Cristina Staltare, artist

Cristina Staltare, April 2014.

I discovered Cristina and her paintings through her senior thesis exhibition, Nature in Passing, at Saint Anselm College last year. Her small, intimate works invite the viewer to approach and linger in her landscapes.

Her paintings will be on display at Amoskeag Studio for the coming weeks, with the opening held on April 26 in conjunction with a performance by the Brad Myrick Quintet, celebrating the release of their album, Halogen.

Lauren Karjala, artist

Lauren Karjala, 2012.

I met Lauren a few years ago through her family (her father is a photographer). I was beginning to actively photograph artists in their studios, so I asked to visit her. At that time, she was living and working in the basement of her grandmother's condo, which had been transformed by her figure paintings, drawings, and sketches of all sizes.

Towards the end of our visit, I realized that, during our conversations, she had been sketching me. Before we parted, she wiped it away.

Lauren's senior exhibit opens at the University of New Hampshire's Museum of Art on Friday.

Carlo D'Anselmi, artist

While I was in NYC last month, I visited Carlo in his New York Studio School space to see some of his new paintings and drawings. His bold work is attracting attention: he had just finished a two-person show at the school. He and I (among others) will have work in the inaugural Alumni Exhibition at Saint Anselm College, which opens soon.

Carlo D'Anselmi, New York City, February 2014.

Toshihide Takekoshi, artist

Toshi and I met through our families years ago, when we were neighbors. Always kind and welcoming, he rarely speaks of his own work, but his home is filled with his paintings. During a family studio session, I was able to make a few solo portraits, despite his protests.

Amoskeag Studio is honored to host some of his work for the next month. A humbler artist you will never meet.

Toshihide Takekoshi, 2010.

Will Suglia, painter

I've known Will for some years in various capacities, so I'm thrilled both that he's dedicated his post-college years to painting and that some of those results will be shown tonight at the inaugural event of my Amoskeag Studio. This portrait was made during a recent visit to the studio.

Will Suglia, May 2013