Located in the Ocean state, there is a blessed area, home to a wide array of artistry and musicianship. Between Artists Cooperative Gallery of Westerly, freelancers and collaborative groups, The Chorus of Westerly, young aspiring artists, renowned celebrities, and endless more contributions to this list, a small town by the sea has become a rapidly growing melting pot for creativity.
In the fourteen years I have lived in Westerly, it has been nothing short of a privilege to learn of the colorful artisans and their work residing in this community. Hand in hand, music as well as visual arts has always captivated me since I was a child and it has been a humbling experience to meet kindred spirits along the expressive journey.
Some years ago, it was 2005 when I met a new friend, and one well versed with branches of the artistic realm. This was a year I had personally joined the Chorus of Westerly. Quickly, I learned how these virtuous congregations of all ages were so readily available to be helpful and inspiring to newcomers like myself.
At the chorus camp, located in Lyman NH, it was a pleasure to meet Sandy Niles, one artist who continues to inspire many to this day (myself included, as we are still good friends). It was under her instruction in the art activities where she taught valuable lessons concerning our illustration technique.
Remembering specifically at the time, she had sound understanding of the intent in our work, as well as guidance in our creative consciousness. For instance, she would say things like “Draw freely, draw whatever you feel, and express freely.” Whether we were beginners, or advanced in years of building skill, Sandy would grace our efforts and accomplishments with enthusiasm and insightful wisdom. Her guidance helped us understand empathy as one of the main forms in the spotlight of visual arts.
On the same token, Sandy is a notable photographer, as well as one who makes jewelry of all kinds, and other assorted crafts you can find on her website (listed below).
The myriad of skills this woman possesses should be recognized, along with being so gifted, and genuine with a heart of gold. During one of our lessons Sandy and I had a hearty laugh after she said this one quote I’ll never forget to this day, “you know, we artists are a little on the fringe” she said with a warm smile.
Among those who work primarily in the visual arts department, Ariel Nicolosi is one artist of multidimensional sorts as well! So far, it is known that she began drawing from a very young age in the second grade, inclined mostly to drawing animals.
Ariel’s interpretation of Yoda
Self-taught as a child, Ariel held her interests in visual expression as a teenager, and slowly furthered her attention and passion towards digital art. In particular, she notes using Deviantart.com, being one notorious website she studied from and posted on as well. This a place where she eventually felt compelled to bring characters and settings to life, giving vast expansion to her portfolio of fan art and sketches she would soon transform into three-dimensional animation. Mind you, this is quite the difficult process and requires a lot of patience to those who have a brief understanding of how that stuff works!
Meanwhile, it was also mentioned to me that she had thoroughly enjoyed painting in contrast to using a mouse, (as well as a device used to simulate a pencil for a computer) and said acrylics was generally a preferred medium.
With certainty, it can be said this young and talented artist has spent a great deal of time working hard to capture realism as well as character/personality within all of her works posted online. There is true drive and concentration reflected in all the pieces of recognizable characters, places, animals, and people she has created and put into motion.
Right now, Ariel is studying three dimensional arts in college, and aspires to one day perhaps join Disney or Pixar as examples. There, she can aid to the creation and or the developments of characters and their environments. If needed, Ariel is local and a few towns over from Westerly RI, being a neighbor and known friend, well able to make a commute.
These two unique ladies share the parallel of being impressive multidimensional creators and have inspired many members of the artistic community (myself included). With a term like “starving artist” out there its almost daunting to choose to spend time and energy in this line of work, but dreams can certainly come true with the help of people like this in our community; serving as walking artwork themselves.
Sandy’s website:
Ariel’s website:
Featured image credit: Sandy Niles
