By Jean MacDougall-Tattan
Staff Writer
April 30, 2008 02:28 pm Buttonwoods Museum was aglow with colorful works of art from Kneeland Studio of Fine Arts on April 19. It was the opening day and reception of the student art show, so the museum was bursting with art, artists, friends and family. There were over 100 works of art — drawings, paintings and 3-D pieces — from students ranging in age from 8 to over 80, and the subjects they painted told many a story. "Finishing School" by Krystal Costa, 17, drew a wide array or responses from viewers — much of it bordering on negative because the image was a bit frightening. Costa said she found a picture of the girl on the Internet, then took some "creative license" with it by adding maudlin makeup to her face and tattoos of skulls and cuts with stitches up her arms. Costa, with a smile, a glimmer in her eye and a chuckle, said she painted her that way because, "It's Monday." But Costa's mother, Kathy Brassard, was not frightened by her daughter's work. She was instead enthusiastic about it, saying Kneeland has been "wonderful and life-changing for my daughter as an artist and a woman. (Kneeland) has become an intricate part of her life and brought her from a creative kid to an unbelievable artist." Other pieces were lighter, like the bright yellow papier mache and acrylic mask called "Frank" created by Nathan Hileman, 8, and the decoupage bottle made by Jaclyn Solimine, 13, called "Beach Bottle." Jaclyn had 12 pieces in the show, including a pastel called "Angels" replicated from a picture she saw in a magazine. Leslie Beauregard paints illustrations because it's fun. "I tried to be a fine artist, but it never worked for me. I tell stories within stories in my painting," said Beauregard, who aspires to be a children's book illustrator. Skye Allen, 13, likes taking lessons with Kneeland because she gets to spend so much time with her — Kneeland prefers to teach one-on-one so each student receives individualized attention. Skye's current project is a floral of an Asiatic lily. Jaclyn Solimine, 13, said Kneeland is fun because she teaches in all mediums and "lets you do it yourself ... your own way." She prefers to work in pastels and colored pencils. Meredith Marino, 14, said, "I think (Kneeland) is the best teacher. I'm learning techniques to improve ... we fight over the brush sometimes, but I usually win. She's the greatest." Kneeland loves the annual art show because it builds confidence in her students. "I love working with kids," said Kneeland. "They have so much to say."
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