This week’s featured artist: Maureen S. Farrell, member since 2012:
ME: Growing up in rural upstate New York, my connection to art was visiting museums or art and craft fairs. In my late thirties, I took a photography class in composition and I took thousands of photos. A beginner’s watercolor class in 1994 led me on a journey of a lifetime! Putting in my “10,000 hours” while working a full-time job, I also took time off to study with Robert Wade, Mel Stabin, Carla O’ Connor, Catherine Anderson, Charles Reid and Karen Rosasco. I am now a mixed media artist, retired and living on the eastern shore in Cambridge, MD. My work has been exhibited in numerous galleries on the eastern shore, Annapolis, National Harbor, 2013 DC Design House, and most recently at an international show in Chelsea, New York.
MY ART: My current series are larger figures than I usually create – 24 x 24 – and also florals. All are done on paper, and then attached to board. I start out by sealing the paper and once dried, I paint multiple thin layers of acrylic paint, scratch, splatter and collage in between. Once a composition is formed, I look for a center of interest, integrate edges of shapes, finishing with line work. I rarely have a preconceived idea of what I will paint, and just let things take their course. Creating this way is very freeing and a lot of fun! My paintings can have as many as a dozen to two dozen layers. If it doesn’t work, I gesso over and start again. The more the layers, the richer the painting! Visit my website: http://maureensfarrell.com
MFA & ME: In 2012, a friend of mine and I drove to Annapolis looking for inspiration, and went to see the national exhibit, “Art on Paper”, at MFA. I had never been there before, and I was struck by the ambience of the building and the quality of the work. I enjoyed talking with one of the members, Margaret Boynton, and I was so impressed I became a member on the spot! Since then I have met a number of wonderful people in the organization, have made some very dear friends and am always amazed at the quality of work shown. MFA is a very welcoming community, and the opportunities to show work are bountiful.
Spread the word about…YOU: Every week, we feature an MFA member for “Me & My Art Monday.” If you would like to be featured, please submit a photo and three paragraphs: one each about YOU, YOUR ART, and MFA & YOU totaling approximately 350 words, to meandmyart@mdfedart.org.
Hooray for you, Maureen. I absolutely love your work. It is a reflection of your beautiful soul.