Uncategorized

Marblehead Festival of Arts 2025

This year, I am thrilled to have had three pieces of my art juried into the Festival! My painting, Deverereux Beach Umbrellas (acrylic on canvas, 12″ x 24″) 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

Uncategorized

Abbot Library Exhibit

Just to remind one and all that warmer days are on the way, they Swampscott Art Association is pleased to present an exhibition of members’ work!

Devereux Beach Umbrellas (acrylic paint on stretched canvas, 12″ x 24″) is my contribution to the exhibit. I painted it on location at the beach on happy, sunny day when it seemed the whole North Shore was gathered on that Marblehead beach under bright, colorful umbrellas. It was very hot that day, and it made me wish that I had thought to bring an umbrella for myself! The good news is that the heat made me paint fast, which is necessary to get the painting done before the light and the tide changes too much.

Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St., Marblehead. April 10-May 27. Reception, Thurs. May 1, 3-5pm.

Uncategorized

Swampscott Arts

The Swampscott Arts Association is hosting an exhibit of member artwork from March 13 until May 15, 2025. The show will be held at the Lynch / Van Otterloo YMCA, which is located at 40 Leggs Hill Road, Marblehead, MA 01945-3325.

The exhibit is hung on the first floor, to the left of the entry between the delightful cafe and the pool. Have a cuppa and enjoy the show!

My entry is an intricate Celtic-style drawing called Celtic Cockatoo and is matted and framed. Especially in the cold winter months when I spend more time inside, I enjoy taking the time to do this type of art. It takes a long time, but creating the complicated patterns with their jewel toned colors brightens a winter day by the fire.

Hours of Operation

Mon – Fri:5:00am – 9:30pm
Sat:6:00am – 7:00pm
Sun:6:00am – 6:00pm