Author: Sheila

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Featured Artist

Sheila

What a lovely surprise to be included as a Featured Artist in the Art in Giving Newsletter Fall 2025! You can read the newsletter at www.artingiving.com and also see the gallery page featuring my paintings as well as the work of the charitable foundation’s other artists.

Art in Giving raises funds for childhood cancer research through the sale of fine arts.

Talented artists exhibit their work with Art in Giving and fifty percent of the purchase price of their artwork sold goes directly to talented cancer researchers working on breakthrough ideas to identify causes of and cures for brain tumors and gliomas. 

 To date, Art in Giving has granted $1.4 million in seed funding to researchers at Stanford University Medical School, Yale University School of Medicine, Barrow Neurological Institute, University of Pennsylvania, The Broad Institute, Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, Mass General Hospital, and Dana Farber Cancer Institute.

Our business model increases the amount of money targeted for pediatric cancer research, a severely underfunded area.

  • People buy from us rather than a commercial gallery, and still make donations to their favorite charities
  • Interior designers purchase art for their clients while supporting innovative research
  • Companies purchase art using facility management and gift, not philanthropy, budgets

 With Art in Giving, children with cancer and their families, pediatric cancer researchers, artists, art enthusiasts, and corporations all benefit.  

VIEW OUR EBROCHURE

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Featured Artist: Sheila Billings

This 77′ x 17′ mural is located on the Swampscott Department of Public Works building at 200 Paradise Road, Swampscott — Rte. 1A. The mascot for Swampscott is Big Blue, and this is the biggest, bluest thing I could think of to represent
the Town! The mural was inspired by a woodblock by Japanese artist, Hokusai. The best part was hiding my Swampscott granddaughters’ names in the sea foam! And inspiring the auto mechanic next to the DPW to spruce up his building too!” Sheila Billingspage4image1094795504page4image1094796336page4image1094797168

Please visit Sheila Billings web page to learn more about her art pieces.page4image1094807024

Thank you for your support for Art in Giving for The Rachel Molly Markoff Foundation

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Best in Show!

Sheila

The Danvers Art Association’s Fall Member Exhibit opened October 10, 2025 and it will be on display until Sunday, October 12. The Opening Reception will be held on Friday evening October 10 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public afternoons at the Danvers Art Association’s lovely antique schoolhouse at 105 Elliott Street, Danvers, MA which is right on Route 62. You can call them at 978-777-8501.

I was thrilled when my entry was named Best in Show and was also given the 1st Place ribbon for Acrylic Painting! My painting, Gloucester Dahlias was painted en plein air with acrylic paint on gallery-wrapped canvas, 24″ high by 12″ wide. There were numerous beautiful paintings and photographs in the exhibit and I feel very surprised and lucky to have the honor of being chosen for these awards.

I love the lush, colorful dahlia gardens along the sea walk by Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, MA. One perfect early autumn day last fall, I brought my paints and easels there, set up on the sidewalk amid the blossoms, and painted! I had to work fast because as the sun moves, the shadows move too and the colors seem to change. The bees were working fast right beside me, moving from bloom to bloom gathering nectar; and many of them spent time curiously walking over my painting. I’m sure there are many tiny bee footprints decorating my canvas. Many people stopped by to visit me as well as they strolled along enjoying the perfect weather and glorious garden.

It is a pleasure to paint outside where I can feel the breeze, smell the aromas of flowers and ocean, and hear the waves and happy people. I think “being there” and working fast, gives plein air paintings a sense of immediacy and freshness that I prefer to working from my photographs. I hope you will have a chance to visit this show!

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DPW Mural, Finis!

Sheila

The large mural I painted to cover the entire 77′ x 17′ wall of the Department of Public Works in Swampscott, MA is complete! It was hard work, and I was grateful for the help of the workers at the DPW who assembled a scaffold, moved it, and in general made the job easier. Thanks, Guys! Their friendly help gave meaning to the slogan I painted at the bottom of the mural: PUBLIC WORKS MAKES IT HAPPEN. This slogan became popular during the Covid pandemic when the DPW workers showed up to work every day since they are absolutely necessary to a town running smoothly and safely.

The wall was getting tired-looking, and I offered a few ideas; but everyone involved agreed that a giant wave would be best. Swampscott has a mysterious mascot called Big Blue. My first thought for this seaside community was a giant blue wave with foamy edges, swirling water, and huge white seagulls soaring above. I was inspired by the woodblock, The Great Wave Off Kanagawa by 19th Century Japanese artist, Katsushika Hokusai and then I painted it huge and made it my own.

It was interesting to get advice and thoughts from passersby, many who visited me daily as the painting advanced. When I am painting public art, I find my work is improved by listening to the ideas of viewers. I was complimented when the auto repair garage next to the mural also painted the front of their building in a color complimentary to the mural.

My favorite part of the mural is that I had the chance, while high up on the scaffolding, to secretly hide my Swampscott granddaughters’ names in the billowing sea foam. Every day when they go to school, they can try to find it. Thanks to the Town of Swampscott for giving me the opportunity to help make my town a bit nicer.

