A New Jersey artist, Mike Fenton was born and raised in upstate New York but has lived in New Jersey for the past 30 years, residing in Morris Plains. After a successful career in the corporate world, he retired to pursue his love of painting. He is a painter who works in a variety of different modes and sizes, ranging from Korean folk painting to realism to near impressionism. Working primarily from the memory and imagination, he attempts to distill his images to a point where there is a powerful emotional resonance, without being specific or didactic. He paints in oil and acrylic, and in the ancient Korean Minhwa style using special water color paints.

“I believe that painting is a way to communicate and shape one’s personal perceptions and reactions to our personal world,” he says. “Even small things that may confront us may be poignant and worthy of comment, even if for only a moment. Painting allows me to observe not only the world around me, but myself. Pictured above left: Wedding

Charles Miller is an emerging photographer. His training is as a theatre designer for sets, lights, costumes and props. He has worked in colleges  and theatres in Kansas, New York City and New Jersey and has designed sets and lighting off Broadway. For the last 30 years he has worked in Theatre Management, Arts Administration and Arts Programming. He is currently the manager of the Art Upstairs Gallery at the Community Theatre in Morristown, NJ. He started working seriously in photography and digital abstractions in 2008. He is a member of The Contemporary Arts Group (CAG); Millburn Short Hills Arts Center (MSHAC); NJ Photographers Forum; and Visions (a collective of artists that presents shows around NJ.) His works have been shown in the Morris County Library, Bernardsville Library, Overlook Hospital, Chatham Library, the NJ Photographers Forum Juried Show at Watchung Arts Center, Papermill Playhouse, Hunterdon County Library and Cranes Mill Gallery. Three of his works have been selected for inclusion in the Grounds for Sculpture 2011 Calendar.

“Art IS in the eye of the beholder, but, hopefully, vision is in the eye of the artist,” he says. “As a photographer, abstractionist and visual artist I try to find the vision within the larger picture. Whether it is working to bring out the beauty of an image or manipulating an image into some "new life," I hope to find something that has been missed by others.” Pictured above left: The Gossips

Fran Franlkin of Summit works in the medium of acrylics and oils. Of her works displayed, she says: “Sicilian Hills” was the first painting I did upon my return from a semester in Italy. This oil painting done in a semi-impressionistic style helped me to make the transition to coming home after a fabulous experience in the land of old masters.  It became the first in a series of journal paintings that reflect my impressions of Europe and has been an award winner for me.

Inspirations for the “Rosenfeld Series” are the classic black and white photographs of Morris Rosenfeld.  He captured the essence of the sophisticated, by-gone era of the 30’s and 40’s. Of wind chasing vessels, world-class yachting and the daring men and women who lived for the thrill of racing the wind. 

Collectively they were a series of ten paintings, which fulfilled the requirement for an advanced painting class assignment at Kean University.  While trying to capture the richness of B & W photography in a painting I was intrigued by what the outcome would be if a small wedge of color were tonally introduced.  Similar to what might be achieved with computers today, thus joining time zones.

This nautical grouping portrays my love of a walk through sandy dunes. The wind and salt laden spray of a wave off the port bow of a ship, and memories of my New England youth. To me, it is a subject worthy of artist inquiry throughout the evolution of time.

The Art Upstairs Gallery is a generous gift from the John and Margaret Post Foundation.  The Gallery is open two hours prior to and during all performances at the Theatre, and by appointment by calling 973-539-0345, Ext. 6583.