Photo by Mary Comiskey, The Northfield News Local artists Becky Merilees, left, Phyllis Higgins, Lois Cooley and Phyllis Greenway listen to the discussion at the Sullivan Museum. Harvesting the Creative was the subject of the last of the dessert and discussion setments offered at the Sullivan Museum this summer.

The panel of artists sharing their creative experiences included Richard Gombar, Riki Moss, Phillip Roberston and Janet Van Fleet.

Rick Gombar was inspired to create an oil painting after reflecting on a stiff white nurse's hat. The painting of a snow covered cupola typical of New England homes is entitled, "No starch needed." He is committed to using art to help nature survive. For him, creativity is a process of discovery that he was born with. It is non-political. Rick feels he that cannot stop being creative.

He hopes his work might spur someone to look at nature again in a new way. He feels he cannot stop being creative. Rick enjoys being in the studio. Rick is represented by Pine Street Art Works and Gallery North Star.

Riki Moss has an MFA from Vermont College and is a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute. As part of her written reflection about History she feels that, "History is a sticky ball." It is not just a simple, single isolated event, but an event with many aspects that might not be apparent at the first glance. She feels the word "creativity" is overused. For her, creativity is being. She has found that you need to find a vocabulary for your own expression. Studio work is hard work. There is a craftsman aspect to making art. You need to combine the skills, the ideas, and the work to make a finished piece. Riki's work, "Gone', is made from overbeaten abaca paper. She was inspired by a student's empty trunk to sculpt a hollow tree trunk. Her work is currently being featured at the Helen Day Art Center is Stowe.

Phillip Robertson said that his interest in history developed from his father's interest the Civil War and his mother's interest in the cultural aspects of civilization. He is a printmaker who carries a sketchbook to capture the landscapes he sees. The sketches are simplified on a copier before becoming a design to be printed. He explained that this is a long and lonely process producing one print at a time. "Creativity sets you apart." His print, "Flagship Olympia and Meditation Scroll, IX, a series of prints hand-sewn together, were inspired by a dinner plate designed to commemorate Admiral Dewey and his ship in the Spanish American War.

Janet Van Fleet is the founder of SPA, Inc. in Barre. Janet was inspired by a short snorter from the Pacific Theatre after World War II which is a collection of bills from a soldier's theatre of service which are signed by his buddies. Her creation, "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is", is made of a collection of paper currency that has messages written on them. She works with found materials and brings them together in creative ways. " We become a tool to make art. It kind of rolls and unfolds. We are a passageway." She argrees with the other artists that making art is a lonely journey. She has been exhibiting since 1997 and is the recipient of many awards.