Ink Magazine - October 2018

October 2018 Complimentary

publications

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www.inkct.com

Vol 14 Issue 155 2018

A guide to finer living in Connecticut & abroad.

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www.inkct.com

Features

OCTOBER 2018

Columns, Reviews, Events

ISSUE CONTENTS

Crusty Old Diver Spear-it Charters

pg. 42

Cardinal Points Caffé Marche

Bats Seeking Water

Old Saybrook’s Historic Gem

The Cheesemonger

pg. 8

On The Vine

pg. 56

100 YEARS OF LOCAL: Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm

pg. 66 pg. 68

Sonoma

Life On Sugar pg. 72

How I Halloween...

October Events

pg. 74

Upcoming events in Connecticut

The Red House “The Middle of the Middle of Nowhere”

pg. 16

The Wolf Conservation Center A Place to Cry Wolf

pg. 24

Cardone & Daughter Mechanic David Cardone: Automotive Archeologist & Actor

pg. 34

Cover photo by Nina Chung (in tribute and memory of...)

Makeup, Hair and costuming courtesy of Coco & Glam

INK staff

Spinning Head Studio Andrew Wallach has Never Stopped Reinventing the Wheel

Contributors:

Advertising:

Jeffery S. Lilly - originator/founder/etc.

Contact us to receive our media kit complete with detailed advertising information including ad rates, demographics, and distribution in your area.

Stephanie Sittnick - founder/publisher/sales design/account receivables Carolyn Battisa - editorial Angela Carontino - editorial/photography Susan Cornell - editorial

pg. 46

Caryn B. Davis - editorial/photography Mark Seth Lender - Cardinal Points Nancy LaMar-Rodgers - editorial Barbara Malinsky - editorial Rona Mann - editorial Paul Partica - The Cheesemonger

Body & Soul The Art of Coco & Glam

pg. 60

A. Vincent Scarano - photography Tom Soboleski - editorial John Tolmie - Crusty Old Diver

Please direct your advertising inquiries and questions to: Stephanie Sittnick - Director of Advertising advertising@ink-pub.com - 860-227-8199 Jeffery Lilly - Connecticut/RI/MA/NY advertising@inkct.com - 860-581-0026 Cheryl Powell - Greater Connecticut cheryl@ink-pub.com - 860-608-5749 Rona Mann - Connecticut/Rhode Island six07co@att.net - 401-539-7762 Jacki Hornish - Litchfield County jacki@inkct.com - 860-488-0393 Richard Malinsky - Connecticut richard@inkct.com - 215-704-9273

Every issue is printed using 100% Soy based ink.

We encourage the public to submit stories, poems, photography, essays, and all things creative. If you know of a person or place of interest, please submit your ideas to: submissions@ink-pub.com We will do our best to put your ideas in INK.

All content of INK Publications including but not limited to text, photos, graphics and layout are copyrighted by INK Publishing, LLC. Reproductions without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Ink Publishing, LLC is not responsible for images or graphics submitted by advertisers which are not copyrighted or released for use in this publication.

INK PUBLISHING, LLC 71 Maple Avenue, Old Saybrook, CT 06475 email: info@ink-pub.com or Jeffery Lilly at: submissions@ink-pub.com

judy friday gallery SOFT DAY 12” x 12” Oil on board

16 b lyme street, old lyme ct gallery open thurs thru sat 10 to 2 or by appointment 860.581.0116

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860.912.0829 • info@annegaffey.com Connecticut • Massachusetts annegaffey.com

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t takes a Village... to get the most out of fall!

Shop. Dine. Stroll. through the best of Mystic, CT

OCTOBER 31st

Trick or Treat in the Village

860.536.4941 | oldemistickvillage.com Exit 90 off I-95 | 27 Coogan Blvd. Mystic, CT

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2018 Connecticut Distillery of the Year.

- New York International Spirits Competition

RENEE RHODES Award-winning spirits proudly distilled in Litchfield, Connecticut.

We take the best our local farmers have to offer and craft the finest spirits we can. They do the growing.

We do the batching. And you get a little share in this luscious little section of Connecticut called Litchfield County. Taste for yourself why our local spirits are winning awards from New York to San Francisco.

THE SPIRIT OF HARD WORK ® "Galadriel Dances with her ENT" (13"x12") Bronze on Walnut

Reception: Friday Oct. 19 5-8 pm DENNIS SIRRINE GALLERY

155 Water Street Stonington CT 06378

860.287.9320

www.dennissirrine.com weekends 12 noon - 5 pm weekdays by chance or appt.

Try our signature cocktail, The Litchfielder.

Scan code or visit LitchfieldDistillery.com.

©2018 Litchfield Distillery, Litchfield, CT Please sip responsibly.

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Chef Beau Regan, Eileen Sottile, Paul Angelini

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Old Saybrook’s Historic Gem: Caffé Marche “Some of the Best Stories No One Knows”

by Rona Mann / Photos Stephanie Sittnick Eileen Sottile wears many hats.

She is an historian, hostess, lobbyist, networker, innkeeper, outstanding volleyball player, and lover of all things Italian, paramount of which is Paul Angelini, her husband and partner in all things hospitality.

Sottile frequently refers to their authentically Italian cafe housed at the historic James Pharmacy property in Old Saybrook as having, “Some of the best stories no one knows;” yet those stories are not solely confined to this building, they also speak volumes about the two individuals who inhabit it.

Eileen was a Political Science major in college, working as a federal, state, local, and international lobbyist. She served as a staffer for Senator Charles Cook of New York and still lobbies for causes in which she strongly believes...like Old Saybrook. “This is such a wonderful area, the whole shoreline. It’s the perfect place for a wedding. We have everything here from the person who bakes the cakes to the one who does the flowers, catering, rents the tuxes, holds the reception, hosts the rehearsal dinner, and houses the out of town guests.”

Putting all that together is something Sottile already does on a small scale and wants to expand in the future, but for now she’s all about the unique and thoroughly charming property she and

her husband Paul purchased little more than a year ago.

Angelini is as complex and delightful a character as his wife, having been born in New London, but raised in the Marche region of central Italy.

He is thoroughly fluent in Italian and thoroughly versed in everything about his region, including its outstanding, yet little known food and wine.

Returning to the States as a young man, he graduated with an engineering degree from Northeastern University, then started an importing company and wine business with his brother which still flourishes in the Marche region. Angelini may just be Old Saybrook’s Renaissance man.

They are two very interesting and accomplished individuals indeed, so it was inevitable that they would find each other, marrying their talents when marrying each other.

“I wanted to bring something from Italy here,” Paul says. “And I wanted to find a place where we could showcase it all, but it had to be the ‘right’ place,” Eileen adds.

The couple found the “right” place when the rich-in-history James Pharmacy property in the center of Old Saybrook became available, and they jumped on it. It was never Paul and Eileen’s intention to completely redo the property which holds a proud spot on the Federal Registry of Historic Homes, but to honor the legacy within.

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General Lafayette who fought in both the American and French Revolutions and was considered our ally and a “son of America,” is said to have stopped at the Pharmacy; some say for soap, others say for socks, but few argue with the fact that he contributed to the history of the pharmacy and the town.

The James Pharmacy was established in 1877 as the original area pharmacy, and Anna James, whose father had been a slave was the

first African American pharmacist, serving the area for more than half a century. James was frequently joined by successful author, Ann Lane Petry and world renowned actress and local resident, Katharine Hepburn who spent many an hour there over coffee and conversation. All of them were suffragettes and like-minded strong women.

Eileen and Paul, equally like-minded, knew from the first that they were not just investing in a business, but investing in history as well.

Today they continue to celebrate and honor this with an enterprise that is three part in scope, giving a nod to history, to Paul’s back-

ground, and to a cuisine that is both unique and light, sharing it all with both locals and visitors.

Most prominent at the James Pharmacy is Caffé Marche, more than a nod to the region where Paul grew up and carries in his heart.

Here guests are heartily welcomed into a warm, airy, and inviting space where they may engage in conversation or read the morning paper over fresh pressed juices and smoothies, enjoy coffee or tea, or partake of food made from scratch using ingredients that are locally sourced. “Using local suppliers is extremely important to me,” says Paul. “Bread, small batch roaster coffee, milk, eggs, cheese. This is how it is in my region of Marche, and this is how we strive to do it here.”

From Espresso and Cappuccino to Macchiato, and Italian sodas, Caffe Marché satisfies your thirst. Hungry? Complement your beverage

13 but always Caffe Marché wants people to just come and enjoy, or schedule your own intimate gathering and let them do the cooking.

“A business dinner, family get-together, a group of friends. Just call and pick a date, and we will custom design a menu just for you. We want this to be a place of celebration...your place of celebration,” says Eileen. “This is not dinner out at an Italian restaurant, but an authentic Italian experience.”

Authentic too is the gelateria housed within Caffee Marché tempting passersby with the lightest house made Italian ice cream you will ever taste. “The flavors just pop,” says Paul who creates most of the gelato which is quickly gaining widespread popularity in town.

with an order of house made pastry such as croissants, crostata with fruit preserve, cannoli, or bite into something wonderful called

Upstairs above the cafe are three bedrooms, named for Anna James, Ann Petry, and Katharine Hepburn, each individually decorated, with private bath and the promise of breakfast in the cafe come morning.

Next door is the Deacon Pratt House, part of the original James Pharmacy complex and now used for weddings, parties, celebrations, or for an overnight stay and a memorable evening spent back in time.

