Tag Archives: Michael Tomashefsky

Online Art Gallery #338

Posted on October 3, 2026 | Leave a comment

A couple of familiar Westport scenes lead off this week’s online art gallery.

We introduce a new artist too. Peter Gold — a Representative Town Meeting member and Westport Transit District director spends his spare time turning objects on a lathe. A variety of his work is for sale.

Which reminds us: No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we want your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in.

“The Mill Pond” (Michael Tomashefsky — Available for purchase; click here)

“Summer Stock at the Old Westport Playhouse” (Eric Bosch)

Untitled (Michael Chait — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (June Rose Whittaker — Available for purchase; click here)

“Hungry Eyes” (Bill Fellah)

“Rosewater Dream” — acrylic resin abstract (Patricia McMahon)

“Abundant Persistent Flowers” — impasto acrylic 18 x 29 (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)

“Assorted Wood Bowls, Boxes & Other Turned Objects” (Peter Gold — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (Franco Fellah)

“Focus on Pedernal” — The mountain subject of many of Georgia O’Keeffe’s New Mexico paintings (Jerry Kuyper)

“Montenegro Subway Hiding Cave” (Wendy Levy)

“After the Buddha’s Enlightenment, the Nāga (Cobras) Sheltered Him From a Severe Storm” (Mike Hibbard)

“June and Me” (Martin Ripchick)

“A Baroque Rigged Tall Ship” — watercolor (Steve Stein)

Entrance is free to our online art gallery –as it has been for 6 years. But please consider an anniversary donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

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Online Art Gallery #336

Posted on September 19, 2026 | 2 comments

A reminder to all our visitors: Each week, many works are for sale.

We’ve revised our email notification system. Artists: Be on the lookout for a new address in your inbox when someone wants to purchase your work.

Remember: No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we want your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in.

“A Yom Kippur Prayer To Be Written and Sealed in the Book of Life For a Peaceful and a Good Year” — watercolor (Steve Stein)

Untitled (Michael Chait — Available for purchase; click here)

“Westport Onions Ready for New York City” (Eric Bosch)

Untitled (Rowene Weems — Available for purchase; click here)

“The Footbridge Over Deadman Brook” (Michael Tomashefsky)

“Saugatuck Station Power Grid” (John Maloney)

“Rings of Life” (Jerry Kuyper)

“Once Upon a Time” (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)

“A Little Music” — June Rose Whittaker (Available for purchase — click here)

Untitled — acrylic and sharpie (Susan Celuch)

“Croatian Boy in Cavtat” Wendy Levy)

“Traffic” (Robbie Sumberg)

“This Ol’ Dawg Ain’t Gonna Learn Any New Tricks!” (Mike Hibbard)

Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery –as it has been for 6 years. But please consider an anniversary donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

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Online Art Gallery #335

Posted on September 12, 2026 | Leave a comment

This week’s online art gallery brings many reflections.

And not just because it marks the anniversary of 9/11.

Our artists reflect on the High Holidays, our Minute Man, the state of our nation, and nature’s branches.

It’s another inspiring, thought-provoking week in our gallery. But we couldn’t it without you.

No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we want your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in.

“Something Missing” (Susan Malloy). The late artist’s niece, Ann Sheffer, is donating it to the Westport Permanent Art Collections. “It’s very evocative, and it will be hung in Town Hall or one of the schools,” Ann says.

Untitled. Artist Eric Bosch says, “With our current government status being what it is, I wonder how many of us can relate to our local Minute Man statue.”

“Footbridge Off Ford Road” (Michael Tomashefsky)

“Labor Day at Compo” (Michael Chait — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (John Maloney)

Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)

 

“Reflecting Branches” (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled — acrylic (Susan Celuch)

“Utopia Five” (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)

“Woman with Luxurious Hair — pencil on paper (Bill Fellah)

Untitled (Martin Ripchick)

Photographer Mike Hibbard says, “Storks do play baseball. ‘What do you think? Is the ball fowl?'”

