Windsor Studio Art Since 1928

Helen Kagan was born Elena Valery Kagan in the cold Siberian winter of 1959, in what was then the USSR. She grew up to be a rebel looking for freedom in a communist State where oppression and control were a daily reality. It is telling of her talent and determination that she managed to obtain university degrees in Science and Psychology. – from Helen Kagan’s Bio

Helen Kagan is an artist. Pure and simple…or not so simple. She is everything a deep thinking emotional woman from Russia with multiple degrees and too much talent is.  She is complex and moody and very talented.

Helen is a healer-hands on.  She channels amazing energy that heals and aligns physical ailments.  She worked on me and on my husband and we are not novices at receiving healing energies.  We are both curious and experimental and we found that what Helen does feels real. It is physical and energetic and special.  Like she is.

I really like Helen’s work.  Let me know what you think.  Here is the link to HELEN’S site and her many vibrantly alive works of art that I find captivating. You can feel the passion in her work and in everything she does.

You may find her in New York City, Paris, in Sarasota trying to relax by the warm salt water or giving herself a sand loofah treatment, or in even another great cosmopolitan city cooking for friends- which she also does very well. Helen Kagan is a passionate, vibrant and unforgettable talent, healer, and friend. She’s full of fire and highly explosive as artists often are so you take it from there!

“The Journey”, 2005

It has been a few months since I last saw Helen’s work and as I was doing this post I couldn’t help but remember how much I enjoyed seeing many of her canvases in person. I really love all of them but I have gleefully posted several of my favorites. The last one is for all my dancing friends who follow my blogs. Isn’t that great! Enjoy the dramatic and bold work of Helen Kagan and please, go to her site and see it all.
Thank You!

“Dance To Life”

When it comes to Art in Scranton, Windsor Studio, on Spruce Street, is not your typical gallery. It’s true.

“There are many other fine art traditional galleries in Scranton, PA and we say that with pride. We are proud of Scranton; its talent, its history, and especially its culture.”
Richard Regni

It may also be true that you have to live in Scranton to really appreciate the depth and quality of the culture, the talent, and the people who make the Lackawanna Valley a very special place to call home.

As the voice of Windsor Studio on the road, and a long time Scranton resident whose heart is still connected to the comfort I found here, I know of what I speak.

Windsor Studio Art & Framing is a lot like Scranton itself. Windsor has strong ties to the past, is rather eclectic, has a way of doing things on Windsor time, and does an amazing job of making everything somehow better than you thought while keeping it original and notably high-quality.



In the Windsor Studio, you really never know what treasures you will find and they often come and go -before you know it- to those “alert” clients who are always on the lookout for “something special”. Here today and gone tomorrow, as they say, to the savvy collectors who also love a great find in the unique and the collectible.

Frank Regni, Richard Regni and Cheryl Regni, may even seem almost too nice to be so art wise (and descreet) but there is a wealth of information and knowledge between them that stunningly surfaces as needed.

Purchasing art is an art. Sometimes you may go back for several viewings before you are certain about how much you love an artists work. Don’t expect to bounce into a gallery and make an art selection after one viewing. Especially a larger work with prominent placement. That is the first part.

Then there is the second part. Believe it or not, it is as much an art to select the matting and framing style as well as then choose the wood for the molding so that years of pleasure are the certain result.

Whatever you may be looking for in Scranton Art, it’s a good bet that Windsor Art is the best place to start and remember to ASK for help because there is a lot you may not necessarily see amidst the apparent clutter of a landmark shop in downtown Scranton. This is the kind of shopping you want to slow down and invest some time in.

As the summers end approaches thoughts turn to the coming seasons.

Conveniently located in the heart of Scranton – when you are in the Electric City; tell them Alexandra sent you.

Windsor Art Studio at 408 Spruce Street in Scranton, PA. 18503 (570) 342-7415.

Helloooo Scranton!

While traveling, and enjoying the #2 Best Beach in the continental U.S. -Siesta Key Beach, we did just happen to meet artist Chris Lundy of Sarasota and the world, at the local coffee pavilion. Now I don’t know what to tell you about first; Chris Lundy, the powdery white sand of Siesta Key Beach, or Lelu Coffee Bar and Grill at Gilligans on Siesta Key!

Well, first I am going to rave about the beautiful – yes you heard me, powdery white sand beach, at Siesta Key Beach; one of the barrier islands across the bridge from Sarasota and in Sarasota County. Just give yourself a week there. Put it on your bucket list and carry that thing with you everywhere until you get there. It is unspeakably beautiful, clean, friendly, reasonable and just plain gorgeous! Be prepared to stay an extra week because I promise, you won’t want to leave.