“We want people to come here and experience all this,” Eileen says.

bocconotto, a pastry of simple crust infused with mascarpone and ricotta cheese...a treat you’ll long remember and come back to enjoy with friends.

Both Chef Beau Regan and Angelini work hard to create concoctions you won’t easily find elsewhere on the shoreline. Antipasti, hand made ravioli, gnocchi, and passatelli, a pasta specialty of the Marche region, are offered, but never overwhelmed by heavy sauces as in Sicilian cooking. There are also salads and panini sandwiches on the menu, always fresh and made to order.

It’s vitally important to both Eileen and Paul that customers don’t just come in, order coffee, pastry, a panini and leave...Caffe Marché is no quick breakfast or lunch stop; it’s a place to relax and enjoy as you would at a cafe overlooking the piazza in Central Italy. “You don’t need a passport to come here,” Eileen offers, “but you will feel as though you’re far away.”

Once a month a family style dinner is presented,

“We want to educate people as well as feed them. We want them to know that Italian cuisine is not about buying food products from Italy, it’s all about local and fresh,” adds Paul.

And that’s what happens when a little piece of a region few have heard of thousands of miles across the globe meets 18th century American history in a 20th century shoreline town... ...creating a little bit of magic.

Caffe Marché at the James Pharmacy is located at 2 Pennywise Lane in downtown Old Saybrook (860) 581-3878 www.CaffeMarche.com Call for hours, B & B reservations, or to book and celebrate!

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BOOK BY

ENDA WALSH,

MUSIC AND LYRICS BY

A r t i s a n

GLEN HANSARD

AND

MARKÉTA IRGLOVÁ

SEPTEMBER 19 - OCTOBER 14 FOR TICK ETS , VIS IT IVORYTONPLAYHOUS E.OR G

1 0 3 MAI N ST RE E T | I V O RYT O N , C T 0 6 4 4 2 | 8 6 0 . 7 6 7 . 7 3 1 8

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“The Middle of the Middle of Nowhere” Come Find The Red House!

By RONA MANN / Photos by Jeffery Lilly

O

kay, so it’s not exactly on the main road, but few “finds” worth finding ever are.

And if you love beauty and whimsy and oneof-a-kind art and people who are sincerely passionate and enthusiastic about the very craft of art, you will find it.

Red House to those in town. It was The Red House when it was a bakery, it was The Red House when two of Kim’s aunts resided there at two different times. It was always just The Red House, and a visible part of the town’s history and its cache.

It’s not hard really. It’s right off Rt. 82 in Salem.

Folks might say it’s on the way to the beach, next door to Colchester, right near East Haddam, or just a few miles from Waterford’s Crystal Mall; but really, The Red House Cultural Arts Center has an identity and a presence all its own.

In different cultures the color red signifies different things, all of them positive. Old American tradition speaks to a red door, offering the promise of shelter. Those who are aficionados of Feng Shui will attest to the color red meaning “welcome.”

In Scotland a red door means the property is mortgage free; and the color red by itself has an energy and is the highest arc of the rainbow.

When Kim and Barry Ford purchased the property little more than a year ago, they saw no need to change the name. It was always The

Owners Kim and Barry Ford

All of which makes it just the perfect name and perfect color for a place that not only sells art and artisan gifts, but also celebrates the arts and those who create it every day.

Kim and Barry have designed The Red House

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attend small classes; but it is also a corner that defines both Kim and Barry. Barry has been a graphic designer for 30 years and still maintains that successful career.

Prior to that, he was in the bookbinding business; now, in addition to everything else, he derives a great deal of pleasure from crafting old wooden frames. As he attests, “I was always in the arts, and I love being associated with the arts.”

to be a three-fold delight: a gallery, a unique venue where you can find one-of-a-kind gifts created by local artists, and a quiet corner to

Kim grew up “just down the road from The Red House,” and is by profession a pharmacist; however she is quick to let you know she considers herself to be both left and right-brained, since in addition to her scientific training, she is an accomplished potter as well. She is also a dedicated runner and has established a local group that hits the pavement every Sunday morning. “We’re very laid back. You can run, you can walk, no one measures your distance, there’s no cost involved. Anyone can join. We just have a good time.”

It would appear that the Fords are having a very good time as they have watched The Red House take shape and evolve over the past year. Barry refinished all the wood floors on his hands and knees and designed and installed all the lighting,

which serves as a strong complement to the fine art paintings that hang on those walls, offering a bright and positive energy to the entire gallery.

From the beginning their mission statement was clear. “It would be a place to support local artists,” says Barry who had chaired the Art and Wine Auction for the Colchester Land Trust for more than a decade and therefore knew many of the local artists. “Originally I didn’t think we’d have that many right in this area to draw from and would have to seek artists from all over New England, but I was wrong.

They came out of the woodwork looking for us. There are so many talented folks within just a few miles of us, which is why we want others to get to know them, what they do, and then lend their support to local talent

21 meeting the artists up close and personal, but learning from them at the same time. And there will be lectures and book signings and more cultural activities to come because The Red House was designed by Kim and Barry to be a cultural arts center...a gathering place for the community at large and for its community of artists.

When you visit The Red House -and you will, again and again – make sure you take a business card from the front desk. Why? Why do you need yet another business card? Ah, because this card should be kept in

Need any more reason to grab your holiday list and take a road trip to The Red House in Salem? Just remember, should you get lost (and we don’t think you will), just tell whomever you ask for directions, that you’re looking for the middle in the middle of nowhere.

right here in the middle of the middle of nowhere.”

The Red House is dedicated to the work these people produce, so they showcase it with a large array of one-of-a-kind gifts and collectibles that run the gamut from hand designed jewelry to silk scarves, hand painted note cards, forged art, pottery, textile art, sculpture, soaps, needle felting, and paintings.

They’ll know.

The Red House is located at 22 Darling Road in Salem, CT (behind Salem Valley Farms Ice Cream) (860) 608-6526 www.salemredhouse.com Open Thursday-Sunday 10AM-7PM

This is not a stuffy, elitist gallery, but a loving homage to a community of artists and their work. Kim wants everyone to know, “We have gifts that range from $3. lip balm to $2500. original fine art, and everything in between, so there is a gift here for everyone.” “And,” Barry adds, “Everything is an original.”

The Fords also have scheduled hands-on classes at The Red House that are taught by the artists themselves, so you are not only

of like-minded individuals. It’s also a shape with no hard edges, welcoming like a group hug. When you try to define it, there’s that wonderfully unique characteristic, pi, that refuses to repeat itself, forever.

What a wonderful metaphor for art – unstoppable creativity.”

your wallet, not because it has the perfunctory address, phone, and web information; but because it bears the words of Barry Ford giving voice to the purpose of The Red House and the reason people are drawn to art and beautiful things. The letter O in the word House is shaded in to accentuate the circle, so the back of the card reads: “A circle represents unity – a circle of friends, a group

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In our idyllic setting near the Connecticut shoreline, hospitality and refinement merge to perfection.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a place designed to cultivate your interests, your activities, the bounty of your well-tended lifestyle.

EssexMeadows.com

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“BEST GELATO AND CAPPUCCINO WITHIN 100 MILES” proclaimed one Yelp reviewer

Serving Breakfast, Lunch, & Co ee Tuesday – Sunday | 8:00 – 5:00 Authentic Italian pastries, baked on the premises daily Fritattas and breakfast sandwiches made to order

See our Menu at Ca eMarche.com

860.581.3878 2 Pennywise Lane, Old Saybrook, CT Like us on

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A Place to Cry Wolf

The Wolf Conservation Center

By Caryn B. Davis

“The wolf has been part of the natural balance for thousands of years. In less than 100 years man, through ignorance and misinformation, has almost made wolves disappear forever.”

- Wolfcountry.net

W

olves have been loved and feared in the course of mankind’s long and complex history with them, the latter leading to their near extinction. Wolves have been relentlessly pursued by bounty hunters worldwide who have garnered fees for every wolf exterminated.

Ranchers and farmers have annihilated the wolf for doing what it does naturally – hunting, even though their habitat has been increasingly encroached upon and their native food supply limited. And, the

Federal Government, charged with protecting animals, has these removed many wolves lethally.

Today the wolf’s survival has reached a crucial crossroad. Two species in particular, the Mexican Gray wolf and the Red wolf, have been placed on the critically endangered list. There are less than 114 Mexican Grays left in the wild and fewer than 24 Red wolves in the five county recovery area of eastern North Carolina.

founded in 1999 by concert pianist, Hélène Grimaud who is still active in the organization, although the day-to-day operations and everything else is run by Maggie Howell, the Executive Director, with help from volunteers.

Their mission is to educate the public “about wolves, their relationship to the environment, and the human role in protecting their future.”

The Wolf Conservation Center (WCC) in South Salem, New York is a non-profit organization that is working tirelessly to help these amazing creatures before it’s too late. It was

The WCC participates in the federal Species Survival Plan (SSP), a captive breeding program for the Mexican Gray wolf and the Red wolf to help prevent their

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extinction. It was established in the mid 1970s, when the last seven remaining Mexican Grays were captured by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the Mexican government and relocated to different facilities. Those seven founding wolves are related to the ones living at the WCC. Around the same time, 14 of the last remaining 17 Red wolves were captured by biologists and placed into captive breeding programs.

The WCC works closely with partners in the program such as zoos and state and federal wildlife agencies here in the U.S. and in Mexico, to increase the captive population through genetically managed breeding.

