Two women, one seated, chat at an art opening.

Two women chat at an art opening in a bookstore.

A grouping of three paintings hangs at a bookstore art opening. Two of the three paintings hang on the end cap of a bookshelf. The third painting hangs on the wall to the right of the bookshelf.

An adolescent girl poses for a photo at a bookstore art opening.

Art and book lovers came out for the opening reception for April's spotlight artist, Theresa Manus Piccolo, on Saturday, April 11, at Obodo Serendipity Books in Stratford, Connecticut.

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#artshow #artopening #galleryopening #artist #bookstore #supportlocalartists #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

Three women chat in a bookstore

Two girls pose for the camera at a gallery opening.

A customer chats with the owner of a bookstore.

A grouping of five paintings hangs on the wall of a bookstore.

Art and book lovers came out for the opening reception for April's spotlight artist, Theresa Manus Piccolo, on Saturday, April 11, at Obodo Serendipity Books in Stratford, Connecticut.

Post 1

#artshow #artopening #galleryopening #artist #bookstore #supportlocalartists #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

WARNING! Strong language.

Gina Russel Tracy reads her essay on trauma and the natural world for the "Nature" challenge theme.

#artchallenge #writing #essay #spokenword #trauma #nature #stratfordct

Charles Lautier read his short story, "A Tale of Two Robins," in which he gained the trust of a robin in his yard so he could hand-feed it.

#artchallenge #nature #writing #shortstory #birds #spokenword #stratfordct

A goldfinch perches on a blooming dogwood tree branch.

A paper leaf sculpture is inside a boxed frame.

An artist holds a large painting of a snail shell.

A father and child observe the skeleton of a large prehistoric mammal in a natural history museum exhibit.

Four artists interpreted April's challenge theme: "Nature."

1. Goldfinch: Theresa Manus-Piccolo: #watercolor, #coloredpencil
2. Tye Sterling: Thrive #quilling
3. Valerie Sarosky: Shell, #acrylic
4. @hannonart.bsky.social: Natural History, #krita

#artchallenge #nature #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

Seven people rest on the grass on the side of a dirt road.

A sculpture made from sticks, bundled near the top, sits on a pedestal of stones, shells, and jewelry. Nearby are small figurines made from acorns.

Two chickadees, one perched and one in flight, are near a titmouse, also in flight.

An artist holds a stretched canvas, upon which a photograph of a sunset has been printed.

Four artists interpreted the theme of "Nature."

1. Cheri Irwin: Road Stop, oils
2. Dee Poole, Sculpture, sticks, acorns
3. Donna Brien: Feathered Friends, fluid acrylics
4. Marie Dallas: Sunset, photo printed on canvas

#artchallenge #nature #oilpaint #acrylics #sculpture #blueskyart #stratfordct

A small bird perches on a fox's snout.

A gnome holds a guitar in front of a large toadstool.

An artist holds a painting of a field in Summer.

A male peregrine falcon prepares to land on a platform where a female is already perched.

Four artists interpreted the theme of Nature for April's challenge.

1. @asketchbook91.bsky.social: fox, colored inks
2. Ava Piccolo: Gnome, pencil
3. Bill Cessario: The colors of Summer, oils
4. Charles Lautier: Peregine Falcons, colored pencil

#artchallenge #nature #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

A father and child observe the skeleton of a large prehistoric mammal in a natural history museum exhibit.

Title: Natural History

I painted this in Krita for a monthly art challenge. The theme for the challenge was "Nature."

My reference was a photo I took at the Yale Peabody Museum in New Haven, Connecticut

#painting #krita #digitalart #skeleton #prehistoric #blueskyart #artchallenge #stratfordct

Various drawings of cubes and cylinders are seen at different angles. Additionally, there is a drawing of a bottle with a handle.

New class: Introduction to Drawing

5 Tuesdays. Begins April 21 at 3:30 - 5:30 PM

Location: Open Door Tea, Stratford, Connecticut

Alliance members: $150
Non-members: $170

Use the Linktree in our profile to get more info and register.

