Category: Uncategorized

My newest commission is a painting of Salem Common in Salem, MA done entirely in black and white. The painting is done in acrylic paint on gallery-wrapped canvas and is 20″ x 40″.

I was glad to be asked to create a painting of Salem Common because it is a place I love to visit to walk around the paths, to sit and read, or simply to people-watch. It also holds many wonderful memories for me. There is a children’s playground in one corner where I took my own children when they were small, and where I now bring my grandchildren. I have taken many romantic strolls there with my husband during our 45 years together. Lots of good memories!

I wanted to include the iconic bandstand, the historic archway, and the lovely black wrought iron fence as well as portray the paths, the large grassy area and the lovely old trees. I purposely kept The Commons free of people so that each time it was viewed, the viewer could picture him or herself in the painting doing whatever inspired him/her at that particular  moment. It was an interesting and challenging exercise to paint all this greenery in shades of black, white, and gray!

I meet the most thoughtful people! A woman was moved to commission a painting of her friend’s home when she learned her friend was moving. The photographs she gave me to work from showed a neat-as-a-pin home, obviously well-loved and cared-for. Against this canvas, I was asked by her to include some special surprises for her friend: a much-cherished pet dog, butterflies, special flowers and shrubs with meaning for the woman, and more.

The woman asked me to portray the home in a realistic style, in watercolor painted rather loosely, and both she and I were pleased with the result!

The Galleries at Lynn Arts is proud to present a collection of artwork made during the Safer-At-Home shutdown for the global COVID19 pandemic. It has been an intense time, and it inspired me to make an intense painting.

My creation for the Made In Quarantine show was inspired by my anger at President Donald Trump’s almost complete lack of leadership during the pandemic and his intense politicization of the unprecedented disaster it has caused our country. So many people dead and suffering, so many jobs lost, so many businesses and schools shuttered, yet Trump treats it like an afterthought and dangerously confuses US citizens with daily lies about COVID19.

The painting is called Taking Note. It is painted in acrylics on a 12″ x 24″ gallery-wrapped canvas. The background of the canvas is white with orange type-font lettering. Superimposed on the “typing” is the word “LIES” written three times in stenography. The shorthand words are dripping with the blood of Covid’s many victims in the US — blood that could have been saved if he had done his job.

I payed for college by working as a secretary, taking shorthand and typing letters. Most secretaries were women, and stenography is basically a secret language of women. Donald Trump has been dangerous to all Americans, but he has been especially awful to women. I thought it was appropriate to remind him that I, and other women — certainly the millions that marched together the day after his inauguration — have been Taking Note of the mess he has made.

This painting is a stark contrast to most of my paintings. Usually, I try to reflect the beauty of the world that God has given us. I try very hard to see the good in life and not paint ugly or unhappy subjects, to leave the world better than I found it. But sometimes something happens that is so bad that it must be remembered and trumpeted. Trump’s careless handling of this health disaster moved me to do so.

New gallery hours: Fridays 5 – 8 PM, Saturdays 11AM – 5PM and the last Sunday of the month 11AM – 4PM. To accommodate the needs of safety of our community we will allow 10 people in the big gallery, 2 persons in the small community gallery and no more than 4 in the shop including cashier at any time. Masks are required inside the building of course.

The Grand Opening of the Salem Arts Association’s beautiful new gallery at 159 Derby Street, Salem, MA (right beside Derby Wharf and the Friendship) was postponed because of the global pandemic, but will finally happen on June 20 until August 28, 2020. Gallery hours are 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Masks and social distancing is required, of course.

My entry in the Salem Art Association Member Exhibit is Birch Mountain, acrylic, 12″x36″ vertical, $400. It was inspired by a beautiful drive through New Hampshire at the height of foliage season. I just love birch trees all year, but in the autumn with their bright yellow leaves, they are stunning.

SAA members have worked tirelessly to get all the items in the shop online as well, and I have lots of original art, prints, mini paintings, etc. there.

Check out The Danvers Art Association Virtual Spring Show 2020 website (www.thedanversart.org), on FaceBook (The Danvers Art Association), and on Instagram (@thedanversartassociation). Because of the global pandemic, we will not have in-person viewings of the show.

I was delighted that my painting, Summer Afternoon was awarded Best in Show! Acrylic, 12″ x 36″, $385.

My painting was done en plein air at Forest River Park in Salem in the late afternoon. I have always loved the way the light caresses the velvety green grass at the park in the late afternoons. And the glow from the sun through the leaves feels almost like sun through the stained glass windows of a church.

Because of the universal shut-down of all galleries, shows and festivals due to the 2020 Coronavirus Pandemic, I have turned to virtual galleries to display my work. Here is the first!

Come to a virtual gallery where all the artwork is inspired by Tiger King! The Gallery is open!
https://www.artsteps.com/view/5e99c695c3c26576ffa8672b
My offering is Wax-resist watercolor on paper.
Original, matted 11″ x 14″ available for purchase, $65. Matted prints 11″x14″ available, $25.
Info: www.sheilafarrenbillings.com and @sheilafarrenbillings on Instagram, (or here on FB of course!).

Holiday Artists’ Market
at Salem Old Town Hall

7th Year
50 Artists and Makers
FREE!

Salem Arts Association is pleased to invite you to our 7th Annual Holiday Artists’ Market At Salem Old Town Hall

Saturday, November 30, 10AM to 5PM
Sunday, December 1, 10AM to 5PM

We are planning a festive market with live music and a seasonal theme. We are looking forward to seeing a lively market with all kinds of opportunities for our community to browse and shop for treasures for yourself, friends, and family.

Featuring a variety of local artisans and crafters offering original fine art, unique gifts, and hand-made housewares to delight yourself or gift to others. I shall be showing my original paintings, prints & notecards made from my paintings, and lovely decorative hand-painted home goods.

In addition to our collection of awesome makers we also will feature…
• A Bake Sale with treats created by Salem ARts Members..
• Salem Boy Scouts Troop 24 will be selling holiday wreaths

Afternoon Music Performances on Saturday and Sunday provided by Julie Dougherty (Saturday) and Erinn Brown (Sunday)

The 19th Annual Danvers Art Association Holiday Arts-A-Glow will take place every weekend from November 30 until December 22, 2019. The show will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The craft fair features all local artists and their original art, pottery, jewelry, knits, food, quilts and more.

I shall be offering my original artwork, prints and note cards, hand-painted one-of-a-kind housewares, etc. It is a great place to find that perfect gift for a loved-one or to treat yourself to something lovely.

The event takes place at the Danvers Art Association building, the antique Williams School. The adorable red brick building is a 1910 2-room school house with lots of free parking. DAA is located at 105 Elliot St., Rte. 62, Danvers, MA.  www.thedanversart.org,  978-777-8501.