Author: Sheila

Aine, Celtic Goddess of Summertime, Love & Good Fortune small
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Heroes and Legends

Sheila

From Gilgamesh to King Arthur, humans have always passed on stories of heroes and legends. These figures, whether mythical or real, have inspired us throughout history. A hero doesn’t need to be famous, nor does a legend need to be written down to exist. Our member artists reflect on the heroes and legends who have inspired their own lives.

My acrylic painting reflects my idea of Aińe, the Celtic goddess of summertime, love, and good fortune; and she is created to resemble a person who is very dear to my heart. I love that this goddess stands for so many of the things I think about at this time of year, early August; and I was inspired to paint her especially for this show. Aińe is strumming an Irish lap harp and wearing a dress in the style of ancient Celtic women. The ancient Celts used the color people wore to show their status in the community. Druids were the highest and wore white, sometimes with a gold band. I brought Aińe a step higher by making her dress have a golden embroidered band enhanced with jewels that match her eyes and a summer sky.

The next level down was a king, who was allowed to wear 7 colors, a bard could wear 6, warriors had 5, and down from there. I love that artists and bards were third only to Druids and kings. Even in modern Ireland, artists do not need to pay taxes for the beauty they create.

This exhibit will offer an opening reception on Friday, August 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Salem Arts Gallery, 159 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01907. The show will run from August 2 until September 7, 2024.

Contact information: www.SalemArts.org

978-745-4850

info@SalemArts.org

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Impressions Exhibit

Sheila

Life is less like a box of chocolates and more like a never-ending series of impressions made upon us, like finger marks in wet clay. As artists, not only do we visualize and bring to life the impressions that have been made on us by sights, sounds, scents, interactions, dreams, and ideas; we also leave impressions on everyone who sees our work.

I chose to take the theme of this exhibit literally and am very pleased that my impressionistic style oil painting, Sheehan’s Pond, was juried into the show. This painting grew out of only three colors of oil paint: titanium white, alizarin crimson, and dark green. I used artist Dennis Sheehan’s style of smearing the colors on a blank canvas with paper towels, and then seeing what images emerged. I began to see shapes that brought to mind pine trees surrounding a secluded pond, then used some brushes to finish the picture that appeared to me. It was a fun process.

This exhibit will offer an opening reception on Friday, August 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Salem Arts Gallery, 159 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01907. The show will run from August 2 until September 7, 2024.

Contact information: www.SalemArts.org

978-745-4850

info@SalemArts.org

SAA Shop featuring MOI
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SAA Gallery Shop

Sheila
Visit Our Retail Shop!Saturdays & Sundays, 12:00 – 6:00 PM

Come explore the newly designed Salem Arts Association Retail Shop, now featuring fresh items from our talented member artists and top volunteers! Whether you’re looking for a standout piece for your home, a unique souvenir, or just some inspiration, our curated collection has something for everyone. Discover unique artworks and handcrafted treasures created by local artisans.  #SalemArts 159 Derby Street, Salem, MA 01970

That’s my work on the left, the first 3 vertical rows! Lots of fabulous creations from all the members in every style and medium you can imagine. Treat yourself!

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The Lure of the Local

Sheila

The Lure of the Local exhibit at Galleries at Lynn Arts (GALA) looks to showcase local artists and their favorite local places and people. Paintings and photographs filled the gallery with images of downtown, Lynn Woods, and more to celebrate each artists’ “special local place”. The exhibit displays works in many mediums and styles.

My piece in the exhibit is Marsh Reeds, acrylic, 16×20″ and was painted en plein air at the marsh behind Woodman’s in Essex. A delightful lunch at Woodman’s obviously followed!


For more information please visit galleriesatlynnarts.org. Galleries at Lynn Arts is located at 25 Exchange Street, Lynn, MA 01901. Telephone: 617-909-9211

HOURS:

Monday: By appointment or by chance

Tuesday: By appointment or by chance

Wednesday: 2:00pm – 6:00pm

Thursday: 1:00pm – 4:00pm

Friday: 2:00pm – 6:00pm

Saturday: 12:00pm – 5:00pm

Sunday: By appointment or by chance

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Outstanding Work Award — MFoA

Sheila

Art & Exhibits

Thursday, July 4 thru Sunday, July 7, 2024

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The Marblehead Festival of Arts 2024 exhibits and showcases artwork by artists residing, working, or affiliated with art associations in Essex County, Massachusetts, and invites guests to view pieces selected by expert judges in juried exhibits.

