January's Artisan of the Month, Leonid Shishov

Meet Lenny

Lenny handles ALL the printing for Reboli Center certified Joseph Reboli reproductions

The Reboli Center of Art & History is pleased to introduce Leonid (Lenny) Shishov, a fine arts photographer and printer from Lake Grove as its January Feature Artisan of the Month. He was born in the USSR and that is where he earned a master’s degree as an electrical and electronics engineer. Having received a job offer from an American company to translate and adapt its products and software from English into Russian, Shishov and his family relocated to the United States. While in the US, he obtained his green card and later took a position at a small photography lab on Long Island, eventually becoming an American citizen. A few years later, he purchased the company and turned it into a full service lab and studio. As a lifelong photographer, coupled with his engineering background, he was able to grow the company and stay compatible and competitive with the digital age, and he excelled in Photoshop. “Being interested in new technology, the Giclee process caught my attention and I began to experiment and purchased some new equipment and expanded my business,” Shishov said. Giclee is a French word meaning to spray paint, which is how a specialized ink jet printer works to reproduce an artwork on archival paper or canvas, and it is much more detailed and larger than a copy produced by a standard inkjet printer. Shishov’s archival prints are known for being like museum- quality pieces as he uses archival ink and materials to create beautiful, high-resolution finished reproductions. Shishov states "I love meeting new artists, photographers and trying out new techniques or equipment. I love to see my customers happy with what I do for them. Art it’s a gift and a lot of work. My reproductions allow more people to enjoy this gift in the closest version of its original form."

Lois Reboli, a founder and president of the Reboli Center, said, “We are happy to
exhibit his work and share his craft with our visitors. His reproductions are amazing. His Giclees of Joe Reboli’s paintings, which are for sale at the Center, are just incredible! His work will be on display during the month of January, and I encourage everyone to stop by and see his wonderful reproductions.”

December's Artisan of the Month, Jodi Still — Whimsical Mice Maker

Being a military spouse, Jodi Still traveled a lot and lived in many places. One home was on a small farm, where a family of mice also took up residence in the chicken coop. According to Jodi, “I was fascinated with the little creatures. About 12 years ago, I brought a colony of mice to life in several children’s stories. It was then that I started to create and make the felt mice.  I decorate some according to the season and others are engaged in activities that humans also perform.” 

Jodi has a bachelor’s in design from Buffalo State College. That proved to be an asset in creating A Mouse in the House, her collection of felt mice and ornaments. She became so enthralled with working with mice that she is planning to publish her first book about the ones she has created, as well do her own watercolor illustrations. Currently, she lives in Manhattan, works as a city paramedic, and is attending graduate school at John Jay College.  Creating felt mice is a nice change of pace from her profession. 

“The Reboli Center is thrilled to have her work on display during the holiday month of December, as well as her felt tree ornaments, which are available for sale in the Design Shop,” said Lois Reboli, a founder of the Reboli Center. Jodi’s work will be on display from December 1 through December 31, and some of her work is also featured in the current exhibit, “Celebrate the Season,” which closes on January 23, 2022.

Still, Holiday Mice (left) | Still, Spring Mouse (middle) | Still, Strawberry Mouse (right)

November's Artisan of the Month, Carl Siegel — Woodworker

Carl Siegel, Table

The Reboli Center of Art & History is pleased to introduce Carl Siegel, a woodworker from Port Jefferson as its November Artisan.  An English teacher at Port Jefferson High School during the day, while at night, he taught himself how to create pieces of furniture for his new home. According to Siegel, “I started woodworking in 1969, when I moved to Long Island. When I first began, I only had a hammer, screw driver and pliers, subsequently adding tools as each project required. I was always impressed with the work of earlier cabinet makers, and over the years acquired as many old hand tools as I could to use in reproducing Colonial, Chippendale and Queen Anne furniture.”  Since he retired from teaching in 1992, he has focused on smaller projects, such as chess boards and sets, antique automobiles, railroad cars, small tables and animals.

Lois Reboli, a founder of the Reboli Center said, “We are happy to exhibit his work and share his talent with our visitors. His pieces are amazing and so beautiful to look at. His work will be on display during the month of November, and I encourage everyone to stop by and see his wonderful creations and maybe get some ideas for gifts for the holidays.”

