October’s Featured Artist Spotlight: Craig O’Neill’s Whimsical Scenes of Memory

Stop into the Leach Library this month to view Craig O’Neill’s large bright oil paintings depicting his dreamy artistic vision that honors and prolongs memory. We are delighted to showcase nine of his original works throughout the library. Stop in anytime during the library’s open hours to check them out for yourself.

“Garden Party” by Craig O’Neill

A Well-Established Artistic Practice

Craig has been painting since he was 8 years old. Originally from New York City, he studied at the Pratt Institute and the Art Students League, and an arts high school. In Boston, he studied with Pamela Sienna, Paul Rahilly at Mass Art and David Andrus. His first love is oil painting and also works in pastel, watercolor and pen and ink. His main subjects are portraits, figures, landscapes and interiors. He paints mainly in a realistic manner with a good deal of movement in his compositions which often tell a story. He has shown at Cutter Gallery, the Stove Factory Gallery in Charlestown, Cambridge Adult Education Center, and various libraries.

“Reggie Ascending” by Craig O’Neill

Prolonging Memory Through Art

Craig gave us a glimpse into his artistic practice:

I love to paint in oils and try to start at least two paintings a week both in the studio and outdoors. I paint portraits, figures, landscapes and interiors. My theme is “multiple realities.” which can include family members who have passed away. Recently, I have been including family members and pets who passed away in some of my paintings in a series of “Visitations”. It is a great opportunity to prolong the memory of those we have cared about and who have been part of our lives. My paintings tend to be realistic with some elements of abstraction due to a lot of movement in them. I use a lot of bright colors. Although I tend to paint very quickly I sometimes let the painting stand for several days and let it tell me what else needs to be done. I also like to have views of interiors and exteriors in the same painting. Some influences include Sorolla, George Bellows, Jane Freilicher, Sargent, some impressionists and expressionists. There is a huge treasury of images that inspires me as well as what I see around me.

If you’d like to get in touch with Craig, send us a note using the contact form below and we’ll route your inquiry. And be sure to stop into the Leach Library to view his work through October 31!

“Let there be light!” by Craig O’Neill

Display Your Work

The Arts Council invites local artists to display their work for a month at the Leach Library. We are currently revamping our application process, so if you are interested in displaying, please submit an inquiry using the contact form at the bottom of this page. To date, we have hosted painters, illustrators, photographers, writers, jewelry makers, and others, and are open to all mediums. We are accepting submissions for all months in 2024 except March and October.

“Yellow Roses” by Craig O’Neill

August’s Featured Artist Spotlight: Oil Paintings by Joshua Fitzpatrick

This month, LAC and the Leach Library are featuring an exhibit of nine oil paintings by Joshua Fitzpatrick, an 18 year-old artist from Londonderry. Josh’s original work meanders from the local to the galactic, and shows a wonderful use of color and curiosity about the world and universe. Stop in through the month of August to view Josh’s original work displayed on easels at the entrance to the library and in the reading alcoves around the perimeter.

Londonderry artist Joshua Fitzpatrick displays at the Leach Library Aug. 1-31, 2023

A LOVE FOR ART AT AN EARLY AGE

Josh shared his journey as an artist with us:

From scribbles on preschool papers to bathtime art with shaving cream, Josh started his creative career young. Art let him put his busy thoughts somewhere physical, and to hold them down.

In 2016 at age 11, Josh randomly decided he wanted to paint. Therefore, he asked his mom to find him a teacher for oil painting. Then, for the next 7 years, Josh developed his painting skills under various teachers, as well as on his own at home. Among his favorite subjects to paint were landscapes, and paintings of the night sky. As he continues to paint into the future, Josh hopes to further hone his skill and to spread his artwork to others.

We hope you’ll stop by during the Leach Library’s open hours and check out Josh’s art! His exhibit also displays his contact info where you can get in touch about his work (or send us a message through our contact form at the bottom of this page and we’ll put you in touch!)

