Second Sunday Demonstration
January 12, 2025 11:30am-1:00pm
Margaret Dwyer: The Art of Negative Painting in Watercolor
Margaret’s work explores landscapes, water scenes, nature, florals, portraiture as well as abstracts, reflecting life experiences. She uses vibrant colors combined with unconventional and traditional techniques to create vibrant paintings that include diverse themes and unique environments.
Margaret earned her MFA in Visual Arts from Vermont College. Although she works in various mediums, her favorite is watercolor. Margaret is a nationally juried artist, has had exhibitions in international forums and has been published in a variety of art books and magazines. Inspired by history, a sense of wonder and the world around her. Teaching watercolor, for Margret, holds deep meaning and a purposeful mission.
On January 12, Margaret will explore negative painting in watercolor. She says “Take your paintings to the next level. Explore the art of negative painting, lost & found edges, and glazing. These techniques are transformative when used effectively. Negative painting adds depth, drama, and creates unique colors. Learn how to achieve rich, clean darks with layering. This demonstration will broaden your knowledge of watercolor’s’ potential and encourage you to further explore this amazing medium.”
Body of Work Exhibit
January 2025
Lisa McManus
Peaceful Places
I decided I was an artist in 7th grade. I’ve been creating since then.
I spend the most time making oil paintings, watercolors, and craft jewelry, but digital art and other crafts, like knitting or origami, can take over my agenda at times.
What they all have in common is my continuous urge to put things together in unique ways.
The paintings excite my thinking and challenge me to make art that goes beyond my emotions or impulses; I accept the challenge of technique; I wonder about the meaning of art.
The crafts satisfy my need to shape ordinary materials into items of interest or surprise and connect me to family and tradition.
I attended Parsons School of Design and spent a semester in the Delaware Water Gap, plein air painting. It was a turning point in my artmaking.
The landscape became alive to me, a constant shifting of plants, weather, and forces. Every look at a tree or object or space generates immediate thoughts of how to share the wonder and awe inspired in me. The sky is a source of peace, the reflections and shadows are sources of intrigue. Mists, fog, and snow are my favorites because there’s no limit to the colors I can use. Dark fascinates me because of what hides in it. Pushing and pulling objects in space, hiding and revealing, and finding the shape of light – this is why I keep painting.
LisaMarieMcManus.com
LandscapesbyLisa@gmail.com
FB: Lisa Marie McManus Fine Arts
Body of Work Exhibit
January 2025
Stephen E. Carr
A Glimpse of My World
Steve Carr is an artist in Newburyport, Massachusetts who began painting when he retired from full time work in 2018. He initially worked in watercolors and acrylics. Since 2020 he has been primarily working in oil.
“My works in this show are a bit more diverse than pieces I included in my previous BOW show. These include a winter outdoor still life “Ice Coated Milkweed”, an imaginary harbor scene “A Harbor in the Artist’s Mind”, and limited view from an attic window “A View from the Attic”. I have enjoyed moving my subject matter away from water and boats of all sizes and shapes to more land based and architectural settings. This show includes a variety of subject matter.”
Theme Show
January 2025
Winter Wonderment
“No snowflake ever falls in the wrong place.” – Zen proverb. Snowflakes are carried by the wind to the earth. They have no say in where they land. So, show us what the wonder of winter means to you.
Monthly theme shows are open to all artists – see our SAA 2025 Theme Show brochure (PDF) and entry form (PDF).
Second Friday Reception
January 10, 2025 5-7pm
Music by: Betsy Heron
Don’t miss our favorite fiddle player, SAA member Betsy Heron, as she take us out of our post holiday doldrums at our Second Friday artist reception on Jan 10th, 5-7PM! Betsy grew up on a farm in central Massachusetts, and was brought up playing country music with her family’s band. Formerly of the duo Green Heron, she lives in NH and still plays alongside her three sisters in The Green Sisters and also leads the The Word Barn’s monthly old-time jam sessions. Betsy is also an artist with the SAA who often has work in our theme shows! “I’ve been doodling since I was a small child (in between reading books, taking care of the animals, and stacking wood of course). Halfway through engineering school, I nearly switched to a graphic design degree, but stuck it out. My heart is really in the music and art in my life. My work has primarily been in pen & ink for the past few years; I’ve long been drawn to animals and birds and they frequently find their way out.” Admission is free and donations are appreciated!
Receptions are FREE and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. Meet your local artists!
Upcoming Music at the Gallery Receptions
FEBRUARY 14 Cheryl Sager and Neal Zweig
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a special program of love songs with the stunning vocals of SAA member Cheryl Sager accompanied by her husband Neal on guitar.
MARCH 14 Carol Coronis
Favorite local musician and longtime host of the weekly Celtic show on WUNH radio, “The Ceili,” Sundays noon-2, Carol returns with her annual St. Patrick’s Day show! Enjoy her passionate, energetic style on the cittern, “a lute-like instrument, kind of a mandolin on steroids.”
April 11 The Real Deal Jazz Combo
Jack Lianos on bass and Nick Valiton on keyboards were a big hit in October! Both members of the Perimeter Jazz Ensemble, an 18-piece big band playing music by the great bands of the 1940s swing era, such as Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Stan Kenton, Buddy Rich, and Woody Herman.
May 9 Ben Baldwin and Kent Allyn
We dare you not to dance! Legendary Seacoast swing, rock, R&B duo returns! Founding members of Ben Baldwin and the Big Note, they have been sharing the rich heritage of popular American music for over 25 years.
Second Sunday Demo Videos
Past demo’s recorded by Exeter TV
- Jane McDonnell – October 2024 – The Painter’s Process ~ Overcoming Creative Block
- Dustan Knight – August 2024 – Lets paint some Big Loose and Easy Florals in Watercolor
- Bill Paarlberg – May 2024 – Watercolor