November/December 2024
Marie Wisz on the wall
Art always interested me and was my favorite subject in elementary school. At age 12, I enjoyed observing my friend’s dad as he painted still life paintings from setups in his studio and was very excited when he allowed me to paint my own landscape. It wasn’t until around 1977 that I was fortunate to finally take oil painting lessons for a few years with Joan Roster, who was instrumental in developing the Taunton Art Association.
Soon, I was hooked on oil painting! However, it was necessary to put art lessons on hold, which lasted approximately fifteen years. Working as a middle school science teacher in Taunton, where I reside, and raising two daughters and a son, there was little time to pursue hobbies, such as painting and gardening.
My husband and children encouraged me to resume oil painting, and for two years, I studened with Monique Martin in her Taunton studio. She invited interested students in class to her Quebec gallery for a weeklong workshop in which I participated. Through the years, I attended various workshops, including three days in Vermont with Kathy Anderson, three days in Norton, MA with Jessica Henry Gray, a plein air artist, and a few portrait workshops with Tiago Finato in Taunton and Fall River, and Matt Miller in Taunton and Norton, MA.
Landscape and still life painting continues to be my primary focus, however, I find portraits, animals, and plein air enjoyable as well as challenging. Inspiration comes to be as I observe pets, nature, and everyday objects. Elements of color, composition, and value guide me as I tell a story in each of my paintings. Hopefully this comes through to the viewer.
Kevin Mulligan in display case
(writeup from 2018)
Kevin Mulligan is a local award winning wood turner whose work has been on display at the Boston’s Arnold Arboretum museum in Jamaica Plain, the Fuller museum in Brockton, and numerous juried exhibitions in the New England area. He was recognized at prestigious Saratoga Springs, New York, “Totally Turning” symposium this past year. Kevin believes in the beauty of wood as well as providing a brief history of the tree used to make each piece. An avid environmentalist and outdoorsman, Kevin harvests most of his wood locally that would otherwise end up as firewood or left to decay. He will artistically turn this raw wood into a variety of designs including utilitarian bowls, spindle work, jewelry boxes and artistic pieces. Kevin is a member of the American Association of Wood turners, and is an active member of the South Shore Woodturning and Gateway Woodturning groups. Kevin is a member of the Easton Shovel Town Cultural District Art Coop/Gallery where his work is currently available for sale.
Artists’ works are brought to you by the Artist on Display Program sponsored by the Easton Shovel Town Cultural District.