DISPLAY YOUR WORK

The Arts Council invites local artists to display their work for a month at the Leach Library. We are currently revamping our application process, so if you are interested in displaying, please submit an inquiry using the contact form at the bottom of this page. To date, we have hosted painters, illustrators, photographers, writers, jewelry makers, and others, and are open to all mediums. Please note all months in 2023 are filled up but we are accepting submissions for 2024.

Our very own Mack’s Orchards as painted by Josh Fitzpatrick

July’s Featured Artist Spotlight: Botanical Paintings at the Leach Library

For the month of July, LAC and the Leach Library are offering a special posthumous exhibit of wildflower and wildlife art by Marjorie Dyke Putnam Caswell (1895-1979). Many of these whimsical paintings are flowers we may recognize in our yards on the trails–aster, red clover, black-eyed susans, evening primrose, and much more.

Dive into Marjorie’s colorful world as you tour her botanical paintings, set up on easels around the perimeter of the library. These works, likely produced after World War II, represent only a small portion of her collection of over 75 pieces based on her environment living in New Hampshire and Vermont. 

This exhibit was graciously lent to the Leach Library by her granddaughter, Jan McLaughlin, who received her first set of oil paints from Marjorie and now leads arts and crafts workshops at Londonderry Senior Center and Connect 55+ in Londonderry. Stop in to view Marjorie’s nature-inspired work through the month of July.

A dynamic life

Marjorie Putnam was born in Vermont and spent her youth in Pinnardville, NH (a section of Goffstown). She attended a special integrated arts and design program for young women in Chicago, where she developed a variety of skills. When she got married in 1918, she listed her occupation as “designer,” a powerful choice in an era where women were expected to be homemakers. In the 1930s, she gave workshops in the local area about designing and constructing fishponds, a testament to her wide skillset.

After Pearl Harbor, Marjorie (like many American women) joined the workforce as a “Rosie,” building planes for the US Army and Navy in San Diego. One day, she assisted some men who were having trouble deciphering design changes in blueprints. As a result, she was offered a civilian position with the Navy at the secretive North Island just outside San Diego. There, she helped design camouflage for warships, a critical defense mechanism during the war.

Marjorie passed on her love for the arts to her family members, many of whom developed artistic practices of their own.

DISPLAY YOUR WORK

The Arts Council invites local artists to display their work for a month at the Leach Library. We are currently revamping our application process, so if you are interested in displaying, please submit an inquiry using the contact form at the bottom of this page. To date, we have hosted painters, illustrators, photographers, writers, jewelry makers, and others. Please note all months in 2023 are filled up but we are accepting submissions for 2024.

June's Featured Artist Spotlight: Lord of the Rings Illustrations at the Leach Library

Londonderry’s own Greg Descoteaux is a master of many trades. Not only is he a musician and a luthier at Siren Guitars, but he’s also a wonderfully imaginative visual artist. This month, he displays nine large illustrations at the Leach Library, all based on the magical and mystical characters from JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings Series. This represents the largest display of these pieces in the public eye since they were drawn in 1978.

A Gollum “Smeagol” unlike any other!

Stop in through the end of June to see how Greg brings beloved characters like Gandalf, Aragorn, Gollum, and Frodo to life. His portraits highlight the nuanced details of their eyes and their stories, and are unlike any film or illustrated depiction we’ve ever seen.

The TRAGEDY Behind the Art

The spark that drove Greg to put pencil to paper was a fire on Christmas morning in 1978. After flames destroyed most of his artwork, Greg began to read Tolkien’s series as a way to help himself get through this difficult time. Greg says: “I became so engrossed in the story that the images of the characters materialized in my mind. [Tolkien’s] descriptions of the various people and creatures was so vivid the images were coming as quickly as I could read, so I had to sketch them as fast as I could, to keep up.”

The fantastical Tree Beard in all of his glory!

The finished portraits, however, certainly do not seem like they were drawn in a hurry. The multidimensional detailing is fine and painstaking, bringing the power of the characters into full relief.

We’re honored to host Greg’s work this month. Please stop into Londonderry’s Leach Library at 276 Mammoth Road (be sure to check their site for summer hours) to view these extraordinary pieces for yourself.

