Fall Favorites: An Exhibition of Elizabeth Home’s Best!
Welcome to the vibrant world of artistic expression, where creativity knows no bounds and where the Fall Favorites Exhibition at Elizabeth Home Decor & Design is poised to captivate your senses. In this artistic journey, we proudly present six remarkable artists, each with their unique stories and perspectives that have converged to create an exceptional showcase. Annie Damphousse, William McCarthy, Carolyn Mackin, Kelly O’Neal, Meg Black and Linda Donohue, together, are a kaleidoscope of talent, each bringing their own distinct flavor to this visual feast. Join us as we delve into the captivating biographies of these artists, exploring the tales behind the canvases that adorn our gallery walls, and the inspiration that fuels their passion for art.
Annie Damphousse
Meet Annie Damphousse, a lifelong artist and graphic designer whose creative journey is a fascinating fusion of analytical thinking, problem-solving, and a fearless embrace of color. Her art is a vivid expression of her unique perspective, guided by spontaneity and an abundance of optimistic energy. Annie’s love for color extends from her artwork to her vibrant home, which served as the inspiration for Housse Studio, where she works her magic to bring joy and beauty to your living space. With a Business degree and a BFA in Graphic Design, Annie now resides just north of Boston, leading her graphic design firm, Stormship, while also nurturing her art in her home studio. Her outdoor adventures, time with a large extended family, and visits to her snowbird parents in Florida round out her life outside of art. Currently featured in an art exhibit at Elizabeth Home Decor & Design, Annie’s work is a testament to her dedication to infusing art and design with vitality and boundless joy.
William McCarthy
William McCarthy, a master of artistic creation, draws inspiration from a rich tapestry of memories. His best oil paintings emerge from landscapes, both recent and distant, etched in his mind. With an established creative process, he no longer reinvents the wheel for each new canvas. Beginning with pocket-sized sketchbooks filled with notations and fleeting visions of his surroundings, he quick-sketches ideas that may transform into oil paintings later. These sketches, though not highly detailed, serve as poignant reminders when he retreats to his studio. William’s artwork features luminous portrayals of trees set against sky, field, and river, each painting evoking subtle variations of light and atmosphere. The arrangement of trees, whether standing alone, in pairs, or in larger clusters, offers an intriguing blend of inevitability and surprise, formality and serendipity. William employs wood board, paper, or canvas as his canvas, priming the surface meticulously with gesso and a cadmium red base. His artistic process includes charcoal sketches and delicate oil color layering, culminating in a harmonious composition, protected with final varnish coats. In this captivating body of work, light plays a central role, illuminating spiritual places with an inner light—a whisper of the ethereal in our everyday landscapes.
Carolyn Mackin
Carolyn Mackin’s abstract art is a vibrant fusion of pattern and color, pulsating with energy while remaining rooted. Inspired by curiosity, urban life, and human connections, she creates mixed media pieces through intuitive acrylic layering. Her abstract collections range from cityscapes to textured stripes and free-flowing works. Starting with a vague idea, she explores and discovers as she paints, mirroring an open-minded journey. Passionate about home decor, Carolyn crafts custom paintings tailored to their destined spaces and enjoys connecting with clients through art consults. Her daily yoga and meditation practice keep her positive and grounded. She lives in Wellesley, MA, with her family and creates in her light-filled circa-1898 home studio.
Kelly O’Neal
Kelly O’Neal, the accomplished Dallas-based interior designer, renowned for his impressive clientele, has channeled his creative energy onto the canvas. His art seamlessly merges modern sensibilities with timeless techniques, traversing centuries to create exquisite masterpieces. O’Neal’s unparalleled sense of color and innate composition skills are evident in his work, where contemporary art captures the essence of the moment through a variety of materials. With 21 years of experience as the driving force behind Design Legacy, a celebrated home furnishings collection, O’Neal’s artistic journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Holding a B.F.A in the creative arts from the University of North Texas, his rural Texan upbringing and lifelong dedication to art have shaped his profound artistic knowledge.
Meg Black
Step into the enchanting world of artist Meg Black, where nature’s beauty ignites the canvas with a profound emotional resonance. Her artworks are a celebration of the organic shapes, clusters of color, and endless textures found in the natural world, weaving a magical tapestry that goes beyond the surface. Meg invites viewers to embark on a journey deep into her creations, where untold stories and hidden treasures await discovery. Her art serves as a canvas for everyone’s unique tales, whether it’s their cherished memories or favorite places, brought to life through commissioned works. With each brushstroke, Meg Black invites you to explore her gallery, where nature-inspired pieces resonate with the timeless beauty of the world around us, offering a sanctuary to curate your own story and find solace in the warmth and familiarity of her art.
Linda Donohue
Linda Donohue, an artist inspired by the sea and horses, hails from the scenic landscapes of Muir Beach and Napa Valley in Northern California. She honed her artistic skills by studying fine art at CCSF and graphic design at Platt College, San Francisco. Afterward, she delved into furniture design for her family’s business, with her creations gaining acclaim on HGTV and Extreme Makeover. Sherwin Williams even turned to her showroom for color forecasting. Now a full-time artist, her work has graced HGTV’s “Secrets of a Stylist” and the pages of Better Homes and Gardens Magazine. It has reached collections worldwide and is available in galleries, designer showrooms, and furniture stores, including the High Point Furniture Market. Linda operates from her studio/gallery in Petaluma, CA, offering in-home consultations for art enthusiasts in the San Francisco Bay Area, ensuring art can be brought directly to them.
As we explore these exceptional artists, we are left with a profound appreciation for the diversity and creativity they bring to the “Fall Favorites: An Exhibition of Elizabeth Home’s Best.” Annie Damphousse, Meg Black, William McCarthy, Kelly O’Neal, Linda Donohue, and Carolyn Mackin each infuse their distinct styles and unique perspectives into their art, creating a rich tapestry of visual storytelling that transcends boundaries. We hope that this exhibition has kindled your own artistic passion and inspired you to delve deeper into the world of these talented creators. Their art resonates with the essence of the fall season, reminding us of the beauty and wonder that can be found in the artistry that surrounds us every day.