The Reboli Center is located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook, and is open Tuesday – Saturday from 11am to 5pm and on Sunday 1pm to 5pm. Admission is free and for more information, please call 631-751-7707.

Carl Siegel, Truck on His Table

October's Artisan of the Month: Russell Pulick – A Potter for 40 Years!

Russell Pulick’s tea pot

The Reboli Center of Art and History is pleased to showcase the fine work of Sound Beach based potter, Russell Pulick. “He has enthralled pottery enthusiasts for more than 40 years with his beautiful designs and craftsmanship,” said Lois Reboli, a founder of the Reboli Center. Russell Pulick is well-known in the craft show arena where he has been selling his pottery since 1976. His work is also sold through galleries around the country and on four continents. He was an instructor at the Art League of Long Island for 18 years, their studio manager for four years, and taught at the St. James Harbor Country Day School’s summer art program for 14 years. In 2018, he teamed up with several other potters to create The Brick Clay Studio & Gallery in St. James that offers classes, open studio hours and a gallery. He teaches beginner and advanced students there. 

Russell Pulick’s box

According to the artist, “Most of what I know about pottery, I taught myself through research and experimentation. The pots I make are all handmade. They are either ‘thrown’ on a wheel or hand built using the slab construction method. I use speckled brown stoneware clay and fire to 2232 degrees in an electric kiln. I make all the glazes and all are lead free and safe for use with food, as well as in the dishwasher. The pottery is quite durable and may be used in the microwave and conventional ovens. As with most pottery it is not meant to be used on the stove top.”

Russell Pulick designs and creates the following items: bowls; boxes; butter dishes; cups; dip dishes; hand built trays; jars; pitchers and tea pots. He also offers kiln repair and parts, as well as glaze services. His clients include many school districts and universities throughout Long Island. “Being a potter has allowed me to set my own schedule and to be available for my family, never missing important events in my daughter’s life,” he added. 

Russell Pulick’s work will be on view during the month of October at The Center, located at 64 Main Street in Stony Brook. It is open Tuesday – Saturday from 11am to 5pm and on Sunday 1pm to 5pm. Admission is free and for more information, please call 631-751-7707.

Russell Pulick’s fluted vase

Russell Pulick’s jar with wenge wood cover

September's Artisan of the Month: Potter, Donna McGee

Donna McGee designs and creates one-of-a-kind functional and decorative pieces in stoneware and earthenware, and puts her signature mark on each  piece with her original drawings of fields, flowers, farm life and faces. “Her unique vases,  bowls, pots and platters often feature scenes from the views outside of her studio  windows. The Reboli Center is thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the pottery of  Donna McGee, whose work is so distinctive and appealing,” said Lois Reboli, a founder  of the Reboli Center. 

For most of her life, Donna has focused on art. Since her youth she has been a frequent visitor to museums and galleries, than first as an artist and now as a potter. She studied art at Southern Illinois University and has a Bachelor’s of Science in Re-creation, Art and Society. In her twenties, she went to Europe and studied clay at the Jacob Cramer Centre for the Arts in Leeds, Yorkshire, England.  

According to Donna, “I took one class in pottery in college and hated it. A couple of years  later, I took another class and decided that this was what I wanted to do. I am mostly self taught and have always had confidence in my drawings and creativity – that is what  propels me. I make pieces that are both functional, as well as decorative, because I am  a realist and want my work to be used.” Once she calculated that she made about 1000 pots per year. While her work is her own, she does take some commissions. Her process involves making the item either wheel thrown or slab built, and then painting the background color on it while the clay is still wet. After the first firing, she paints the details, applies a transparent glaze, and fires the piece again. “My work is known for its variety of drawings and paintings,” added Donna McGee. 

Donna McGee’s work is on display during the month of September and admission to the Reboli Center for Art & History is free. The hours are Tuesday-Saturday 11am-5pm and  Sunday from 1pm-5pm. The Reboli Center is located at 64 Main Street, Stony Brook, NY.

A platter crafted by Donna McGee

A mug by Donna McGee

Flowers are hand-painted on a bowl by Donna McGee

August's Artisan of the Month: Ceramist Laura Wilensky

The Reboli Center of Art and History is pleased to feature the renowned ceramist, Laura Wilensky, as its Artisan for the month of August. “I first saw her work 40 years ago at the Rhinebeck Craft Fair and bought a couple of pieces. She makes hand sculpted portraits of people and/or cats and dogs or other pets in porcelain or white clay. Each piece is very detailed and intricate and for commissions they are beautifully personalized,” said Lois Reboli, founder of the Reboli Center, and who recently had an urn made for her beloved dog, Maddie, who passed away. Wilensky’s pieces are one-of-a-kind and others are made from molds and are limited editions.