They have a sperm bank; and if a wolf is going to be spayed, they put the eggs on ice because they have to maintain the genetic diversity even in captivity for the future. The hope is that one day they will be able to release these wolves into the wild where they can live freely and propagate naturally. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Every year based on the studbook and genetics of the captive and wild population, we make live transfers of these animals to create breeding pairs. We use a database that shows us the best

matches by who had the lowest in the breeding coefficient. We do a lot of arranged marriages. It shows you how micro managed this is and how unfortunate it is. We are telling the wolves the way they have to live. But itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a second chance for the species,â&#x20AC;? Howell says.

The WCC is not a rehabilitation facility, although they do get calls for help daily.

They are also not a rescue facility, although sometimes they can offer assistance. They are also not open to the public like a zoo or nature center with posted hours, but individuals, schools, scouts, camps, and groups who want to visit can register for a public event or program that includes Wolf Camp, Evening Howl, birthday parties, environmental lectures, Sleeping with

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Wolves, programs for toddlers, and interdisciplinary curricula in wolf education for elementary and middle schools. All of the programs begin in their classroom cabin where visitors learn about the biology of wolves, their importance in the ecosystem, the challenges of their recovery, and what the WCC is doing to help.

After that, they meet the center’s ambassador wolves; Gray wolf siblings Alawa, Nikai, and Zephyr; and Atka, a Wild Arctic Gray wolf.

These wolves have lost some of their natural fear of people because the staff has raised them since they were pups for this purpose.

Visitors are not permitted to touch them, and the staff limits physical contact as well. While

it may seem cruel to tame a wild animal, in this case it is absolutely necessary so people can forge a connection to them in order to understand their dire situation and care enough to help save them.

The other 46 Red and Mexican Gray wolves at the WCC are rarely seen because they are petrified of people. They have 10 enclosures with acreage where they live in family groups.

They are fed road kill deer carcasses and whatever small animals they kill on their own. They reside within the WCC's Endangered Species Facility and are not on public display. Even

though they were born in captivity or brought to the center for breeding, these wolves are still wild, and the goal is to keep them that way.

The WCC maintains minimal contact except during health checks, which are conducted each fall and at several intervals after pups are born.

“Limiting contact will ensure they have a greater probability of being successful if they are released into the wild as part of the recovery plan,” said Howell.

Because they are so elusive, webcams have been placed on the grounds so they can keep their eye on them and share them with the public. “We got the webcams for husbandry reasons because it’s hard to take care of animals you never see,” said Howell.

Since the program’s inception, 10 Red wolf, and 12 Mexican Gray wolf pups have been born, although currently there are no plans to reintroduce them into the wild.

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prevent poaching. And recently, U.S. Fish and Wildlife officials presented a plan that “would allow private landowners to kill wolves that stray onto their property from a protected federal wildlife refuge in North Carolina,” wrote Darryl Fears in a Washington Post articled dated June 27, 2018. They are also refusing to continue the pup-fostering program.

In 2013, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began reviewing the Red wolf program while horribly neglecting the wild population, so that the number of wild Red wolves fell from approximately 150 to 30. They also let a lot of their staff go, so no one was on the grounds to

“In the past if we had pups born here, we would immediately have to call U.S. Fish and Wildlife as part of the SPP. They would take some of those pups and insert them into the wild dens of pups born around that same time.

It had to be a big litter because we would not take all of the mother’s pups away. The wild mom will embrace the pups and raise them as her own. This gave us much needed genetic diversity, and they grew up wild. Now they have halted that part of the program. Knowing there is no place in the wild for these pups to ever go is really sad,” Howell said.

While the WCC is small, their impact is mighty.

And without them, there would be no Red wolves left. They need support

now more than ever to continue saving these magnificent animals. To make a much needed donation, to volunteer, or to learn more about wolves and how you can help, log onto www.nywolf.org.

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REdesign YOUR KITCHEN

RingsEnd.com

800 390 1000

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Photo by Vincent Scarano

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Playing The Classics Mechanic David Cardone: Automotive Archeologist & Actor automobiles at his shop, Cardone & Daughter.

His reputation for quality work draws car enthusiasts from throughout the Northeast and as far away as California. As an actor, he performs at community and professional theaters around the shoreline, including the renowned Ivoryton Playhouse and the Chester Meeting House.

Photo by Vincent Scarano

Profile by Tom Soboleski

W

hat do a classic car mechanic and a stage actor have in common? At first mention they sound like vastly diverse pursuits, unlikely to be the same person. But David Cardone is anything but unlikely. Spend even a short amount of time with him and it is soon apparent that any preconceived stereotypical notions are dispelled; you discover that Cardone is accomplished in both arenas.

As a mechanic, David Cardone is a highly regarded restorer of vintage and classic

Located in a small industrial park in Old Saybrook, Cardone & Daughter's lobby sets the stage as a different kind of auto garage.

You can sit down and play the piano, wax nostalgic at the models of pink Corvettes and old Chryslers with fins or the Brunswick floor model antique radio. Entering the shop, any images of a greasy garage are quickly erased.

The floor is clean, the light sparkling, the workstations neatly organized. Mechanics greet even unknown visitors as they would their most valued customer. Cardone calls it his open shop policy; "You can walk in and talk to anybody, you can see everything, it's completely transparent."

When Frank Tupka of East Haven first brought his '64 Pontiac Catalina to Cardone & Daughter four years ago, "my first impression was this was the cleanest auto repair facility I had ever seen," he said. "Everything was just gleaming. Everything was so clean and so organized. As a customer who is worried about their antique car, that made me feel so comfortable because as soon as you walked in, you got a sense that these are absolute professionals."

With six mechanics and technicians who have a collective 60+ years working with him, Cardone feels their dedication and high skill level is what makes his shop distinctive. "One of the great things about all these guys is they're research guys. They're not afraid to get on the computer, to go into our extensive library," he explained. "They're all guys who take a lot of pride in their work." It is also "the detail of communication that we provide."

That level of expertise is a must in his business,

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Photo by Vincent Scarano

Cardone said. "When you start working on cars that are 40, 50, 80 years old, you encounter things" no one anticipated. "We are dogged about doing things till they're right.

We don't give up."

Before a car is declared roadworthy for a customer, a lot of road testing is done in various conditions. "A typical road test for us is an initial 5-mile road test, then a 10-mile road test, then a 15-mile road test," Cardone said. "The reason to take a road test is to find fault" with the work.

Topka said. "He actually said to me, whether you do it here or someplace else, these are the parts you would need."

Classic and vintage cars comprise about 80% of the business. Triumphs, Thunderbirds, Austin Healys and a Morris Minor 1000 were just a few being worked on recently. "We

Frank Topka testified to that commitment. He first brought his Catalina to Cardone just to have tires replaced. When he came back, Cardone took him aside and told him "I gave the car a look-over. And there's some things I saw that were really concerning." Then he took the time, Photo by Vincent Scarano Topka said, "to actually sit there with me and go through the car. And he said work on everything - any year, any make, â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;here are the things that I'd be looking at to any model, any country, any decade," take care of first. Don't worry about A, B and Cardone said. All mechanical, electrical and C; D, E and F are much more important.' And fuel systems are serviced, including brakes, he did this at no additional charge." And there suspension, welding, machining, heating, was no pressure to have the work done there, and complete engine rebuilding. For body-

work and upholstery, customers are referred to reputable local businesses.

A Morris Minor was the first car to ignite Cardone's curiosity. "I bought a car when I was 13 and convinced a neighbor to tow it home and surprise my parents with it. And they just let me work on it." It was a Morris Minor 1000 that he paid $27 for.

Not long after that, he began working at a garage as a mechanic's helper.

While his father was "completely unmechanical," Cardone said, he credits him for exposing him to Broadway and theater as a child. His interest was re-ignited as an adult when his daughter began acting in school plays and he helped in building stage sets.

"I just loved the energy back there." He soon was recruited to sing in a community production of Neil Simon's Rumors. "I did the part and I loved it. I've been in about 25 plays since then."

Cardone shows equal passion for cars and theater and sees similarities in them. "There's a creativeness that's required. Both of them are very absorbing." But that's a good thing for

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Photo by Vincent Scarano

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Photo by Vincent Scarano From left to right: Ibrahim El-Zain, Don Burr, Jeremy Sharples, Ivan Castaneda, Kellie Allen (in front), Mary Melendez, Natalie Banker, David Cardone, Nancy Cardone, Kyona Cardone, Art Fuhrmann, Todd Schondorf (not seen in picture: Bruce Johnston, Sherman Baumann)

him, he said, because "I like to be immersed in it all." Acting also relieves him of the weighty responsibility of coddling someone's cherished and expensive automobile. "Here I'm thinking about a lot of things and a lot of people and there's a lot in motion. On stage, when you're rehearsing, you are working with a group still, but I've become one of the gears, not the main cog." He finds that refreshing. "It's kind of like a Zen thing; you're so focused on what's happening with the other actors and the thing you're trying to do."

David's wife Nancy got drawn into the vintage car business after marrying David eight years ago. "I have to tell you," she said, "I had no idea how emotional a connection people have with their vintage and classic cars." A big surprise to her was how many women are into the hobby. Nancy recalled one instance when a woman brought in her father's classic car after he passed away. He had it for years but never got around to restoring it. Upon seeing it after it was finished, she started crying. "It was a tremendous emotional reaction" for her and even caused the mechanic to cry, Nancy said.