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Conjuring & Incantations

Sheila

Salem Arts Association is welcoming its newest exhibit Conjuring & Incantations with an Opening Reception on Friday, September 12 fro 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at its beautiful gallery space, 159 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970.

My two entries juried into the exhibit are:

Salem Willows Closing Time, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 11″ x 14″ x 1.5″ deep. This painting was done from a photograph I took one night as the Willows Arcade was closing. The fluorescent lights flashing inside the arcade contrasted with the more demure twinkling of stars in the deep purple sky. Couples sauntered hand in hand down the street, children scampered for one last time around the flashing games. The Willows is one of my favorite places.

Nocturne, acrylic on gallery wrapped canvas, 12″ x 24″ x 1/2″ deep. This painting was drawn from my imagination as I listened to the plaintive and kind of frightening sound of coyotes howling outside my house! Yes, it was really a full moon, but I imagined the steep cliff the coyote sits on in my painting.

Salem Arts Association is also open weekends 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. There is a public parking garage one block away.

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New Art — Swampscott

Sheila

There has been a change in the painting that I am showing in the Swampscott Art Association Fall Member Show. The piece I had originally advertised has found a new “forever home”, which is what I hope for all my art! Instead of Eastern Point Lighthouse, I will be exhibiting my plein air painting, Pumpkin Harvest.

Pumpkin Harvest is an acrylic paintig, framed and matted 14″ x 18″. It was painted last October at Russell Farms — a beautiful spot in Ipswich, Massachusetts. I had a lovely time painting there with a group of artist friends on a gorgeous New England autumn day. I was entranced with the antique red farm truck full of ripe pumpkins. I found a spot in front of it, and there I stayed till I was hungry enough for the delectable cider donuts they were baking.

The show will be held at the Swampscott Senior Center, behind the High School on Essex Street Swampscott from September 4 until October 3, 2025.

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Autumn Member Exhibit

Sheila

My entry in the Swampscott Art Association member exhibit is Eastern Point Light, Gloucester MA. It is an acrylic painting on stretched 10″ x 22″ canvas, and measures 12″x22″ framed.

This painting was done on location one morning from the Eastern Point Yacht Club. What a treat — I was overwhelmed with the close-up view from their lovely grounds! I love painting with my wonderful plein air painter pals who help to get us access to such special locations where we would not usually be able to go.

The Swampscott Art Association Autumn Member Exhibit will be on display at the Swampscott Senior Center from September 4 through October 3, 2025. The Senior Center is located behind Swampscott High School, 200 Essex St. Open 9:00 to 3:00 Mondays through Fridays. There is plenty of free parking.

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Art Exhibit 8/16 – 9/26/25

Sheila

The Danvers Art Association is pleased to present their new non-themed exhibit at the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, MA. (AKA Danvers Public Library. The show will be hung in the gracious, elegant Standring Room, straight ahead as you enter the library. Members of the DAA and also non-member local artists have submitted work to be shown. Many different styles, mediums, and subjects will be on display.

My entry accepted into the exhibit is titled Emerald Woods. I painted it en plein air one morning when the trees were absolutely shimmering with pure hues of green, and the light was glowing through the leaves. There was a gentle breeze causing the slender branches to sway. So much loveliness prompted me to drag out my easel before I even had a chance to eat breakfast. I needed to catch the light before the sun moved!

The Opening reception will be held Saturday, August 16 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Standring Room. The reception is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. The exhibit will be up until September 26, 2025 during regular library hours.

The Peabody Institute Library of Danvers is located at 15 Sylvan Street, Danvers, MA 01923.

Library Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 9am – 9pm
Friday & Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Sunday (Nov. – Mar): 1pm – 5pm

Closed on Labor Day

TEL: 978-774-0554
E-MAIL: danversref@noblenet.org

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BioMed Lobby Art

Sheila

I am excited that four of my paintings on loan to BioMed Realty have been “held over” for another year! The paintings are hung in BioMed’s lobby at 210 Broadway, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Also on display is the work of other artists who are part of the Art in Giving charitable foundation. Sales of the paintings in this showing and also many more paintings in the online gallery at www.artingiving.com support pediatric cancer research. Since 1999, Art in Giving has granted nearly $2.5 million for basic research, while also supporting the work of accomplished local artists. All art in the exhibit is available for purchase at any time during the exhibit!

The paintings I have included in this exhibit reflect my love of the sights I have enjoyed my whole life living in the Boston area. There is so much to see in this great city, towering skyscrapers, antique architecture, sweeping ocean views, and many iconic sights. Here are the paintings currently at BioMed Realty lobby:

Boston Swan Boats, acrylic, 36″ x 36″ framed, was inspired by my many visits and photos through the years of this lovely spot. There is nothing more peaceful on a summer day

Three Boston Bridges, acrylic on deep stretched canvas, 48″ x 36″, was inspired by countless drives (and long stops in traffic which give me a chance to snap photos) into and out of Boston. Graceful bridges grab my attention every time.

