Girls Just Wanna Paint Challenge

Friday, May 22, 2020

Missing the North River Arts Festival - May 2020

"Street Party" oil by Jody Regan

The North River Arts Society reluctantly cancelled its 44th Annual Festival of the Arts this year: a block-party-style celebration of our creative community. Local artists, including Girls Just Wanna Paint, do plein air demonstrations of their work on the street. We miss the joy of painting together at this wonderful celebration, and the North River Arts Society is missing its biggest fundraising event of the year.
We hope you can support the organization, and we look forward to seeing you there next Memorial Day weekend.


"That's Entertainment" North River Arts Festival poster 2011 by Jody Regan

I love painting on the street each year at this weekend-long party, especially talking with the children who are curious about what is happening on my easel. I hope to be back together with them next year.

Jeannie, Kelley, Sally and Mary having fun painting at Festival.

My painting from 2 years ago of a little girl at the festival, and one of my pieces that got in the juried show last year. There is such an ache for the camaraderie and wonderful work, food, music and crafts that we saw every year! - Kelley MacDonald

"Boats"

Cheers to NRAS.... Festival Spirit and Joy lives on in our hearts

Page Pearson Railsback

"South River Marsh"

12x16

"Cleaning the Catch"

18x24

Mary Sheehan Winn

I received awards for both of these paintings at The North River Arts Festival. Very pleased and proud to be recognized by this stalwart organization.

Please support our group if you can.

Festival Memories!

Nancy Howell doing a demo, me selling my clocks in the artisan area

and the first puppet parade!

Sally Dean


"Missing the Puppet Project" by Pamela Copeman

I am missing the NRAS Arts Festival this year because my granddaughters are living just up the street now and I was so excited to introduce them to this artful tradition. With that said, I will donate to North River Arts Society this year with the high hopes of attending next year with my family. xo

Moonlit Hydrangeas-Margaret Farrell Bruno

My granddaughter critiquing the art and near my painting 1st on left.

I was honored to wear many hats at the North River Arts Society over the last 30 years, including President for two years, which entailed directing traffic for art work drop off one year. Festival holds a special place in my heart. I was poster artist for Festival when expecting my 2nd child 28 years ago, which gave Jeannie Horan heart palpitations worrying I may go into labor before I got all those posters signed. And now my grandchildren enjoy the music, fun, art, activities and food at Festival. My whole family will miss it dearly this year. Keep NRAS in your hearts and if you can donate to help the Society through this difficult time, I know it will be greatly appreciated. Let's help NRAS live on. It has given so many cherished friendships, great memories and of course, artful enrichment for young and old.

This painting, "Lilacs and Clementine" by Jeanne MacFarland won the Katherine M. Wolfe Memorial Award for Floral Composition at the 2017 North River Festival of the Arts.

My first entry into the North River Arts Society Festival in 2008, "Edward Hopper's House in Truro" was accepted and won the Katherine M. Wolfe Award. What a fond memory during an otherwise wonderful weekend at the Festival. This event is always inspiring and a happy time, and I am grateful that we have this great resource each year. Looking forward to next year's!

"Festival Colors" from Tori Brega's jewelry booth

"Face Paint Ninja" work in progress by Tori Brega

Friday, May 1, 2020

April 2020 Challenge: "Fish"

We discussed using a theme relating to the current COVID-19 virus but opted to avoid it instead.

For this month anyway.

By Pamela Copeman

Watercolor title Goal Fish

I adore painting birds, shoes, faces, sunsets and lipsticks! But not Fish!

"Eye Test" 9"x12" gouache on board by Paula Villanova

To try something a little different, I went back to a solid black fish design I drew in art school some 45 years ago in ink with a compass, ruling pen and flexicurve. This time, I freehanded the curves but used a compass to define the exterior shape (in light pencil), and drew two grids, one for the fish to portray her in color and a larger one for the ocean.

"Koi" 10x10 oil by Jeanne MacFarland
No social distancing in the lily pond!

"Swimming down stream" 5"x7" Acrylic Poured Paint and digital art by Margaret Farrell Bruno
Playing with poured paint and digital art.
The fish was doing really well until I came back to it the next day and realized it had headed down stream and almost off the board. I guess my surface was not level. So I scanned and placed a border on it. Always learning. Make a smaller fish next time. Was still fun playing digitally.

"Fish Flight" Acrylic 8"x10" by Victoria Chesley Brega

"Pick Me, Pick Me!" 12x12 Acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

For a long time I have loved the pink fish they sell at Whole Foods. Not brave enough to BUY and COOK them, I just like to look at them. IRL the pink is a brighter, rosier color. Fish on ice. Loved doing this!

"Lionfish" ink, watercolor, and watercolor pencil by Jody Regan

Seen at the New England Aquarium a few months ago when we could see these beautiful creatures there. I long for those times again.

