Roots
THE SEACOAST DWELLINGS TEAM SD
ELEVATING YOUR LIFESTYLE, ONE HOME AT A TIME.
Liz Levey-Pruyn, Realtor®, Licensed in ME & NH
LISTING AGENT | BUYER AGENT
175 Market Street #1, Portsmouth, NH, 03801
603.502.7014 | 603.501.0463 x754
Liz@seacoastdwellings com
Annual Tour 2025
Fri., June 13, 5-8 | Sat., June 14, 3-8 – Downtown Portsmouth –
For a link to tickets starting in April, go to: https://tinyurl.com/pgtgardeninfo
“Moffatt-Ladd House and Garden,” watercolor by Denise F. Brown
L&K
Throughout my life, my dad signed every birthday card, sticky note, gift tag, scribbled napkin reminder with L&K. This affectionate shorthand for Love & Kisses became his signature, nom de plume. It is one of many tiny morsels consistently delivered: homemade bread, the top secret, best rice recipe ever, sharing Cadbury bars on cold chairlift rides and Doritos on road trips, stashing candy in my Christmas stocking, always being late to pick me up and always insistent on reviewing road maps in great detail so I'd never feel lost even though I would always get lost. These little things stacked up over the years bring a shower of eyes-smiling memories.
As Ian Kaner shares in a letter to his daughters in this issue, it's the small gestures—quiet, steady, and often unnoticed—that, over time, leave the deepest imprints. We taste life most vividly in these everyday moments.
This year's annual Men's Issue celebrates this very idea—spotlighting local men whose craft and success begin with a small idea shaped into something larger with lasting impact. Take Art Meconi, whose whimsical plan to make balloon animals for kids at the mall wasn't just clever marketing—it was the beginning of a thriving business built on connection and creativity—little effort, big impact.
Or Russ Grazier, seeing possibility in our tiny metropolis of Portsmouth to support a vibrant independent community arts center. Two decades later, over 2,000 students sing his tune—proof that a single, passion-fueled idea can grow into a community cornerstone.
A short drive up I-95 North takes us to York, where Mike LaVecchia, founder of Grain Surfboards, reminds us that lasting craftsmanship begins first by assembling the small parts. Then, with practiced patience, purpose, and joy in the process, something enduring and unsinkable takes shape.
Finally, in the refined strokes of Sumi-e, Japanese brush painting, local artist Bruce Iverson explains the goal is not to replicate a realistic image of a subject but rather express its essence, or chi—its life energy or spirit. In this art form, rooted in calligraphy, each mark carries intention and meaning. Much like the L&K at the end of every note from my dad—no longer just letters but a symbol that captures his essence. His spirit. His lifelong impact on me.
Happy Father's Day to all you dads out there.
And to you, Dad, L&K!
June 2025
PUBLISHER
Anne Moodey | Anne.Moodey@CityLifestyle.com
MANAGING EDITOR
Tara Phillips | Tara.Phillips@CityLifestyle.com
EDITORIAL COORDINATOR
Chelsea Agro | Chelsea.Agro@CityLifestyle.com
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Kevin Edge | Kevin@KePhoto.com
SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
Lisa Leslie | create@brandedwords.com
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Susan Gallagher, Ann Kathryn Kelly, Rebecca Ingalls, Hannah Kanfer
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
David J. Murray ClearEyePhoto.com, Nick LaVecchia, Allie Burke Photography
Corporate Team
CEO Steven Schowengerdt
COO Matthew Perry
CRO Jamie Pentz
VP OF OPERATIONS Janeane Thompson
VP OF SALES Andrew Leaders
AD DESIGNER Josh Govero
LAYOUT DESIGNER Amanda Schilling
QUALITY CONTROL SPECIALIST Hannah Leimkuhler
TARA PHILLIPS, MANAGING EDITOR @PORTSMOUTHCITYLIFESTYLE
inside the issue
Russ
Collaborate
Launched in 2024, Collaborate & Listen is the Chamber Collaborative of Greater Portsmouth’s podcast which celebrates the stories of our members.
