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Tom Geoghan - painter, musician and volunteer

2010-02-23T09:46:00.000-08:00

Tom Geoghan, a painter and musician was recently featured on Artists in the Blueline, a weekly talk radio show which airs on WSLP 93.3. Tom a retired teacher from New York City taught disadvantaged youth. Tom began painting later in life during a summer vacation. He devotes much of his time, now to painting, playing the saxophone and flute, and volunteering.

Tom and his wife Penny are experienced volunteers for the North Country Chapter of the American Red Cross. Tom and Penny have volunteered for many natural disasters on the east coast.

For many years I purchased Tom’s paintings in a small gallery in St. Lawrence County. At the time, I did not realize that the proceeds from the sale of his artwork are donated to the American Red Cross and other organizations in the upstate New York.

Tom’s objective in selling copies of his original artwork is to make the work affordable – the cost of a greeting card or close to it.

I asked Tom what he wants to communicate through his paintings. “I want to burn their eyes with a flash of color.” When he said this, I realized that one of the reasons I had been so attracted to his work was the color factor.

Tom captures the essence of rural upstate New York with images of barns, farm scenes, and wildlife. "His work makes me feel at home in my heart. When I see his work - I feel connected with the landscape and culture of our region.” Judy O’Toole, host of Artists in the Blueline

Visit NBT Bank on Main Street in Lake Placid to see Tom's work in a special display. All proceeds collected from the sale of Tom Geoghan’s paintings will be donated to the North Country Chapter of the American Red Cross.

I am always interested in meeting with artists, musicians, and performers who live or spend time in the Adirondack region and surrounding communities. Contact Judy O'Toole at Email Here

The opening music "Tengo Todo" is performed by Piquant!

Todd Smith founder of the 7444 Gallery

2010-02-21T08:46:00.000-08:00

7444 Gallery Saranac Lake

This Sunday February 21, Todd Smith, designer and founder of the 7444 Gallery on Depot in Saranac Lake, is the featured guest on Artists in the Blueline.

The 7444 Gallery is situated in a historic building next to the scenic train depot in Saranac Lake. The Gallery space provides a light filled room to present contemporary art exhibits. The gallery now in its third year of operation has evolved from being open seasonally to year round for both art exhibits and outdoor events.

During our interview Todd Smith shares his vision for the gallery and how it relates to the local community of Saranac Lake as well as its role in developing Saranac Lake an arts destination

The Gallery aslo provides space for Smith, a designer and architect, to create and import inovative products. Smith is pictures with a portable fire starting kit. Below is a hot tub imported from Holland.

2010-02-12T05:18:00.000-08:00

Larry Stone

Featured guest this week on Artists in the Blueline is Larry Stone of Wilmington. Larry shares how music has been a part of his life and the places music has taken him, from his years growing up in Connecticut to years spent working as a professional musician.

Larry Stone grow up doing two things a lot - skiing and playing music. There was a third influence, farming but that has come into play later in life. Skiing and music have served Larry well. Now retired from a full-time career as a ski jump instructor Larry devotes his time to music and farming at Little Black Brook Farm in Wilmington.

Our interview began with a tour of the farm to see the fifteen beef cattle and an assortment of colorful chickens. We headed out into the pasture to visit with the cattle who greeted Larry and welcomed me. I did not expect beef cattle to be so passive and friendly. Larry explained the good temperament was a result of the breeding stock.

To learn more about Larry Stones farm and music visit Little Black Brook Farm . Larry plays at many local venues in the Tri-Lakes - Jems Theater(Jay), Waterhole(Saranac Lake), Wilmington summer concerts, and more.

Music selections for this show are from Shakin Bones and Dreams Die Hard.

The opening music "Tengo Todo" is performed by Piquant!

Georgeanne Gaffney Painter and Commercial Artist

2010-02-02T11:57:00.000-08:00

"My vision of completed works is sparked by flashes of visual images that occur within the complex layered stimuli of daily life. Through a combination of multi-media formats, I reassemble this vision by staging and manipulating subjects and compositions. My satisfaction and success lay in the interactive connection that viewers share with my work.."

Georgeanne Gaffney

When I stepped into Georgeanne Gaffney's studio in Saranac Lake, I was immediately amazed to see how the space had been transformed. I have been in the space prior when it was home to another business.