"Hope Fish"by Sally Dean Mello

I've been making fish pendants out of clay since the world shut down. I am inspired by Sadakos 1000 cranes of peace. Not sure I'll make 1000 of these, but going to number them to see how far I get. I plan to give them away at the reveal of the 3 year long fish mosaic project scheduled for this fall at The Art Complex Museum.

HOPE it is still happening- but if not then- it will at some point!

"Down Under" 6x6 acrylic by Page Pearson Railsback

"Swimming Against the Tide"

8x8 ink and watercolor by Mary Sheehan Winn

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

March 2020 Challenge: "Still Life"

Pamela Copeman Tea for Thee and Me

Oil on Board, 18" x 24"

I based this still life painting on a table setting

by Valentino, the composition was unusual

and very appealing to me. During this time of

quarantine, I am daydreaming about

being with friends outside in a garden.

"Social Distancing" 11"x14" Acrylic by Paula Villanova

Staying indoors mostly with the exception of one trip to to grocery store each week, wiping each packaged item down with a Clorox wipe, no Lysol on the shelves, nor Purell, but we did score this large bottle of the stuff for our family. Praying for a swift end to this ugliness soon and the preservation of human life.

"Happy Daffi's" 8x6 Acrylic on panel by Kelley Carey MacDonald
I am always heartened by these cheerful yellow harbingers of Spring. My son gave them to me, so extra special. I got lost in this painting... done just before Corona hit... haven't really been able to paint since.

"Still Life" 12x12 acrylic on canvas board
by Mary Sheehan Winn
I've been working on this abstract on and off. I wanted it to be about color and shape, but also about achieving a pleasing color harmony. I am really enjoying working in acrylic because of the creamy nature of the paint and also because of the layering effects that can be achieved with this medium. The title is a metaphor for the sudden disruption of everyday life as we know it.

"Delft Bunny" Oil on 6"panel

by Margaret Farrell Bruno

This little guy sits by my bay window. It was a gift from my mother long ago. Warms my heart.

"Angel and Demon" Oil on panel 8"X10" Acrylic

by Victoria Chesley Brega

"Clementine on a Patterned Cloth" oil 6x6 by Jeanne MacFarland

"Simple Still" 6x6 Acrylic by Page Pearson Railsback

Tulips, 20"x20" acrylic on canvas by Sally Dean

I bought these at Trader Joes on Friday the 13th. It seemed essential at the time.

Little did I know how very different life would be....

"Cocktail Hour" 12 x 16 oil by Jody Regan

I have more time in my studio during this time of isolation, so I arranged a still life with glass and metal which is like a puzzle to solve.

Sunday, March 1, 2020

February 2020 Challenge: "Shadow"

"Me And My Shadow" 8x8 inch Acrylic, by Kelley C. MacDonald

I have long admired paintings of leashed dogs and their shadows. My Paco, now 11 years old, is my constant companion, my little shadow. 💖

"Shadow Play" Pamela Copeman, 8"x10" oil on canvas

This is a composition that was created at a restaurant I had lunch at. I loved the way the tulip danced with the wall shadow...

"Retired", 8x8 Acrylic by Page Railsback

"Summer Days" 6x6 gouache by Jeanne MacFarland

"Where I Work in Winter", 8"x8: acrylic on canvas panel by Sally Dean

I love the shadow play at The Art Complex Museum, where I work.

"The Floral Designer" 18"x24" by Paula Villanova acrylic

At my job we have floral presentations each season by the designers showing their fresh designs for the beautiful flower arrangements we provide. The lighting is great for the flowers but a little harsh on the presenter.


"Down and Away Below" oil on board by Jody Regan

This beautiful turtle is queen of the big tank at the New England Aquarium. Her shadow cast on the plants and rocks below.

"Snuggled Into Shadow" 5x7 Acrylic by Victoria Chesley Brega

"Light and Shadow"oil on canvas board
Class Demo by Mary Sheehan Winn

Saturday, February 1, 2020

January 2020 Challenge: "Chinese New Year"

“Rooster” 8” x 8” Acrylic by Victoria Chesley Brega

I was born in the year of the rooster, and love painting birds....

"Monkey" Pastel by Margaret Farrell Bruno

I illustrated a book called My Little Friend Goes To The Zoo a few years back,

all about a group of monkeys that find a child's toy.

How appropriate that my year is the year of the monkey.

"May All Your Wishes Come True" 10x20 Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

I love Chinese New Year, and all the prosperity wishes, and wishes for happiness not to mention the beautiful decor!

"Celebrate" 8x10 Oil by Pamela Copeman

I am fascinated by the bright colors of the Chinese New Year most especially in fashion!

"Ancient Culture" by Mary Sheehan Winn

4x4 Ink and Watercolor

I have always loved Asian Art and culture. I worked in a Chinese Restaurant for 10 years and got to experience the authentic New Year celebration in Chinatown, with my bosses and coworkers!