Seasons 1 and 2 are live now. Past guests have included:
Tom Bath
Monte Bohanan
Heidi Carrington Heath
Michael Cinquino
Julie Cutting
Jennifer Desrosiers
Paul Gilson
Krystal Hicks
Amanda Kidd-Kestler
Sarah Lachance
Cheryl Lesser
Lionel Loveless
Regina Piantedosi
John Randolph
Courtney Ritchings
Darin Roark
Tina Sawtelle
Maya Shrinivasan
Anne Weidman
Season 3 Dropping Now:
Keith Bamford
Elizabeth Chilton
Cariann Daley
Chris Dwyer
Kaley Gagne
Michelle Lemay
Beth Moreau
Ben Wheeler
Available wherever you get your podcasts.
city scene
@PORTSMOUTHCITYLIFESTYLE
@PORTSMOUTHCITYLIFESTYLE
@PORTSMOUTHCITYLIFESTYLE
@PORTSMOUTHCITYLIFESTYLE
1: My Breast Cancer Support volunteers Lee Ann Ashley Parks and Amy Howard at the fashion fundraiser. 2: Stephanie Lazenby, the creative force behind Couch to Mic, celebrating another great show with her family fans. 3: Ariel Wahl and Alex Smyrnos make their stage debut at the Couch to Mic performance at 3S Artspace. 4: Max Graves owner of Maxxology in Portsmouth with friends Marcia Harcombe and Anne Landau at My Breast Cancer Support fashion show. 5: Russ Grazier (PMAC CEO & Co-Founder), Eli Kaynor (Chief Development Officer), and Jaime Yates (Master of Ceremonies) at the PMAC Gala. 6: More than 80 student musicians from Portsmouth Middle School and High School, and PMAC played alongside professional musicians in a jazz parade through downtown. 7: Fifth-generation New Orleans musician, Jelani Bauman, leads parade through Portsmouth as part of PMAC's New Orleans Jazz Orchestra residency
KENDAL J BUSH
MICHAEL STERLING MICHAEL STERLING
8: Kicking off Restaurant Week at The Gallery at Jimmy's with Peter Labrie, Deb Weeks, Massimo Morgia and John Akar. 9: Our Writer Ann Kelly with Yvonne Legge and Midge Nelson at Portsmouth Rotary Club meeting. 10: Abbey Forrest and Halley Bushe from the Oar House with Peter Bonzani of Ristorante Massimo at Restaurant Week Kickoff.
RICK DUMONT IMAGES
Meconi Financial Management & Advisory
We are a comprehensive financial planning practice, led by Art Meconi who is registered to service clients in 31 states. We have a team of experienced professionals dedicated to the highest levels of client service. Our hope is to empower our clients to achieve their financial goals through personalized financial planning, tailoring to each client’s unique needs and fostering collaborative relationships built on trust.
Electric Revolution
The versatile e-bike is opening roads to endless possibilities
ARTICLE BY SUSAN GALLAGHER
It was an “aha” moment for Steve Gerhartz—that eye-opening maiden voyage on an electric bike (e-bike). He immediately understood what e-bike aficionados were raving about. “You don’t have to go 50 yards on one of these to know how great they are,” he says. Owner of Seacoast E-Bikes in Newington since 2020, this savvy entrepreneur seeks to spread the
Recreational Fitness
Boost the Burn
Fitness riders love these sleek, lightweight bikes that offer a touch of backup for those grueling hills or breath-stealing winds. These bikes are streamlined for all-important aerodynamics and have smaller batteries and less powerful motors. Suitable for all fitness levels, these e-bikes fit the bill for even the most hardcore cyclists.