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. 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 which is the home of the Marblehead Arts Association.

I have had 3 paintings accepted into the Marblehead Festival of Arts this year. In the Painting Exhibit at Abbot Hall — Emerald Woods; in the Senior Exhibit at the UU Church on Mugford St. –Charlie on the MTA; in the new International Exhibit at the UU too — Mathair Gach Duine (Gaelic: Mother of All)

The International Exhibit is juried and showcases original artwork, including crafts, digital art, drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The artwork is created by immigrants and first-generation to the United States representing their country of origin. I was honored to receive an award for Outstanding Work in the International Exhibit with my painting Mathaír Gach Duine (Irish Gaelic: Mother of All).

I gave this creation an Irish title to defy the unjust law that forbade Irish people to teach, learn, write, or speak Irish when my father was a boy in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I also signed it with my name spelled the Irish way, which was also not allowed: Silé Ó Farahaín.

The painting is done in acrylic on canvas and reflects my Irish-American heritage. The gold background, the spirals in the oceans, and the knots of the trees’ roots are a nod to the Celtic style of art in the Book of Kells. The trees, themselves, represent the fact that the ancient Irish worshipped trees. Ireland is a tiny land that has sent a huge percentage of its population everywhere around the world because of hardships in the country and also because of the daring spirit of its people. Those Irish emigrants made huge contributions to the world, and I am proud that I can carry on the customs of my father’s country.

Wake Up Call
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Written Word – Best of Show!

Sheila

“Written Word” Exhibition at Salem Arts. Think of a word, any word.  Or think of many, many words.  Salem Arts Association invited their member artists to use the written word as their artistic muse for this exhibition.  

The troubled state of the world inspired me to create Wake Up Call, a mixed media piece of artwork which illustrates my feelings about the necessity that we all work together to get things under control ASAP. Divided U.S. politics and gun violence, international wars, the climate crisis! These topics and many more moved me to insert a sense of urgency into this artwork by my use of strong color contrasts, hard edges, eye-catching Op Art lines (yes, I used a printed piece from my Musing painting to show the bugle’s blare!), and a little humor. Wouldn’t it be great if my Wake Up Call worked?

The juror for the Written Word exhibition is Ms. Jean Marie Procious is Executive Director of the Salem Athenaeum and co-chair of the Salem Literary Festival. She is a librarian and archivist with degrees from Simmons University and Hiram College. An avid reader and pie baker, her activities also include serving as a trustee of Harmony Grove Cemetery, volunteering with local nonprofits, and game night with friends, her husband, two kids, and two cats. Who better to judge works based upon the written word?

I am honored to have been her choice for the Best of Show Award! This is what Ms. Procious had to say about my piece, Wake Up Call: “The crisp visual elements reinforce the artist’s words. Message received, loud and clear!” Thank you, Jean Marie! I couldn’t be more delighted!

  • Reception: Friday, June 28, 2024, 6:00-8:00 PM
  • Exhibition Dates: June 29 – July 27, 2024

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Salem Arts Association Galleries, 159 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970

Contact gallery@salemarts.org with questions.

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Journey Into Self

Sheila

While we may often think of art as a means to convey our message to the viewer, as artists, we are also looking within ourselves to find that expression, emotion, joy, or pain that emerges onto our chosen canvases, or through our lenses.  Salem Arts Association asked their artist members to take a deep dive within, and to really explore their own inner world.  They asked them to let the art tell their stories, perhaps even betray their secrets, and let go of those things they’ve pushed down and held on to so tightly.  Art should be cathartic.

I was pleased when my painting, Musing, was juried into the exhibit. Musing is painted in black acrylic paint on white illustration board and framed to 11″ x 14″. It is done in the Op Art style of Bridget Riley whose work I admired while growing up and forming my own style. The undulating lines, intersecting, streaming, remind me of the winding places my thoughts go when I am pondering.

The Opening reception on Friday, June 28, 2024 is free and open to the public. Come and enjoy the rooms full of original artwork in the galleries of our wonderful antique headquarters. While you are there, do not forget to visit the wonderful Gallery Shop on the first floor to treasure hunt through the multitude of exquisite one of a kind art made by the members of Salem Arts Association. My matted prints are in the bins for you to find, as well as my smaller paintings and children’s coloring book about Salem, MA — Salem: Which City? You will also find work by many other artists: jewelry, blown glass, ceramics, textiles, photos, paintings, drawings, etc.

