Author: Anna Harding

Charles McCaughtry

Award winning watercolorist Charles McCaughtry is from Ashford, CT. His paintings show incredible skill and sensitivity. Charles often hosts open studio visits for the public but will schedule private showings as well.

CharleS’ next open studio will be saturday April 27th; Sunday April 28th; Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th of 2024. Hours for all days are 10am to 6pm. The studio is located at 44 Portland Drive in Ashford. Phone: 860-429-1016.

 Salt Creek Low Tide, 9.5×13.5, watercolor  $600,   October Yellow , 9.5×13.5, watercolor  $600
Charles McCaughtry, At the Falls , 13.5×9.5 , watercolor $ 600.

New work for Charles’ Open Studio – April 28, May 1st, 7 and 8, 2022

  • Salt Creek Low Tide, 9.5×13.5, watercolor  $600.
  • October Yellow , 9.5×13.5, watercolor  $600.
  • At the Falls , 13.5×9.5 , watercolor  $ 600.
  • January Sunrise, 9.5×13.5, watercolor  $600.

framed size of each is 16×20 inches

Charles on Facebook
Email Charles
View his Website

January Sunrise, 9.5×13.5, watercolor, $600.

Charles on Facebook
Email Charles
View his Website

Mayfly Hatch 9×13” ( 16×20 framed) $ 600.
Charles is responsible for helping in the reintroduction of trout to our Connecticut rivers and. streams. An avid fisherman and environmentalist, Charles has a masterful way of capturing these magnificent creatures in his watercolor paintings as well as his hook!
Charles is a self employed artist. Let’s support our local artists!

Evening Beach 21×29” ( 28×36 framed) $ 2200.
This large peaceful scene painted was painted with soft colors and great skill using watercolors by Charles McCaughtry, this week’s featured artist, and it is available.

Evening Reflections 13×21” ( 20×28 framed) $1100.
Charles loves to go out rowing and fishing. So paintings like this come from a deep and centered place.

Swamp Brook 9×13” ( 16×20 framed ) $ 600.
His paintings show incredible skill and sensitivity. Charles often hosts open studio visits for the public but will schedule private showings as well.

Click onto any image to start a slideshow.

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Anna Harding

Find Anna on Facebook
Anna’s Etsy Shop

Anna Harding’s work transcends ordinary stained glass to become treasured keepsakes. She originates from Cape Cod, and the sea is occasionally still a theme in her artwork; incorporating shells with crystals and charms into her glass boxes, wall hangings, sun catchers and wedding invitation boxes. Over the years she has enjoyed working in a variety of media such as painting and painting restoration, ceramics, glass, jewelry design, graphic design and website design. She has a BFA in art education and has held certifications in picture framing, IT and teaching.
All items include free shipping. People can either contact her through Facebook or order on Etsy. She will also do custom colors and custom designs.

Pressed Flower Suncatcher $10
A pretty suncatcher with real pressed flowers! These make a great little gift for Mom, a friend or anyone needed a little pick me up during these times!

Little Box for MOM $32
This pretty ring box features real pressed flowers on top. It’s the perfect keepsake for your mother to use as a ring box on her desk, bureau, nightstand or near the bathroom or kitchen sink.

Wedding/Bat Mitzvah/Special Occasion boxes
Custom made with your invitation between glass. A keepsake that will last forever. More info on her blog.

Steampunk small wall hanging $18 ea.
Handmade with gorgeous stained glass and charms, it will add a magical touch to your window, wall or wherever you’d like.

Dragonfly Box, $32
This small 3″across x2″deep x2″high features a pretty dragonfly with AB crystal eyes. Can be made in any color you choose!

Victorian Wall Hanging
Based on a vintage design, this wall hanging will look lovely in a window.

Waterhouse NK $38
This very romantic pendant was created using an image by John Waterhouse called Flora and the Zephyrs. The metal is a lead free pewter, done in the Tiffany stained glass method with the addition of stamping into molten solder. It’s a fun technique to do and makes a great conversation piece! The bail is stamped metal copper. The solder is then finished with a coppery/brass patina. Pendant is 1″wide x 2″ high.

