traditional path of portrait painting.  In portraiture, there can be tremendous success, especially of late as the celebrity trend to have portraits painted has skyrocketed. Celebrating it's 85th anniversary this year, duCret decided to dedicate the evening to honoring Swain Galleries for all of their support to artists, (not just those from duCret, but from all over the state as well). Were one to visit Swain's, one would find a delightful environment and three solid floors of wall to wall art, built from a family's generational love of art. Ann Swain, the Gallery's chief, cook and bottlewasher, took over for her Mother, Bernice after a lifetime's worth of dedication to the shop and artist's alike. And for decades now, duCret student winners in the Annual Spring Show get to be featured at Swain's as well. So alot of thanks goes to Swain Galleries; because it seems rare these days that little aspects of human integrity, such as loyalty, reliability and steadfastness in business have any kind of hold in our living reality. But here in one corner of Plainfield NJ, all those qualities are practiced, therefore they are alive and thriving at both places. One needs only to visit either location to get a flavor of the rich and glowing artist's environment.

2 duCret Alumni Team Up for Animal Conservation Exhibit

Leslie Delgyer and Karen McCormack

The Margay

On Saturday, Sept. 10 from 5 - 7 p.m., art and animal lovers alike with have the opportunity to meet and become deeply inspired by the works of two highly regarded wildlife artists; Leslie Delgyer and Karen McCormack. Swain Galleries, located at 703 Watchung Ave. in Plainfield, invites viewers to step out of “human reality” for a moment and to take in the magnificent realm of the animal kingdom. At the opening reception titled, “Feathers and Fur,” both Leslie and Karen will speak about their individual forays into the magnificent arena of forest and wildlife conservation, and each will share their direct experiences with a variety of species that many of us have only briefly glimpsed at a zoo. In this rare collaborative presentation, through elegantly detailed and stunningly rich layers of pastel, the animal subjects on display promise to pierce the deepest regions of our souls. Prompting us with sweeping strokes of color, each piece beckons us to become more compassionate toward animals, so that we as a collective will more deeply consider the plight that certain endangered species face. While each artist has focused on different animal types and they employ different pastel techniques, the mission and focus is the same; to touch human consciousness in a way that sparks a significant change in the way we perceive and behave toward Earth’s other species.


Red Tailed Hawk by Karen

In viewing Leslie’s exquisite rendering of the Margay for instance, (one of America’s endangered wild cats), one can intuitively feel an innate connectedness that words cannot easily describe. Whether it’s the glint painted into the eyes of her subjects or it’s the starkness of the spot-like striping embedded in the white fur of her wild cheetah’s, the richness of her pastel work brings the 2D form to an uncanny three dimensional ‘aliveness.’ It is as if the spirit of the animal emits though the paper to speak in a silent language that only the heart understands. When asked why she chose the Margay and similar other wild cats to focus on, Leslie’s voice became instantly animated. “They’re just so beautiful and I wanted to bring attention to the endangered species of the America’s,” she exclaimed. “People tend to think that endangered animals are always on the other side of the world and this distances us from the wild species living right here under our noses. Here in America, there are several endangered species such as the Margay, but not very many people are even aware that they exist!,” she added. Similar to Leslie’s lifelong dedication for the endangered species, Karen McCormack has focused more on the woodland and domestic species of her local area. Raised in Dutchess County, NY, Karen exhibited a great interest in art and animals at a very young age. Karen, like Leslie, studied at the duCret School of Art in Plainfield and spent much of her early adulthood either studying art, sketching or helping wounded and abandoned animals. During her time of study, she served as a volunteer at the local humane society and it was there where she found her ultimate passion in life; to help the animals in any way that she could. In 1994, she became a veterinary assistant and currently works at Hopewell Animal Hospital close to where she now lives. Through her work with animals, an interesting and new level of assisting them came about a few years ago, and evolved as she spent time grooming the dogs and cats. She discovered that when she ran her hands through their coats and worked to relax them, she could intuit things about their bodies and she began to hear them telepathically. At first she questioned it but after sharing her discoveries with friends, slowly and by word of mouth, people began bringing their ailing pets to her. Three years ago she set up shop as an animal communicator and now splits her time between drawing animals or hearing and endeavoring to help heal them.

Black Swan by Karen

 

Karen’s artwork reflects her immediate surroundings. Her home has always been a haven for animals, wild as well as domestic. “My husband finally had to become the animal regulator of the household, otherwise, our property would resemble a zoo if it were up to me,” she surrendered when interviewed. Karen’s animal subjects reflect the forest animals of her area and whether it’s a red tailed hawk, a painted turtle or a black swan, each piece reflects her deep connection with them on a spirit level. She uses sanded paper which holds more ‘tooth’ and uses sticks, pencils and hard pastels. “Whereas Leslie uses pastel pencils and is quite detailed in her work, my style is a bit looser,” she described.

Siberian Tiger by Leslie

Together, these two artists have managed to cover quite a bit of territory in the animal kingdom. United in mission and in their respective passions, their enthusiasm and deep knowledge of the wild species they’ve come to know and love is infectious and inspiring. Viewers are invited to query them on not only their art, but on their past experiences with the wild species as well. Their artwork will remain at Swain Galleries from Sept. 10 to Sept. 18. And on Saturday, Sept. 24, they will return to Swain’s whereas each will demonstrate their pastel techniques. Leslie, who was commissioned by Prince Phillip to do a special series stamp collection for the World Wildlife Fund, will also exhibit a series of glicee’s of kittens, and families with young children are especially invited to come out and query the artists.

“Feathers and Fur,” Opening Reception - Saturday, Sept. 10, 5 - 7 p.m. Artist Demonstration - Saturday, Sept. 24, 1 - 3 p.m.

For more information contact: Swain Galleries at 908-756-1707. Swain Galleries is at 703 Watching Ave, Plainfield. NJ 07060