Where to look first ... Georgeannes studio is a showcase for her personal art which is displayed in the space and her commercial art. The two focusses - commercial art for the homes of her clients and her own art of landscapes and protraits seamlessly becomes one in the space.

Georgeanne has manipulated color and texture to enhance the studio/gallery space drawing the guest through the long narrow gallery space. Beside Georgeanne's worktable is an area to display the wide range of finishes she has created for clients homes. Georgeanne finishes cabinets, and decorative painting of all kinds in homes. She calls herself an antiquer.

Georgeanne and I discussed her path from art school to becoming a working artist. She has had lots of adventures in the journey to her current residence of Saranac Lake. Georgeanne also discussed producing commercial art and the shift of art community to accept this role of an artist. Tune in the hear the full interview on WSLPFM.com at 6pm on Sunday February 7th.

Artists who have influenced Georgeanne

Egon Shiele

Edouard Vuillard

Alphonse Mucha

This show features a selection of Bossa Nova music. Georgeanne listens to a variety of music but commented how much she enjoys this type of music. As you listen to the interview a there is background music from the 1920-30's .

Tim Fortune of The Small Fortune Studio in Saranac Lake

2010-01-27T10:47:00.001-08:00

Artists in the Blueline meets Tim Fortune of The Small Fortune Studio.

A small studio filled with paintings to reach the ceiling .... and in the midst.... painter Tim Fortune paints daily viewed by passersby and visitors into his studio and gallery. Tim Fortune, a painter, teacher, mentor, and businessman offers a unique opportunity to all those who visit his gallery.

A Saranac Lake native, Tim returned to Saranac Lake in the 90's after many years of living in Florida. At that time, Tim began taking active steps to lay the foundation for the now thriving arts community in Saranac Lake. Tim is the founding member of the Saranac Lake Artists Guild which has grown in both membership of artists and a larger gallery space.

I quickly felt at ease with Tim and enjoyed learning the story behind his career as a full time artist. I have passed The Small Fortune Studio many times to see Tim painting near the window. When I have mentioned to friends and co-workers that Tim Fortune is the guest this week several respond with, “I have always want to meet and talk with him.” Well I say - go on in and meet Tim Fortune!

Tim Fortune has found inspiration in the following artists.

You may visit Small Fortune Studio at 71 Main Street, Saranac Lake or by visiting online at The Small Fortune Studio

The music selection for this show is Ray Charles with the following playlist - Don't Set Me Free, I've Gotta Woman (live), Don't You Know, Roll With My Baby.

I am always interested in meeting with artists, musicians, and performers who live or spend time in the Adirondack region and surrounding communities. Contact Judy O'Toole at Email Here

The opening music "Tengo Todo" is performed by Piquant!

Chris Shaw at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake

2010-01-20T11:14:00.001-08:00

Artists in the Blueline travels to meet Chris Shaw at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. Chris shaw Adirondack singer, musician and songwriter

I recently traveled to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake to meet Chris Shaw, artist in residence for 2009 and 2010. Before our interview, I spent time listening to Chris' extensive cd catalog. I knew that meeting up with this prolific Adirondack singer and songwriter was an amazing opportunity. I didn't realize the full extent of the "Chris Shaw factor."

I stepped back in time and all time was lost – from the first word that Chris Shaw spoke, my imagination was captured and I could visualize each word he spoke. Shaw’s warm resonating voice and engaging personality drew the audience into his story. As our group toured several Adirondack Museum Exhibits, Chris Shaw spoke and performed related songs that transformed past events into memorable stories.

Chris Shaws' stories are filled with personal experiences. For many years I have been fascinated by the stories of "Hermit Rondeau." Rondeau, an Adirondack legend, lived in seclusion deep in the Adirondack forest. At the age of 6 Shaws' father took him into the woods to visit with Rondeau. Whether Shaw tells a story passed down from past generations or an actual event from his own life - you can't help but be caught up!

I was joined in this interview by Andrew Eggleton, a WSLP intern. Andrew, a music industry major at Oneonta College, assisted me in contacting artists and musicians during the summer of 2009. As a musician, Andrew had a special interest in meeting Chris Shaw. I am looking forward to summer 2010 and working with Andrew again.