Tour the Town
Most of these models are step-throughs for easy getting on and off, especially as people age. These bikes are perfect for cruising the neighborhood, riding the rail trail, or seeing the sights, all while getting a little exercise—not to mention the mental health benefits that come from the pure exhilaration of riding.
word about the myriad lifestyle benefits of this wondrous cycling innovation. Starting at around $1,200, e-bikes suit the serious athlete and casual neighborhood tourist but have the greatest impact on riders of middle age and beyond looking to continue doing something they love, but with a bit of help. Restoring this lost joy to older cyclists is a mission for Gerhartz. But his vision for the e-biking future is even grander. He sees a Seacoast with as many bikes as cars in the transportation mix, easing traffic congestion and cutting
fuel costs. As president of the nonprofit Seacoast Wheelers, Gerhartz actively advocates for biking infrastructure to make this a reality. Riding an e-bike unveils new horizons for cyclists of all ages, getting people back outside and moving and offering commuters a new and healthier option. Mountain biking trails are now open to these new-age bikes, enabling adventurers of all fitness levels to enjoy the splendor of nature on two wheels. Four categories of e-bikes provide the perfect fit for every kind of rider.
Mountain and Trail
Go Nature’s Way
These bikes are coming on strong, gaining popularity among seasoned mountain bikers and newbies alike. These are heavier models with knobby tires and front and rear suspension to absorb rough terrain like rocks and tree roots. With more trails now open to e-bikes, nature lovers are going wild for electric mountain biking.
Young families with children adore their e-bike commute. Some ditch the second car in favor of this fun and economical ride to work or school that kids love. Cargo bikes come in two types: the Long Field boasts a platform behind the rider for parcels or passengers; the Front Load holds cargo or passengers in front.
wealth management, with a twist
Wealth advisor Art Meconi brought whimsy to his practice, turning balloon animals into business leads
It’s not every day a balloon dog helps pave the way to a retirement plan. Yet, that’s exactly what happened in a local mall when wealth advisor Art Meconi set up a table. As he twisted balloon dogs, ducks, and swords and handed them out to delighted children, he also handed his business card to parents and grandparents.
Meconi owns Meconi Financial Management & Advisory, a private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial. With offices in Bedford and Portsmouth, Meconi and his four-person team serve clients in 31 states. Meconi, who holds CRPC™, CDFA® and APMA™ certifications, didn’t intend to work in the financial industry. He was an engineer for 10 years but admits the role never satisfied him. So in 2002, Meconi made a 180-degree turn when he joined American Express Financial Advisors.
He learned by doing. “A lot of cold calling,” he remembers, “to meet the bar they set.” American Express mandated that every new representative secure five clients in their first six weeks, or they were out. He met that marker and went on to exceed requirements before branching out in 2003. Meconi Financial Management & Advisory was born.
Speaking of births, Meconi and his wife Jenn were expecting their first child. They lived in a two-family house in Massachusetts and when Meconi left his engineering job, they saw their income plummet. “Thankfully, rent from our upstairs tenant covered our mortgage each month,” he points out.
ARTICLE BY ANN KATHRYN KELLY
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALLIE BURKE PHOTOGRAPHY
Even with the security of rental income, Meconi says they struggled. He’s quick to note that he and Jenn share the same entrepreneurial vision, perseverance, and hard work needed to build what is now their successful practice. “Without Jenn’s support from day one, the business would not be where it is today,” he says.
The recession in 2008 hit hard, and revenue dropped more than 50%. Meconi’s business partner exited the firm in January 2009 and the market bottomed out two months later. Compounding professional pressures, the Meconi family was expecting their second child. Their son arrived in May 2009, nicknamed the Bull Market Baby. “Nathan was born and the market moved from bear into bull territory,” he says with a wide smile. “Things started looking up.”
Meconi says, in a way, he built his practice twice. It took him from 2003 to 2007 to gain his footing, only to lose it again in late 2008. He and Jenn doubled down and by 2015 they were seeing the fruits of their labor once more. As Meconi likes to say of his
resolve during that time: “Smooth seas never made a good sailor.”
A focus on marketing raised their public profile. He also credits his firm’s “concierge model” that delivers high-touch and comprehensive client services through partnerships with legal, real estate and banking, and estate planning professionals.
In the lean early years, Meconi set up table events at the mall to help drive connections. Foot traffic was scarce—until he landed on a bolt of inspiration and swapped brochures for balloons. “Who is always at a mall?”
