Wayside Inn to the North Shore

January thaw came at a nice time Tuesday the 8th when I went to the North Shore after first going to the Wayside Inn. No matter how many times I walk the pathway to the Inn, it is so wonderful to experience. I wanted to check on the last minute details of the class I'll be giving Saturday.

After that I went through Swampscott about an hour away and took a moment just to reflect the beautiful day again. My daughter Vanessa took Janice and I to Anthony's Pier Four Cafe that overlooks Lynn Shore beach for dinner one evening after my special 40th Anniversary exhibit I had in Marblehead two years ago.

I then continued to Marblehead to the King Hooper Mansion where my gallery is on the second floor and brought in some new paintings. The historic mansion is the home of the Marblehead Arts Association where there are many events and activities throughout the year. There are many views of the old town from the windows toward the harbor each day and I use it as the wallpaper screen on my computer. When you visit the mansion , be sure to tour all the the different galleries in the three floors and the wine cellar which was the old kitchen. I not only have paintings there but also original art signs, decorated old tin pieces, drawings, prints, post cards and unique painted pieces such as the very collectible pine wood houses and barns in all sizes that is "Old New England". I met a couple there Tuesday that didn't know the gallery was my work and asked if everything he saw was the "founders" gallery because he had seen the work in the summer and it had that old look. I hadn't heard that before but that is the feeling of what my work can bring ........... as if it did exist back in time.

Christmas Visiting Falcon

It was quite a surprise to look out the kitchen window to see a falcon looking around maybe wondering what might be inside. Janice did set a fine table with a wonderful dinner but, that was for all our children visiting this Christmas.
Janice especially has a great receipe for an egg plant casserole among other dishes served which was enjoyed by all.
The falcon then settled on one of the many pine trees that are in the back of the studio. It seemed quite content to watch everything around with no fears from being photographed.
When you too visit, you may experience seeing a falcon at the Gallery / Studio, full of houses and paintings where I'm looking forward in '08 to creating a much more. So far in '07 I have done 457 different works. Just give a call first to be sure I am in. I'll be taking trips on occassion to my gallery at the King Hooper Mansion in historic old down town Marblehead, Massachusetts.
Happy New Year!

Workshop at the Wayside Inn

October 26th through the28th was the Country Folk Art Festival in Marlborough where I introduced the next class to be at the Wayside Inn. On Saturday January 12th, the small decorative pine stool will be the project. Sunday, January 13th, will be the receipt box. I noticed that most were interested in the pine stool, so as a result there may be two days for the pine stool and I will schedule the receipt box later.
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn the painting and finishing of working in wood.
The class starts at 9:30 am until 4:30pm spending a memorable day at the Wayside Inn enjoying this very special time in painting. There are muffins and coffee served by the fireplace in the morning with a five course luncheon served in the old kitchen at noon.
The cost is $185.00 and seating is limited so please call the Inn for more information and your reservation at 1-978-443-1776. Some also make it a weekend by staying in one of ten rooms at the Inn which is an even more enjoyable experience.

See you before you know it...........

Upcoming shows

I've been busy creating paintings for the upcoming three shows this season, two of which are the first time for me. This will be my 18th year at the Country Folk Art Festival at the Royal Plaza Trade Center, Route 20 one mile west of I-495, Marlborough, Massachusetts. The opening is Friday evening, October 26th from 6 p.m. - 10.p.m., Saturday, the 27th from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Sunday the 28th 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. I'm looking forward to exhibiting my new work including Halloween paintings,tinware, art signs, boxes of different kinds... even an old shoe shine box. I'll also be showing for the first time the project for the next class at the Wayside Inn in Sudbury,January 12th and 13th. of '08.
November17th is a new show in Marblehead, Massachusetts and it's at the St. Andrew's Church, 135 Lafayette St., (Rte. 114) from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. I'll have some works of my old home town as well as for the season.
Saturday,December 1st I will be at a small quality show, New England Artisans Showcase, at the Glastonbury Abbey Confrence Center, 16 Hull St. Rte 3A, a short distance from the major intersection of Rte 228, Hingham, Massachusetts.
I also will have work at my gallery at the Marblehead Arts Association, 8 Hooper Street, Marblehead and of course at my Studio & Gallery in Glastonbury, Connecticut.

Lucky Chances with Sevens

July 7,2007 is a one of a kind day in history and I wanted to commemorate the time with this special painting. I painted this based on pure imagination and created the forerunner of the gambling casinos of today with the character I named "Lucky Chances". The pig "Lucky" pulls the cart of chances through New England countryside towns providing a one armed bandit along with extra special dice and other games of chance. He is blasting the arrival with a horn and the sounds of the pig's bells jingling along excites the town folks running to the tavern where they will take their chances for a penny. I also made this painting a puzzle to figure out in counting all the representations of "seven" to honor this day. Can you find all the twenty-one sets of seven? I finished at 7:17 pm and it happens to have the catalog number 177/07. I plan to make these special paintings each year until 2012 with different stories and subjects. Lucky Chances is an 11 x 14 painting on streched canvas with an hand painted pine frame. This special piece of time frozen is available for the collector that would like to add to their collection this unique work. If this is still available, I will be showing the painting at the Country Folk Art Festival in Marlborough, Massachusetts October 26th,27th,and 28th or you can visit the gallery here in Glastonbury, Connecticut.

Decorative Country Murals

There are many styles and subjects in creating mural paintings. I recently did some decorative mural painting using colors based on those in the home here in Glastonbury. I do however travel the New England area satisfying the needs of many. In this first design for a narrow hallway, the monochrome tones and colors worked out well. This scene has a sense of "opening up" the space. Hanging work on the wall even further reduced the hallway width, so Jennifer had me look at it when I suggested this design. She said that she liked animals so in the painting you'll find her dogs, some birds, ducks, horses, deer and even a moose to name a few. Now every time in the comings and goings of the day, one can have the feeling of walking along the peaceful country river.

The stairway seemed to need something as well, so a variation of the theme was created. This provided a relaxation view of the river while sitting in the living room.

When there is the right space, mural painting can be very satisfying and bring another dimension to an area in your home or business.

Collection of Art Signs

I have been creating decorative signs ever since I first started business in 1966 preserving the memories of everything from "Wild Maine Blueberry Muffins", "Old Taverns and Inns" to sayings, street names and places in towns. A favorite place of mine on the North Shore of Boston is Marblehead and Newburyport. I encourage you to visit there this summer. Be sure to let me know when and I just might be able to meet you at the store or gallery where I exhibit. I will be exhibiting at my Gallery on the second floor of the King Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper Street, home of the Marblehead Arts Association, a wonderful Art Sign collection, just in time for the great celebration of the Arts Festival in town. I also have a collection of Art Signs and other examples of Folk Art in Newburyport at My Country Store, 2 Market Square.

These sign boards have an unique old quality in each but were made from pine boards used in building my art studio and gallery in Glastonbury, Connecticut. On some of the Art Signs I have used copper designs of stars, hearts, figures and other symbols cut from old chimney flashing,which adds a little extra interest.

Custom order your own Art Signs by sending me an email at chris@christophergurshin.com or call 860-633-7707.