#artclass #learntodraw #drawing #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

A male cardinal perches on a branch.

Meet local artist and teacher, Theresa Manus-Piccolo, for the April Monthly Artist Spotlight.

Saturday, April 11
3:00 to 5:00 PM EDT

At Obodo Serendipity Books
3588 Main Street
Stratford, Connecticut

Free. Light refreshments served.

#artshow #supportlocalartists #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

#stratfordct #NoKings

👆 (see previous post for location list)

#NoKings 3.0

#NoKingsConnecticut

Additional locations:
#BerlinCT
#ClintonCT
#NorwalkCT
#NorwichCT
#OldSaybrookCT
#RoxburyCT
#StratfordCT
#WaterburyCT

#figuredrawing #lifedrawing #drawing #costume #flapper #blueskyart #stratfordct #art

A woman in a 1920s flapper outfit holds a long-stemmed cigarette holder.

In-Person Costume Figure Drawing @ Sterling Community Center in Stratford, CT.

Our model, zBae, will pose as a 1920s flapper.

Tuesday, March 31, @ 6:20 – 8:50 PM EDT.

Register and pay at: bit.ly/costume-figure-drawing

#figuredrawing #lifedrawing #drawing #blueskyart #flapper #stratfordct

A nude male model sits at the edge of a tall stool with his arms folded.

Vincent Cimorelli interpreted @standupkid.bsky.social's pose, seated on a stool.

#figuredrawing #lifedrawing #drawing #pencildrawing #blueskyart #stratfordct #art

A nude male model sits at the edge of a tall stool with his arms folded.

A nude male model sits at the edge of a tall stool with his arms folded.

A nude male model sits at the edge of a tall stool with his arms folded.

A nude male model sits at the edge of a tall stool with his arms folded.

Four artists interpreted Mark's 20-minute pose, seated on a stool.

1. @asketchbook91.bsky.social, crayon
2. Cheri Irwin, charcoal
3. Elizabeth Stocker, pen & ink
4. Judith de Graffenreid, charcoal

#figuredrawing #lifedrawing #drawing #crayon #penandink #charcoal #blueskyart #stratfordct #art

A nude male model sits at the edge of a tall stool with his arms folded.

A nude male model lies face down on the floor and rests his head on his arms. His left ankle crosses over his right calf.

Two views of a nude male model. In the first view, he sits on his heels and leans back on both arms. In the second view, he sits on the floor with his right knee raised and his left leg on the floor with his knee bent. His right elbow rests on his right knee, and his head rests on his forearm.

Four views of a nude male model. In the first view, he stands with his right hand on his shoulder, and his left arm extended out to his side. In the second view, he lunges with his right leg extended behind him. His left elbow is on his left knee, and his hand touches his face. In the third view, he kneels with both hands on the floor before him. In the fourth view, he stands with both hands reaching above his head.

Procreate paintings, drawings, and gestures of our model, @standupkid.bsky.social.

From a March 24, 2026, in-person figure drawing session hosted by @artsallianceofstfd.bsky.social at Sterling Community Center.

#figuredrawing #lifedrawing #drawing #procreate #digitalart #blueskyart #stratfordct

More details and the registration form are at the link below.

#artchallenge #showyourart #seashell #nature #flora #fauna #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

A nude male model sits on a bench and leans forward with his arms extended as if to reach for something.

In-Person Figure Drawing at Sterling Community Center in Stratford, Connecticut.

Model: @standupkid.bsky.social.

Tuesday, March 24, 2026, @ 6:20 – 8:50 PM Eastern Time.

More details are at bit.ly/stfd-figure-drawing2

#figuredrawing #lifedrawing #drawing #sketch #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

A nude female model sits on the floor and leans on her left hand. Her right hand is on her right shin.

Various drawings of a nude female model.

Two interpretations of Danielle's poses.

1. @asketchbook91.bsky.social, crayon and marker
2. Ty Williams, acrylic markers

#figuredrawing #lifedrawing #drawing #crayon #marker #acrylicmarker #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

A gallery attendee purchases a painting at an art opening.