  • Reception: Friday, June 28, 2024, 6:00-8:00 PM
  • Exhibition Dates: June 29 – July 27, 2024

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Salem Arts Association Galleries, 159 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970

Contact gallery@salemarts.org with questions.

  • Reception: Friday, June 28, 2024, 6:00-8:00 PM
  • Exhibition Dates: June 29 – July 27, 2024

Open Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Salem Arts Association Galleries, 159 Derby Street, Salem MA 01970

Contact gallery@salemarts.org with questions.

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Garden/Art Walk

Sheila

ReachArts of Swampscott is once again running their Garden/Art Walk this weekend, Sat. June 29, 11-3:00, rain date June 30. There are many gardens for you to stroll through all throughout the town. Visit reacharts.org to find out all the details: including maps of the 3 segments of the Walk, activities, van routes, raffles, and sponsors. There is also some information about some of the artists and gardeners taking part in the event.

The Garden/Art Walk is large, and is divided into 3 segments. I shall have my easel set up to paint en plein air in the garden of the Swampscott Art Association President in the 1:00-3:00pm Beach Rose segment of the tour on Puritan Lane. Members of the Swampscott Art Association will have their paintings and matted prints on display. My contribution to the exhibit is King’s Beach Seawall, acrylic on stretched canvas, 12″ x 24″. I was inspired to create this painting after being dazzled by the magnificent light reflecting off the ocean by the seawall one day when I was taking a brisk walk along the shore in Swampscott. The contrasting shadows, splashing waves, and particularly dramatic clouds made me pull out my camera and take photographs to capture the scene so I could paint it later at home.

Get all the details at reacharts.org

Shore Lights
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Summer Members Show

Sheila

Summer Member Show

June 22 – August 4

The Marblehead Arts Association features the work of its Artist Members for the height of the summer season. With multiple galleries of MAA juried artist members, there is something for everyone. This show will be up during the Marblehead Festival of Arts on July 4th weekend, so stop by the beautiful MAA Hooper Mansion galleries at 8 Hooper Street, Marblehead if you are in Town for the festival.

Lovely works of art in every style and medium are on display. My painting in the exhibit is King’s Beach Lights, acrylic paint on stretched canvas, 16″x20″. One very dark night while driving along the Lynn/Swampscott shore, I was inspired by the lights shimmering on the gently rippling waves. I pulled over, took a photo, and went home to paint it.

To have a private online sneak peek of the exhibit, go to maacurrent-exhibits.square.site where my painting is displayed on page five. marbleheadarts.org

In addition to the art show galleries, Marblehead Arts Association also has a wonderful Artisan Shop full of original hand-made creations by the members: paintings, prints, note cards, ceramics, textiles, jewelry, and more. A perfect one-stop shopping spot!

Salem-Willows-Closing-Time_acrylic_11x14
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Library Art Exhibit 6/8-7/20/24

Sheila

Danvers Art Association is pairing with the Middleton Art Association to stage an un-themed exhibit at the Peabody Institute Library of Danvers, also known as the Danvers Public Library. The Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, June 8 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The show and reception are free and open to the public during regular library hours.

My painting in the exhibit is titled Salem Willows Closing Time and is rendered in acrylic paint on 11″ x 14″ x 1.5″ deep gallery wrapped canvas; the image continues around the edges of the canvas. The painting was inspired by a photograph I took one idyllic evening at Salem Willows after enjoying delicious fried fish at the Clam Shack while sitting outside at their picnic tables, watching the sun go down. My husband Tom and I got an ice cream at Hobb’s and ate it while strolling along the water. Then we capped off the evening at the arcade, where Tom is a Skee Ball champion. As we left, I took a photo of the Arcade facade glowing in the darkness, as people started to leave.

The bright colors in my painting reflect the feeling of the place with blinking lights, laughing children, and all the bells and whistles of The Willows. It makes me happy to look at my painting and remember all the wonderful days I have spent there with my friends and family.

The exhibit at the library is a particularly good one. Because it is un-themed, each artist was able to freely choose a painting that reflects their own style and strengths. So when you come to the show, you will see artworks in oil, acrylic, watercolors, pastels, all the various drawing media — plus mixed media and photography and I’m sure, more. We are lucky to have been invited to again display our work among antique molding and a lovely fireplace, thanks to the hospitality of the library.

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

Phone: 978-774-0554

Website https:danverslibrary.org

Sat9 AM–5 PM

Sun1–5 PM
Mon9 AM–9 PM
Tue9 AM–9 PM
Wed9 AM–9 PM
Thu9 AM–9 PM
Fri12–5 PM