After graduating from SUNY New Paltz in 1973 with a Bachelors in Fine Arts specializing in ceramics, Laura Wilensky became a full-time ceramist. While in college she created her “spoon” figurines and became known as the “spoon lady.” She was very fortunate that her spoons were exhibited at the well-known Fairtree Gallery in Manhattan, where they were sold to gallery customers at a great success. “Several clients started to collect my spoons and one woman has over 70 spoons which she displays on her wall in the bedroom,” recalled the artist who lives in Kingston, NY.  The spoon figurines are all made by hand and very fragile. Consequently, she no longer makes them, and has only three left: an ice skater, a man in his pajamas and woman in a nightgown with her hair curlers. 

 According to Wilensky, “My narrative porcelains have appeared in many publications, including: Teapots, Makers & Collectors; 500 Figures in Clay: Ceramic Artists Celebrate the Human Form; Smithsonian Magazine; and the New York Times. My works have been exhibited at the New York State Museum, American Crafts Museum, Cooper Hewitt Museum, Santa Barbara Museum of Art and the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution.” The artist’s ceramics can be found in the homes of many private collectors. In fact, she designed and produced “Sleepytime” tea sets for Celestial Seasoning Tea Company. For a while, she made numerous tea pots and sets and some belong to serious collectors including a collection at Celestial Seasoning Tea Company at its headquarters in Boulder, CO.

Early in her career, Wilensky sold her creations at craft fairs in upstate New York and in Baltimore. She noted that her characters were more “cartoonish” and now the figures are realistic portraits of people and pets that she creates from photos, or fashioned as functional items such as mugs, bowls, vases and plates. “I enjoy working with people and making their request for a ceramic portrait come true. I am especially heartened as many customers are deeply moved by the final product,” she added.

July's Artisan of the Month: Marshall Buck — Extraordinary Model Car Creator

Since he was a child, Marshall Buck has been fascinated with miniatures, especially cars. His special focus is in the creation of small scale models of classic, exotic automobiles.  This interest was nurtured by family friends who would visit while driving the latest models of Aston Martin, Lancia, Rolls Royce, etc. “Marshall’s miniature models bring another dimension to the Reboli’s current exhibit, “Shifting Gears,” which highlights automobiles, by showcasing his precise and exceptionally detailed works of art to our visitors,” said Lois Reboli, a founder of The Reboli Center. “The artistry and functionality of his models are amazing,” Reboli added.

 Marshall founded CMA Models in 1982 with the goal of providing serious collectors a combination of services at one venue. He offers the finest detailed custom built-to-order models in various scales, which he personally builds or are built by another highly trained craftsmen under his direction. CMA Models produces its own line of extremely limited edition of hand built model cars and kits. Marshall represents other similar artisans and serves as a broker and seller for one-of-a kind models. In addition, he has curated model shows for museums.

According to Marshall, “I am passionate about automobiles and the work that I do; and this work is certainly as demanding, and sometimes more so than a complete restoration of any full-size car.” A wide variety of his models is on display at the Reboli Center throughout the month of July.

Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta 1949 LM Winner

Ferrari 166 MM Rolling Chassis

June's Artisan of the Month: Nelson Medina

Nelson Medina

1962 GTO
oil on canvas (framed;custom welded aluminum,alcantara and wool)pricing available upon request

Nelson, who hails from the Bronx, is not only our feature artisan for June but was also a pivotal element in the creation and execution of our current exhibition, Shifting Gears. Nelson is well known in the automobile industry for his meticulous pinstriping work and is becoming recognized for his incredibly graphic, detailed and expressive acrylic and oil paintings. In a statement Nelson explained,

“I grew up in one of the most eventful cities in the world when the automobile industry was exploding with powerful, beautiful and stylish vehicles… a very cool period to have experienced. Originality in customizing was the thing to do to add character to your vehicle. It was the summer of 1964 and I was 11 years old. I saw a gentleman pinstriping while on a night out with my parents… we stopped for maybe 5 minutes at the most … it just blew me away.”