“Potter” (Lawrence Weisman)

“Praying for Peace, Health and Happiness: Rosh Hashana 5787” — watercolor (Steve Stein)

 

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery –as it has been for 6 years. But please consider an anniversary donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

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Online Art Gallery #331

Posted on August 15, 2026 | Leave a comment

As we do nearly every week, we again welcome new artists to our online gallery.

Whether you’re a regular visitor or first-timer — and whether you’re an accomplished artist or one just starting out: We want you.

This is your feature. No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we want your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in.

“Free the Foot Bridge!” (Michael Tomashefsky — Available for purchase; click here)

“For Mom, Great pond, Falmouth, MA” — oil on canvas, 24 x 36 (Cathy Kim Walker)

“Mr Rodger’s Nantucket Vacation Home’s Backyard Boat” (Eric Bosch)

“Serene Takeoff” (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)

“Woodside Avenue” (John Maloney)

Untitled (Cohl Katz)

“Floral Forest” — acrylic pouring with fine point illustrator accent pen (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)

“Cupcakes — Baked and Crocheted” (Rebecca Stein Richards)

Untitled — collage, white/black pen (Toby Michaels — Available for purchase; click here)

“Brinna” — silverpoint on prepared linen, 10 x 8 (Werner Liepolt)

Photographer Mike Hibbard says, “Path to our vacation cottage: Be on the lookout for Alligators and rabies infected Monkeys. Even worse, we are in a dead zone – no TV or cellphones!”

“Osprey Soaring Over Compo” — watercolor and pencil (Steve Stein)

“Server” (Lawrence Weisman)

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery –as it has been for 6 years. But please consider an anniversary donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

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Online Art Gallery #329

Posted on August 1, 2026 | Leave a comment

Serene summer scenes highlight this week’s art gallery.

It’s the perfect way to welcome August, for our many visitors.

As for our artists: No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we want your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in.

“Atlantics 16 & 127 Off South Beach” (Eric Bosch)

“Westporthenge — August 2022” (Michael Tomashefsky– Available for purchase; click here)

“In the Nantucket Serengeti — Fall” (Nancy Breakstone — Available for purchase; click here)

“I Come Bearing Gifts” — found trunk and rocks, Monhegan Island, Maine (Jerry Kuyper)

“The Koi Pond” — encaustic wax, 13 x 25 (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)

“Watercolor Fusion” (June Rose Whittaker — Available for purchase; click here)

“This is Not a Blue Pizza” — acrylic paint (Joanne Leaman  — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (Zoe Abrams, 15-year-old One River Art student)

“Dare You to Tickle Her Paw!” (Mike Hibbard)

“A Forever in Bloom Rose Bouquet” — crochet (Rebecca Stein Richards)

 

 

 

“Summer Pause” (Patricia McMahon) 

“Please Buy My Pretty Flowers!” (Steve Stein)

“Lacing Up” (Lawrence Weisman)

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery –as it has been for 6 years. But please consider an anniversary donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

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Online Art Gallery #319

Posted on May 23, 2026 | 2 comments

Happy Memorial Day!

And arrival (soon) of summer. And whatever else you’re celebrating.

This week — just in time for Westport’s Fine Arts Festival — we celebrate another pack of Westport artists. And whether you’re a regular wanderer through our online gallery, or a first-time visitor: Welcome!

No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we want your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in.

“Another Sunday Morning Shoot in the Hopper” (Michael Tomashefsky — Available for sale; click here)

“Westport’s Sweet Melted Memories” (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)

“Memorial Day: A Family Tribute” — oil on linen (Mary Madelyn Attanasio)

“The American Rose” — oil on aluminum impasto style (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)

 

“An Artist’s Mind Moves Faster Than the Clock” (Eric Bosch)

“Flotsam and Jetsam From Waimanalo Beach, Hawaii” (Jerry Kuyper)

“Musical Collage” (June Rose Whittaker — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled — digital photography, in camera multiple exposure (Melissa Goldsmith)

“Beauty Can Be Found Everywhere” (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled — gouache on paper bag handles (Toby Michaels)

Untitled — pencil on paper (Alec Feldman, age 12)

“Sweet Treats” (Evelyn Rose, age 7, One River Art student)

Photographer Mike Hibbard says, “This spiritual leader of a Maasai tribe in Tanzania is worried. He left Africa as a young man to study in Europe. He earned several degrees and speaks several languages. He’s back, and knows that the youth in his tribe must get an education. But will they lose the traditions of their culture?”