The ‘Daughter' in Cardone & Daughter is really two women who spent several years helping

on the administrative side. The original was David's daughter Kyona, who now is an optician. Nancy's daughter, Natalie Banker, now an illustrator of children's books, came later and designed their website. David and her mom have a definite "synergy," she said, that makes them a team. "When they say it's a family business they really make their employ-

the Chester Meeting House in 2006. The first words spoken between them, said Nancy, were from a script. They both were accepted and got cast as husband and wife. She chuckled at recalling that for their first year together, they kept calling each other by their character names, Ken and Jan. "It was hysterical. We had a ball doing it."

With more than 45,000 cars serviced and repaired and 25-plus stage parts, David Cardone has made a name for himself in two diverse endeavors. He credits his mother's wisdom for his behavior and approach toward customers and colleagues. "My mother once told me, ‘If you don't like somebody, look at yourself and determine what's wrong with you first.'"

Cardone & Daughter will host an ‘Open Shop' - Saturday, October 20, Photo by Vincent Scarano 9-1 pm - free and open to the public. ees feel part of the family. They're generous Morning coffee & donuts and lunchtime hot and flexible and understanding people. So dogs and hamburgers. Bringing your vintage they imbue that sense of teamwork through- car is encouraged but not a prerequisite. It is out the business. They love each other and requested you bring a non-perishable food love their employees." donation for the Shoreline Soup Kitchen.

Perhaps David and Nancy were destined to be a loving team. They met while auditioning for the play Cahoots, a murder mystery spoof, at

For information about the business, go to www.cardoneanddaughter.com

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Spear-it Charters

by John Tolmie photos by John and Kate Tolmie As the dawn breaks over Ninigret Pond the Captain and I get the boat ready for customers hungry to brave the depths in hopes of spearing some fresh fish for the grill. Today would be my first day as the First Mate on board SpearIt Charters. The charter specializes in harvesting fish by breath hold spearfishing off the coast of Rhode Island. Customers travel from all over the country and from points around the globe to have the opportunity of diving with Captain David J. Hochman; one of the most experienced freedivers in the North East. Dave has been diving and spearfishing the waters off Connecticut and Rhode Island since the mid 1980’s. He has an uncanny ability to put you on the fish and his charter is so popular that even his friends have a hard time securing a spot on his custom 28’ Privateer! I’ve been a customer for years but

today I’d be his First Mate and it was all business.

At 7am customers started coming down the gangway. It was an interesting mix of divers that boarded the boat. Jess and her 11 year old son Gavin handed me their gear as we made introductions. Today would be Gavin’s first time spearfishing and I couldn’t have been more impressed by this young man. He was confident, polite and talkative and I

was stoked to be able to help him spear his first fish. Mike, a recent college graduate from Manhattan and Rich, a seasoned commercial contractor from Long Island and lastly Jaybez a smiling gregarious hedge fund manager from Block Island boarded the boat.

I thought to myself that one would not likely see this group of people together in any other situation. How fishing and the love of the ocean brings folks together! We cast off the lines and headed to the hunting grounds off the coast Gavin diving on the wreck

45 of Block Island for a day of underwater fun.

Once close to the fishing grounds I had the customers don their gear as I loaded the speaguns for them. The striped bass were schooling under the thermocline at 50 feet. Once we killed the motor the divers went over the side one at a time to space them out for safety. Captain Dave took Gavin under his wing and instructed him on gun safety and breath-hold techniques. Rich was the first back to the boat with a nice 38lb striped bass. Rich had been plagued by speargun malfunctions on his last trip so it was great to see his big smile as he hoisted his fish up to me. Next

Rich with Bass

fish off the spears and into the cooler as fast as I could. I loaded the guns again and handed them back to the divers.

The fish kept coming over the side with Rich landing a solid tautog and Mike spearing a beautiful black seabass.

Everyone did well but the striped bass decided they had enough and broke away to deeper waters.

dream come true were the best tips of the day.

Captain Dave and I were grateful to be able to guide this young man into a sport he will embrace for a lifetime!

For more information on spearfishing with Spearit Charters visit spearfishcharters.com

Jaybez with Bass

Mike swims to the boat with a nice striper and simultaneously Dave and Gavin fin to the boat with their 36lb catch. I was busy getting the

Since we had a couple customers that were new to spearfishing the Captain took us to the shallow waters on the south side of the island. I had the pleasure of working with Gavin this time around. I donned my gear and took him with me as we finned into the shallows. I kept him close and showed him how to lie on the bottom and wait for the fish to swim by. He did exactly what I said and was diving right next to me the entire time. We were able to find part of an old shipwreck and he loved diving down and checking out the corroding structure. As the day passed the Captain felt it was time for him to use a speargun! And wouldn’t you know it… the kid comes up with his first blackfish!

Mike with Bass

After eight hours on the water we arrived at the dock where and I filleted the customers fish and cleaned their gear. I was grateful for the gratuity for a job well done.

However, the hugs and smiles Gavin and Jess gave us for making a young man’s Gavin with his first fish!

Crusty gettin’ it done.

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You Say You Want a Revolution?

Andrew Wallach has Never Stopped Reinventing the Wheel

By Susan Cornell / Photos by Andrew Wallach POW! BLAMO! KABOOOOM! Centrifugal force radiates arms and legs, reaching with random movement.

Music blares, surrounds, and inspires.

MTV in the making? Kilauea? A concert?

No, it’s “Revolution Art.”

49 parents’ garage. Rod Johnstone built the original J/Boat in his Stonington garage.

Perhaps Wallach’s will be the next historic site.

The artist describes his work as “Alive with electricity and fire, streaming with feathery vibrancy and a hypnotic fulmination.” The paintings seem to evoke the imagination of the viewer and convey movement and force the eye to look deeper into the painting.

Growing up in East Haven, Wallach was always sketching, drawing and painting. A big fan and supporter from day one, his mom “always said what an incredible artist I am – I’m going to go far. I always kind of knew my stuff was okay, mediocre, but my mom thought I was the best.”

Connecticutian Andrew Wallach is the creative mastermind behind the “Spinning Head Project,” which he describes as “reinventing the wheel”.

Though not a completely original idea, Wallach goes on to say, “it’s NOT spin art, it’s … REVOLUTION ART”.

In a nutshell, Spinning Head Studio’s pieces are created by “dropping paint” on a surface such as mat board, plywood or Masonite board on top of a spinning easel. The easel is “a large wooden crate holding a 42inch diameter round picnic table.”

crazy artist is found in one of the bays of his garage and can be brought outside if something larger is to be created. (Andrew’s wife still gets one bay for her car while his is relegated to the driveway).

This crazy contraption built by self-confessed

Steve Jobs built the first Apple computers in his

In high school, Wallach attended E.C.A. (the Educational Center for the Arts) in New Haven. Most of his work provoked some type of shock value, and he enjoyed the viewers’ reaction. After graduation, he was accepted to Dean Jr. College and majored in Art.

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“When I went to art school I’m in this class with other students and their projects were amazing. I was like that’s it, I’m done, I’m dropping out,” he admitted.

paintings, and mostly due to social media, “just posting and posting it on The Spinning Head Studio Facebook page.” Nearly three dozen are scattered around Europe. Pieces are

He gave up art for many years and took up professional photography in the late 90s. Specifically, he photographed musicians. When the business died down a decade or so later, the camera went into the closet.

Every day he drove to work and asked himself what he was going to do. “I was itching to do something, create something, and bring in a little cash. I got the idea for ‘Spin Art’ and wondered if I could do that on giant canvases.”

The hardest part is figuring out the pricing.

In July 2012, with much trial and error, and much exuberance, he put together an operating studio.

“At first it was a slow learning process. It caught on. I love it and so many people love it,” he said.

Fast forward six years and Wallach has tallied up the totals – 186 people own 383 of his

“At first I didn’t want to sell my paintings because I love them so much. Everyone said, ‘You have to sell them, you have to.’ I was like ‘No, I love them and want to look at them every day,’” he said and added, “I knew people loved them and I should give them the opportunity.

I finally broke down and sold one that was so amazing. It crushed me but I got over it and I’ve made better paintings since then. It really hurts to sell them. I paint for myself and if no one buys them I’m not worried about it.”

exhibited in places such as cafes and, most recently, Two Roads Brewery in Stratford.

Wallach clearly has a deep attachment to and passion for each of his works. (One might sense that he suffers from separation anxiety when paintings go their new owners).

“I wanted people to have them and I have a day job so I’m not destitute. If people didn’t have the money and they loved a certain piece, I’d say take it … kind of like Jackson Pollack did,” he explained adding, “If they wanted it I’d give it to them but a lot of people refused it and they’d want to pay me.”

The process itself, excluding prep time, used to take no more than an hour. But the last 30 or so paintings, “which are probably my most

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53 But Revolution Art is not just wall décor. Wallach hangs clothing in the studio on request and, of course, “everything I own is covered in paint.”

For about two months in the summer, due to the humidity and heat, and two months in the winter, due to the cold, he cannot paint. This past winter, however, when it was four degrees in the studio, he probably did one of his greatest and most magical paintings.

“Because of the cold, it did something with the paint. The paint kind of crystallized and crept across the canvas on its own. I don’t know if it was that or the Guinness,” he quipped.

magical pieces, have been taking eight or nine hours to do,” he said. “Before I was throwing down paint and if it looked great, boom I stopped, took it off the table, let it dry and start another one.“ Looking back on the older ones, he thinks as great as they were, they don’t add up to the newer ones. “I’ve raised the bar so high that if they’re not as good, they’re redone.”

