Is it just me, or have you noticed a wonderful surge of creativity in the air these days? My walls are getting full from all the work I want to support. Make sure to check out the websites of these artists, since my pictures don’t do them justice, at all–too many glass reflections and other blurry issues. This post will only feature small 2D paintings created by non-family members. Here’s the story of how I came to own these works of art.
First, my friend Susan Woodman gifted me with a set of her gorgeous greeting cards featuring paintings of Rockport, MA. I immediately took down my own framed seashell paintings, inserted a few of my favorites from Susan’s batch into the same frames, and then hung them up for display. Her bold colors really stand out. Susan and I worked together as art editors at Addison-Wesley Publishing Company many years ago. You can check out some of her original paintings, design work, and animations on her website.
In the above picture, Susan and I are on either side of Debbie O’Brien during an Addison-Wesley lunch break (please excuse my hairdo). Does anyone recognize Debbie? She later worked at either Houghton Mifflin or Harper Collins and we lost touch. I’m not sure if she still goes by her maiden name, or not…
More recently, I’ve been admiring my friend Pierr Morgan’s beautiful work on Instagram over the years and finally ordered my favorites. Narrowing down was no easy task because she has so many to choose from. She’s been posting bird paintings which really caught my eye. I think she must be doing nearly one a day, as she has just reached 300 of them!
Along with wonderful children’s book illustrations, Pierr is an amazing seamstress, creating spectacular quilts in Spokane, WA . We first met at a Rolling Ridge writing retreat in North Andover, MA in 2015 (below we are at that Whole Novel Workshop, both wearing turquoise). Please scroll through her etsy shop to see her latest offerings.
I’ve also acquired some delightful cards (above and below) from my friend Vicky Enright who has recently established Elsabelle Paper Co. A talented children’s book illustrator, Vicky and I first met when she started a critique group with Linda Murphy in Andover, MA, way back in the late 1990s. That same group eventually evolved into the fabulous Writers’ Rumpus community that is still going strong today.
Always friendly & supportive, Vicky is shown above at the launch party for my first children’s book. Please check out Vicky’s latest cards! A few of them are shown above, but trust me I’ll be getting them and more into much better mats and frames, ASAP.
I’ve long enjoyed the artwork of my friend Louise (painting under the name Hayetna). We first met when I began working at the Hampstead Public Library in 2005. Louise wears many hats and when I received her holiday card this year, I immediately knew I wanted to add the above lovely birch tree painting (the original!) to my wall of fame. I am still working on getting the best framing for this one, too, but hopefully your screen shows the colors as beautiful as they truly are. As you can see in the below picture, Louise also displays a lot of lovely art, shown on her wall behind us. We are sitting with our friend Janet Arden on right, who is not only a good artist herself but a great supporter of others.
When I went to the launch for Cathy Ogren’s The Little Red Chair book, I was delighted to meet the illustrator of the book, Alexandra Thompson. Because I had preordered with the bookstore who hosted the launch, I not only received the book, but a signed print of one of the interior illustrations—what a treat! Below is how it looks on my wall. No, I never met Walther Firle (1859-1929) but I couldn’t resist showing how well his “The Fairy Tale” painting looks beside Alexandra’s illustration.
Apologies to all artists for my blurry attempts to show off your work. The links will direct readers to much better views.
Aside from a few too many days of Covid rearing its ugly head again, here’s what I’ve been up to recently:
Thanks so much for stopping by!
You have been very busy! Thank you for showing so much art in one post. It was delightful.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Anne! I’ve been having tech problems with my blog and am relieved things are working again…for the moment.
It seems we all go through problems with our blogs. I hope yours will be working well now.
Thank you, me, too!
Wonderful, fun to see all of your artists friends and their artwork.
It was fun to get them all together! Thanks for visiting. 🙂
I love your art collection!
Thank you, Yvonne! Hope all’s going well with you, and your writing and teaching projects!
This was such fun to read, Marcia–you are so creative!
Thanks, Margo, I have fun with art!
What a delightful post, Marcia. I like all the stories behind the art.
I love “The Fairy Tale.” We had a print of it hanging in our house when I was growing up. That print now hangs in the bedroom where my three granddaughters stay when they come to visit.
Thanks, Cathy! Love this background story. Your print is traveling through generations, just like the little red chair did. 🙂
This is a wonderful post, Marcia. I am doing some artwork too 🌈
Yes, you do beautiful artwork, Robbie!
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I so enjoyed this post!! What a wonderful collection of art you have! It was fun to hear all the background stories with each piece of art! I look forward to reading your picture book coming out in 2026!
Thanks, Bette! Glad you enjoyed this artsy post. 🙂
Hi Marcia! What a wonderful post. I love the art you have collected from very talented artists. I was thrilled to finally meet you in person at Jane Yolen’s birthday party! Hooray. I had lunch with Cathy Ogren this week, I love, love her The Little Red Chair book. All the best!
Oh, how fun that you know Cathy, too! Interesting how we began as long-distance strangers and now are running into each other here and there. I’m already looking forward to the next time our paths cross. Thanks for your lovely comment, Jennie. 🙂
I love these connections, don’t you? I’m glad our paths finally crossed, Marcia. It’s nice that we both know Cathy. Many thanks, and my pleasure to read and comment on your post.
Loved this whole piece, Marcia! Thanks for sharing it with us 🙂 It’s nice that although we authors work with words, we receive nourishment (creatively) from visual art, as well.
Yes, for sure, it’s all connected. 🙂 Thanks, Hilary!
I loved all the art and the stories with the art. Thanks for sharing . And thanks for including me with your much-more-talented friends! I am honored to be your friend, as well as honored to be included with this group of interesting people.
My pleasure to include you, Louise! Your beautiful painting helped me come up with the idea to share them online. xo
What a great post! So special to have artwork from people you know and love. Such interesting and beautiful pieces. Thanks for sharing the pieces and their stories with us. 🙂
Thanks, Stephanie! I’m glad you enjoyed seeing their work. So many creative people making our world a more beautiful place.🎨