Arabic Woman by Kerri L. Grant

Star Island Chapel by Bill Childs

Bill Childs – Star Island Sojourn

Houses on Smuttynose by Bill Childs

Bill Childs knew he wanted to be an artist when recovering from some childhood ailment, he did a crayon drawing in the sun room all over the back end of the living room chimney. His parents were not pleased.

Star Island Dock by Bill Childs

Later on at Barnstable High School in Hyannis, Bill’s art teacher was the accomplished mural painter, Vernon Herbert Coleman, who painted more than 100 murals for the WPA. Bill had a chance to apprentice with him at a number of jobs such as a mural in a furniture store about maple furniture showing a New Hampshire landscape. “After high school I used to come home weekends from Boston or spare time and work with him on murals all around the Cape. He used to let me do a lot of the underpainting before he did the finish work. There is a mural of the Exeter Falls across from the Seacoast Artist Association gallery in the Edward Jones office that I did for them that is of the type that I worked on with Vernon Coleman.”

Growing up on Cape Cod, he developed a feel for the ocean and dunes at its beaches. After graduating from the Massachusetts College of Art, he accepted an art teaching position in Southern NH with a break in the US Army. Bill then taught at Oyster River High School for 30 years. After 40 years of teaching, he never stopped painting.

White Island Light by Bill Childs

The watercolors in this Body of Work exhibit focus on several visits to the Isles of Shoals over many summers, specifically on Star Island. The timeless nature of its granite outcroppings, the hotel and cottages having survived storms and fires over the years, the surrounding ocean, and a rich and varied history of fishing, pirates, regattas, and a summer center for artists, writers, and musicians on a nearby island make it a fascinating place to paint.

The Island always reminds one of the seemingly fragile relationship between the island and the sea, and it is reflected in the images in which the ocean is ever present in the depiction of the landscape and the buildings.

Bill has mentored many local artists and art teachers. He is an exhibiting member of the Seacoast Artist Association and lives in Exeter. View more of his work at www.billchildsart.com

Kerri L. Grant, D.C. — Rise of the Sacred Feminine: Women from around the World

African Woman by Kerri L. Grant

Portsmouth N.H. native and self-taught aspiring artist, Kerri L. Grant, has always had a deep love for the arts, culture, visiting museums, and spending hours at the ocean’s edge in quiet contemplation. She never tires of listening to the ocean crash upon the shore or sitting in wonder of ¬¬¬cloud formations in the sky which she has dubbed God’s ever-changing canvas. When she is not immersed in painting, Kerri is a licensed chiropractor and energy healer, and loves to travel. Her travels have taken her to the Middle East, Africa and Europe where she studied the mysteries of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and the sacred feminine. These experiences have shaped her life significantly and have become her inspiration to put paint to canvas for the past three years. Kerri would like to thank Margaret Bowlus-Serino for being a dear friend, fellow-artist and “second-eye” with her technical guidance, and to Gloria Amendola for leading journeys to France and influencing her love for the sacred feminine. Rest in peace beautiful soul.

Renaissance Woman by Kerri L. Grant

My inspiration for painting comes from my Arabic and European ancestry, love of nature, travel and culture, healing and dreamy approach to life. I have a propensity for capturing the sacred feminine, which truly embodies the gentle and loving qualities of a mother. Now more than ever the planet is in great need of mother’s love, thus raising the vibration of the individual mindset to the oneness of Sacred Humanity.

Freya by Kerri L. Grant

Artistically, I’ve discovered that one’s personality is transferred to the canvas and can be your greatest strength as well as your greatest weakness. In my case, I’m highly detailed and challenge myself to produce works that are more abstract, flowy and less structured to create balance both internally and externally with my work. I work with acrylic paint, watercolor and ink on canvas, ceramic tile and various fabrics and paint mostly with brushes thought I have been known to use my fingers and various objects to create texture. My art was displayed at Market Square Day, Portsmouth, N.H. 2019 and various craft shows around southern New Hampshire.