Discovering her passion for fiber art after several career attempts, artist Diane Wright considers herself a “late bloomer.” But bloom she has — you’ll see why when you discover her breathtaking quilt creations during Open Studio Weekend. Number 39 on your Shoreline ArtsTrail map, Diane is exhibiting this weekend at the Guilford Art Center, located at 411 Church Street, Guilford.

“There’s a saying that says ‘bloom where you are planted,’ Diane will tell you. “It’s a corollary of ‘when given lemons make lemonade,’ and it seems to be my motto!”

“After raising three children, resigning from a successful career, resigning from a not-so-successful career and countless relocations spanning three continents,” she explains, breathlessly. “I discovered my passion!”

Since the 1990s, Diane’s focus has been on the fabric medium: fabric of all kinds, hand or machine stitched, often embellished with beads, fiber “shards” or found bits. Her work is noted for its use of color, original design and a variety of fabrics that includes commercial, foreign, hand painted and vintage pieces.

Her resume of exhibits is impressive, as she has exhibited in both solo and group shows throughout Connecticut and Massachusetts, as well as North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. She is a member of the Studio Art Quilt Association, Sisters in Cloth, Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective, and Connecticut Women Artists.

“I can very seriously say that I’d rather be in my quilting studio than any place on earth,” and you’ll understand when you set your eyes on her creations.

You can see examples of her work and read her reflections on being an artist on her delightful blog Diane Wright Art Quilts. And remember to stop by the Guilford Art Center during the Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 19-20. For more information, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.

— By Jen Payne, Words by Jen

Artist Maureen Wilkinson magically captures the light and energy of everyday moments in her paintings. You’ll have to stop by her studio to see them for yourself! Maureen was listed as number 23 on your Shoreline ArtsTrail map, but will be sharing space during Open Studio Weekend with Christine Chioccio, number 15. Their studio is located at 161 Thimble Islands Road in the Stony Creek section of Branford.

Working in both oils and watercolors, Maureen’s work includes pastoral scenes, seascapes, animals and portraits.

Perhaps you’ve seen her work before? It is included in a number of permanent collections including at United Technologies, The Coldwell Bank in Avon, Avon Old Farms Hotel, The Governors House in Simsbury, The Farmington Inn and the 1820 House in Simsbury.

She is a well-respected, local artist who is affiliated with the Essex Art Association, the Connecticut Watercolor Society, the Gallery On the Green in Canton, Avon Arts Association, the Guilford Art League and the Madison Art Society.

In addition to a fine career as an artist, Maureen has taught painting for over 20 years.

You can see examples of her work on her website, but do make time to stop by her studio during the Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 19-20. For more information, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.

— By Jen Payne, Words by Jen

Step into the fascinating world of artist Sid Werthan when you visit The Metal Way Studio, number 21 on your Shoreline ArtsTrail map. Located in an industrial park at 83 School Ground Road in Branford, this is one studio you do not want to miss!

Inside the four walls of his studio, you’ll find a variety of creative endeavors conceived by this artist who lists himself as a sculptor, photographer, and conceptual installation artist.

“I use a base of metal sculpture, found objects, digital photography, video and sound installation,” he says. “And combine all of that with Eastern aesthetics to merge the concepts of Japanese Zen Buddhism, martial arts doctrine, and the motorcycle.”

Like I said, you don’t want to miss this studio!

Located next to The Metal Way is Moonlit Path Martial Arts, a very unique space—as he explains:

“For this space, I transformed a former motorcycle repair shop into a martial arts studio using predominantly recycled materials. I deconstructed existing wooden shelves and created old-world Asian architectural styling cues.”

“As an installation artist, it was an opportunity to manifest a Zen space. It’s a living, present moment meditation that connects the viewer/student practitioner to the warrior lineage of the past with modern amenities.”

In addition to original conceptual art utilizing new and recycled materials, Sid also crafts custom furniture and much more. You can see examples of all of this on his website. But make sure you add The Metal Way to your itinerary during the Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 19-20. For more information, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.