Commissioning is an option but not Wallach’s preference. For example, he was asked to do someone’s college colors of purple, white and gold but knew if he mixed purple and gold, orange would be result. Mixing white and purple would make a light purple … but it had to be strictly those colors.

“The first one didn’t work out well so I sanded it down and redid it.”

“If people don’t like the painting, I’m stuck with it and not digging it. So, I paint for myself and hope other people will like it as well.”

Roughly 80 percent of the medium used is acrylic paint, but when Wallach mixes acrylics with latex house paint “the two paints kind of do weird chemical reaction stuff.”

He’s tried all different experimentations, including fire (do not attempt this).

what gasoline would do so I poured the gasoline on the house paint and spun the table a bit; it didn’t seem to do anything. Being a crazy artist I lit a match and threw it onto the canvas as I spun it. It threw fire everywhere.

My pants caught on fire, the backdrops caught on fire, I ran outside and jumped in the snow.

I came back in, sprayed water everywhere, the canvas disintegrated.” When Wallach’s wife came asked if she smelled fire he replied, “Oh, no it’s just incense I was burning. “

The worst experiment took place after a few drinks. He confessed, “I decided to see

While Wallach can create much larger pieces by bringing the easel

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rain and leaves away, he’s walked down the road a distance and can still hear the music. As for the neighbors, he says, “I don’t care. I turn it on at 10am and off at 9pm. It’s not offensive music. There’s one artist with a lot of vulgarity in his songs so I’ve made a playlist that has none of those songs.” outside (and using tarps to protect the environment from flying paint), 16”x 20” is his favorite size. The price has gone up steadily over the past six years, with some pieces fetching between $500 and $1000.

Is it the colors or the design or the music behind the work that draws people to one piece over another? Wallach explains, “If the work was done to one of their favorite bands, they’re drawn to it even more. “

“I think after August, the six-year anniversary, I’m going to put the prices so high that no one can buy my paintings and I can keep them.”

The floor of the studio is an entire painting in and of itself. “That’s what I really love. Jackson Pollack’s floor in his barn wasn’t as splattered as mine is,” he said.

By day, he’s a job coach.

For night and weekend fun, it’s all about music.

“My wife and I love and live music, support independent music, go see national acts, travel up to Vermont, and to Shelburne Falls, MA where I show my work.

Day trips, NYC, just to see music and cause havoc.”

Music is a huge ingredient in the recipe for the paintings.

“I’ll put on one artist or band and put their entire catalog on shuffle. I’ll turn it on as loud as it can go. People say the paintings reflect the music I was playing,” he said and added, “I’ll post the music I was playing that was the inspiration for the painting.”

Before he starts a painting he starts the music real low and lays down on the floor with his hands feeling the texture of the floor, which by now has six years of layers of dots of paints.

“I’ll just lay there. It’s a meditation for me. I’ll lay there on my back.”

Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, Rush, Queen, Gene Loves Jezebel, Bob Marley, Björk, David Bowie, Concrete Blonde, Iron Maiden – the genres and inspiration goes on and on.

And it’s loud. While Wallach does put up sound barriers on the sides of the driveway, thick vinyl curtains that also keep the wind,

As Jana Liptak, colleague, art teacher, and scenic artist with whom he has worked in his garage studio put it: “Andrew’s work walks the line between chaos and order; he sets up the perimeters yet he controls the results to a certain point. So much depends on chance and a host of variables (temperature, viscosity and chemical reaction etc.). There’s a performance to creating his paintings and they continue to change and evolve (and grow) even after the performance is over.”

20 Questions With The Artist Who is Andrew Wallach?

“Andrew Wallach is a hurricane.”

What is your creative process like?

“Revolutionary, revolving, evolving like creating galaxies.”

What artist are you most influenced by?

MYSELF!

How do you cultivate a collector base?

Social media.

Do you listen to music in the studio while you paint?

I don’t paint if there’s no music.

In the area of the Internet, why do you display your art in cafes and galleries?

My work looks very different close up front and in person. One can feel my work with their eyes. .

Has your style changed at all since you began painting?

Yes, I call it the “Evolution of the Revolution”.

What mediums do you work with?

“Acrylic, latex house paint, water, sometimes watercolor.”

What current art world trend are you currently following?

None. I’ve never followed trends; I just burned all my plaid shirts because they’ve become trendy.

Do you have an art education background?

“Art school dropout, mostly self-taught/continuously learning.”

How do you begin a new painting? Where do you start?

I let the music soak into my mind, choose paint colors.

What made you dive back into abstract art after so many years?

“The need to be creative, the need to make something that people might love.”

What moves you most in life, what motivates you?

To make a name, a household name … kind of like POLLOCK but WALLACH.

What is the toughest decision you’ve come up against in the studio?

Beer or whiskey.

What does a day in your studio consist of?

“Listening to music, letting music soak into my head, preparing canvas, choose paints, relaxing, painting, brushing, misting, painting, drying, cigar, beer.”

What one word would you use to describe your artwork?

EXPLOSIVE, SUPERSONIC, ATOMIC, EXPLOSIVE. Do you find it difficult to part with your paintings?

Yes, it’s like selling your children … I can only imagine.

How important are titles to you and how do you come up with a title for your paintings?

VERY. I paint to music, I listen to one band or solo artist on shuffle and usually the title of the painting is the last song playing.

What does your work aim to say?

POW! BLAMO! KABOOOOM!

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58 their membranous wings, hungry for the food that bloom and pollinator provide.

They let go, falling into flight…

But it is Thirst, Thirst that rules the land.

Open-mouthed the bats fly, out from their hidden perches and caves, parched and persistently seeking. Above the din of odors and the roar of edible things the vital element calls: A pool in the desert, rare and lustrous and of value second only to breathing: A narrow place, a small place and shallow in the dark and the water is sweet and waiting.

Months if not years it took to find. Many intolerable nights and burning days of searching. Having found, they will visit like a shrine.

Bats Seeking Water Photos and editorial © Mark Seth Lender Down from Madera Canyon the land opens its mouth. Saw-toothed mountains in the distance are the teeth, broken and chipped, the yawning of an ancient Beast; the hot sweet breath of him sucked the moisture out of here a long time ago. The jaws can no longer close. The palate of the land, exposed, is chafed and raw. A last meal clings there: lesser hills and spent volcanic cones, their rounded forms like desiccated corpses of giant and of giantess, weathering, all but worn away.

Nectar bats, the length of their pink tongues extended as far as they will go.

Pallid bats, tall ears cupping sound as their mouths cup water. Free-tails, the wingtips like twin oars splashing and spraying, and water dripping from their chins. A moth dives for cover preferring the risk of drowning to the risk of bats in the air. The bats ignore her. They are of one mind and one purpose only. To drink. And drink…

And drink.

The quest for water is everything.

South and west of Madera out in the Sonoran Desert, on the flat of the land and the flanks of the hills, saguaro stand. They march on the mountain until the scree defeats them, too steep even for saguaro to root and hold. It is not their cactus thorns or their outstretched arms that makes them brave. Their very presence is a heroic thing; that any green thrives in all this emptiness of land, of fractured stones, of turbulent sand-blown sky.

At night when the air is utterly still and the birds sleep, the insects begin; desert flowers open to their song. And by that scent and sound the bats are stirred to wakefulness. They yawn… Then stretch

At a hundred and ten degrees they prosper, garlands of white and yellow flowers, insects hovering, red-ripe fruit split open in the sun; At a hundred and twenty in the shade, what then?

Dust blows.

It hurts to inhale.

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Field Note: Now that Halloween has come and gone, perhaps its time for a more appreciative and rational look at bats…

The American Southwest is dry and growing dryer and hotter, and though the wildlife and vegetation are both inured to desert conditions, there are limits. Saguaro cactus, evolved to store water in their flesh, can endure remarkable extremes of dryness and temperature. For mammals, the need is more immediate. This includes bats, both those who feed directly on desert flowers and those who feed on the insects that flowers support. It is worth pointing out insects too, despite their inherent toughness, have a breaking point.

Ultimately so do the saguaro. No one knows when that breaking point will be reached but it is coming closer. The bats will arrive first. It will be a shame to lose them.

I love to see bats fly. Their patterns of flight, based on their hunting technique, are distinctive. Bats use echolocation to find their insect prey, a fact of marvelous complexity. In order for a bat to capture an insect, the pulses of sound the bats emit have to bounce off a tiny target flying at considerable speed, return to the bat’s comparatively large, scooplike ears, travel a distance along cranial nerves and be processed in the brain - with great precision – all in milliseconds. And because the target is in motion, those pulses, and the processing, must be rapid and continuous. SONAR, a 20th Century human invention, was thus anticipated by these tiny flying mammals by tens of thousands of years.

For the bats, some respite is offered by pools and ponds maintained by people. People however, are notoriously unreliable. As the climate itself becomes increasingly chaotic and unpredictable, it is foolish to think we can step in and fill the void.

If and when the saguaro and the flowering plants dry up for good, the desert will then live up to its colloquial reputation and become a desert in the metaphorical sense as well.

We cannot let this happen…

Mark Seth Lender is a producer for wildlife content at Living on Earth ( LOE.org ), the only program on US Public Radio exclusively dedicated to wildlife and environmental reporting.