Meconi asks. “Kids, and often with parents or grandparents.” He bought a lesson book on balloon animals and began plying his trade on Saturday afternoons. The whimsy worked. For a $10 air pump and a $1.99 bag of balloons, Meconi started landing clients.
“Kids came running to my table, so the adults with them had to follow,” he chuckles. “As I twisted balloons, I pitched my value prop and handed out business cards.” Everyone was happy: children, Meconi, and yes, even the adults—especially when they became clients and experienced his guidance firsthand.
He shares that several children for whom he made balloon animals more than 20 years ago are now clients. Truly a full-circle moment on wealth management, with a winning twist.
EXPLORE YOUR FINANCIAL JOURNEY
Meconi Financial Management & Advisory 155 Fleet St., Suite 212 | Portsmouth MeconiFinancial.com
Allie Burke Photography
Allie Burke Photography
The ancient Greeks had a special word that captured the serendipity of “right place, right time”: kairos. For Russ and Katie Grazier, the right place was Portsmouth, and the right time was 2002 when the City of Portsmouth’s cultural plan put a spotlight on arts education in its call for an independent community arts center. With two decades of music education already behind him—including teaching at Roosevelt University, the University of Chicago, and the New England Conservatory—Grazier was primed to take advantage of the opportunity. Together with partner Katie, who had cultivated diverse work in non-profit and corporate settings, the two created the nexus of cultural learning that is the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center, aka PMAC.
Having grown up in New Hampshire and spent time in cities like Boston and Chicago, Grazier had an eye for recognizing Portsmouth’s unique position as a small metropolis nestled between the larger cities of Boston, Portland, and Manchester. In the decades preceding the development of PMAC, the people of Portsmouth had built a rich foundation of food, performance, and tourist offerings that inspired both residents and visitors like a city multiple times its size. “For 50 years, the impact in Portsmouth had far outweighed its population,” Russ explains. “The city was signaling that it wanted something like [PMAC] to happen.”
What started with 12 students on day one in 2003 has since grown to 2000. Many Seacoast residents know of the extensive selection of classes that PMAC offers youth throughout the year, from mandolin and world drumming, to comic book creation and collage. Just as profound, however, are the creative doors that PMAC opens for adults of all ages. In his TEDx Portsmouth talk, Russ makes an exuberant, persuasive argument about the dangers of loneliness and the power of music to lift older adults out of the shadows of social isolation. “We see people from 60 to 80 picking up an
instrument for the first time in 50 years,” Russ says. “It’s magical, especially in a group.” For these adults, he asserts, the magic extends beyond their enjoyment and into their overall health and wellness.
This attention to community-based adult arts education has been a part of PMAC’s mission since the start. Based on the New Horizon’s philosophy, which aims to provide spaces for adults to start or continue their musical lives, PMAC invites adults of all degrees of musical knowledge — including none at all — to gather and make music. “There is a trope: when you get older it’s never too late,” explains Russ. “I like to say it’s never too early. The sooner you start, the more benefit it’s going to have physically and mentally in your longevity, and the easier it will be to sustain it.” Whether it’s alternative rock, jazz, bluegrass, or chorus, adults are welcome to bring their intentions, their joy, and any level of experience.
For the older student who feels hesitant to get started, Russ offers an encouraging message: go for it. As adults, he reflects, we have a tendency to shy away from playing music because we think it has to sound a certain way. “So many people lack an inherent confidence that they could actually do and achieve something like this. Confidence is the biggest thing — having the confidence to know that it is okay to sound like a beginner.” For students who want to be professional musicians, the training is there. However, the pure joy of the experience is where PMAC’s heart lies.
With its eye on continuing to sustain what it has grown, PMAC leans on its robust staff and the support of its board and patrons to keep it strong. Arts education is no stranger to the fear of losing resources, but PMAC families who have experienced the fulfillment of its benefits know that protecting this sacred space means protecting the soul of the city, where it will always be the right place and the right time for the arts.
