Artist finds a breath of fresh air in Chenango
By Katherine Waters
Sun Staff Intern
NORWICH – Yonkers wildlife artist Raymond Sahtila recently moved to Norwich for some fresh air, a new perspective and the opportunity to connect with locals.
The artist’s work is currently being showcased at the Cafe Connection in Norwich and, according to owner Gerri Barnes, the 13-piece display “is fascinating.”
“His art creates excitement,” Barnes said. “Everyone loves it, and it enhances business.”
As a restaurant owner, Barnes understands the value of good art on the walls. “It is a win/win situation because we get something beautiful to look at, and his art is displayed for free.”
Sahtila describes his style as wildlife realism with impressionist landscapes.
“I want to get the animal right, but I take creative license with the landscapes,” he said.
For inspiration, the artist draws from places he has visited, such as Sanibel Island, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida and Belize. He said he plans to focus on a collection based on the wealth of wildlife in the Chenango County area.
“I’ve been out there practicing getting a fern right,” he said .
Sahtila has exhibited in several prestigious art shows, including, “The Artist’s View” at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wisconsin. In 1997, he was approached by the Bronx Zoo to paint a gorilla for a benefit auction.
He traditionally works on four to eight pieces a year and never finishes a painting until he is completely happy with it. On more than one occasion, Sahtila said he has whited out a portion or an entire painting in order to fix something he didn’t like.
The Cafe Connection will continue to display Sahtila’s artwork until Colorscape weekend. After that, the artist plans to offer his art as an exhibit in the Mareia Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries in The Chenango County Council of the Arts.
Sahtila said he is anxious to spread his art to collectors in the upstate New York community and enjoy his own “little piece of country.”
“I love the community,” he said. “Norwich is a great city.”
Sun Staff Intern
NORWICH – Yonkers wildlife artist Raymond Sahtila recently moved to Norwich for some fresh air, a new perspective and the opportunity to connect with locals.
The artist’s work is currently being showcased at the Cafe Connection in Norwich and, according to owner Gerri Barnes, the 13-piece display “is fascinating.”
“His art creates excitement,” Barnes said. “Everyone loves it, and it enhances business.”
As a restaurant owner, Barnes understands the value of good art on the walls. “It is a win/win situation because we get something beautiful to look at, and his art is displayed for free.”
Sahtila describes his style as wildlife realism with impressionist landscapes.
“I want to get the animal right, but I take creative license with the landscapes,” he said.
For inspiration, the artist draws from places he has visited, such as Sanibel Island, Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida and Belize. He said he plans to focus on a collection based on the wealth of wildlife in the Chenango County area.
“I’ve been out there practicing getting a fern right,” he said .
Sahtila has exhibited in several prestigious art shows, including, “The Artist’s View” at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wisconsin. In 1997, he was approached by the Bronx Zoo to paint a gorilla for a benefit auction.
He traditionally works on four to eight pieces a year and never finishes a painting until he is completely happy with it. On more than one occasion, Sahtila said he has whited out a portion or an entire painting in order to fix something he didn’t like.
The Cafe Connection will continue to display Sahtila’s artwork until Colorscape weekend. After that, the artist plans to offer his art as an exhibit in the Mareia Brown and Raymond Loft Galleries in The Chenango County Council of the Arts.
Sahtila said he is anxious to spread his art to collectors in the upstate New York community and enjoy his own “little piece of country.”
“I love the community,” he said. “Norwich is a great city.”
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