Meredith on Canvas

Zachary Mafera is a New England based artist born in Townsend, Massachusetts and currently living in Tuftonboro, NH. His concentrations are in oil painting, watercolors, and glass. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, with a concentration in painting and a minor in art history. His work is heavily influenced by the history, architecture, and natural beauty of New England.

Jaylene Bengtson, of Laconia, NH, explores a variety of mediums, including oil paints, pastels, charcoal, and mixed media. Having many years of experience as an integrated arts teacher in the Shaker Regional district, as well as an adjunct professorship with Plymouth State University, she works as an instructor for both groups and individuals in therapeutic expressive art settings.
In her paintings, Jaylene uses ethereal line work and subtle complementary colors to create vibrant pieces that capture a natural moment in a sublime light, and invite the viewer to fully immerse themselves into the scenery.
She brings a lifetime of experience to her work, and effortlessly translates a plethora of emotions into each and every scene that she recreates.

There is no shortage of subject matter in The Lakes Region; the lakes and streams, wildflowers in the spring, the colors of fall, snow covered mountains to name a few. I began with local landscapes and scenery. Of course, there was always an occasional pet portrait.
As I grew as an artist (and several workshops later) my passion changed to architecture and its surrounding landscapes. I imagine the history of an old, dilapidated farmhouse. I feel the joy that went into creating the gardens of a newly purchased home.
Sometimes I paint to rest my mind. The challenges of mixing and matching colors to show perspective, light source, shadows and distance replace daily realities.
Sometimes I paint to interact with other artists, sharing our knowledge and experiences. Helping each other through difficult portions of a half-finished painting.
As an artist I try to stay open minded to criticism. If my work is worth critiquing, then it has potential.