Nelson told the Reboli Center staff that he was heavily influenced by his father who was a master sculptor of wax in the jewelry trade. Nelson always knew that he held a penchant for creativity but was unsure how to manifest this inclination until he saw the art of pinstriping. “I thought it was just such a cool way of expressing oneself… and through time, dedication and determination, I’ve come to understand how to unite my soul with my body so they may perform as one… doing what I love… this art form has allowed me the ability to express myself in many areas … general creativity, color, style, balance…” Nelson also shared an incident about a tragic car accident that he experienced a little over 6 years ago. The accident left him juggling newly inherited disabilities and put a wedge between him and his beloved pinstriping. It was after this accident that he learned to develop an intense and inspiring love for working on canvas as well. Painting quickly became Nelson’s coping mechanism, helping him to deal with the immense physical pain he was facing. Over time, Nelson has overcome many of his obstacles with grace and now practices both of his passions, painting and pinstriping.

Nelson Medina

1957 Ferrari Testarossa
acrylic on canvas (framed;custom welded aluminum,alcantara and wool)pricing available upon request

May's Artisan of the Month: Peter Nettesheim Collector and Restorer of BMW Motorcycles/Cars

Proud Owner of the World’s Largest Collection of BMW Motorcycles

Collector Peter Nettesheim and his daughter, Kate, with their BMW motorcycles

The Reboli Center for Art & History is keeping on track with its current exhibit, Shifting Gears, which focuses on the “art” of transportation by selecting Peter Nettesheim as its Artisan for the Month of May. Nettesheim was chosen because the exhibit features both an original 1928 BMW motorcycle and a refurbished one from his private collection, and he is known for his extraordinary collection and knowledge, said Lois Reboli and BJ Intini, founders of the Reboli Center.

Collecting and restoring cars runs in his family. His father was a Mercedes Benz collector, which spurred Peter’s interest in collecting, but he took a different route by going with BMW motorcycles and cars as he thought the Mercedes was more of an old man’s car and the BMW sportier. Peter bought his first bike in 1979, and he has since created the world’s largest collection of BMW motorcycles. According to Peter, he has virtually every regular production model from 1923 through 1970 and another 35 or so of them after that date. He has now amassed a collection of more than 120 BMW cycles, including 10 cars. His passion is to collect and refurbish old and classic BMW motorcycles and cars. He has about 90 that are in perfect running condition. His massive collection of bikes, cars, artifacts and BMW memorabilia are displayed in a museum at his home in Huntington. Peter Nettesheim and his collection are well known throughout the world and both are highly respected by those in the industry. Celebrities and motorcycle enthusiasts like Billy Joel, Jay Leno, Ryan Reynolds and Lyle Lovett have visited his home/museum. The Nettesheim Museum is only open by prior arrangement, and if you have any questions regarding the history of the BMW brand, please contact Peter Nettesheim at bmwmuseum@hotmail.com

Original and restored 1928  BMW motorcycles on display at The Reboli Center

April's Artisan of the Month: Janet Zug, Glass Blower

The Reboli Center for Art and History is pleased to name Janet Zug as its artisan of the month for April. “I discovered Janet while looking for some handmade glass for the Design Shop.  I searched the internet and found several glass blowers, but I loved her pieces and contacted her. Janet agreed to sell her work at the Center, and we have done very well with her beautiful creations,” said Lois Reboli, founder of the Reboli Center and wife of the late artist, Joseph Reboli.

Janet started blowing glass in 1990. She answered an ad in the local newspaper for a glass blower apprentice and no experience was necessary. The position was with Simon Pearce, a famous glass production studio in Vermont. She got the job and after five days, fell in love with the art of glass blowing. When she was done for the day, she was allowed to work on her own designs. In 1992, she founded her own business and rented space from other studios to make her creations. In 2004, she installed her own hot shop at her studio in Vermont, where she lives. 

According to Janet, “I am inspired by function and beauty. A piece should be useful and pretty, such as my hanging vases. I love making drinking glasses as you can use them, enjoy them, wash them and they are so personal. There are so many things I love about glassblowing. First there’s the hot stuff itself, what a crazy medium to play with! Then there’s the challenge of executing high quality work from this pot of hot goo. I never get tired of it because it’s always changing. Blowing glass is the best part, of course, but being a productive business person is equally as important as designing work that I am proud of.”