Click onto any image to start a slideshow.

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Suzy Staubach

Suzy Staubach

Willow Tree Pottery
Suzy on Facebook

By appointment. Social distancing. Can deliver locally or ship.

Suzy Staubach is a potter and writer living in Ashford. Her most recent book, published by Timber Press, is A Garden Miscellany: An Illustrated Guide to the Elements of the Garden, available at all bookstores and from bookshop.org. Email Suzy to arrange for an autographed copy.

Suzy makes pots for the table and kitchen inspired by the pottery of ancient Korea, French and English country pottery, and early American pottery. She works in her quiet Ashford studio making platters, oven to table baking dishes, mugs, pitchers, serving pieces, bowls, dinner sets and more. Meant for use, her pots can withstand the rigors of cooking yet they look elegant on the table. Her primary tools are her kick wheel and her downdraft kiln. Her earthy glazes – deep red, willow green, oatmeal tan, white – are food safe and made from clays and feldspars in her studio.

Depending upon the Governor’s guidelines, Suzy may welcome visitors to her gardens and pottery for CT Open House Day in June. Check her website and Facebook page for details. Phone and email orders are always welcome.

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Knitting 101: Basic Scarf with Cathey Gidman

Knitting 101: Basic Scarf

with Cathey Gidman

Ever thought about trying to knit?
Come and begin the adventure! 

“To Knit” means to interlock loops of wool or yarns with needles or machine. In this workshop, you will learn the basics of knitting; including needle selection, yarn selection, and the two most basic stitches. The challenge in knitting lies in the development of consistency throughout your stitches. By mastering these two stitches, the knit stitch and purl stitch, the world of knitting opens. 

Cathey began knitting over four decades ago. While making her way through all types of knitting, today she is most known for her knitted socks and fingerless gloves. She calls her work ‘practical art’ as everything she makes is intended for use. Using yarns from bamboo and super wools, all her creations are machine wash and dry, “why have a pair of socks you cannot put into the washer and dryer?” she says. As the years go by, her style evolves, and the patterns will change, but her love for hand knit socks will always remain. 

Contact Cathey Gidman to Register
(860) 450 – 9153 or GidmanCL@gmail.com

The workshop is FREE to members; $5 for non-members.
$10 Materials Fee for all participants (will take home yarn and needles)

MUST PRE-REGISTER – SPOTS ARE LIMITED 

November 7 – Fraktur Basics w. Valerie Oliver

Fraktur Basics Workshop
Early PA German Decorated Documents
Thursday, November 7th
with Valerie Oliver

 Valerie B. Oliver was born in Nashua, NH; she graduated from Classical H.S., Springfield, MA, received her BS in Mathematics from St. Lawrence Univ. in 1960 and MLS from McGill Univ. in 1961. Her professional career as a librarian began at the Research Labs Library at United Aircraft. Her many  years as a Reference Ln. at UCONN’s Homer Babbidge Library, culminated with the publication of her book,Fashion and Costume in American Popular Culture, a reference guideby Greenwood Press in 1996.  

  Her interests in early American decoration began in the early 1970s with teacher Florence Rainville of Uncasville, CT. She became an Historical Society of Early American Decoration (HSEAD) member in 1997, eventually serving as Connecticut Charter Oak Chapter Chairman, then as an HSEAD Trustee and finally as HSEAD President 2011-2012.  She currently serves as their Historian and as assistant editor of their journal The Decorator.  Her decorative painting work consists of country painting on metal and wood, stenciling, freehand bronze work, gold leaf work and reverse glass painting (all using historically documented patterns).  Reproducing old designs such as those seen on the 18th-19th c. Pennsylvania German decorated documents called frakturs  involves  work with a pen and with watercolor paints, a process  both easily and enjoyably performed.  The designs have many uses  i.e. cards, bookplates, letter heads or simply framed for display.