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Body Body & Soul Body& & Soul Soul

The The Art of Coco & Glam The Art Art of of Coco Coco& &Glam Glam

Photo by Jerome Stallings

63 the physical body, but the heart and soul, so that the model essentially could become the character or creature.”

We both look over at Raven as Ashley begins the work on the model’s face.

by Nancy LaMar-Rodgers

T

he Phoenix rising from the ashes is an iconic symbol of strength and renewal, as well as triumph over tragedy; and here in the studio of Coco & Glam, the Phoenix is coming to life on the bare canvas of 20 year old model, Raven Latham. The warm vibrant reds, golds, and oranges of a sunset serve as the backdrop across Raven’s torso, arms, and upper thighs.

Within hours, what will emerge is a fully realized recreation of the majestic bird with plumes of feathers and spirals that will dance and flame across the model’s body, making their way to a pair of black winged eyes that express the message of the Phoenix itself.

Rosario Rosado and Ashley Packard, the two owners and artists of Coco & Glam have been working together for years, combining their talent for all things theatrical and glamorous.

Rosario talks about their beginnings in the world of art. “I was working primarily as a face painter, but I knew I wanted it bigger and (I knew) that I wanted to work with the entire person, not just the face. I loved painting people’s faces for theatrical looks, but I always knew I wanted to incorporate the whole body and to do characters and fantasy creatures that incorporated not just

Ashley has worked as a makeup artist and hair stylist doing both traditional weddings and glamour shoots. She currently owns her own salon, but it is her collaboration with her friend Rosario that has allowed her to delve into the more elaborately theatrical and artistic aspect of makeup and hair. The pair work in harmony; and as Ashley is assessing what she will use on the model’s eyes, Rosario wields several tools of transformation as she moves around the model’s torso like a warrior sculptress.

While you might think that some paint on a body is not going to change someone’s mind about their physical presence, there is a distinct difference in the way Raven carries herself between the beginning of the process and the end. By the time Ro and Ashley have finished their Phoenix creation on Raven’s vulnerably naked canvas, the young woman seems to hold her

Photo by Vincent Scarano

head higher and appears to possess a more poised and assertive stance.

“It’s amazing because at some point during the process, the model starts to forget what her body is supposed to look like and begins to

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make of it. You see people done up in paint on TV, but to watch it come to life in front of you, it’s just incredible. It’s amazing to watch any artist in any medium performing live; however when it comes to painting, it’s usually a finished product that you are seeing. So to see the physical transformation happen right in front of you is really magical, and people are just in awe. They love that last half hour when the artist just brings it all together,” Rosario explains.

I can’t help but wonder why Rosario and Ashley settled on New London when their art

take on this transformation. The model starts to become the character. It’s pretty remarkable.”

I ask Rosie how she gets the image to the body canvas; does she work from photos or initial drawings? Without missing a beat, Ro points to her head and lets me know that while she may use photographs, it is mostly what comes from the right side of her brain when she is deep in creation mode.

Ashley works in the same fashion. “We get together, and we just get an idea and start

Photo series by Vincent Scarano

talking about it. If we took the time to try and draw our ideas out before we started painting, we would probably never get anything done.”

Both women look at each other and laugh, understanding that their work together is synergetic and totally unconventional. While – inspiration comes, both Ro and Ashley know when it does; and they don’t question the muse. They are in sync, and their creations are a testimony to their mystical synchronicity.

“People are amazed. They don’t know what to

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Photos by Vincent Scarano

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Photos by Nina Chung

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has obviously taken them to venues and experiences in both New York and Boston.

“We are both from this area; and while we do most of our work out of the two major cities, we knew that we wanted to bring something that would shake up the town a bit. Ro goes on to explain about the storefront studio they occupied back in 2015. “We waited till after 9pm, and we put a model in the window and lit it up and started painting.

It was crazy the response we got from people just walking by. They wanted more and just started gathering around. That’s how we knew we were on to something.”

The Naked Canvas, as it has come to be known, has been part of The Hygienic Art’s Annual Salon Des Independents for the past four years. Rosario initiated the event which has grown exponentially over those years. This past year, The Naked Canvas was set up in a room at the Crocker House, and the event ended up attracting over 400 people who were spilling out into the street. The word had gotten out.

“It was crazy because I put my girl up on a pedestal to paint her, and the crowd was just mesmerized. We had a “Queen of Hearts” theme, and I painted her like a skull. It was sort of grim, but the crowd loved it.”

The theatrical aspect of The Naked Canvas event is not to be believed. For Rosario and Ashley it is a period of time where the audience is able to not only suspend their belief but more importantly to experience a transformation. The audience watches as a creature or character comes to life with a model who is able to internalize the characteristics of her outer canvas, thereby making the scene ethereal.

Rosario tells the story of hiring a model with a phenomenal voice to open one of the shows.

She was to sing The National Anthem.

Rosario’s passion for inspiring others through her art and creations was clearly felt during this performance. “I had seen this woman sing, and I knew that I wanted to do something that would unify the community. With everything that was going on in our country at the time, I just really wanted to bring people together and have that sense of unity in that space. I painted the model with the eagle and the flag across her torso, and she sang our country’s anthem...it was one of those moments that stay with you. The audience was blown away.”

I ask Rosie and Ashley what they dream about and where they want to take this. Ashley is quick to get right to it. “We want to go as far as possible. We want people to know that they

can do this too, they can be recreated into whatever they want and have that captured forever in photos. We want to take it everywhere, and we want to be famous for what we do.”

Rosie concurs as the two take a step back to check on their Phoenix. Model Raven is ready for her photo shoot. Rosie and Ashley step back and admire their latest creation. As the backdrop is set, the lighting adjusted, and the model takes her stand, the photographer captures another glamorously enchanting creature. Rosie and Ashley smile at one another as they admire not only their work, but also young Raven’s true transformation into the majestic Phoenix.

For more information on booking Coco & Glam: cgstudios@cocoandglam.com

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The Cheesemonger Paul Partica, The Cheese Shop, Centerbrook CT

100 yeARS of LoCAL: Sankow’s Beaver Brook farm If you think buying local is a new trend, consider again. Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm recently celebrated 100 years of being just that. At this local business, one can buy cheese, meat, milk - and even wool socks, sweaters, vests and blankets - to help keep one warm on a cold New England night.

Situated on 175 acres, Sankow’s Beaver Brook Farm is located in Lyme, Connecticut since 1917. It is also home to proprietors Suzanne and Stan Sankow.

Livestock at the farm include 600 head of sheep, making it the largest sheep farm in the state of Connecticut. You can add a dozen Jersey cows and a few chickens to the mix, too.

At the New England Regional Cheese Competition at the Big E this past September, the farm won three awards. They were as follows: Best in Class - Gold Medal, Feta Pesto -Sheep Best in Class - Silver Medal, Feta Cheese -Sheep Best in Class - Bronze Medal, Pleasant Cow Raw Milk Aged Cheese You may have tried any of these awarded cheeses if you visited the Eastern States Farmer’s Market and Wine Barn during the Big E last month.

Beaver Brook was originally founded as a dairy farm, but expanded its product offerings over the years to include meat, yogurt, ice cream and, of course, wool products. I like to have a little fun when customers ask why a cheese shop is selling wool socks. I jest that they come with the sheep’s milk cheese.

The farmstead was purchased a little over a hundred years ago for a couple thousand dollars. Dairy was its main source of revenue until the collapse of the milk industry in the early 1980’s. Sheep were introduced in 1984, and in 2002, cows were re-introduced. The stage was set for all of the wonderful cow and sheep products you can find at the farm these days, which are listed below.

Cheeses farmstead: An aged sheep’s milk cheese with a natural rind. This cheese has a wonderful, slightly tangy flavor.

Pleasant Valley: A delicate, aged sheep’s milk cheese with a natural rind and a mild, rich flavor.

Herbs de Provence: Made with the farm’s own Jersey cow’s milk using cultures, rennet, Herbs de Provence, lavender and salt.

Sheep’s Milk Herbs De Provence: Made with the farm’s own pasteurized sheep’s milk using cultures, rennet, Herbs de Provence, lavender and salt (seasonal).

Pleasant Cow: An aged Jersey cow’s milk cheese with a smooth, mild flavor and creamy texture.

Aged feta: A raw milk cheese made from the farm’s Jersey cows, with cultures and salt.

Nehantic Abbey: A Jersey cow’s milk cheese, aged six months or more, with a dry, sharp flavor.

Pleasant Son Aged: Made from their own Jersey cow’s raw milk, cultures and rennet in a salt brine.

Other Milk Products yogurt: Made with traditional cultures, giving it a smooth, rich and unique flavor.

Gelato: Incredibly creamy. In vanilla or chocolate flavor.

Raw Milk: Available at the farm. It is recommended that you call first for availability.

Note: Lambs and calves on the farm are not given growth hormones or antibiotics.

Woolly Things With great pride in craftsmanship, fleece from the farm’s flock is sent to quality textile mills like S&D Spinning in Millbury, MA. Wools contain only natural, undyed colors.

Socks: Made in-house from the farm’s own wool.

Sweaters and Vests: Come in all shapes and sizes, including roll neck pullovers and button-downs.

Available in an assortment of colors.

Blankets: Made on a loom, the farm blankets are very warm and in high demand. Great for a good night’s sleep on those cold nights.

