Margaret Bowlus-Serino – The Healing Power of Trees

Those who have my tree paintings in their homes tell me of the healing feelings and peacefulness they provide. I have painted at least seventy-five trees. Trees provide healing from my prayers when I paint because they offer such a blessing of positivity through their “connections”. Trees connect to each other and communicate to help each other. It is my prayer that people could replicate that behavior.

In 1954, I was born and raised in a very small town named Albion, PA. This lovely and simplistic location helped to foster my creativity which I exercised and practiced from a very young age. My very talented father taught me much about art and media.
Over the years, I have had much support and encouragement from mentors, friends, and family. I also experienced plenty of “dangers, toils, and snares” (words from ‘Amazing Grace’). This song and its truth describe my experiences and motivation well, thus becoming the name of my business: Amazing Grace Arts. I pray for each recipient as I paint, and, I have been told this is a healing energy.

Margaret has exhibited at Market Square Day and the Berwick Craft Show; StarCraft’s, Black Widow and Pleasant Street Barn all in Epping; Seacoast Crafters in Somersworth; the Red Barn in Durham, CT; and the libraries in Epping and Plaistow. She received her Master of Science in Training & Development from Lesley University. You can find more about her on Facebook.

Karen Desrosiers – Celtic Spring

It has been said that wherever you stand in Ireland you will see at least 40 shades of green. This is never more true than in spring, when the land and sky come alive. The heart and soul of Ireland and the Irish people shine through the beautiful, rugged landscapes, the brightly painted buildings, the ancient architecture, and the wild flora (not to mention the beer).

I have long been attracted and addicted to all things Irish and Celtic. Themes of the Irish culture feature heavily in my artwork. I love color and texture and the expression that I am able to get with them. I paint primarily with oils, in an impressionistic manner, applying thick textures and rich color, in a process that has an element of building to it, beyond painting, maintaining the brushstrokes, and creating work that is almost 3-dimensional. Mixing my own colors is one of my favorite parts of the painting process and enables me to strive for those 40 shades of green in my work. My paintings are based on and inspired by photographs I’ve taken during my trips to Ireland and other Celtic countries.

I am an artist and writer living in the seacoast area of New Hampshire, with a studio at my gallery Lane House Arts Center in Hampton. While I have taken art classes since early childhood, I am also self-taught. I have been actively involved in the seacoast area arts community for over twenty years. In addition to painting, I enjoy working in a variety of mediums, both 2D and 3D, and doing photography. When I’m not creating art, I am a university writing professor and freelance writer in fiction and non-fiction. Her website is karendesrosiers.com