When we invited local artists and photographers to submit their work for consideration on our cover, the response was nothing short of inspiring—from moody waterscapes to iconic Rochester watercolors and everything in between. This issue is themed “investments," and for these artists, the investment is in their creativity and artistic voice, something we’re proud to celebrate in our April issue.
All of the submissions told a story and showcased the talent thriving in our region, so choosing one winner was no easy task. In the pages ahead, we’re proud to showcase our cover winner, along with a standout piece from three other artists whose work captivated us.
Cover Winner: Stephen Harkola
Stephen Harkola specializes in acrylic, watercolor, and oil paintings, capturing portraits, landscapes, and abstracts. Harkola submitted three pieces inspired by his time on Lake Ontario:
“Risurrezione,” which means resurrection, revival, or renewal.
“Burrasca," meaning storm or calm after the storm.
“Miniera,” meaning mine, materials underground, or figuratively a treasure trove.
While our team was captivated by all three pieces, we ultimately chose “Risurrezione,” for its complex beauty, ties to Rochester, and meaning. After all, April is a month of resurrection or renewal.
“I spend a lot of time out on the water. If you didn’t notice, most of my stuff is pretty stormy looking—that’s Rochester, right? Beauty in its own right. If you’re a Christian, it’s hard not to see God's work in nature. That's kind of what I'm looking to get on canvas, to really capture how I feel when I’m on the water,” Harkola says. “Every time I go out on the water, for me, it is like a renewal. It’s where I get my energy, my strength. Maybe you’ve read about it, some people have an affinity with water. If things are going rough in life, when I get out on the lake it kind of all goes away.”
Just like the water is a place for Harkola to feel peace and centered, so is his studio. “The meditation of being in a studio painting—there’s nothing like it, it’s like being on the water. I can be on the water or in my studio and the hours go by and I don’t realize it. Those paintings are a meditation, they required a lot of time and effort. And they felt good.”
Harkola hopes that anyone who lives in the Rochester area appreciates the lake. “If you live here and don't enjoy the lake you’re missing a huge part of what this area has to offer. I hope those paintings represent that.”
Learn more at: harkolastudio.com
Creative Standouts
Scott Martin: Martin’s vibrant watercolors capturing iconic buildings in the Rochester area are a spectacular homage to our area and its history. Of the three Martin submitted, our favorite was “For Those That Got Us Here,” featuring the Aqueduct Building.
“I draw inspiration equally from the GOATs hanging in galleries, to the student art displays at local libraries, to the street art on the side of buildings. Because the way I see it, regardless of form or style, an individual was compelled to tell a story and so I should give them a moment of my time to listen,” he says.
Learn more at: scottmartinart.com
Michelle Roberts: An impressionist oil painter, Roberts says she creates “for those who see beauty in the quiet moments—and want to bring that feeling home.”
Our team chose “Fall in Rochester,” which she says is inspired by the trees and water at Durand Eastman Park. “This fall painting reflects the calm, steady feeling of the season.”
Learn more at: michellemroberts.com
Susan Carmen-Duffy: A mixed-media artist, Carmen-Duffy “explores themes of nature, interconnectedness, spirituality, and resilience. Of the three Carmen-Duffy submitted, we chose “Sacred Flight,” which depicts a dragonfly done in watercolor, ink, colored pencil, and silvery foil. A symbol of transformation, the piece “honors moments of transition and the quiet strength required to move through change,” she says.
Learn more at: https://createart4good.org
“The meditation of being in a studio painting—there’s nothing like it, it’s like being on the water."