“Bend in the River” — crayon, watercolor and pencil (Steve Stein)

“Tourist” (Lawrence Weisman)

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery –as it has been for 6 years. But please consider an anniversary donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

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[OPINION] Open The Parker Harding Footbridge!

Posted on May 15, 2026 | 16 comments

Michael Tomashefsky has lived in Westport for 32 years. He spent a career in trade magazine advertising, focusing on development media for Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America. 

He has also had side hustles in standup comedy,  writing for a rock ‘n’ roll magazine, and landscape photography. Since retiring 2 years ago, he has given landscape and travel presentations of his photos at senior centers and senior communities throughout the area.

Westport never ceases to provide Michael with photography inspiration, included the Parker Harding Plaza footbridge. He writes:

It sits there day after day, year after year, forlorn, neglected, nearly forgotten and overshadowed by the controversy surrounding its larger brother, the Cribari Bridge.

The Parker Harding footbridge … (Photo/John Maloney)

Lord knows, Westport faces many pressing issues — including the future status of that Cribari Bridge, the lack of affordable housing, not enough bike lanes and sidewalks, anemic downtown parking, a disturbing lack of Albanian restaurants, and absolutely no master plan for dealing with a Martian attack.

I would like to raise our collective consciousness by adding to this list the head-scratching demise of the footbridge behind Parker Harding.

The artfully designed wooden plank walkway that juts out into the Saugatuck River has been closed for several years, presumably because it became unsafe.

Prior to that it offered splendid all-season views of the surrounding wetlands, the river, and downtown Westport. It was a haven for photographers, birders, lovers making out and folks simply looking to enjoy the views.

It was one of many attributes that made Westport a special place to live.

Unfortunately, those of us who used to revel in the footbridge’s many delights must continue to stew in season after season of our discontent. It is a classic case of anti-footbridgeloverism.

… with its “Do Not Enter” sign. (Photo/Michael Tomashefsky)

The Public Works Department has advised me that the footbridge is officially on the property of Gorham Island, and repairs are under their jurisdiction.

The agency that manages the property confirmed this, and advised me they would do a cost analysis re making repairs in the next couple of months.

As private money, corporate bureaucracy and state regulations would be involved as well, I doubt we’ll see an open footbridge any time soon.

But heck — if the citizens of Westport could stop the building of a nuclear power plant on Cockenoe Island, surely, we can get the Parker Harding footbridge open.

Citizens unite!

(“06880″‘s Opinion pages are open to all. Email submissions to 06880blog@gmail.com. To support this hyper-local blog, please click here.)

 

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Online Art Gallery #315

Posted on April 25, 2026 | 1 comment

Noted Westport photographer Michael Chait joins our online gallery this week.

We welcome him — and all other artists.

Professional and amateur; no matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we want your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in.

“NYC Newsstand Circa 1977 — Lexington Avenue & 53rd Street” (Michael Chait — Available for purchase; click here)

“It Dawned on Me” (Michael Tomashefsky — Available for purchase; click here)

Untitled (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)

“Really Big Rudbeckia” — watercolor on Arches paper, 16.5 x 11.5 (Kathleen Burke — Available for purchase; click here)

 

“My Little Pony” — acrylic and resin, 24 x 36 (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)

“Butterflies Are Free” — doodling of color with 3D butterflies (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)

“Night Guard” — abstract (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)

“PSOS” (Mark Yurkiw — Available for purchase; click here)

“Lucky Me! 46 Years Ago She Said ‘Yes!'” — watercolor black paint on paper (Eric Bosch)

“Strong, Handsome, and Friendly with Great Vibrations – His Entourage Also Enjoys the Music and More!” (Mike Hibbard)

Untitled  (Martin Ripchick — Available for purchase; click here)

“And We Were Told Everything is Under Control!” — watercolor and graphite (Steve Stein)

“Conversation” (Lawrence Weisman)

“Sissy” — pencil on paper (Bill Fellah)

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery –as it has been for 6 years. But please consider an anniversary donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

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Online Art Gallery #306

Posted on February 21, 2026 | Comments Off on Online Art Gallery #306

We always showcase a variety of artists in our Saturday online art gallery.

