WH Design Studio Artists' Reception Recognizes Fresh Talent

 WH Design Studio and Gallery in Patchogue hosted a reception Saturday night for its latest exhibit, "Recent Works". Curated by Dawn Wakiya, four talented artists with differing backgrounds will be exhibiting their works at the gallery this summer. Three of these artists were invited by the staff to participate in the show.

"We're an architectural firm first, but secondly, we like to help out artists and it goes hand in hand," said William Miller, Architect.  "We enjoy it and continue to do it.

"This is a growing art community in Patchogue and we have a lot of things going on," said Wakiya. "It can only go up from here with what's going on with the art world."

Florence Heitner

Painter Florence Heitner, of Massapequa, whose oil paintings have earned critical acclaim. Heitner studied drawing at Pratt Institute under H.W. Kurlander, who she credits as her greatest inspiration. After graduation, she began a long career in advertising at J. Walter Thompson before retiring and focusing on her art.  She draws inspiration from artists like Van Gogh and Georgia O'Keefe. Her work is in private collections in exhibits across the country, including one piece she donated to Gilda's Club.

"At the particular time I did want to do one subject," said Heitner about the artwork she chose to display at the gallery. "I don't usually do that. I like to do many subjects and I know a lot of artists do their work all flowers or figures. I did want to do a group. I like to do portraits, I like to do figures, I love to do animals."

Heitner recently completed a self-portrait and is currently working on a portrait of her grandchild.

Titus Kana

Titus Kana, of Bellport, is a 3rd generation photographer who began his photography career at Bellport High School and studied under Joe Laden.  Kana primarily shot landscapes and the seascapes that line the coast. After graduating from Rochester Institute of Technology, Kana moved to New York City and began a career as a commercial photographer, working for major clients including Saks Fifth Avenue and Town & Country magazine.

Kana chose a set of eclectic photographs titled "Shell Studies #1" to display at the WH Design Studio.

"I always loved shells," said Kana about the photographs he chose.  "In this study I wanted to see what the effects of water rushing into the shells would do, in capturing it at that moment that the bay or the ocean is hitting the shells," continued Kana.

This series of photographs is digitally enhanced with HDR technology, enhancing the quality of the photos. Kana's next show will take place in Davis Park in July.

Clarence Simpson

Artist and photographer Clarence Simpson of Manorville primarily worked in black and white 35mm film and recently added digital photography to his repertoire. His series of photos on display depict the many perspectives of a flower, inspired by those of Georgia O'Keefe. Simpson began his career in high school and has immersed himself in art and cultural studies. He received a degree in Cultural Studies with a concentration in African American History from SUNY Empire State College.

"Flowers have their own personality. They give off their own little vibrance. They vary a lot. You have so many different perspectives of a flower," said Simpson of his work. "It's nature. I like to show my impression, my abstracts, of what I can do with flowers."

Simpson belongs to organizations including The Brookhaven Arts and Humanities Council and the North Shore Arts Guild. Simpson's work has been recognized in several educational magazines and he has participated in many group and solo exhibitions.

Simpson takes much of his inspiration from photographers and painters such as his father, Clarence D. Simpson, Gordon Parks, Minor White, and Edward Weston.

Kimberly Goodloe

Twenty year old Kimberly Goodloe has been selected to participate in the WH Design Studio exhibition; this particular show is her first. Goodloe will be attending the University of North Texas in Denton and will be pursuing a major in illustration; her goal is to illustrate children's books.

"I like the idea of combining animals with people, and I like using lighter colors just so when people look at it they're automatically lifted and happy," said Goodloe. "I like trying to make people happy and enjoy my work."

Five of her works are created with watercolors, but Goodloe enjoys using mixed media; one was created using colored pencil and oil pastels, and the other was created using charcoal and watercolor.

"I feel like they have a lot more emotion behind them," said Goodloe about why she selected those particular works. "I think art with feeling behind it makes more of an impact on people when they see it, as opposed to something you picked up off your floor."

Goodloe finds her inspiration in young artists like herself working towards their dreams. While she is studying in Denton, she plans on participating in more art shows in order to make a name for herself.

"Just seeing local artists inspires me a whole bunch because it's kids my age working towards the same idea and goal, and I think that's beautiful," said Goodloe. "It just makes me want to work harder."