Ian Kaner and Copilots
Dear Aspen & Scarlet
Do you remember how you used to shout, “IT’S A BUDGET BLINDS VAN!” from your booster seats whenever you spotted one around town? It’s a memory that brings me so much pleasure—the two of you perched up front next to me in my work van, your eyes wide seeing out the windshield, your voices echoing with pure excitement.
When I bought that van, I was thinking purely logistically. I had just become a Budget Blinds franchise owner and was kicking off my “man-in-a-van-with-a-plan” model. I chose a RAM cargo van with a single-row front bench seat to pick you up from school without switching cars. Although I did not realize it then, this practical decision would lay the foundation for some of my most treasured memories.
Back then, we were starting a new chapter in our lives. I had spent five years as a stay-at-home dad and loved every minute, but I needed to re-enter the workforce, and nothing was lining up. Dozens of resumes sent with no callbacks. I knew one thing for sure—moving away or being an absentee dad wasn’t an option. And just when I needed it most, the universe stepped in and led me to Hank Beresin at First Street Business Brokers. That meeting changed everything. I learned business ownership was not only an option, but it meant I didn’t have to squeeze into a job that didn’t fit—I could build something that fit around us.
From that point on, the van became more than just a vehicle. It was our mobile headquarters for after-school adventures. On the days when I picked you up from school, I would finish work early, and we’d hit the playground, visit friends, or stroll around town, all with our Budget Blinds van parked visibly nearby. Thanks to your lofty booster seats and front bench seat, you two had a perfect view over the dashboard—and easy access to the steering wheel (and, more importantly, the radio). There was always a debate over whose turn to sit in the middle, hands on the wheel, pretending to drive while I controlled the gas pedal and brake.
Now, with you both growing into strong, beautiful young women—14 and 15 already!—I look back at those days with so much gratitude. That van, simple as it seemed, gave us time together that was completely ours. We laughed at bad knockknock jokes in that van, sang to Jo-Jo Siwa in that van, and had heart-to-hearts in that van. It was a rolling memory-maker.
Today, our life looks different. That one van has turned into five, and my little business covers Lake Winnipesaukee and Southeast New Hampshire up to Southern Maine. And while you don’t shout out like you did back then when you spy a Budget Blinds van on the road, this memory is so vivid–it takes me right back to those days, reminding me of the bond we built, one drive at a time.
On this Father’s Day, I just sit quietly in my gratitude. Thank you for those giggles, for the singalongs, and for being my little copilots. I’m so proud of who you’re becoming, and I’ll always cherish where we’ve been.
With all my love, Dad
RIDING THE GRAIN
Reviving wooden craftsmanship in the New England surf community
ARTICLE BY HANNAH KANFER PHOTOGRAPHY BY NICK LAVECCHIA
Tucked just two blocks from the ocean on the southern coast of Maine sits a small, unassuming surf shop, Grain Surfboards, that’s anything but ordinary.
Craftsman at work
“They’re not the mass-produced ones, but the handbuilt and hand-shaped ones...the ones that have been around for 40, 50, 60 years."
THE BEGINNINGS
Before there was Grain, founder Mike LaVecchia moved to Vermont in the mid-’80s and immediately took to snowboarding. A few years later, he worked for the industry leader Burton Snowboards.
It was there he was first introduced to surfing. “There is a lot of crossover between surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding. For many people, if you do one, you kind of do them all,” says LaVecchia. Soon, surfing became a natural extension for him.
After 12 years in the industry, LaVecchia shifted course, earning his U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License and running a commercial sailing vessel on Lake Champlain. His time on the water reignited a
love for craftsmanship, especially wooden boats. “It was during this boat-building project that I was fortunate to have worked on, where I started thinking more and more about surfboards and how I wanted to build one out of wood,” he says.
WOODEN ROOTS
Wooden surfboards are not a new phenomenon; they were recorded as far back as 1778 in Ancient Hawai’i. The shift towards mass-produced foam boards only happened in the last century.
While working on boats, LaVecchia fell in love with the handcrafted, beautiful wooden vessels with graceful lines that had lasted decades.