FREE for AAC members
$5.00 for Non-members
Contact Valerie for Materials List
To register, please email or call burnhamvaleriehunter@gmail.com
860-429-1125

Fractur Painting – January 15

Valerie Oliver will teach the traditional Fractur Painting method.

  • Location: Ashford Senior Center
  • January 15, 2022 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Fractur art by Valerie Oliver

Are you an AAC Member who would like to present a workshop?
Contact Darcie Boiano today, send an email with a subject line of “AAC Workshop” to boiano.darcie@gmail.com

business tips for artists! digital art! drama! drawing! fiber art! mixed media painting! photography! dance! sculpture! writing! woodwork
IF YOU HAVE A PASSION FOR IT, OTHERS MAY TOO!

Click Here for Printable Presenter Form
Click Here for Printable Presenter Requirements

If you have any questions, please text, e-mail Darcie Boiano with a subject line of “AAC Workshop” to boiano.darcie@gmail.com

“PLEASE NOTE: YOU MUST BE A MEMBER OF THE AAC TO BE A WORKSHOP PRESENTER”

2019 AAC Scholarship Recipients

Meet our 2019 AAC Scholarship Recipients

Ashford Arts Council Scholarship
AAC awards two scholarships per year to graduating art students at EO Smith High School – one for the performing arts and one for the visual arts. These students are chosen because they have taken two or more courses in their area; exhibited enthusiasm, interest, honesty and integrity; and produced quality work viewed or open to the public. The reciepts plan on pursuing their interest vocationally or as an avocation.

Andrea Arel – Performing Arts

Andrea Arel

Andrea is a senior member the wind ensemble, string orchestra, and choir.  She has also performed in the pit band for musicals and sung with the Women’s Choir.  Outside of E.O. Smith, she has auditioned for and performed with the Connecticut Music Educator’s Eastern Region Band and the New England Music Festival Band.  Andrea has a strong character and impeccable work ethic that is unmatched by most. She is a natural leader who has been an integral part of the EO Smith Music Department for the past 4 years.  Next year she will continue her studies as Music Education major at the University of Connecticut.

Eco Manso-Rich – Visual Arts

Eco has been an outstanding member of the visual arts community since her sophomore year at E.O. Smith. She is a kind and creative young woman who has revealed a life-long appreciation for the arts. From digital imagery, music videos, set design. painting and illustration, she has demonstrated the characteristics of a stellar student artist. Eco’s work has been showcased in winter and spring art shows for the past 3 years. Her interactive projects engage the viewer and lead them to their interpretations. Art will continue to be an avenue of exploration in her college studies next year.

Eco Manso-Rich

April 11 – Charles McCaughtry – PAINTING

An artists’ workshop for all levels of experience. Introducing a limited palette with a wide range of creative options, color and hue balance, saturation compatibility, neutral grays, and pigment density.

For your convenience we will use water media, watercolor or acrylic but the theory is applicable to all media.

Phone (860) 429-1016 for the material list and to sign up.
REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

June 1 – Writing Stroll

ASHFORD ARTS COUNCIL PRESENTS!

A WRITING STROLL with Marian Matthews

June 1, 2019 10am to 2pm

Rain date: June 2, 10 am to 2 pm

To register please call Marian Matthews (860) 477-0318

Explore your inner creativity by participating in this low-stress but invigorating writing activity. No previous writing experience or drafts required–just bring something to write with and something to write on. We will meet at Storrs Center to start. Then with a small group, we will move around to various places in the area, Storrs and/or the University, taking the opportunity to write in each place.

The area provides inspiration in a variety of ways–through its rich history and architecture, its museums, activities in the various retail establishments, its beautiful natural setting and more.

Your writing also will be inspired by the mutual sharing of the work of your colleagues.

This fun activity will be led by Marian Matthews, Ashford resident, previous professor of education and Director of the High Plains Writing Project in New Mexico and the Central Connecticut Writing Project, now retired. She has over 20 years of experience in helping novice and experienced writers find their voices. Come find yours.