John Johnson

John Johnson is a Connecticut native, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The University of Connecticut School of Fine Arts. He is the founder and owner of John Johnson Art Direction & Design, a graphic design firm located in historic Collinsville. His personal artwork provides an outlet creative freedom and unrestrained expression, yet relies heavily on strong compositional elements derived from nature and the real world, seen through his eyes.

He has participated in numerous juried shows, group shows and solo shows in the region, primarily working as a 2-d artist with large scale gouache paintings, woodcuts and linotypes. Recent work has been exhibited at The Mattatuck Museum, The William Benton Museum, Artwell Gallery, Gallery on the Green, Pump House Gallery, West Hartford Art League, and several regional libraries.

Johnson states, “Through my artwork I am working to capture a momentary impulse, a place, a time in my life. The imagery is based on my personal point of view of life experiences, travels and surroundings. For me, art is a gestalt experience; it’s about the moment, the process, the feeling. I call it “surfing on brainwaves”.

Deborah Leonard

My love of nature through observation and academic study has a strong influence on my painting....I find enjoyment, interest, and beauty in my surroundings wherever I may be. In the more traditional pieces, color and vibrancy are used to express my subject matter. I prefer to emphasize the simple elegance of a single tree or even part of one. I am blessed to live in an especially beautiful area, with soft meadows and rolling hills. I enjoy painting outdoors whenever possible. In my work I try to capture light and presence. I strive to record the feel of a place or time.”

“My abstract work is more about chance and intent. I call it "in your face art", because, when viewed up close, these pieces present a totally different vision. Relationships vie for focus and new interactions take place. Synchronicity works its magic and the painting starts its journey.”

Deborah Leonard is co-founder of theFarmington Valley's City and Country Canvases event with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. She is president of the Avon Arts Association and a member of the West Hartford Art League, the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society and Simsbury Open Studios.

She teaches art classes for adults in Simsbury. She has created and maintained local artists programs in Avon and Bloomfield, allowing a venue for monthly shows and receptions to area artists.

Her work has appeared in numerous juried shows and is part of a permanent collection in the Children's Room at the Simsbury Library and private collections here and aboard. She has a designed jewelry for the Farmington River Watershed Association. Her work is currently for sale at Fastframe in Avon, Puffins Gallery in Watch Hill RI, Le Cherche Midi, Nantucket, MA, Petrini Gallery in Avon and Bill Selig Jewelers.

She serves on the boards of directors of the Farmington River Watershed Association, the Farmington Valley Visitors Association, and the Avon Art Association.

Catherine Elliot

Catherine M. Elliott is a contemporary artist whose work is evocative of the American Impressionistic Style of painting. Her works are painterly visions of her innermost admiration of God's creation. The wonder of these works are in its fresh liberation of color and light offering the viewer a sense of awe and peace. The paintings explore atmospheric conditions capturing a moment in time and place invoking the viewer to intimately see the sublime. Ms. Elliott has created numerous commissioned pieces, both commercial and private. She is an elected member of the Lyme Art Association in Old Lyme, Connecticut, a legacy left by nineteenth century artists, and is today a showcase of notable artists.

The artist is currently represented by Petrini Gallery, Avon, CT; West Highland Fine Art, Wyckoff, NJ; P.S. Gallery, Litchfield, CT; Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, CT; Puffins of Watch Hill, RI; Brick Gallery, Essex, CT

Consider Catherine M. Elliott's paintings a wise investment for your home, workplace or gift giving that will bring joy and grace for many years to come.

Alexander Anisimov

Russian by birth, Alex grew up in Tajikistan, in the family of renowned inlay artist Yuriy Anisimov.

Raised with sculptors, painters and mosaic artists, Alex absorbed Fine Arts with the air of their studios, often helping them.

He went to the Russian Army for 2 years, traveling extensively and learning the world around him.

After four years in the college of Fine Arts, and after constant exhibitions, Alex continued study in Moscow. He moved to the US in 1991, to Hartford, CT.

Now happily living in Hartford County, he creates new pieces and participates in upcoming events.

Here is a list of some of the great items up available for auction!

Silent Auction Items

1. $250 Gift Certificate for Earth Products at Flamig Farm.
2. Executive Escape Package at Shear Artistry for a man or woman. Value $185.
   Spend a day pampering yourself with a Full Body Massage, Scalp and Neck Treatment , Custom Designed Haircut, Spa Manicure and Lunch at Shear Artistry Day Spa and Salon in Avon.
3. Golf for four people, 18 holes plus carts – Hop Meadow Country Club.
4. One Night Stay for Two at the Newport Blues Inn and admission to the Newport Blues Café
   Includes full breakfast as well as free parking for one car per room.
   Also included Blues Cafe V.I.P
   As our guest, you will receive Newport Cafe preferred seasonal reservation times and complimentary entrance to regular, non-ticketed, live performance shows at the Blues Cafe, a restaurant and live-band nightclub located at 286 Thames Street. Value, $250.
5. Summer CSA Share at George Hall Farm, value $525.
6. Chef Tastings for four with Sommelier Pairings at The Restaurant ON20 donated by ON20 Executive Chef Jeffrey Lizotte, $450 value.
7. A private, late spring 2015 tour of the scenic lower Connecticut River valley by boat with catered lunch.
   
