Steven J. Ross

My uncle, Meyers Rohowsky, an artist, introduced me to the world of art and artists in post-war Manhattan. I am inspired by creative personalities, in the theatre, literature or fine art. Throughout my professional career, I continually drew and always traveled with a sketch book. Moving to Manhattan, I studied at The Art Students’ League and was transfixed by the works of the Abstract Expressionists of the 1950s.
They are the most important influences on my style. Like them, I first began painting representational work in an abstract style. As with them I quickly evolved a non-objective means of expression; it was the best way to convey my inspirations, emotions and ideas.
Witnessing first hand the exciting art scene in New York in the 1960s, Op, Pop, living in vibrant Soho of the 1970s and summering in the Springs between East Hampton and Amagansett – the land of Jackson Pollock – all this was a milieu in which my imagination was fired and my desire to paint thrived.
Color, the gesture of the brush stroke and the integrity of the surface of the canvas are of prime importance to me. I paint in acrylics both for the speed of the medium as well as the vibrant colors. I strive to engender the same emotions and ideas in the viewer as I feel when I put my brush to canvas.

Erica Engfer Pizza

Erica Engfer Pizza explores new ways to render simplified imagery with the intention of challenging the viewer’s perceptions of everyday objects. Her experiences promote making that documents and enhances phenomenon of our world through printing, cutting, stitching, and papermaking. Her experimentation with these materials influences the work she manifests and the making process is evident in the final product. She believes there is something to be said for the series of actions that lead to a particular result and often conveys this through repetition in her work. Engfer Pizza is a proud public high school art teacher and the recipient of two grants from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. She is grateful to share her experience and expertise with teenagers every day and is inspired by their creativity and willingness to learn.

Tinkering and Such STATEMENT

Engfer Pizza’s series of work exploring violence developed in November 2017 as a visceral reaction to the mass shooting in Las Vegas. At the time, sadness and fear motivated the assembly line creation of hundreds of tiny hand printed guns. The artist chose to turn something hard, heavy and made of metal into something delicate and made of paper. But even when trying to disguise and transcend the object, its capacity to cause dread and uncertainty shines through.

Following the Parkland shooting in February and the rise of young voices demanding change to prevent gun violence, the artist’s sadness and fear evolved into anger sprinkled with hope and she continued to develop work revolving around this subject. She was proud to be part of a movement sparked by the youth of this country and saw potential for progress in what previously felt like a hopeless matter.

One year after the largest mass shooting in US history in addition to a slew of others, it seems that little to no progress has been made in the attempt to limit gun violence. As an artist, a mother, and a teacher, Engfer Pizza aspires to spark thought and respectful conversation regarding this matter.