- By Jen Payne, Words by Jen

Influenced by his mother, an artist who ran a crafts gallery, and surrounded by artists and crafts professionals, goldsmith Scott Tabar has been interested in creating from an early age. The result? A stunning collection of one-of-a-kind jewelry spanning 30 years. Scott’s studio is number 32 on your Shoreline ArtsTrail map, located at 71 Whitfield Street on the Guilford Green.

“While I get the artistic talent from my mother, my interest in processes and tools comes from my father, an engineer. I love tools and I’ve adapted many of his for use in my metal smithing,” Scott explains.

“I employ traditional techniques to achieve non-traditional images and love to explore new methods to create my work,” he says of his craft.

Scott designs pieces that have both engineered and naturally occurring themes. They incorporate a variety of precious metals, gemstones, patterns, textures and shapes. “I like to blend constructed elements with organic textures,” he explains.

“While respecting time honored traditions of craftsmanship, my favorite efforts are those which allow a bit of serendipity to enter the creative process.”

To see a variety of Scott’s pieces, please visit his website. And be sure to visit his studio during the Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 19-20. For more information, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.

- By Jen Payne, Words by Jen

There is a wonderful, dynamic energy in the paintings of Catherine Steinberg. See for yourself when you visit her studio during Open Studios Weekend. She’s number 41 on your Shoreline ArtsTrail map, 142 North Madison Road, Guilford, about 3 miles north of Route 1.

Catherine is a licensed marriage and family therapist who works with a variety of disciplines to help people achieve balance — balance of mind, body and spirit. That same sense of healing and empowerment comes through in her artwork.

“The use of color and light is transformative and healing,” Catherine explains. “Light and energy vibrations from colors and shapes can help change moods, alter self-limiting perceptions and open psyches to change and growth. Creating or just experiencing various colors and their combinations can bring balance and joy.”

Although Catherine has worked with a variety of media — drawing, pen and ink, sculpture — she was drawn to the color and light of painting. “I have been painting for the past ten years and consider it to be my meditation and therapy. I paint mostly with oils, but also use acrylics and inks as well.”

The process of her work is often inspired. “I start with ideas of color and form that come to me through a dream or vision. Using my intuitive process, I begin to work with those colors and forms on a canvas allowing my creative energies to spontaneously emerge.”

For more about Catherine, please visit her website. But don’t miss the opportunity to see her exciting work in person during the Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 19-20. For more information, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.

- By Jen Payne, Words by Jen

Looking up for inspiration, painter Marjorie Sopkin finds her muse in the sky. You can see how that translates to canvas when you visit her during Open Studios Weekend. She’s number 37 on your Shoreline ArtsTrail map, located at 16 Market Place in Guilford, just north of the Green.

“I don’t consider myself to be a realist,” Marjorie says. “I work mostly from my imagination. But I have always found the sky to be particularly fascinating.”

“I am inspired by the weather and atmospheric conditions,” she says of her work with pastels. “The sky holds ever-changing resources for color, light, reflection and space.”

Marjorie attended the Hartford Art School and the Tyler School of Art in both Pennsylvania and Rome. She has exhibited in solo and group shows in Connecticut, Rhode Island and New York, and her work is included in both private and corporate collections.

You can see her inspired paintings when you visit her studio during Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 19-20. For more information, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.

- By Jen Payne, Words by Jen

Author Khalil Gibran once wrote “Art arises when the secret vision of the artist and the manifestation of nature agree to find new shapes.” Think on that when you visit the studio of artist Leslie Prodis during Open Studios Weekend. It’s number 17 on your Shoreline ArtsTrail Map, located at 33 Wallace Road in Stony Creek.

Within the walls of Metalicious Studio, Leslie creates fantastical metal sculptures and wearable art. She specializes in outdoor sculpture, decorative grates for windows and air vents, and bas-relief landscapes.

“I am inspired by nature, texture and movement,” Leslie explains. Her creations combine intricate shapes of formed metal, surprises of color and patina, with accents of mixed-media and recycled objects.

Her work has been on exhibit at the Creative Arts Workshop, the Guilford Art Center, The Gallery @ New Haven Lawn Club, Oil Drum Art Exhibitions and in private collections.