A wonderful video of the farm, including the land, animals and story behind it, can be found on their website (beaverbrookfarm.org) under the “In the News” menu selection on the homepage. Follow the link entitled “CPTV – Sharing Connecticut” to see the video.

Beaver Brook Farm is located at 139 Beaver Brook Road in Lyme, Connecticut. They can be reached at (860) 434-2843 or info@beaverbrookfarm.com. You can also just visit. The farm is open 9am-4pm, seven days a week. Animals don’t take a day off like us humans.

I would like to thank Paul Sankow for all his help gathering information and photos to make this story possible.

Paul Partica, The Cheese Shop www.cheeseshopcenterbrook.com

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By Art LiPuma, General Manager SeaSide Wine & Spirits, Old Saybrook, CT

Sonoma Sonoma County is an excellent growing and wine producing area in California. Although Napa takes precedence of being the most famous in California, Sonoma produces equally great wines. Sonoma is south of Mendocino and west of Napa and this area is able to grow a variety of grapes due to the different micro-climates throughout the region.

Inland towards the valley floor it is warm; great for growing Zinfandel,Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Syrah. As you get closer to the Coast, the weather gets cooler which is more suitable for growing Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. One of the big producers in Sonoma is the Gallo Family Wineries which produce wine in vast numbers and all over the area. Another huge producer is Kendall Jackson both are family owed and own other many wineries throughout Sonoma, not to mention throughout the world.

One of the famous wineries that is owned by Kendall Jackson is La Crema with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown in Sonoma,

Monterey, and Russian River. Other Vineyards owned by K.J. in Sonoma is Stonestreet, Hartford Court and Matanzas Creek. The major areas or as they are called appellations are Dry Creek Valley, Alexander Valley Russian River Valley, and Chalk Hill. A good amount of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay come from the region.

Carneros, which is part of Napa and Sonoma Sonoma Coast, is home of the famous winery called Flowers which are noted for their Pinot Noirs.

Alexander Valley is the largest area producing grapes in Sonoma.

This area has many different climates ,which is very helpful of planting different grapes throughout this region. Being hot on the valley ďŹ&#x201A;oor is great for planting Zinfandels Chardonnay and thrives better, in the cooler climate. The well known wineries are Murphy Goode and Clos du Bois. Also Silver oak, Rodney Strong, Estancia and Chateau St. Jean sources some of their grapes here.

The Dry Creek area is noted for High quality Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignons for their reds and Sauvignon Blancs for

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whites. Chardonnays are very popular also. Dry Creek Vineyards is a popular vineyard that produces many different wines that are mostly reasonably priced.

London series which is a higher quality wine and of course their high end Artist series blend. One of the well known sparkling wineries is Gloria Ferrer which produce many different styles.

Another great producer is Ferrari Carano. They are noted for their Sauvignon Blanc which they refer to as Fume Blanc and also make great Chardonnay. The winery produces in exceptional red blend called Tresor. The Russian River Valley is known to being a cooler region which is excellent for growing fantastic Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. . There are also many wineries that source their grapes from the Russian River Valley to make exquisite wines.

One being David Bynum.

As you can see Sonoma produces a vast amount of different styles of wine from inexpensive to exceptionally high quality. Next time you are in the mood for a California wine, tantalize your palate with a wine from Sonoma.

Cheers!

Art LiPuma, General Manager at SeaSide Wine & Spirits, 118 Main St, Old Saybrook, Connecticut

www.seasidewineandspirits.com Chalk hill is another area that has a winery named after it. The wines from this vineyard are full of ďŹ&#x201A;avor and are made of high quality. Some other fantastic wineries producing wines in Sonoma include, Cline which is noted for their Zinfandel and producing unusual wines for California, Mouvedre, and Carignane.

Kenwood produces some wines from inexpensive, to the Jack

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"Eye of newt, and toe of frog, Wool of bat, and tongue of dog, Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting, Lizard's leg, and howlet's wing,-For a charm of powerful trouble, Like a hell-broth boil and bubble."

Macbeth (IV, i, 14-15)

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By Heather Kelly, Director of Operations, NoRA Cupcake Company Photos: Winter Caplanson, Connecticut Food & Farm

How I Halloween...

We’re now in the month of Hallows Eve - how can you not love a holiday that celebrates both equal parts mischief and spending a whole night collecting sugar? The lead up and party prep is almost half the fun - and we’ve got plenty of ideas on how you can transform your treats for the occasion.

Nothing wrong with a little DIRT cake dressed up with a gummy worm to get the kids (and adults) in theme. Much more appetizing than its name lets on, this cupcake is a huge hit with OREO lovers. The more chocolate, the better. Our tried and true recipe features a chocolate cupcake filled with chocolate pudding, chocolate buttercream frosting, covered in oreo crumbs and green sugar with a gummy worm poppin’ right out. If you’re not so much a chocolate person (say it ain’t so!) you can add in a cream cheese and cool whip mixture to layer with the chocolate pudding to cut the richness. As long as the gummy worm is on top, you’re good to go!

Looking to step up the gore factor? Our DRACULA creation is as blood red as it can get and easy to make. Take a chocolate cupcake, core out the middle and stuff with cherry pie filling, take some red food coloring and mix into your vanilla buttercream to get that deep, deep red. A little sprinkle on top makes all the difference, too. Dusting some red glitter sugar on top will make it so eye catching that no vampire will be able to resist.

Once all the celebrations are coming to an end - don’t get stuck with a drawer full of fun size candy bars to tempt you.

Mash ‘em all up, mix ‘em into a cake batter, and you’re on your way to some delicious CANDY CAKES. Our favorite candies to mix in are anything that comes in chocolate bar form - Snickers, Milky Way, Three Musketeers - and you can never go wrong with throwing some M+M’s into the mix as well. Frost with a simple vanilla or chocolate buttercream and throw whatever you’ve got left for candy chunks right on top.

We’ll be making the final tweaks to our upcoming HALLOWEEN 2018 Menu to have it available in store at our Middletown and West Hartford locations for Mid-October. Let us do the work for you and impress your little ghouls just in time for trick or treat!

NoRa Cupcake Company (860) 788-3150 700 Main St, Middletown, CT 06457 noracupcake.com

OCTOBER EVENTS

76 october 1- 26 Westbrook “Pentimento: Recent Works,” an art exhibition featuring works by members of the group Pentimento at the Valentine H. Zahn Community Gallery at Middlesex Hospital Shoreline Medical Center.

The Gallery is open during regular business hours and is located at 250 Flat Rock Place, Westbrook, CT. For more information, contact Middlesex Hospital at 860-358-6200 or zahngallery@gmail.com.

Month of october- Westbrook Live entertainment on the Water at Waters edge Resort & Spa. Please go to watersedgeresortandspa.com/events for our complete list of events.

- Sunday, 10/7/18 - frankie Valli and the four Seasons Tribute Dinner Show. 6pm-10pm. $49++ Tickets available online or by calling the front desk 860-399-5901.

- Saturday, 10/6/18 – outdoor Harvest festival and Concert featuring the music of Neil young. 3pm. $10 in advance, $20 at the door. Tickets available online or by calling the front desk 860-399-5901.

- friday, 10/19/18 – Barry Manilow Tribute Dinner Show. 6pm10pm. $49++ Tickets available online or by calling the front desk 860-399-5901.

- Monday – friday, 10/22/18 – 10/26/18 – Water’s edge fall fest with Spa, Hotel and Dining Specials.

- Thursday, 10/26/18 – Halloween Bistro Bash sponsored by 19 Crimes and Walking Dead Wines. 6pm-10pm. Costume contest with prizes and giveaways, DJ and dancing, extended happy hour specials - Trivia and NfL football every Monday night - Live Blues every Tuesday night - Live Jazz every Wednesday night - Live music every friday and Saturday night - Award winning Brunch every Sunday Water’s Edge Resort and Spa, 1525 Boston Post Road, Westbrook, CT For info, call 860-399-5901 or visit www.WatersEdgeResortAndSpa.com october 1 - 28 Wallingford Trail of Terror. Hiding in the woods at the end of a lonesome road is a world of fright and fantasy that will test one's mettle, temper one's cavalier courage, torment one's sanity, and taint one's soul.

The Trail resides on four appalling acres of forsaken forest. (Parental discretion is advised. Not recommended for children under the age of 10). Dates: Sept. 29, Oct. 5-7, 12-14, 19-21, 26-28. Address 60 North Plains Hwy. Wallingford, CT 06492 Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m.-11 p.m., Sun. 7 p.m.-10 p.m. http://www.trailofterror.com info@trailofterror.com

Month of october- Branford october fun Days at Lennys Indian Head Restaurant!

- Sunday Build your own Order a Bloody Mary – we’ll pour the spirits, and you build your own cocktail with a selection of tomato juices, hot sauces, bacon, stuffed olives, pickled veggies and more!

- Sunday House Roasted Turkey Dinners with all the fixins.

- Monday Night football and Trivia 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Enjoy the game and trivia! Gather a team of up to six players and match wits with other teams. Our players arrive by 7:00 pm and settle in for six rounds of questions. Participants enjoy $2 Bud and Bud Light Pints as well as free buffalo wings at "half-time" and prizes!

- Thursdays - Ladies' Night 5:00 am - 10:00 pm $5 House Wines, $6 select martinis and reduced select appetizers - at the bar only.

- friday Happy Hour 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Enjoy $2 Bud Light bottles and free Buffalo wings from 4-6 pm.

