Michael Tomashefsky
About
I am a landscape and travel photographer based in Westport. I was raised in a small town about 7 miles from the Hudson River. Fortunately, my home was located along several hundred acres of undeveloped woods. From an early age, I was enthralled by all they had to offer including lush streams, swamps, towering trees, and numerous species of wildlife. This experience led to a lifelong love of the natural world. I got my first camera as a child as well and was immediately taken with being able to capture the beauty around me. Additionally, I’ve been privileged to visit many different countries throughout my life which sparked my interest in travel photography, especially that focused on architecture
Artist Statement
My photographic style early on was much influenced by history’s great landscape painters, including Claude Lorrain, John Constable, Jacob van Ruisdael, Monet, and especially, the Hudson River school artists. Their techniques for subject selection, composition and lighting served as a springboard for the development of my own artistic vision. Through this, I seek to capture the visual and visceral impact of the subjects I photograph to both entertain the viewer and create a sense of wonder.
Kris Davenport Toohey
About
RKris Davenport Toohey is a landscape painter who works primarily in oils. She discovered her love of painting and art history as a student, graduating with a BA in Art from Williams College and an MBA from Columbia University. Then, while pursuing a career in luxury brand marketing, Kris furthered her art and design studies at the Parsons School of Design, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Art Students League of New York. Now living and working in coastal Connecticut, Kris is a part of The Art Studio - a shared workspace located in downtown Westport. She is also a member of the Rowayton Arts Center (Full Exhibiting Member), Ridgefield Guild of Artists and the Artists Collective of Westport. Website: www.KrisDavenportToohey.com.
Artist Statement
From the salt marshes of the Connecticut coast to the rolling hills of the Berkshires, Kris enjoys exploring the interplay of color and layers of light to create an emotional undercurrent. While Kris’s starting point is always nature, the final painting is a combination of the artistic process and her imagination. As the landscape unfolds, Kris builds veils of light, fluid reflections and misty depths by softly layering and blending both opaque colors and translucent glazes - often using tools such as rags, oversized brushes and her hands. In each piece, Kris strives to create a tangible mood and a sense of atmosphere.