A sale of one of Marie Dallas's paintings is in progress.

#artshow #artopening #bookstore #books #supportlocalartists #supportlocalbusiness #stratfordct

A nude female model lies on her right side and leans on her elbows. Her head is supported by her right hand.

In-Person Figure Drawing at Sterling Community Center in Stratford, Connecticut (USA).

Model: Amanda

Tuesday, March 17, 2026, @ 6:20 to 8:50 PM Eastern Time.

More info, register and pay at bit.ly/stratford-figure-drawing

#figuredrawing #lifedrawing #drawing #sketch #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

The Riddler, one of Batman's foes, holds the brim of his hat.

A two-masted tall ship sails on the ocean.

A heron flies among the clouds.

A view down some stairs to a cellar.

Four artists interpreted March's challenge theme, "Mystery."

1. Ava Picollo: Riddle Me This, pen & ink
2. Charles Lautier: The Mary Celeste, colored pencil
3. Among the Clouds, oil on canvas
4. Cynthia Loynd: Decent into Darkness, pencil drawing

#artchallenge #mystery #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

Image features artwork in which paint and collage intermingle on the page.

5 Saturdays, starting March 14.

Time: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Ages 16+
Skill level: absolute beginner

Location:
Sterling Community Center, Stratford, Connecticut

More info, registration form via the Linktree in our profile.

#mixedmedia #artclass #watercolor #collage #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

An artist poses in front of a wall with three of her paintings hanging above her and two behind her.

Marie Dallas is the March Spotlight Artist at Obodo Serendipity Books in Stratford, Connecticut.

Meet the artist on Saturday, March 14, from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

Driving directions: maps.app.goo.gl/ibPTNxQBZiZ3...

#artshow #artistspotlight #books #bookstore #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

A path cleared on a walkway leading to stairs to a front porch with two feet of snow on either side.

A path cleared on a walkway with two feet of snow on either side. A car is in a driveway, waiting to be cleaned.

A path cleared on a walkway with two feet of snow on either side.

A path cleared on a walkway with two feet of snow on either side.

The first round of shoveling is done, and the snow is still falling.

#snowstorm #snow #blizzard #winter #stratfordct

A nude female model is lying on her back on a blanket. Her right arm is lying flat on the blanket by her side. Her head is turned to face over her right shoulder. Her hips are swiveled slightly to her left, and both knees are bent.

In-Person Figure Drawing at Sterling Community Center in Stratford, Connecticut.

Our model will be Nicole.

Tuesday, February 24, 2026, @ 6:20 – 8:50 PM Eastern Time.

More details are at bit.ly/stfd-figure-drawing2

#figuredrawing #lifedrawing #drawing #sketch #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

A nude male model is seated on the floor. His upper body leans to the left and is supported by his left arm. His head is turned to look over his right shoulder.

In-Person Figure Drawing at Sterling Community Center in Stratford, Connecticut (USA).

Model: Quentin

Tuesday, February 17, 2026, @ 6:25 – 8:50 PM Eastern Time.

More details are at bit.ly/stratford-figure-drawing

#figuredrawing #lifedrawing #drawing #sketch #blueskyart #art #stratfordct

An artist poses next to his painting, which hangs on the wall behind him.

An art opening reception. The artist and several of his admirers pose for the camera.

A table with cupboards and drawers in a bookstore that serves as the sales counter and beverage station at an art opening.

A small crowd gathers for an art opening and reception in a bookstore.

The opening reception for the February Artist Spotlight at Obodo Serendipity Books featured Alliance member David Bretter.

#artshow #openingreception #acrylicpainting #abstractart #stratfordct

A sketchbook page with a grid of watercolor-painted swatches.

A watercolor painting class is in session. The students are seated working on their paintings, and the instructor stands and demonstrates a technique.

A diagram on a whiteboard to guide students who are working on their paintings of a hay bale field.

A watercolor painting teacher talks to her students to guide them in their paintings.

Four more photos from week 4 of Watercolor, Beginner and Intermediate.

#artclass #watercolor #landscapepainting #blueskyart #art #stratfordct