SHERMAN, Conn.—The Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center, will present paintings by Doreen O’Connor in a show, “For the Love of Flowers,” from Feb. 21 until April 2.
O’Connor’s paintings, which depict the beauty of the natural world and images of the fading small farm life in America, are predominantly done en plein air or on site. She says being present in a place enhances her ability to capture the atmosphere of the scene.
The artist’s reception will be held Friday, Feb. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. The show will be on display through April 2 both at the library and on its website,
Doreen O’Connor has lived in a rural area for most of her life and feels deeply connected and inspired by its history and natural beauty. Her family purchased a farm in Dutchess County when she was 9 years old. That farm and the surroundings became her muse.
She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in art education and taught for a few years before shifting into historic house museum work. This work combined history with life skills such as spinning, weaving and open-hearth cooking and antiques.
After many years in the museum field, she started a decorative painting business in 1990. There she did faux finishes, murals, painted furniture, trompe l’oeil and many other projects. “If it doesn’t move, I have probably painted on it” became her business slogan.
O’Connor moved back to the family farm after her father died in 2001 and lived there and cared for the place as she continued decorative painting. As faux finishes were losing popularity, she moved to doing more fine art, painting beloved old buildings, equipment and landscapes outdoors. Today she paints around eastern New York and Connecticut. She also uses her faux finish experience to make interesting frames for her work when barn wood is unavailable.
She is a member of Sherman Artists Association, ArtEast, Arts Mid-Hudson and FrOGS (Friends of The Great Swamp)
For more information about this show and the Sherman Library, visit www.shermanlibrary.org.