Aragorn as Strider

DISPLAY YOUR WORK

The Londonderry Arts Council invites local artists to display their work for a month at the Leach Library. We are currently revamping our application process, so if you are interested in displaying, please simply submit an inquiry using the contact form at the bottom of this page. To date, we have hosted painters, illustrators, photographers, writers, and others.

May’s Featured Artist Spotlight: Beading, Jewelry, and Crochet by Irene Kravstova of Bluett Arts

As spring blooms into bursts of color, we’re thrilled to welcome the whimsical, bright creations of perhaps one of Londonderry’s most multi-talented residents to the Leach Library. Irene Kravstova of Bluett Arts eludes definition–she seems to do it all, from beading and jewelry-making to knitting and crochet. She makes earrings, statement necklaces, and portraits of figures like Frida Kahlo. And she loves passing her skills onto others, enriching our community with workshops and classes.

Stop into the Leach Library at 276 Mammoth Rd. in Londonderry through May 31 to view her work in the display case just inside the entrance.

ABOUT IRENE

Originally from Minsk, Belarus, Irene discovered her penchant for crafts in middle school. After becoming a biology teacher and having her first child, Irene dove back into her first passion during her maternity leave.

Ten years ago, Irene moved with her family to the United States. This huge life change reignited her passion for crafting as a way of coping with anxiety and stress. She channeled her lifelong fascination with beads into learning seed bead crochet, weaving, embroidery, stringing, and many other techniques. 

Her work found recognition in her community–she is a two time finalist in the Fire Mountain Gems contest. And in 2017, she caught the eye of an owner of Manchester Craft Market, who invited her to become a vendor at her store, where she continues to sell her art to this day.

Irene has called Londonderry her home for five years. Like many artists in our area, she finds inspiration in our natural world (including our very own Rail Trail), calm way of life, and kind supportive community. She harnesses her bilingualism and curiosity about the world to constantly grow her repertoire of techniques and designs.

LEARN TO FOSTER YOUR CREATIVITY

After years of developing her art, Irene decided to return to teaching. She became a Certified Crochet Instructor and enjoys nurturing her students’ creativity while helping them relieve stress and boredom, improve motor skills, and boost imagination and focus. She believes that creative work boosts brain function among other positive benefits.

You can connect with Irene and view her upcoming workshop schedule on her Facebook page. Some classes fill up quickly, so we recommend securing a spot early.

DISPLAY YOUR WORK

The Arts Council invites local artists to display their work for a month at the Leach Library. We are currently revamping our application process, so if you are interested in displaying, please simply submit an inquiry using the contact form at the bottom of this page. To date, we have hosted painters, illustrators, photographers, writers, and others.

April’s Featured Artist Spotlight: Watercolors by Pat Schubert

From the nautical to the natural, Goffstown artist Pat Schubert creates vibrant watercolor paintings that evoke our area’s beauty and history. As our Leach Library Featured Artist for the month of April, she has displayed nine original pieces on easels around the perimeter of the library. Stop in to view her work in person – it might help you look forward to summer and visiting the coast!

About pat

Pat Schubert began painting in 1985 on a bet with a local art store owner.  She originally worked with oils​ taking art classes at The Currier Art Center in Manchester New Hampshire and with other private instructors.

With encouragement from a dear friend and fellow artist, she switched to acrylics and painted on wood and slate. In 2008, Pat was blessed to find yet another wonderful instructor, and discovered watercolors.

Pat gets inspiration from her love of the ocean, boats, and lighthouses along with old, rusted trucks and abandoned buildings. 

Pat's work is held in private art collections throughout New England, Florida, and Europe. 

She is a member of several art societies throughout New England. She lives in Goffstown, New Hampshire.

If you’re interested in any of Pat’s pieces, feel free to contact her at patschubert@aol.com or via Facebook.

Display your work

If you’d like to display your art at Londonderry’s own Leach Library, please see more details here and contact us with your interest. We welcome all mediums that fit on standard easels or in a glass display case.