Lake Placid, NY, Jan 11, 2012 — Todd Moe talks with Lake Placid artist Nip Rogers about his "Portraits of Other Artists" project and how social networking websites are bringing artists and art together. His Social Faceworking Show opens at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts on Friday night. It includes portraits of 19 North Country artists and their own artwork in one show.  Go to full article

Prescott, ON, Dec 28, 2011 — Crane School of Music professor of piano Paul Wyse has mastered two art forms. He's a classically trained concert pianist and also paints portraits. Earlier this month, he unveiled a full-length portrait of "piano man" Billy Joel in New York City. The artist joined the bestselling musician to unveil the painting at Steinway Hall. Paul Wyse was commissioned by Steinway and Sons to paint Joel's portrait. Two of Wyse's portraits of award-winning pianist and conductor Leon Fleischer are part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection in Washington D.C.

Wyse has performed at the piano on the concert stage around the world and his oil portraits hang in public and private collections and appear in national publications.

So, how does a classically trained concert pianist become an award winning visual artist? "It's hard to explain," says Wyse. But he adds that it's not uncommon for musicians who study the structure of a symphony to use those same skills in the visual arts.

During a visit to his portrait studio in his home near Prescott, Ontario, he told Todd Moe that the mystery of transforming cloth and pigment into something that is looking back at you is powerful, alluring, and part of the compulsion to paint.  Go to full article

Aug 04, 2011 — Some very large watercolors by Saranac Lake artist Tim Fortune will be on display at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts, starting Friday, August 12th. Watercolor Encounters is a one man show that will include 15 large format watercolors that Tim has worked on over the last four years. He spoke with Todd Moe about the sheer size of the paintings and their impact on viewers.  Go to full article

Lake Placid, NY, Jul 08, 2011 — NCPR is media sponsor for Elements in Alliance: Natural Visions, an installation of sculpture, furniture and painting at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. The show opens tonight with a reception from 5-7 pm. The exhibit, which continues through August 7th, features the art of John Van Alstine, Jonathan Sweet, Caroline Ramersdorfer and Barney Bellinger. Todd Moe spoke with John Van Alstine about the exhibit.  Go to full article

Jun 29, 2011 — Artisans, musicians and writers will gather Friday in Morristown for the 4th annual Mare's Wares Arts Fest. Live music starts at 1 o'clock with the Paul Baldwin Blues Band. Co-organizer Karan Cross told Todd Moe that it's an afternoon and evening of creativity and artistry along the St. Lawrence River.  Go to full article

Aug 11, 2010 — Artists from Clayton to Clinton County are enjoying the outdoors with paint brush and easel this summer. "Plein Air" is a French expression which means "in the open air", and is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. Adirondack artists Susan Olsen and Sandy Hildreth share their love of painting on location. Todd Moe spoke with them about the Adirondack Plein Air Festival in Saranac Lake. It starts Thursday, August 19th in the village.  Go to full article

South Glens Falls, NY, Jan 26, 2010 — A new exhibit at the Hyde Collection art museum in Glens Falls explores American Impressionism. The "Enduring Legacy" exhibit includes 64 paintings from the private collection of Saratoga County resident Thomas Clark. His collection is considered one of the finest of this genre in upstate New York. The show is up through March 28. Todd Moe talks with Hyde Collection chief curator Erin Coe about the new exhibit, Thomas Clark and Impressionism, a genre that began in France in the 1870s.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Dec 03, 2009 — Kim Simmonds is heading into four decades of playing the Blues. He founded legendary British Blues band, Savoy Brown, in 1965. He recently finished a solo cd, and has been quietly and passionately painting and drawing for the last ten years. Simmonds hosts an exhibit of his guitar paintings and a concert at Saranac Village at Will Rogers, Saturday at 7:00 pm. Todd Moe spoke with him about connections between making music and the visual arts.  Go to full article

Holland Patent, NY, Oct 07, 2008 — Artists will hit the trail in the Tug Hill region this Saturday to capture their favorite spots along the Trenton Falls Gorge on canvas. Privately owned by a power company, the trail is only open to the public on a few weekends each year. Todd Moe previews the "Tug Hill Paint Out '08."  Go to full article

Sep 24, 2008 — NCPR is media sponsor for the Tri-Lakes area "Artist at Work Studio Tour" this weekend. The three-day event features more than 30 artists who will open their studio doors to the public to see how a work of art begins. The annual tour is organized by the Adirondack Artists' Guild in Saranac Lake. Todd Moe talks with artist Diane Leifheit, co-organizer of the studio tour.  Go to full article