CONTINUED >
Grain Surfboards family
“They’re not the mass-produced ones, but the hand-built and hand-shaped ones...the ones that have been around for 40, 50, 60 years,” he explains.
That appreciation for craftsmanship led him to think more seriously about surfboards. “I wanted to build my own,” he recalls. “and while most surfboards are shaped out of foam… I was used to creating something from parts and assembling them into a whole.”
For LaVecchia, shaping surfboards wasn’t far off from building boats—both demanded attention to how they move through water, and a hands-on approach to craft.
So, in 2005, he began building his signature “true wood boards,” combining much of what he knew and loved about wooden boats and adapting that to build wooden surfboards. With knowledge of and history with the board sports world, as well as help from many close friends, Grain was born.
THE WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
One thing that sets Grain apart from other surf shops is its surfboard workshop program.
“It started with us selling do-it-yourself surfboard kits—which we still do—but a lot of people were hesitant to dive in. They didn’t have the tools, space, or confidence,” explains LaVecchia. “That’s when we started thinking about workshops. We had the space, the tools, and a love for community and teaching. We’ve been running workshops for about 18 years now.”
At a Grain workshop, each participant chooses a surfboard model, size, and wood tone—every board is made from cedar, which offers beautiful natural variation. Classes are small, typically six students with two instructors, ensuring plenty of personal guidance.
Top: Enjoying the process Bottom: Little Leo. Big Board.
“It
started with us selling do-it-yourself surfboard kits—which we still do— but a lot of people were hesitant to dive in. They didn’t have the tools, space, or confidence... We had the space, the tools, and a love for community and teaching. We've been running workshops for about 18 years now.”
“In our workshops, we aim to strike a balance—making sure your board turns out great while also giving you space to engage with the process, learn, and get the most out of the experience,” says LaVecchia
NEW ENGLAND SURF
When people think of surfing, California usually comes to mind with sunny beaches and maybe the Beach Boys. But New England has its own underground surf scene, shaped by grit, cold winters, and a close-knit community that’s grown strong outside the mainstream surf industry.
In the Northeast, we face challenges—snow, cold temps, power outages, flat spells, [things] that most of the surf world doesn’t deal with,” explains LaVecchia. “But that’s always felt like a
benefit. We’ve had to forge our path; we’re not influenced by trends; we’ve stuck to our own values for 20 years, and we’re still innovating.”
Even seasoned California shapers have come to Grain and felt a wave of nostalgia.
“They say this feels like what California was in the ’60s. It’s special here,” LaVecchia says. “Sure, building boards is easier in sunny, steady weather. But the challenges make us better, stronger, more adaptable.”
That resilience is powered by community.
“The [Northeast] surf community has supported Grain by continually showing up,” explains Nolan Collins, Board Designer & Workshop Manager. “They’re more than customers—they’re family. Whether it’s a fundraiser, project, or just a potluck, they turn up when we put the call out,” says Collins.
Admiring the craft
realty report
Capturing
the Chi
ARTICLE BY SUSAN GALLAGHER
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KEVIN EDGE
Artist Bruce Iverson brings nature to life with the ancient technique of Asian brush painting
What first pulls your eyes to the painting is the dragonfly, hovering over the delicate petals of the lotus, its translucent wings beating airily. Gazing at this ethereal image, you can almost sense the flow of life in motion—the humming of the insect's wings, the anticipation of its sweet landing, and the lotus whispering, "Come closer,"—words that aptly entitle the painting. In this work, Asian brush painter Bruce Iverson conveys a perception of life that is emotive rather than precise, true to the philosophy of this ancient art form.
The 3,000-year-old tradition of Asian brush painting, often called Chinese brush painting, originated in China and spread to Korea and Japan. Known as Sumi-e in Japan, this elegant art form is rooted in calligraphy, the age-old Asian writing form that depicts words with pictures.
