Peter Dakota Shalit
Contact: Laurie Pettine
End of Elm+Art, Guest Curator
morriscountyartists@gmail.com
973-214-2643
Peter’s paintings meld the principles of mindfulness and art. Mindfulness, a philosophy and practice of ‘being present to life’ intersects beautifully with art, which is life. Peter works from his private studio and show space, Dakota Arts Gallery in Bedminster, NJ and also has pieces available at The Rock Box Annex in Morristown. He recently had a two year solo exhibit at the Sotheby’s gallery space in Madison, NJ.
Peter’s educational background is eclectic. He first accepted an engineering scholarship from Syracuse University, but graduated with a BA in psychology with minors in anthropology and philosophy, taking many math and art courses along the way.
After an internship as a graphic designer for products such as Mario Badescu, Peter moved to China and studied eastern philosophy and practices such as tai chi, qi gong, yoga, and reiki. Upon returning to the United States, he worked as the program coordinator and meditation leader at Ramapo College, giving mindfulness lectures to groups of 300+, facilitating teacher development programs for K-12 educators and administrators, and leading silent meditation retreats. Additionally, he is a certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction instructor and conducted courses at Ramapo while pursuing a Masters of Social Work degree which included work as a clinical counselor for at risk populations, as well as in hospice and grief counseling. Peter sees art and mindfulness as ways in which to connect to Life. Be here now my friends, it is the only moment that truly ever exists ~
Artist statement
“Letting go” is central to Peter’s life and art process. Surrendering to the flow of life is akin to surrendering to the flow of colors and movements on canvas, letting go of controlling the outcomes, and encouraging an organic unfolding of creation.
His works are “Co-creations,” a living relationship between himself and the painting. He enjoys a deep presence while leaning into the idea of letting the work create itself. His work is not random or passive, but done with great attention. If the creative flow lulls, having the awareness to allow for time and space for a later moment of connection. His paintings honor the balance between action and space. Rather than setting out to create something specific, letting it evolve of it own accord. The creation process is more an act of listening than expatiating.
The restaurant End of Elm, tucked away next to the Morristown Train Station, has been working with local artist and curator, Christina Lewis, to showcase a rotating exhibit of artwork from around the world. The works of art on display are all for sale, as End of Elm works to support the arts and bring the voices and visions of these artists into the public space. The current guest curator is Mendham Township, NJ sculptor Laurie Pettine morriscountyartists@gmail.com or Instagram @lauriepettineart.
End of Elm restaurant is located at 140 Morris St, Morristown, NJ 07960 or call 973-998-4534.
Laurie Harden
Contact: Laurie Pettine
End of Elm+Art, Guest Curator
morriscountyartists@gmail.com
973-214-2643
Laurie Harden was raised in an artistic family in Morris County. Laurie attended Kansas City Art Institute- majoring in painting, and then she transferred to Rhode Island School of Design where she got a BFA in Illustration. She worked as a free-lance illustrator for several years. In the 1990s Laurie began teaching Children’s Art Classes and never looked back. She taught them a variety of mediums and subjects and discovered a love of teaching. Ms. Harden teaches at several art associations and galleries- where she offers Adult Classes in Painting, Pastels, Portraiture, Drawing and Figure Drawing. Laurie’s fine art has been exhibited nationally. Her paintings and portrait commissions are owned by many notable persons and institutions, including former NJ Governor Brendan Byrne, the late Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, Sloan Kettering & Saint Barnabus Hospitals and the National Cancer Institute. Ms. Harden belongs to and shows with the American Artists Professional League, The Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, The Pastel Society of America, The Pastel Society of N.J., the Art Centre of N.J., and more where she has won many awards.
Artist Statement
I endeavor to capture people and places as they are at the moment. I strive to portray the emotions and concerns that traverse all cultures, societies and races. I am fascinated by the ethnic and cultural differences while embracing the universality that connects all of mankind despite the differences. I try to express more than a physical likeness. Whether it is a mood passing over a face, or an atmospheric change that settles over a landscape, there is an aura that is radiated. This aura is as much a part of the person or place as their out right appearance. It is this totality of persona that I strive to preserve in my figurative and scenic works.
I‘m compelled to paint, to try to understand the way light falls on a person or object & depict it. I wish to express the mood or fleeting emotion of a scene in such a way that the viewer can experience the feeling that captured me and caused me to put brush to canvas.
