August in the Living Room

The Living Room Gallery in Stroudsburg, PA held an Artists’ Reception for their August Exhibition on Saturday August 3rd featuring the work of David J. Toth, Sonia Leticia, Keith Shepherd, and Jeff Bensley. A vast spectrum of colors, images, and design met those who entered the gallery which might have overwhelmed some if not for the intriguing beauty and depth they were embodied with. In addition to presenting the work of these talented artists, the reception also featured a Hula Hoop Contest, music by Paradigm Shift, and an Art Raffle offering an opportunity for those present to support the venue financially while gaining something wonderful to take home with them.

While traversing across the excavated sidewalks of Stroudsburg toward The Living Room Gallery, I noticed a great deal of activity taking place just outside the venue. My every approaching sure-footed step revealed the presence of Hula-hoopers spinning themselves in trancelike abandonment under the loving gaze of Christina Hill of Synergy Creations whose hand crafted the devices along with jewelry she created which were available for purchase to those who stopped by her table. The sight of these giddy hoopers created an inner joy which accompanied those who eventually entered the gallery.

As mentioned earlier, the creative atmosphere reflecting the impressive talents of the featured artists captured the eye and imagination of those who entered the gallery. There was a great sense of cohesiveness prevalent throughout the entire exhibit which made the concentrated viewing of the work created by each individual artist feel like a making a discovery of an exquisite jewel hiding in the midst of a multitude of precious gems. There were many such pieces whose radiance not only illumined the eye but the spirit as well.

The seemingly simplistic work rendered by Sonia Leticia were created utilizing the medias of Oil, Ink, Watercolor, Pencil, and Digital techniques. The images she depicts range from those embodying the fanciful delights found in the most delightful stories inspired by a childhood imagination to horrific images reminiscent of those found in the realm of science fiction which moves from the mere speculation of the shape of things to come into manifesting our most disturbing nightmares through their presence. All of the pieces she creates entreats those who view them to come closer into the image and the world it creates but the later work I described seems to do so with a much more insidious motivation than the others. However, it is an enticement not abandoned by those who encounter it as the joy of meeting something of a dark nature and coming away with any unnoticeable scars does create a certain degree of satisfaction allowing one to admire its beauty all the more. You can learn more about Ms. Leticia and her work by exploring her Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/SoniaLeticiaArt.

If nothing no other word comes to mind while experiencing the work of Jeff Bensley, that single word would be “prolific.” The sheer magnitude of images and designs filling a good portion of the gallery’s wall staggers even those who only seek to casually hover in the area it dominates until its effects encompasses every thought of the individual until all awareness of  being is blended into the work. There were no names ascribed to the individual pieces which were so vast that its entirety was designated as an “Installation.” However, each piece of the installation was available for purchase in an unique way. The process consisted of selecting a piece one would like to own and picking its price from a bowl filled with slips of paper with different dollar amounts written upon each of them. This approach to marketing the work proved to be interesting in and of itself as it seemed to indicate the creative nature of the artist as it extends beyond his visual endeavors to those associated with commerce. You can learn more about Jeff Bensley and his work by visiting his page on www.wooloo.org/JeffBensley.

When one encounters the work of Keith Shepherd, the first words inspired to come out of one’s mouth is, “Oh, my effing God” often with the word “effing” represents in tact. The acrylic airbrushed pieces depicting silver screen legends such as Marilyn Monroe and Judy Garland’s Dorothy from her film titled’ “The Wizard of Oz” were of such precision and beauty that words fail to describe their attributes. In fact, many who greeted the pieces in the manner I described earlier in this paragraph soon modified their auditory sentiment to an inner expression of “aww.” For some, the work seemed an impossible endeavor for anyone in human form to accomplish as the beauty it exudes travels beyond the dimension of what is known of how such images are captured upon a canvas. However, there was a video of Mr. Shepherd at work creating each piece as shown in time lapse fashion. Some still didn’t believe their eyes when the viewed the video, but the evidence moved many to accept and admire Mr. Shepherd’s talent all the more profoundly. You can learn more about Ms. Shepherd and his work by exploring his Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/keith.shepherd.9212.

In almost a contrast to all that was displayed throughout the gallery, the photographic work created by David J. Toth proved to be a comparatively simple display of images recognizable to those who frequented the sites they were captured within his camera. However, their simplicity ends when one comes closer to each image to discover an intricacy permeating its delicate composition. A gentleness filled each frame and this gentleness flowed forth until it filled the frame of each person who were touched by it. You can learn more about David J. Toth and his work through The Living Room Facebook Page listed below.

