Donald Saaf knew at an early age, while drawing comic books with his siblings, that he wanted to be an artist. He began painting as a teen and later moved from Hartford to Boston, where he studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. A year in Mexico on a travel scholarship, living with indigenous people in a small village with his wife — painter Julia Zanes — led to a show at the Clark Gallery in Lincoln, Massachusetts that launched his career. Now his work is widely exhibited in galleries, museums and private collections in New England and beyond as Saaf, who lives in Marlboro, Vermont, divides his time between painting, teaching, illustrating children’s books, carving stone and playing music. Saaf’s work reflects his strong interest in the intersectionality of fine art and folk art. Both forms find their way into his paintings reflecting community, people and experience. … [Read more...] about Donald Saaf: Fine Art Meets Folk Art
connection
LAYERS AND LIGHT: JOHNSON AND MEHTA AT BEACON
FEATURED GALLERY LAYERS & LIGHT: THE ARTWORK OF AJA JOHNSON AND LORI MEHTA While much of what a gallery owner or curator does goes unseen — the behind-the-scenes tasks of running an arts business — to me, one of the primary jobs of this profession is making connections. It is the connections found between artists, their work, the public and the art market that can infect an audience with enthusiasm (or not) and can bring art to life. A certain amount of sophistication is required to do this — as is a solid art background and a good eye. What will resonate with the audience? How will the artists complement or contrast with one another, and what is the current artistic trend? These are all considerations; but sometimes the connections are less obvious and need to be mined. The finale of bringing together these elements results in a unique and growing artist stable and, … [Read more...] about LAYERS AND LIGHT: JOHNSON AND MEHTA AT BEACON