In Sumi-e, Iverson explains the purpose is not to replicate an exact, realistic image of a subject but rather express its essence, or chi—its life energy or spirit. He describes painting a leaf in Western style or "detail style" as drawing a distinct outline and perfect veins to mimic a real leaf. In contrast, the Asian technique of Hsieh-i, or "idea writing," is less about detail and more about feeling. "It's an emotional kind of thing," he says. In Hsieh-i, one fluid stroke of the brush makes the entire leaf.
There are no second chances with these strokes—each one is final. This ensures the spontaneity needed to capture fleeting moments and suggest movement rather than static. "You want to bring an idea to life," Iverson says. "For your painting to make an impact, it must have a liveliness to it rather than being dry and stilted."
Beyond the peaceful beauty of these paintings lies a trove of symbolism. Iverson, like most Asian brush painters, often paints specific subjects to impart their secondary meaning. Bamboo and palm are two of the most popular, both representing resilience and strength.
Iverson discovered this enchanting art form in 1973 while serving at Miramar Naval Air Station near San Diego, California. Seeking an outlet for relaxation, he enrolled in a continuing education class on Chinese Brush Painting and Watercolor. The young Navy man fell in love with the expressive Asian painting style and went on to pursue its mastery, studying with three master Chinese brush painters: Jean Shen, Hsiung Ju, and Ning Yeh.
These days, Iverson continues his artistic journey at his Portsmouth studio. Following the traditional practice of Asian painters, he wanders
YOU WANT TO BRING AN IDEA TO LIFE. FOR YOUR PAINTING TO MAKE AN IMPACT, IT MUST HAVE A LIVELINESS TO IT RATHER THAN BEING DRY AND STILTED.
in nature to observe and absorb, then returns to the studio to paint what remains in his heart and mind. Folklore says the artist creates his best paintings "when heart, mind, and hand are in accord."
For Iverson, communing with nature is like visiting an old friend. Growing up in rural Connecticut, he was "always outside," walking and immersing himself in the forest's charms. He later earned a degree in Biological Science. With Asian brush painting, this artist/biologist brings art and science together to create beguiling, graceful expressions of the natural world.
Four treasures hold places of honor in Iverson's studio. More valuable than riches, these treasures are the traditional tools of Asian painting: hand-ground sumi ink, carved inkstone, bamboo brushes, and rice paper. Being a bit of a maverick, Iverson insists on including water as an unofficial fifth treasure, declaring, "You can't do any of this without water."
A black ink stick is the ink source and the foundation of this painting style, hearkening back to its origins in calligraphy. Intricate carvings decorate the ink sticks, often depicting the tree or plant burned to make it. The artist grinds the ink stick on the ornately carved inkstone, adding a little water to make the ink. Some paintings use only black, while some are black, grey, and white. Watercolors provide gentle hues to more colorful works.
The bamboo brushes all come to a point, except for the wash brush, and the artist holds them in a specific way to ensure smooth ink flow. Forgoing the usual easel, this painting is table-top style; the artist spreads a sheet of delicate rice paper flat on a table to begin his masterpiece.
Iverson seeks to perpetuate this remarkable Asian art tradition by offering workshops throughout New England. Students find a sense of wonder in this compelling art form so different from Western style painting. These workshops provide a meditative atmosphere, in harmony with Sumi-e's ideology of inner reflection and serenity.
In this, the Year of the Snake, associated with wisdom and transformation, Iverson seeks his own serenity—in his painting and in his life. "I like quiet places where you can hear the water flowing and the leaves rustling," this disciple of nature says. "Or sometimes, the peaceful sound of nothing at all."
This Father’s Day, Give Dad a Cool Thank You! This Father’s Day, Give Dad a Cool Thank You!
Dads are known for keeping things running smoothly—just like your home’s essential systems. This Father’s Day, return the favor with a little expert care from Heritage!
Whether making sure the plumbing’s in top shape, double-checking those electrical systems, or keeping things cool with an AC tune-up, a little maintenance now means fewer headaches later. Looking to go the extra mile? A home standby generator can keep the whole household powered up—no matter what summer throws your way.
Give Dad (and your home) the gift of comfort, safety, and peace of mind this season.