In addition to the incredible art and the tasty morsels of food that were freely provided by Vinny D’s Deli and Catering while drinks were available for purchase, there was music to be enjoyed during the reception. A duo known as Paradigm Shift consisting of Ryan Leaver on vocal and guitar and Adam Niewood on drums. Together they began by playing a series of instrumental pieces which shaped and moved the mind in ways only the art form of fusion jazz and their mastery of it could produce. The duo later included more conventional songs to their performance although their renditions of even those tunes that are familiar to many who heard them were far from conventional. The two had the talented ability to redefine all they did as to created a new perception in each listener of what they had ever heard before regardless of their familiarity with it. It was through this process that many were made conscious of the reasons the duo called themselves “Paradigm Shift” as they moved what was musically understood toward a new understanding. You can learn more about Paradigm Shift’s members Ryan Leaver by exploring his Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/Ryan-Leaver/107266519326961?ref=ts and Adam Niewood from his Facebook Profile at www.facebook.com/niewood.

As mentioned earlier, the Artists’ Reception at The Living Room Gallery included a Hula-Hoop contest sponsored by Christina Hill of Synergy Creations. Several young women entered the competition which consisted of not only twirling the contraptions but to be able to do so while taking single steps, walking back and forth, and even jumping while gyrating to the rhythm sufficient enough to keep the hoop from touching the ground. It was exciting to watch as the intense concentration mingled with the fun of participating were seen in each competitor’s eyes. The duration of the contest proved to be much longer than many spectators expected but this did not take away from the enjoyment of the event. In fact, the overwhelming consensus was that the time it took for the contest to proceed was an testament to the skill of each participant which became objects of admiration among the crowd. The contest came to it conclusion when the youngest of the competitors won a hand made Hula-Hoop created by Christina Hill herself. You can learn more about Christina Hill of Synergy Creations by exploring their Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/synergycreationsforlife?ref=br_tf.

Much adoration were shared with those who competed in the contest and the artists who presented the work in the exhibition. This expression of appreciation for the talents witnessed throughout the event cumulated with the Art Raffle which has become a favored part of the receptions held at The Living Room since their inception. A large number of art lovers eagerly held their portion of a ticket which they hoped contained the winning number with would enable them to take home a piece of art created by those featured in the exhibit. Cheers moved through the gathering as each number was called and another prize was claimed. Some who did not obtain the object of they sought to acquire displayed a touch of disappointment when their number was not called, but this was soon washed away as the tide of celebration lifted their spirit to a state of buoyancy.

As the final item was given away and the conversations reached the moments of farewell, many who attended the reception allowed themselves the luxury of reflecting upon the work presented in the exhibition one final time before they departed. It felt for many like saying good by to a new friend who will always be there to touch their lives at times when it is in need of such sensation. No doubt, many will return during the remainder of the exhibit’s run in order to renew their relationship with the pieces they have grown fond of and to establish bond with others they could not have done so due to the dynamics of the wonderful reception they enjoyed. But, all in all, it was a wonderful night filled with incredible art, meaningful conversations, and Hula-Hoops galore.

The Living Room Gallery’s August exhibition featuring the work of David J. Toth, Sonia Leticia, Keith Shepherd, and Jeff Bensley will continue to be displayed until August 30th. The next exhibit will be a group show in which local artists are invited to participate. The theme for the exhibit is “Word and Text” and will hold it’s Artists’ Reception on Saturday September 7th beginning at 6pm. The work will continue to be on display until September 30th. Submissions of work will be accepted on Friday September 6th from 6 until 9pm. You’ll be able to find more photograph taken during the June Artists’ Reception in The Living Room 2013 Part 4 Gallery at www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151751090710421.1073741841.636000420&type=1.

The Living Room is located on Main Street in Stroudsburg, PA next to The Sherman Theater who owns the building. The Art Gallery is organized by members of The Living Room Art Committee. Please Explore The Living Room Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/pages/The-Living-Room/123978921059378 for more information about the venue, what it offers to the community, and how to participate and become involved with the art related work it does.

In addition to their exhibitions, The Living Room presents a weekly Open Mic Nites which occurs every Sunday Evening beginning at 6pm. Musicians, Poets, Writers, and anyone who would like to share their talents with an eagerly accepting audience are welcomed to participate. There is occasionally a featured band scheduled each week that enhances the enjoyment of the event. You can learn more about The Living Room Open Mic Nite Series at it’s Facebook Page at www.facebook.com/OpenMicAtTheLivingRoom?ref=ts&fref=ts.