Learn more about the local artists who created our one-of-a-kind mailboxes in support of the Library!
EMMY HASTINGS is a Hudson Valley plein air artist who also was an illustrator and designer for a top New York City publishing house. She also taught high school art for 17 years and is currently working on a series of paintings of her hometown, Kingston. She works in all mediums including oil, acrylic and watercolor and maintains her home studio in New Paltz.
BARBARA BASH has written and illustrated many highly acclaimed books about the natural world for adults and children. She is a calligrapher, illustrator and teacher who leads classes in field sketching, communication practices, as well as the popular Big Brush workshops where participants learn to trust their own creative instincts while working with enormous horsehair brushes and great buckets of ink. Her illustrated journals and visual blog have long been a source of inspiration to colleagues and students. Learn more about Barbara and see her work at barbarabash.com
LORA SHELLEY 
is a RISD Graduate, (BFA – Illustration ’94), currently residing in the beautiful Hudson Valley in NY state shared with her adoring Cat, Charley and writer/partner, Rob. She has been exhibiting her original paintings and hand-pulled prints both Nationally and Internationally for over 30 years and can be found in private collections around the globe.
While primarily a Painter and Printmaker, Lora has experimented in diverse media — including fiber, wood and clay. Through all of her work the thread of her passion and style is evident in her narrative imagery drawn from dream worlds. Worlds of a kinder nature- where one has a moment of reflection to ponder life and feel in each work one’s own story. Her clay work is more playful in nature. She is inspired by everyday moments. An animal lover, she depicts our shared experiences and relationships with the creatures around us.
RISD Graduate, (BFA – Illustration ’94), Lora has been exhibiting her work both Nationally and Internationally for over 30 years. Lora’s work is in private collections around the globe from Africa to France, Italy, Germany and Australia. Her original paintings and print work can be found in the collections of actors, musicians as well as an American Ambassador. Her work has been featured in many publications — including the New York Times, Decor Magazine, Chronogram, The Valley Table, etc.
To view Lora’s portfolio, including original paintings and pet portrait commissions, visit lorashelley.com.