One early spring day, I took a trip to the Boston Public Library to watch the NPR show being broadcasted. Walking back to the train station, I took a photo of these interesting shapes, shadows, and reflections and used it to inform this painting, Copley Square Skyline: acrylic, 43″ x 30″ framed.

Skyline Boston, acrylic, 28″ x 40″ framed, was the lucky fruit of a LONG traffic jam. Frustrating, but it gave me a chance to admire the magnificent view and shoot some reference photos through my windshield! This painting was done by mixing only 3 colors: titanium white, ultramarine blue, and burnt sepia.

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Exhibit @ YMCA

Sheila

Come down to the Lynch / Van Oterloo YMCA in Marblehead to view the newest show by the members of the Swampscott Art Association! This Member Exhibit features a wide variety of paintings, photographs and drawings in many different mediums, styles and subjects.artwork.

The Lynch / Van Oterloo YMCA is located on Leggs Hill Road right on the Salem and Marblehead MA line. There is plenty of free parking. Once you get inside, let the people at the desk know you are there for the show, turn left in the lobby and right around the corner after the cafe, you will find the show. I recommend that you treat yourself to a fresh-baked goodie from the cafe, find a table and enjoy the exhibit.

My entry in this exhibit is a plein air painting I completed on location at the Seaview Farm in Rockport MA, very close to the Bearskin Neck artists’ colony. This is the quintessential New England farm –complete with farm stand full of fresh produce, homemade ice cream, wine, and more. There are horses, chickens and other animals too.

I was drawn to an almost abstract- looking view of a red barn and tall silver silo, set against a deep ultramarine blue sky. Pure white seagulls basked in the sun on the roof and some circled above. It felt surreal to find such a big farm set so close to neighborhoods and shops! I painted as fast as I could before the sun moved and changed all the shadows!

If you want to enjoy the farm in person, Seaview Farm is located at 38 South Street, Rockport, MA 01966. You can call or text them at 904-753-0342, email them at seaviewfarmrockport@gmail.com. Or visit their website: seaview

Find the Swampscott Member Show at:

40 Leggs Hill Road, Marblehead, MA 01945-9622,

Phone 781-631-9622

Northshoreymca.org

Hours of operation: Monday-Friday 5 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Saturday 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • (904) 753-0342Mobile
  • seaviewfarmrockport@gmail.comEmail

Websites and social links

  • seaviewfarmrockport@gmail.comEmail

Websites and social links

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MFoA 2025, Honorable Mention

Sheila

This year, I am thrilled to have had three pieces of my art juried into the Festival, and one of them — Devereau Beach Umbrellas, won Honorable Mention! This acrylic on canvas 12″ x 24″ painting, Deverereux Beach Umbrellas is being exhibited at The Unitarian Universalist Church on Mugford Street, as part of the Senior Exhibit. Senior Art is a non-juried exhibit of original artwork comprising crafts, digital art, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture by persons 65 years of age or older.I painted this piece en plein air on a very hot day when almost everyone was sitting in the shade of a bright beach umbrella. The umbrellas formed an inspiring mosaic along the beach which just had to painted.

My drawing, St. Brigid’s Cross (pen & pencil on vellum paper, 20″ x 24″ matted & framed) is on display at the Drawing Exhibition, also housed at the UU Church. Drawing is a juried exhibit of original drawings in pencil, pen and ink, charcoal, conte’ crayon, pastel, and other media.My father was born in Northern Ireland, and his avid interest in Irish culture inspired this piece of art. He taught me how to draw the intricate Celtic knots which are incorporated into my design. All the images in the drawing are attached in some way to St. Brigid, the female patron saint of Ireland.

My painting, Salem Willow Closing Time (acrylic on canvas, 11″ x 14″ x 1.5″) was painted from a photograph I took after a long, pleasant day spent at this iconic attraction in Salem, Massachusetts. During the day, I love the expansive ocean views and lovely beaches there — with breaks for the yummy beach food! In the evening, the lights come on at the arcades. The bright flashing lights made a good contrast to the darkness of the street which inspired me to paint this scene as people left at closing time. Painting is a juried exhibit of original paintings in oil, acrylic, ink or watercolor; the exhibit is on display at Abbot Hall.

The Festival exhibits are open to artists who reside, work, or belong to an art association in Essex County, Massachusetts. In juried exhibits, the artwork has been selected by judges with expertise and knowledge in their fields of judging. Awards will be distributed in each exhibit category on July 2nd, 6pm at the Front Entrance of Abbot Hall.

The festival features art exhibits at six different venues: Abbot Hall, The Old Town House,     
St. Michael’s Church, Old North Church, Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, and King Hooper Mansion

All Exhibits:

Thursday, July 3: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Friday, July 4: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, July 5: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

St. Michael’s Church, UU Church, Old North Church:

Sunday, July 6, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Founded in 1962, the Marblehead Festival of Arts has a rich history of producing a premier summer arts festival that has become a forum for artistic expression over its 50+ years of operation.

P.O. Box 331 – Marblehead, MA – 01945

Marblehead Festival of Arts  is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

For further information, check out marbleheadfestival.org