You can see samples of Leslie’s work online at her website. But you really must see it in person to appreciate its whimsy. Be sure to stop by her studio during Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 19-20. For more information, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.

- By Jen Payne, Words by Jen

When the mind is willing, it creates art that comes from the soul. You get this sense when you listen to potter Jane Strauss Novick speak about her work. She’s number 19 on your Shoreline ArtsTrail map, and practices her craft at Clay Bodies Pottery, 59 School Ground Road in Branford.

Jane found her way back to pottery after her retirement. “It had been a consuming interest and occupation 30 years ago. I was part of a cooperative pottery in Rochester, New York before setting up my own studio at home.”

“I count myself as one of the lucky ones in having a consuming passion at this point in my life,” she’ll tell you as if sharing a secret.

The secret, perhaps, is tapping into the things to which we feel a connection. “I have always responded to the earthy, organic nature of clay,” Jane says. “I try to communicate that connection in my pots.”

She uses a variety of natural and manmade implements to give textural interest to her pieces that include both functional and decorative ware. And she is still learning and stretching her mind. “Recently, I have focused on the interplay of color through layering multiple glazes on my pots. I am often surprised when I open the kiln to see the results of a new combination!”

Be sure to include the Clay Bodies Pottery Studio, which she shares with potter Pat Rist. You can see both of their work on the studio’s website or during Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 19-20. For more information, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.

- By Jen Payne, Words by Jen

If you listen to her story and see her work, you’ll understand that Patti was destined to work with glass. She has a BFA, and studied glassblowing and ceramics in college, but life and career moved her away from the arts.

“After many years,” she says, “I discovered stained glass by accident while searching for replacement windows for our older home. When I decided to make the windows myself and enrolled in a how-to workshop, I became hooked and have been ever since.”

As an art form, glass is extremely challenging. In addition to the usual concerns for line, shape, form, and composition, you need to consider the dimensions of texture and transparency. Patti enthusiastically explains that “glass art looks different as lighting changes with the time of day, seasons, and environmental conditions, so an artist must address of these simultaneously.”

Perhaps her favorite part of the art form, she says, is the physical component of the process. “Making stained glass panels is very physical. It requires – and encourages — the entire body to be involved during the cutting, grinding, and fabricating of the piece. It’s a dance with the materials and the tools!”

Patti’s current work blends metal and natural elements with two-dimensional panels and mirrors. You can see them when you visit her studio during Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 19-20. For more information, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.

— By Jen Payne, Words by Jen

The headline on artist Kristin Merrill’s website reads: See, Touch, Adore. I always want to add the word “dream,” because her sublime sculptures and jewelry are so mesmerizing. You can see for yourself during Open Studios Weekend.

Kristin is one of the founders the Branford Artists Cooperative, and you will find their studio at 211 Montowese Street, in Branford, number 6 on your Shoreline ArtsTrail map.

There is certainly a mystical sense to Kristin’s work, which comes from its connection to the earth and natural environment. “My passion is creating beautiful things out of natural materials,” she says. “ I am especially connected to the sea, in both a literal and a psychic sense. It gives my work meaning and a reason for being.”

Kristin’s sculptures incorporate pieces of driftwood indigenous to the Short Beach shoreline. To them, she adorns pearls, hand-cast sterling elements, copper and symbolic found objects.

“The driftwood,” Kristin explains, “was once a tree, vibrant with life and growing. It goes through a metamorphosis at the end of its life, falls into the sea, and finds its way to the shore. By resurrecting it in my sculptures, I create a new phase in its life. It is re-born and immortalized as art.”

That same transformation echoes in her jewelry, where individual elements — sterling silver, semiprecious stones, amber, pearls — join together to become something new and different.

From your first glance at her distinct pieces, you can tell that Kristin has an intrinsic sense of art and beauty. Which should come as no surprise. “I have been surrounded by art all of my life. My father is a potter and sculptor, and my mother was an avid gardener and writer.”

You can view Kristin’s work online at her website, but be sure to stop by the Branford Artists Cooperative studio during Shoreline ArtsTrail Open Studios Weekend, November 19-20. For more information, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.

- By Jen Payne, Words by Jen