That said, we can now talk about Lelu’s Coffee Bar and Cafe, a charming surfer bar, espresso cafe and local fun hangout with the best double sized, homemade cinnamon buns you have ever put your lips on. Yummm!

While enjoying a large cup of Costa Rican French Roast coffee, I saw a display of beautiful art canvases being shown to the owner, Lelu herself.  She was pondering which pieces she wanted to purchase and I was getting a magnificent show while listening to the Sarasota born artist, surfer boy, musician as he described his experiences with water, light, and e-motion on canvas. Talk about being in the right place at the right time. Eavesdropper? You bet!

As Chris Lundy was handing out cards I asked him about his work and the show at the Art Center Sarasota and found out he is showing from July 16th until September 12th and I figured you still have time to take a flight down with the kids and get some sun and a lot of fun while calling it an educational vacation. Jet Blue flies from NY to Sarasota! Whoo hoooo!

Sarasota and Siesta Key are just amazing and beautiful.  I am fascinated with the art of Chris Lundy and his former life as a Hawaiian surfer boy turned artist. Chris was charming and clearly willing to talk about his work even to three or four people at a time. While chatting I asked him if he missed his days of surfing and he quickly corrected me saying “my surfboards are safely waiting for me in Hawaii and I don’t think I will ever be done surfing as long as I can get on a board!” It was a good connection and the art was fresh and different. Besides, I love meeting new artists and seeing what is happening in other galleries. Check it out…

H2O …an exhibition of paintings , drawings and prints by Chris Lundy

The show is stunning in it’s color, detail and uniqueness. Here are a few pieces for your pleasure.

Mango Frappe Chris Lundy

Rain Series 2 Chris Lundy

Poster H2O Art Center Sarasota

Chris Lundy - Beautiful Reaper

Windsor Studio on the Road
Enjoy!

P.S. The Best Beaches are ranked by coastal expert, Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, Director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research. The #1 Best Beach is Hanalei Bay on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai. Congratulations to both!

The best kept secret in Scranton Art is the Windsor Studio’s collection of fine art.

Owner Frank Regni and son Richard Regni have been collecting museum quality art for over forty years.� The father and son team have worked together side by side as fine art framers in their second floor frame shop in Scranton since Richie was old enough to “help” and it was inevitable that the pair would be lifelong business partners.� Two hard headed Italian Americans…need I say more? It’s okay to laugh out loud because these two men know more about framing than an entire store full of framers anywhere else in the Scranton-Wilkes Barre area. On second thought, let me amend that to the entire northeast PA.� Art in Scranton wouldn’t be the same without Frank Regni and family.

On any given day the father son team frames everything from high end collectible oils on canvas, to signed sports jerseys from national league teams, to law degrees and newspaper articles.� You would never know it unless you knew them well.� Two humble and diligent men who come in early every morning and get the job done. Even just hanging out together as Frank builds a shadowbox for a composite of war medals and memorabilia; the stories are interesting and profound. It’s the kind of information writers hunger for.

Even so, they rarely see the satisfied looks of jubilant customers when they pick up the work previously left for framing.

Cheryl (Sherry) Regni is usually on the later shift waiting to help layout a framing job or assist in selecting a fine work of art for anyone who walks in the door after Frank and Rich have left for food, rest, and time with kids and grand-kids.� Sherry has become well known in the community downtown and she is a patient and kind lady to work with. Although the store has always been known for fine art and custom framing, there are some changes occurring slowly and of late there is a growing selection of antique lamps, tables, even some glassware and other small furnishings which is changing the feeling of the studio a bit and all for the better.

The Regni Clan is a hard working group of Scranton natives who built their professional reputation over sixty years of hard work starting in 1928 when Frank Regni opened his first Scranton frame shop with a partner who has long since passed on leaving the opening that Rich naturally stepped into as his father’s protege.� Richie himself is a fine and knowledgeable framer who says he can’t even begin to say how much he has learned in all the years of working side by side with Frank.

Recently, Frank told me about an oil painting in the store that is interestingly rare and unusual. The piece is by Haitian born artist Marcel Desir.

Marcel Desir’s Alberi Tropicali pre 1970’s

Desir was born in Port Au Prince in 1926 and was an accomplished and recognized international painter.� Although the Windsor Studio owns several letters from friends and family of Desir they are all in Creole and they can’t translate them.� The one painting owned by the studio is called Alberi Tropicali and has been with the Regni family since 1972 when it was purchased by Frank.

Desir’s work is in collections at Museum of Modern Art in New York, the Philadelphia Art Museum, various Swiss museums and numerous private collections in Haiti and Caracas, Venezuela. Desir painted and had work shown in Cuba, Mexico, and France at the French Institute and Bouchet Gallery in the early 50’s.� Windsor actually has a list of the private collection owners prior to 1972 among the handwritten communications.

