Date: Fri 18-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Melody-Asbury-art-exhibit

Full Text:

A Look Inside The World Of Artist Melody Asbury

(with photo, cuts)

BY SHANNON HICKS

The work that goes on inside the office of Herb Rosenthal may not always be

calm and quiet. There are so many different aspects of Mr Rosenthal's job that

keep him busy -- public issues to contend with and political appearances that

must be made, meetings with constituents and board meetings to attend, etc --

the first selectman doesn't always have time to enjoy the outdoors, or even

many moments of calm.

Thanks to a temporary exhibition of works by the artist Melody Asbury, the

outer offices of Newtown's first selectman this month have been fairly

pastoral and serene. Ms Asbury, a full-time artist who lives in Woodbury, has

a show on view through the end of the month at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown.

The show is primarily oils and watercolors, with an emphasis on agriculture.

There are works that depict single animals as well as some with small groups

of animals.

In all, the show presents ten examples of Ms Asbury's work. It was arranged by

the Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, which hosts changing shows at the

town hall on a regular basis.

While the pieces on view at the town hall are all relatively new, not all of

them were created specifically for the Newtown show.

"They're all pretty much new," Ms Asbury admitted, "but they weren't done only

for this show. I'm always creating new work. Actually, I usually have several

paintings going on at once. I'll work on something, then put it aside while

working on something else."

Melody Asbury began studies of art at Ridgewood Art Institute while still a

teenager. Her mother was an artist, and Melody says growing up with that

background became an important part of her life. Further studies continued at

Wesleyan College and Dayton Art Institute.

Melody says she has always been prone to painting what she sees in her life,

which explains the propensity for doing more portraits of boys, and not as

many girls. Her sons have always been her favorite models, and she has used

them in her work since they were very young. "They're older now, they're

poised on the edge of the nest right now, but they're still my models," she

said with a smile.

Using what is in her life as the basis for her work also explains why so many

of Melody's more recent works include animals and pastoral scenes. Her work

became much more animal-oriented when she and her sons became involved with

the agricultural education at Ellis Clark Regional Agri-Science and Technology

programs at Nonnewaug High School in Woodbury.

Melody and her husband, Tony Fattibene, and their sons live very close to the

high school. The opportunity for Melody to study animals up close, in fields

and pens, has been invaluable towards understanding anatomy and

characteristics.

"I have a studio in my home, but by the nature of what I do, I also get out

into the field a lot to sketch," the artist said. In addition to working and

teaching in her studio, Ms Asbury gives workshops and demonstrations at a

number of locations including Naugatuck Valley Community-Technical College in

Waterbury.

Melody is a member of five local artists' groups, including the Society of

Creative Arts of Newtown, of which she is currently vice president. She is

also on the members lists of the Kent Art Association (as an elected member),

North Shore Arts Association (artist's member), Washington Art Association,

and Watertown Art League.

While some artists choose to remain independent and never join any such

organization, Melody says she decided to join associations such as these for

the opportunities brought about by membership.

"I got involved because I wanted to meet other artists.

"Being an artist is a pretty solitary occupation," she continued. "Artist

groups offer opportunities, a chance to get out, and learning experiences.

Some artists never join these groups, but I think it really gives you some

camaraderie to be involved."