They always span an impressive spread of mediums, styles and subjects.

But this week’s offers the widest range of ages. We’ve got a first-time submission from a 4th grader — and another first-time offering from a 97-year-old.

Can we ever beat that?

Hey: We can try! As always, we invite you to be part of next week’s exhibition. No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

Just email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.

“Mill Pond Foggy Foggy Night” (Michael Chait — Available for purchase; click here)

“Hey There From Emilia-Romagna, Italy” — digitally painted original photograph (Michael Tomashefsky — Available for purchase; click here)

“Running in the Rain” (Salit Kulla)

“Charleston, SC” (Tom Doran — Available for purchase; click here)

“Bitter End Knots” — Bitter End Yacht Club, Virgin Gorda (Nancy Breakstone — Available for purchase; click here)

“Flowers Peeking Through the Ice” — 21 x 21 oil and acrylic on aluminum  (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)

“Spring Forward” — acrylic and resin (Patricia McMahon — Available for purchase; click here)

“Gold Wave, $5 an Ounce” — Dutch-pour technique on canvas (Eric Bosch)

“Seeing Spots” (Allison Arth, grade 4, One River Art student)

“Shadows of my Former Self (Officer, Golfer, Pickleballer” — triptych photo (Tom Lowrie, age 97)

Photographer Mike Hibbard says, Earthquake hits Kathmandu City. Millions of pieces in this puzzle. AI can help rebuild the temple.”

“A Type Setter’s Nightmare” — watercolor and pencil (Steve Stein)

“Lion Around” (Martin Ripchick — Available for purchase; click here)

“What’s it All About?” (Lawrence Weisman)

“Allison” — pencil on paper (Bill Fellah)

“Jan. 6th” (Mark Yurkiw — Available for purchase; click here)

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

 

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Online Art Gallery #298

Posted on December 27, 2025 | 2 comments

Welcome to this holiday edition of our online art gallery.

Christmas may be over, but winter is not. Our “06880” artists have been as busy as Santa’s elves, with both themes.

And of course, much more.

Remember: This is your gallery. No matter your age; the style or subject you choose — and whether you’re a first-timer or old-timer — we welcome your submissions. Watercolors, oils, charcoal, pen-and-ink, acrylics, mixed media, digital, lithographs, collages, macramé, jewelry, sculpture, decoupage, needlepoint — we want whatever you’ve got.

Please email a JPG to 06880blog@gmail.com. And please include the medium you’re working in — art lovers want to know.

“Christmas Morning” (John Maloney)

Untitled (Wendy Levy)

“Back Yard Snowy Cardinal” — watercolor (Eric Bosch)

“The Boy on the Bike” — acrylic aluminum, 9×14 (Dorothy Robertshaw — Available for purchase; click here)

Decorated sea shell (Duane Cohen — Available for purchase; click here)

“Main Street, Vinalhaven, Maine” (Michael Tomashefsky — Available for purchase; click here)

“Walk at Bedford Middle School” (Dayle Brownstein)

Untitled — watercolor paper collage (Nate Vandenberg — One River Art student)

Photographer Mike Hibbard says, “Rectangles of colored fabric printed with symbols, mantras and prayers that are spread by the wind to benefit all living beings by promoting peace, happiness and good fortune. Let’s all be kinder and more respectful to one another in 2026!”

“Savaged Firebird Grace” –Hand-drawn clothing construction design art process (Megan Grace Greenlee)

“Iris” — digital drawing (Bill Fellah)

“Samurai” (Martin Ripchick — Available for purchase; click here)

“Getting Ready for the New Year and the 06880.org Art Column” (Steve Stein)

“Levon and Santa: 2 Legends” (Patricia McMahon)

(Entrance is free to our online art gallery. But please consider a donation! Just click here — and thank you!)

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