In this age of green awareness and ecological consciousness the� Alberi Tropicali is a particularly interesting work of art.� Desir must have been well ahead of his time.� Come in and see it.

Windsor Studio Art, Framing, and Antiques at 408 Spruce Street, Scranton, PA 18503 570-342-7415

First Friday Featured Artist at Windsor Studio Art was none other than watercolor painter, Barbara Sowinski for October’s First Friday.

Scranton Art houses like Windsor Studio Art and Framing are fortunate to have many fine local artists to show and sell. One of those is the talented, lovely, and fit Barbara Sowinski. I say “fit” because the first time I met Barbara and shook her hand I realized what a strong and vibrant woman she is. Along with her passion for art she has a passion for tennis and the grip that goes with it. Look out Scranton Art fans!

All kidding aside, I have to say my favorite art selections from her recent showing at the Windsor Studio on Spruce Street in downtown Scranton are also strong, bold, and vibrantly alive. I find her use of color extremely exciting which impressed me because I always think of watercolor as the medium of palest pastels and diluted colors.

In the past I found myself more drawn to oils than any other medium but Barbara Sowinski’s work gave me pause to reconsider. Here, for example, is a selection of her work that I find vibrantly alive and yet soothing to meditate on. This is the kind of color I want to fall into and never leave -and it is one of several that affected me that way. That’s a good sign, would you agree?

Sowinski’s – Vineyard

Barbara is a well traveled artist who has studied and painted all over the world yet we have the honor of calling her a Scranton girl because she was born here and her Masters in Art came from Marywood University. Barbara lives in Bradford County just northwest of Scranton. Her work is in corporate collections in Japan and China as well as the U.S..

Throughout the evening of First Friday October 2008, Barbara held court as friends and newcomers met and spoke with her about her art and her inspiration. Friends from Afa stopped by to see her while sharing a laugh and a story or two amid glasses of wine and platters of cheese and crackers. From what I observed, a relaxing and lighthearted time was had by all.

Sowinski’s – In The Harbor

For more about Barbara please come into the Windsor Studio and see her show while it lasts. There is a large selection of framed and unframed watercolors available and many smaller as well as several larger paintings.

Barbara is beginning a new series of work this winter and I have it on the Q.T. she will be staying in PA through the season instead of taking off for the California sunshine as per her usual.

Get ready art lovers; the holidays are approaching and art is a lasting gift that brings peace and tranquility to the eyes of any beholder. For office or home we recommend an original work of art appropriately framed as a gift that truly gives for a lifetime. Barbara’s abstracts and landscapes appeal to a wide variety of art aficionados both male and female. She is our featured artist for October so come and take a look!

Stay tuned for more on Scranton Art in The Electric City!

Sowinski’s – Desert Sundown 1

Windsor Studio Art, Framing, Antiques, 408 Spruce Street, Scranton, PA 18503 (570) 342-7415

Fall is here and This Week In Scranton Art has been a big week at Windsor Studio Art in downtown Scranton. As Windsor gets ready for First Friday there is a hub of artist activity. Artist and friend, George Strasburger picked up a portrait that stunned the staff at Windsor. The subject was a woman of honest inner beauty, backbone, and stunning character despite her obvious hard times and regal humility. She took our breath away and you can meet her on George’s website but here she is in all her humble glory. Meet Tamara,

George Strasburger’s Tamara

Another member of the Windsor family dropped in to sign two paintings that have brought much life and energy to the studio recently; Sharon Zucchi’s abstracts in all their bold color and design. The canvases are quite large and although I have cropped the photo I believe they are each approximately five feet by three. See for yourself- truly a burst of energy.

Those two canvases sold since the original posting but here are two charactors who I find quite fascinating . The Odd Couple…by Sharon Zucchi

Speaking of friends and artists, a new member of  the Windsor Studio family is Scranton photographer;

meet Patrick Cunningham, whom we had the pleasure of meeting for the first time this week to see his portfolio of architectural photography of various Scranton buildings, churches, and monuments. You can see a sampling of well composed photos from Patrick at Windsor in the near future and we should even have a few for First Friday later this week. Patrick also has a passion for gardening and his flowers are another favorite object of this photographer’s eye. Stay tuned… more to come on that score!

On another note, can anyone believe it is October already?

Before we know it the holidays will be upon us. Come on out on Friday night October 3rd and enjoy the beautiful temperatures while they last- and don’t let the thought of rain scare you off! Come and join us for a glass of wine and some appetizers. Refreshments will likely be served wherever you go on the First Friday tour. You will find art of all kinds, conversation, music, and TGIF style relaxation among friends.