Lennys 205 South Montowese St (Rt. 146) Branford, CT 06405 www.lennysnow.com 203-488-1500

october 1 - 13 The Carriage Barn Arts Center in Waveny Park kicked of the 2018/19 season with last Sunday’s opening of the 2018 Member Show. The show features over 150 pieces that celebrate the range, interests, and talents of Carriage Barn member artists working across all subjects, styles, and media in art. Nancy Woodward’s piece Two Stories won the Betty Barker Award for best in show. The exhibit runs through October 13 and gallery hours are Wednesday-Saturday from 10am-3pm and Sundays from 1-5pm (note the gallery will close at 3pm on 9/30). Admission is free and open to the public. Other upcoming programs and events include: Live Jazz Night & Album Release Party (oct. 6) Michael-Louis Smith returns to the Carriage Barn with Brooklyn Circle for a night of live jazz and album release party.

“Capturing Waveny” Plein Air event (oct 6/7) On Saturday, October 6 & Sunday October 7 artists will be painting, sketching and photographing scenes throughout Waveny Park. All are invited to participate or come see the artists at work. Completed works showcasing New Canaan’s Waveny Park will be exhibited and for sale in the gallery October 18-21st. For details and to register as an artist visit carriagebarn.org.

“Art for Alz” Call for entries (opening oct. 26) A call for entries is currently underway for “Art For Alz,” a special exhibit opening October 26 to benefit the Alzheimer’s Association of Connecticut. The theme of the exhibit is Love & Light and artists can submit their work online at carriagebarn.org/alz by October 6.

Carriage Barn Arts Center, 681 South Avenue, New Canaan, CT 06840 www.carriagebarn.org | (203) 594-3638

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october 1-14 Ivoryton once. On the streets of Dublin, an Irish musician about to give up on his dreams and a beautiful young Czech immigrant are drawn together by their shared love of music. Over the course of one fateful week, an unexpected friendship and collaboration quickly evolves into a powerful but complicated love story, underscored by emotionally charged music. Featuring an impressive ensemble of actor/musicians who play their own instruments onstage, Once is an unforgettable story about going for your dreams and the power of music to connect us all. Featuring all of the magical songs from the critically acclaimed film, including the Oscar-winning “Falling Slowly,” this achingly beautiful, joyously uplifting show strikes an unforgettable chord in audiences and speaks to the power of music to connect us all. A show like that only comes around Once.Theatre Address 103 Main Street, Ivoryton, CT 06442 Box Office Phone: 860.767.7318 info@ivorytonplayhouse.org october 1 - November 9 old Lyme New england Landscape exhibition. Lyme Art Association member artists and select invited artists will be exhibited in this annual exhibition of landscape paintings from around New England. 90 Lyme St. Old Lyme, CT 06371 (860) 434-7802 www.lymeartassociation.org

october 5 - 7 Guilford Designers Circus “Pop-Up” Clothing & Accessories event Returns to Guilford Art Center. Designers Circus, a Boston-based creative fashion and accessories event, is returning to Guilford and will hold a “pop-up” sale in the gallery at the Guilford Art Center. The sale will be open on Friday, October 5 from 10am – 6pm, Saturday, October 6 from 10am – 6pm & Sunday, October 7 from 11 am – 3 pm. Designers Circus is an “under-the-radar” sale, featuring new boutique women’s clothing at wholesale prices that are 50-90% below regular retail prices. Shoppers will find creative fashions and accessories from over 70 domestic and international small-scale designers. The Shop at Guilford Art Center will also be open, with handcrafted accessories, jewelry, home decor and more, to complement purchases. Designers Circus will benefit Guilford Art Center’s educational programs. Admission is free. All sales are final; there are no returns, refunds, credits or exchanges. Designer Circus Pop-Up Shopping Event at Guilford Art Center. Admission is free. For more information contact Guilford Art Center at www.guilfordartcenter.org or 203-453-5947.

OCTOBER EVENTS

october 1 - November 11 New London Hidden Water: Paintings and Sculpture by Judy Cotton opens at the Lyman Allyn. The Lyman Allyn Art Museum is pleased to announce an exhibition of paintings and sculpture by Australian born contemporary artist Judy Cotton. In an environment impacted by global warming, Cotton creates artwork with a focus on water, glaciers, melting ice, and insect life, offering a meditation on the natural world and the forces that threaten its balance.

Hidden Water: For more information contact Rebecca Marsie Director of Communications & Visitor Services. Lyman Allyn Art Museum, 625 Williams St, New London, CT 06320.

860.443.2545 x2112

october 4 Mystic ToNGUe IN CHeeK is a solo exhibition of the of Bryan work Gorneau, an awardwinning sculptor and mixed media artist from the Connecticut shoreline.

Gorneau plays with events and visuals of pop culture, incorporating elements of traditional Americana including famous images, photographs, street signs, and historic headlines to invite the viewer to rethink various cultural concepts and the status quo. After studying sculpture at the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts and graduating from the Central Wyoming College Welding Program, Gorneau apprenticed with renowned local sculptor Gilbert Boro and later managed Boro’s sculpture fabrication studio.

A member of Gallery One and frequent contributor to juried shows at MMoA, Gorneau has shown at various venues throughout the county, including the Hygienic Art Gallery in New London, CT; the Art Spot International Art Fair in Miami, FL; and most recently in the Hoxie Gallery at the Westerly Public Library. Join us for the Opening Reception of Bryan Gorneau’s solo exhibition Tongue in Cheek – Thursday, October 4th from 5:30 to 7pm. Mystic Museum of Art, 9 Water Street, Mystic, CT 06355 (860) 536-7601

OCTOBER EVENTS

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october 5 Chester Please join us for the opening reception of the autumn exhibit of new paintings of the artists Home and Travels by Leif Nilsson on Friday, October 5th from 5 - 8 pm with Live Music by The Arrowhead Band during the Come Home To Chester Days Eve on the First Friday of October at the Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio and Gallery, One Spring Street, Chester, CT nilssonstudio.com 860-526-2077 october 12 - Nov 12, Madison Vincent Giarrano: City Life, Susan Powell fine Art. Join us for nationally acclaimed realist artist, Vincent Giarrano's 10th solo exhibition at the gallery. Opening Reception to meet the artist is Friday, October 12, from 5 to 8 pm, wine and hors d'oeuvres will be served. Vincent Giarrano's new series explores contemporary women living their lives in New York City. Soho streets, hip, historic, and atmospheric cafes, restaurants and bar environments, workshops, rooftops and interiors set the scenes for his subjects. Susan Powell Fine Art is located at 679 Boston Post Road, Madison, CT, near the Fire Station. Gallery Hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11am to 5pm, Sundays by appointment. Please call 203 318-0616 for more information. View works online at www.susanpowellfineart.com october 19 -- Stonington opening Reception: friday 5-8 pm.

The Dennis Sirrine Gallery is pleased to announce a new exhibition of paintings by Dennis Sirrine and a collection of bronze sculpture by guest artist Renee Rhodes. Rhodes, an accomplished CT sculptor, designed and sculpted a monumental bronze sculpture of the Greek goddess Athena, protector of cities. "Athena Stands Watch" was the newest addition this summer to New London's downtown public art collection, standing on the corner of Pearl Street and Eugene O'Neill Drive at the city's redesigned municipal parking lot. Join us for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres Friday evening in the beautiful seaside borough of Stonington. This recently opened gallery is located at 155 Water Street. Gallery hours: Weekends 12 noon - 5 pm. Weekdays by chance or appointment. Call 860-287-9320 for app't or further information. www.dennissirrine.com, sirrinestudio@gmail.com and Dennis Sirrine Gallery on Facebook

october 27 - Mystic “Night and Day” Sat. 4:30-7:30 The Finer Line Gallery is pleased to offer new works by Del-Bourree Bach and Sarah Stifler Lucas. The “Night and Day” show opens Saturday, October 27, 4:30-7:30 pm and will run through November. Offering Local Artwork, Custom Framing, Art Supplies & Classes, Online Ordering, Shipping & Delivery. 48 W. Main St, Mystic CT (860) 536-8339. Hours 10-6 Mon-Sat; 12-5 Sunday. Ecommerce website: finerlinegallery.com

october 27 - December 31 New Milford from the Mountains to the Shore: The Transcendence of New england Moments. New Paintings by Thomas Adkins At Gregory James Gallery Oct. 27 through Dec. 31. We all reach for smart phone cameras to document the drama of sunsets and poetic landscapes, but the photographic lens tends to preserve either a single highlight or a general expanse of diluted drama. By contrast, the fully nuanced visual and emotional impact of New England landscapes are masterfully recorded in the oil paintings of Southbury, Conn., artist Thomas Adkins. When encountering spring brightening a Connecticut lake, Adkins notes the carefree clouds amid soft, friendly blues, pays attention to the shifting tones of the water, and ties it all together with a flourish of yellow daffodils along the shore. A Cape Cod tidal river is a symphony of colors in another painting, and yet Adkins manages to convey the absolute stillness of the morning. These scenes and many others are included in an upcoming exhibit at the Gregory James Gallery of new paintings from some of the artist’s favorite places—the Litchfield Hills, northern Vermont, the Midcoast of Maine, Monhegan Island, and Cape Cod. The exhibit opens Oct. 27 and continues through Dec. 31. An opening reception is scheduled for 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 27. For more information on the exhibit, call the Gregory James Gallery at (860) 354-3436. The gallery’s website is gregoryjamesgallery.com.

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