Community Symbolic Tree at the Salina Free Library

 Saturday, May 17th I set up the Community Symbolic Tree's painting 
at the Salina Free Library's Community Room.

Artist, Vicky Storey was eager to participate in this interactive art project and she 

added a New York state Blue Bird to this painting.

Vicky Storey paints the New York state Blue Bird.

Vicky Storey poses next to the Community Symbolic Tree.

That day I decided to have the Onondaga county residents participating into this project to focus on the right hills of the middle ground. I was very lucky to have three ladies ready to help paint this section: Celine Nicholas, Kathleen Reed-Buck, and Anne Iles successfully completed this task.

Celine Nicholas at work on the Community Symbolic Tree.

Kathleen Reed-Buck adds some highlights to the hills of the Community Symbolic Tree.

Anne Iles continues the highlights of the hills.

The aim of this interactive art project is to depict the creative vision of Onondaga County.

I serve as the artistic director of this Community Symbolic Tree painted by residents 
of our community. My goals for this project is to promote harmony and a feeling of identity and purpose among the members of our community, as well as to share the right techniques on how to successfully execute a painting.

For the creation of the community Symbolic Tree, each Saturday morning for 7 months beginning in April, I will set up the canvas in a participating library in Onondaga County and invite its residents to sign up to participate in the painting process (mariarizzoart@gmail.com).

Community Symbolic Tree at the Onondaga Free Library.

 On Sunday, May 4th I've set the easel and art supplies in the beautiful entry way of the Onondaga Free Library. The beautiful light coming from the windows made it the perfect day to paint.

Photographer, Ray Trudell was the first participating resident of the day and he added an even gray layer of acrylic to the hills behind the Community Symbolic Tree.

Ray Trudell working on the Community Symbolic Tree.

Susi Buschbacher posing next to the Community Symbolic Tree.

Artist, Susi Buschbacher was the next resident participating in this project and she did a great job applying highlights to the branches.

 Lynn Hofsonner, my last resident of the day, applied delicate brushstrokes of light gray to  create the dimensionality of the hills.

Lynn Hofsonner paints the rolling hills behind the Community Symbolic Tree.

Photographer, Ray Trudell took a picture of me next to the Community Symbolic Tree, which is a true communal effort. I'm very happy about the direction this painting is taking.

Artist, Maria Rizzo next to the Community Symbolic Tree.

BIG NEWS: 

I was so impressed by the modern and open feel of the Onondaga Free Library that I chose its art gallery to host the final exhibition for this interactive art project. Save the date! The exhibition will run from 12/8/14 to 12/31/14 and the opening reception will be on Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 5.30 p.m. to 8.00 p.m.

Onondaga County Trees submissions

  I'm happy to share the new submissions for the 

Best Onondaga County Tree Photo Challenge. 

A  big thank you goes to all the Onondaga county residents who are hunting for the very best trees!

Anthony Tulowiecki, Bayberry, NY.

Barbara Bell, Candee Avenue in Syracuse, NY.

Clare Willson, St. Mary's Cemetery in DeWitt, NY.

Clare Willson, St. Mary's Cemetery in DeWitt, NY.

Clare Willson, St. Mary's Cemetery in DeWitt, NY.

Deborah Goemans, Magnolia Soulangeana in Tully, NY.

Heather Vroman, Green Street in Syracuse, NY.

"This beautiful tree was cut down today so that the sidewalk could be leveled. Our landlord appealed the decision but lost. I love that you are valuing trees in the city and wish that city officials would as well. It was a healthy tree that provided shade and peace. Now it is merely a stump. I have other pictures of the tree but these we taken right before the crew cut it down. I hope it can be immortalized in one of your paintings." 
                                                                                                                                     -Heather Vroman

Heather Vroman, Green Street in Syracuse, NY.

Jeff Madison, cemetery in DeWitt, NY.

Jeff Madison, cemetery in DeWitt, NY.

Judith Hand, Sycamore Hill Farm in Marcellus, NY.

"Your timing this time was impeccable, because I finally had the opportunity to photography my favorite tree - the sycamore at Sycamore Hill Farm on Old Seneca Turnpike in Marcellus.  I was at the gardens there yesterday for the Mother's Day Garden Tour, and snapped a couple of shots of this astonishing tree which has not yet leafed out.  The branch structure is outstanding.  It's a private garden owned by George and Karen Hannaford that is only open to the public for fundraisers.  You can check them out here:    http://www.sycamorehillgardens.com/   However, you can easily view this tree from the road."

                                                                                                                                            -Judith Hand

Judith Hand, Sycamore Hill Farm in Marcellus, NY.

Kate Zacharewski, West Jefferson Street in Syracuse, NY.

Mary Haven, Ash tree on Lakeshore Rd. in Cicero, NY.

Micha L. Crook, Magnolia in Baldwinsville, NY.

Ross Getman, Clark Reservation in Jamesville, NY.

Ross Getman, Clark Reservation in Jamesville, NY.

Ross Getman, Clark Reservation in Jamesville, NY.

Ross Getman, Kline's Island, Lysander, NY.

"This is in Barry Park on the southern side of the pond, and the story goes that I was stumbling home at 4am totally bombed one night from my friend's house on Westmoreland & cut through the park.The gobs of white are snow that was falling & got caught in the flash, I believe it was in February 2009. Had my camera with me and took bunches of "Oh that's so cool" images which turn out to be nothing. But when going through them a few days later, here's this one image with an umbrella hanging from a tree of which I had zero recollection. Nice surprise!"
                                                                                                                                     -Steve Nyland

Steve Nyland, the"umbrella tree" at Berry park in Syracuse, NY.

Jen Eland, Kirkville, NY.

Creation of the Community Symbolic Tree at the Skaneateles Library

Skaneateles...  What a beautiful place.

On Saturday, April 26 I undertook a scenic route to the Skaneateles Public Library.

Source: http://soarcny.blogspot.com/2012/09/returning-to-challenger-ii.html

I arrived at the library around 11:30 a.m. and I was truly impressed by the building's architecture and the visually charming town's layout and design.

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skaneateles_%28village%29,_New_York

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:28_-_42_East_Genesee_Street_Skaneateles.jpg

I was welcomed by the Library Director, Nickie Marquis, who was so kind to help me transport all the art supply and easel. The library doesn't only have a charming and classic interior but holds the John D. Barrow Art Gallery, designed and built by John Dodgson Barrow to properly display his paintings.

Setting up for the creation of the Community Symbolic Tree.

My first resident painting the Community Symbolic Tree was Megan Jae Riggs, an amazing photographer and freelancer from Montana, who recently moved in Skaneateles.

The next residents were Renee Marati and her friend's daughter who nicely added tall grasses and flowers to the foreground.

 

My last resident was Deb Tomushunas and she did a terrific job in making the right portion of the branches really three-dimensional.

Deb poses next to the Community Symbolic Tree painting.

Check out this article related to this event by Maria Norris from skaneatelesjournal.com http://auburnpub.com/skaneateles/news/artist-promotes-nature-appreciation-with-symbolic-tree-project-at-skaneateles/article_c6d89254-5e86-59ee-9888-20c20557a75f.html

My next event takes place at the Onondaga Free library, 

Sunday, May 4 from 1.30 p.m. to 3.30 p.m.

Email me at mariarizzoart@gmail.com if you would like to participate!