The Electric City comes alive on First Fridays. On that note I hear that local artist Barbara Sowinski begins setting up on Wednesday and will be the featured artist at the Windsor Studio for the October First Friday. We are very excited about Barbara’s exhibit and ….Hopefully I can show you a small preview before then. We’ll see. Cheers!

Windsor Studio Art and Framing, 408 Spruce Street, Scranton, PA 18503 or phone 570-342-7415

Pennsylvania Artist, Sharon Regni Zucchi, is a Marywood University Art Alumni whose work is represented in collections both personal and corporate in New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

She is truly a home grown artist who comes by her talent naturally as the daughter of fine art restoration specialist, framer, and artist himself; the founder of Windsor Studio, Mr. Frank Regni.

Sharon Zucchi’s art crosses all categories from modern abstract to classic portraiture.

Over the last thirty years she has been prolific in her volume of art as well as in her variety. Even her home is an ever evolving ever changing palate of artistic creations as she paints and designs her furniture, walls, and even walking sticks, in her own unique and colorful designs.

This artist’s signature work is nothing if not colorful. Her favorite work over the last ten years is whimsical and fun as in the photo below.

A recent portrait of an interesting young, non traditional fashion maven with orange hair, hangs in her home bringing comments from all who enter.

Talk about a conversation starter…

On the other side of the coin, Sharon’s traditional portrait work always brings gasps of delight and approval from family and friends alike. The artist has said that “even though she seldom knows the people whose portraits she paints personally, she actually gets to know them as she paints them and that is what brings the portraits to life”. She is responsible for several portraits in a gallery of doctors on display at the Mercy Hospital in Scranton.

I am proud to say I own several of her works, including some landscapes and abstracts. Of all my purchases over the years I enjoy Sharon Zucchi’s work without reservation.

Two of my other favorites…

Sharon Zucchi’s Green Nude

Sharon Zucchi’s Orange Abstract

When visiting The Electric City, you will find various selections of her art are often shown at the Windsor Studio on Spruce Street in downtown Scranton. Welcome and enjoy.

In Scranton Framing Is An Art and Scranton art lovers and collectors seem to know that better than lots of people I’ve met in the art world. How refreshing!

Far too often people complain about the cost of framing because they simply don’t understand what is involved. It just so happens that a framing gallery has to carry not only a sizable selection of art pieces but at least ten times as much variety of framing moulding and hundreds of samples for customers to choose from. Along with the moulding one must also stock a vast selection of matting colors and textures and the glass to protect the art from the elements.

Now, will that be regular glass, matting, and mounting or will that be museum quality? We have to offer both if we want to keep our customers happy.

Of course it does take skilled and experienced framers who have not only the expertise but the love of art and the interest in the details of life as an art framer. Patience is a virtue-naturally. A stable hand and a good eye are also a requirement of this career path. Ask any framer; it’s a labor of love. Better yet, ask any satisfied customer.

Along with framing skills and supplies there is the equipment. Have you ever, by chance, priced a new or even used joining machine or double miter saw? Thousands of dollars just to open the doors. Clamps, vises, mounting machines, hand tools, specialty mat cutting, backing, and of course, hanging brackets and wire. This is a partial list of what must be available, well maintained and working. All these tools require maintenance and must be in top working condition. Professional framers treat their tools with respect.

Sloppy cutting of the joints, mats or even (heaven forbid!) the art is totally unacceptable. Sometimes a job will have to be started then set aside to dry and gone back to later. Art comes in all sizes and shapes. There is no one size fits all so most all framing work is customized for the collectors preference. The more customized the details of a particular piece of art, the more likely the framing will cost more.

There is something stunning about a well framed print or painting, cost aside. Another point to remember is this: once you properly frame a painting or other art piece it will last for many years. Most framing moulding is very high quality wood expertly joined for longevity and strength. The better the finish on the moulding, and accents like gold trim or black beading, the greater your cost. Wider, thicker moulding also costs more. Wood can be expensive. Add the hard costs of framing to the myriad tastes of the public and it is easy to see why framing is an art that isn’t cheap. In some cases you may find an inexpensive ready made frame but not as often as you might wish. Surely, the mat or the liner or the texture wouldn’t quite be what you had in mind. Art lovers take their art very seriously and on their behalf so do customer satisfaction oriented framers! Art framing just isn’t fast food.

Framing is an art. Beautiful art deserves a custom frame for many reasons. If you don’t believe me just try tacking your art up without a frame and see how that looks. It isn’t the same is it?

You might want to put framing gift certificates on your holiday or birthday wish lists. Most everyone has something they’d like framed. Do you?

Windsor Art Studio at 408 Spruce Street in Scranton, PA. 18503 (570) 342-7415. If you are in The Electric City, I highly recommend them.