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My first solo art show since before COVID is being exhibited at The Peabody Institute Library South Branch for the months of November and December 2021. The library is located at 78 Lynn Street, Peabody, MA 01960.

Twenty-five of my paintings are on display throughout the library in the Main Section, Computer Area and Children’s Room. The Main Section contains many of my plein air paintings done on location in beautiful places throughout the North Shore. The paintings are seascapes and landscapes of scenes in Salem, Boston, Gloucester, Essex, Marblehead and more. The painting shown on this post is Stubb’s Landing, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 16″ x 20″, $350. It was done at an idyllic road landing in Essex, MA on a perfect summer day. The two white birds showed up just in time to get into the painting!

The paintings in the Computer Area contain more plein air landscapes and also a collection of my tree paintings. Trees are my favorite subject and these fanciful paintings feature mostly my season paintings where the trees are shown through all four seasons. Many have a soft dappled metallic background achieved by painting many layers of metallic paints and glaze. These backgrounds were inspired by Asian panels at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. This type of painting changes its look depending on the quality of light that it reflects.

The Children’s Room features many of my colorful and lively abstract paintings, some done in the Op Art style. There are also many cute children’s illustrations of little animals and other subjects.

Any of these paintings would be perfect holiday gifts, or treat yourself!

After a very long break because of COVID-19, the members of the Swampscott Art Association are happy to announce their Fall Member Exhibit! The show will be on display at the Swampscott Senior Center at the high school from October 3 through the month of November 2021.

Members have brought a wide array of styles and mediums to be exhibited. My paintings in the show are both from my abstract collection. They feature bold design and bright colors and represent my urge to move forward with life! The painting, Hot Jazz (shown), 18″ x 23″ matted & framed, shows the excitement and movement of jazz music with bright color and lots of intersecting diagonal lines to keep your eyes moving through the artwork. The lines represent the hands of the musicians playing their instruments together and the clapping of people enjoying the music. The other piece, More Power, 21″ x 24″ matted & framed, is the piece that inspired my utility box mural at Riley Plaza in downtown Salem, MA. It shows electrical plugs moving and grooving against a colorful background. Maybe they are listening to Hot Jazz!

I hope you will visit my website, www.SheilaBillings.com to see more of my work. Also visit the Swampscott Arts at SwampscottArts.org They have also set up a also set up a Swampscott Arts Association Group on Facebook and an Event for exhibit at the Swampscott Senior Center.

The House of the Seven Gables has the nicest gift shop! And it’s in the oldest building at the site, the Retire Beckett House which is also one of the oldest homes in Salem, MA. I’m delighted that they show some of my work there including my Salem coloring and activity books, original paintings, prints of my artwork and blank cards. They have also given me permission to paint in the gardens whenever the mood strikes, which is quite often! Between the glorious gardens, the lovely old buildings, the fresh seaside location and the interesting visitors from all over the world, it is a very inspiring place to paint.

My newest works being shown are mini original acrylic paintings, each on it’s own wee easel. They’re only about 3″ tall and the ones I just dropped off are all autumn and Halloween themes each created exclusively for The House of the Seven Gables. The scenes include various views of the famous house, some real and some with fanciful Halloween additions. These little paintings are perfect for hostess gifts and souvenirs. The can add a whimsical and colorful touch to your decor.

Autumn is the perfect time to visit Salem, and The House of the Seven Gables is a great place to go to learn so much about Salem’s history. The tours are conducted by friendly, knowledgeable guides and the grounds are lovely. If you don’t have time for a tour, did you know you can just visit the shop? Simply request a special sticker from the entry desk, and no admission fee is required. Have fun!

It’s hard to believe that it is already time to start thinking about the Friends of the Sawyer Free Library Annual Art Auction in Gloucester. All proceeds will benefit this beautiful public library in Gloucester, MA. All the art will be on exhibit in the Adolph Matz Gallery located in the main lobby of the library for the month of September. Visitors can view the work and also place bids in the silent auction during the month of September. Then on October 5, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. the live auction will be held. A public reception and preview will precede the vocal auction starting at 6:00 that evening. It was a shame that last year’s auction had to be cancelled due to COVID, and we are hoping that this year will be a good time.

My donation to the cause is Safe Harbor, my watercolor painting done on location one lovely summer morning in Essex, MA with some artist friends. The little fisherman’s shack and three colorful little boats made such a nice contrast to the calm, quiet setting.

On Friday, June 4, 2021 the Salem Arts Association proudly held the reopening of its beautiful galleries and shop at 159 Derby Street, Salem, MA. The opening reception will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. What a thrill to be with fellow artists and art lovers again!

I have some little paintings in the shop! Sleeping Fox 8×8″ $95, Rubber Duckies 8×8″ $95, Marblehead Light 8×8″ $125, Gables Garden May 8×10″ $175, Summer Tree (Shown) 4×12″ $60, Aloha Shirt 5×5″ $20 (orange or red). Open weekends noon-6:00pm, 159 Derby St., Salem, MA. I’ll be there 12-3:00 5/8. Hope you can drop by to say Hi! I miss people!

The SAA Gallery will be open Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 6:00 p.m. and is completely run by volunteer local artist members of Salem Arts Association.

The Spring Members’ Show at the Marblehead Arts Association is on exhibit for public viewing in person! The show theme is “Doors” and my entry is Front Door H7G, acrylic, 12×16″ matted & framed, $250. One of my favorite places to sit outside and paint is in the beautiful gardens at The House of the Seven Gables in Salem! This painting was inspired by the strong diagonal rooflines and shadows, and I had the pleasure of speaking with visitors from all over the world as I worked. The show runs from May 8 to June 20, 2021. The Marblehead Arts Association at Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper St, Marblehead, MA.