Her studio is open on Saturdays from Thanksgiving until Christmas and visitors can take a class, where she will help someone make a piece.

Janet Zug’s hand-blown glass is for sale in the Reboli Center’s Design Shop. The Center is free, and open Tuesday – Saturday from 11am – 5pm and Sunday from 1pm - 5pm.   

For more information on the Artisan of the Month, please call the Reboli Center at 631-751-7707

March's Artisan of the Month: Mary Jaffe, Potter

Mary Jaffe’s tall stripe vase

Mary Jaffe’s blue round vase

The Reboli Center for Art & History is pleased to name Mary Jaffe as its artisan of the month for March. “Mary is known for her handmade functional ceramics. Her pottery has such clean and elegant lines, which are reflective of the landscapes of the east end where Mary lives and works in Bridgehampton. Her work is beautiful and inspiring,” said Lois Reboli, founder of the Reboli Center and wife of the late renowned artist, Joseph Reboli, for whom the center is named.

Mary earned her BFA in Ceramics from Long Island University in Southampton, NY. She did post graduate studies at the Instituto Allende in Mexica, the Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina, and a five-year apprenticeship at a production pottery studio.  For the past 20 years, Mary has been teaching children’s pottery workshops in her local community and at the Clay Art Guild in Watermill, NY.

According to Mary, “As a studio potter, I am continually experimenting with and exploring the subtle properties and abilities of the material. I specialize in wheel-thrown pottery with inspiration from the horizontal lines of the landscape and natural forms of seashells and gourds. The finished works are reflective of the process, where the softness and fluidity of the raw clay is expressed in shape and texture. On occasion, I explore altered forms in collaboration with my artist husband.”

Mary Jaffe’s pottery is for sale in the Reboli Center’s Design Shop. The Center is free, and open Tuesday – Saturday from 11am – 5pm and Sunday from 1pm - 5pm.   Masks must be worn, and social distancing is required. For more information on the Artisan of the Month, please call the Reboli Center at 631-751-7707.

January's Artisan of the Month: Laura Peters, Potter

Meet Laura Peters, Potter
The Reboli Center’s Artisan of the Month – January 2021

The Reboli Center for Art and History is pleased to name Long Island potter, Laura Peters, as our artisan of the month for January, which will kick off the new year of 2021. “Laura’s striking and intricate work is extraordinary, bringing the beauty of nature to life in her impressive line of vases, mugs, plates and other art,” said Lois Reboli, founder of the Reboli Center and wife of the late renowned artist, Joseph Reboli, for whom the center is named.

“I mainly focus on the flora and fauna of North America and beyond, and hope to convey the beauty and value of each species throughout my work,” explains Laura. “The result is a unique one of a kind original.”

 Since she was a child, Laura has worked in various artistic media. She was first introduced to pottery after moving to the Pacific Northwest from New York. Laura credits her inspiration for her work from field observations and her studies in Anthropology and Zoology at Oregon State University, and the extraordinary animals she worked with at the Chintimini Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Oregon.

 According to Laura Peters, “I found that my graphic art and illustrative background led me to approach the clay as a surface to be rendered upon. My work is primarily hand built using slabs or coils of clay. Each piece is created over a period of weeks in intricate detail. The most time consuming aspect is the underglaze brushwork, I do not use decals or any other form of image transfer. 

About seven years ago, Laura returned to New York where she connected with a group of fellow potters and they worked together to establish a pottery workspace, The Brick Clay Studio in St. James, where she teaches and does a large portion of her clay work.

“For me, the process of transforming the soft clay into utilitarian wares can be both rewarding and challenging. Because the medium utilizes the four basic elements: earth, water, fire and air, obstacles often arise throughout the production of the piece.  I address these challenges through the development of new techniques and experimentation. Thus, I look forward to continuing the vast possibilities which clay has to offer, and see how my work unfolds over time,” added Peters.

Visitors can see Laura Peter’s work at the Reboli Center, where her pottery is for sale in the Design Shop. The Center is free, and open Tuesday – Saturday from 11am – 5pm and Sunday from 1pm - 5pm.   Masks must be worn, and social distancing is required. For more information on the Artisan of the Month, please call the Reboli Center at 631-751-7707.