Shaw Bio -

"An Adirondack singer, songwriter, and storyteller Christopher Shaw has toured all over the United States and Europe for more than 25 years. His music resides in the Library of Congress Folk Archives, his performances have taken him to such venerable venues as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian Institute, and the Chautauqua Institute."

Chris Shaw's Blog
Big Trout Radio
Chris Shaw Bridget Ball

Music selection for show; Uncle Walts Fishin Trip, The Ballad of Blue Mountain Lake, Wayfaring Stranger, How Can I Keep From Singing (with Bridget Ball - Big Front Porch CD)

I am always interested in meeting with artists, musicians, and performers who live or spend time in the Adirondack region and surrounding communities. Contact Judy O'Toole at Email Here

The opening music "Tengo Todo" is performed by Piquant!

2009-12-28T07:57:00.001-08:00

January 10 and 17th at 6pm - Interview airs on WSLP 93.3 or at WSLPFM.com with live streaming.

This week, Artists in the Blueline visits with paper artists Jill Littlewood and John LaFalce. In this two part interview, John and Jill share the language of paper - pulling a sheet, pulp painting and more. Pulp painting is an emerging art medium that is attracting artists to work "in paper" not just on the surface.

John LaFalce, artist in residence at Bluseed Studios in Saranac Lake has been instrumental in establishing a working paper mill at Bluseed. John has participated in the nationally known “combat paper project,” and “deep fried books.”

Jill Littlewood, of Santa Barbara California, has worked in the medium of paper for thirty years. Jill traveled to Saranac Lake to exhibit her latest work, a full room installation called “death and other lives,” at Bluseed Studios. Jill reveals that she chose this topic "because she wanted a topic big enough to be both mythic and encyclopedic. It was a good choice–death takes you everywhere.”

Meeting with John and Jill was informative, revealing and thought provoking.Both artists are passionate about the medium of paper, and using their artwork to encourage conversations about the political policies in the US and our roles as Americans in the world and at home.

This interview will be aired in two parts January 10th and 17th from 6-7pm. Please see links below as reference for the interview.

Friends of Dard Hunter
The Morgan Conservancy
Bluseed Studios
Renwick Museum

Music selections for part one of the interview as follows - "Far Away Boys" by Flogging Molly,"Wrong Embro" by The Rulers. These selections were made by John LaFalce.

Music selections for part two of the interview as follows - "American Woman" version by Lenny Kravitz, "Sweet Baby" by Macy Gray, "Free Me" Joss Stone "Summertime" by Janis Joplin.

2009-10-15T05:52:00.001-07:00

Welcome to Artists in the Blueline. This blog serves as a reference for the radio show Artists in the Blueline airing on WSLP 93.3 in Lake Placid, New York.

Let me begin by introducing myself. My name is Judy O'Toole, host of Artists in the Blueline.

Throughout my adult life I have have been interested in the art world. This interest began growing up in a small rural town in Connecticut. My mother painted and explored several art mediums as I grew up. When my mother set up her paints, I set up my box of watercolors and painted too. I have not continued to paint as an adult, but I have continued to be be creative. So now - Artists in the Blueline is born.

Artists in the Blueline, the radio show and blog offers easy access the arts in the Adirondack region. The Adirondack region is culturally rich with artists. We have access to many art exhibits and performances annually but we do not necessarily meet the artist or have a personal conversation with the person.

Artists in the Blueline allows listeners to meet an artist in an informal setting - right in your own home or car if you are traveling. This is an exciting opportunity to make new connections with our art community. The Adirondack artist is also our neighbor, local community member, or maybe a parent you meet at a school function.

As I have begun the interview process, meeting with artists in varied locations across the region, I am struck by the thougthfulness to both the creative process and community as well as the wealth of knowledge and experience that our art community has to share.

Artists in the Blueline is a seed being shared and planted for future use. Maturing from childhood to adulthood I realized that individuals are not necessarily gifted from birth as talented artists but well practiced in their craft. Everyone has a unique story of their creative journey.

I would like to sincerely thank the artists who have allowed me into their studios,homes, and thoughts.

Best

Judy O'Toole