   Take a private, late spring 2015 tour of the scenic lower Connecticut River valley by boat - We will enjoy a catered dinner from Haddam’s “The Cooking Company” in beautiful Hamburg Cove; tour The Nature Conservancy property at Selden’s Creek; visit beautiful Essex by water; and just have fun exploring and eagle watching! Value $350. Starting bid $250. (Suitable for a group of 4)
8. Guided fly fishing trip to the Limestone Trout Club in East Canaan.
   
   A day of guided fly-fishing for two at the legendary Limestone Trout Club. Tucked away in a quiet corner of East Canaan, CT, Limestone is known not only for large, hungry brown and rainbow trout but for breathtaking beauty and quiet. All equipment and lunch will be provided on a mutually agreed upon date which can easily be changed dependent on weather or changes in plans. Minimum bid, $200. Value, $400.
9. Cake of the Month for one year at Fitzgerald’s Foods.
   
   You will receive 12 certificates, each good for one cake per month at the Fitzgerald’s Foods Bakery. And bring home a cake tonight. Value $300.
10. Dinner for Two at Metro Bis and a night at the Simsbury Inn.
11. Oil Painting by Pam Albertsen. Framed size 14 x 17. Value $150.
12. Gluten free in-home cooking class for 6 – 8 provided by Heirloom Kitchen Catering. Value - $300 - $400. Minimum bid
13. Head to Toe facial at Apple Rehab Sport & Spa.
    
    A full customized facial with a second therapist providing a 30-minute reflexology foot and hand massage. 60 minute treatment valued at $105
14. $100 gift certificate to Millwrights Restaurant.

Live Auction Items

1. Six hour charter fishing tour on Cape Cod. Value $650. Starting bid $450. (Suitable for a group of 6.)
2. Fish Long Island Sound’s “Race” with Captain Dan Wood and Bob Bingham – Half day chartered light tackle fishing trip with Captain Dan Wood on FlyAway, a 30’ center console boat. Join your host Bob Bingham for a late summer 2015 trip out to the “Race” to fish for stripers, blues and false albacore on the surface with light spinning tackle or by salt water fly rod. Possible fisheries include Plum Island, Gardiners Island, Orient Point, Race Rock, and Fishers Island…wherever the fish are! Value $650. Starting bid $350. (Suitable for a group of 3)
3. One week stay at a villa in Tuscany, Italy
4. Two box seats to any NY Yankees home game.
5. Two box seats to any Boston Red Sox home game.
6. One week stay at a condominium in Kiawah Island, SC.
7. One week stay at a condominium in Kurebeach, North Carolina.
8. Diamond Earrings from Bill Selig Jewelers. Estimated value $2000. Donated by Bill Selig Jewelers. Minimum bid, $500.
   Beautiful diamond and yellow sapphire earrings, made with 28 square sapphire stones 1.6 ct and 28 diamonds 1.23 ctw, set in white gold.

Teacup Auction Items

1. $100 Spa Service from Apple Rehab.
2. Golf for four people, 18 holes plus carts at Blue Fox Run Golf Course.
3. $250 Gift Certificate for Earth Products at Flamig Farm
4. Golf for four people, 18 holes plus carts at Simsbury Farms Golf Course.
5. One hour of Nutrition Counseling from a Registered Dietician, $250 value.
6. Silver Pinchot Sycamore necklace donated by Sarah Byrnes, $130 value.
7. Gift certificate to Horan’s Flower Shop.
8. Bowl hand carved from Simsbury’s Pinchot Sycamore Tree.
9. Framed Catherine Elliott Print.
10. $100 gift card to Rosedale Farms.
11. Mobile Bike Tune-up by Bike Repairs Express, LLC., $65 value.
    Bicycle Repairs Express is a mobile bicycle repair business that is able to service your bicycle at home or work. Services are offered in most towns in the Farmington Valley of Connecticut (Simsbury, Avon, Canton, and the Granbys) and are only a phone call away. Bicycle Repairs Express services all makes and models of bicycles from kids' and adult recreational models to high performance racing machines. We can provide prompt, professional, dependable and affordable bicycle repairs for all of your needs.
12. $100 Gift Card to Body Talk in Avon.
13. Two hour computer consult from Global Computer Consultants, $150 value.

A special thanks to the Simsbury merchants and friends who have donated items for our auction!

Bill Selig Jewelers

Flamig Farm

Shear Artistry Day Spa and Salon

Hop Meadow Country Club

Newport Blues Inn and Café

George Hall Farm

The Restaurant ON20

Fitzgerald’s Foods

Metro Bis

Simsbury Inn

Heirloom Kitchen Catering

Apple Rehab Sport & Spa

Millwrights Restaurant

Blue Fox Run Golf Course

Simsbury Farms Golf Course

Sarah Byrnes Jewelers

Horans Flower Shop

Rosedale Farms

Bike Repairs Express, LLC

Body Talk

Global Computer Consultants

Peter and Korten

Dawn and Bob Seaman

Helen Petersen

Bob Bingham

Fred Feibel