Elaine Richards
About the Artist:
Living in Andover for 8 years, formerly a member of the Peabody Arts Association. Professionally, an Occupational Therapy Assistant at Ironstone Farm in Andover, The Kioko Center in North Andover, River Valley Charter School in Newburyport, and at various Genesis Healthcare rehab locations. I’m also a certified Reiki II practitioner, and my hobbies right now are essential oils and nutrition.
Growing up in Connecticut, I attended UConn, where I had an individualized major in Art and Physiology. I’ve always loved drawing, and took every opportunity to do it at home and in school. I started adding lessons in watercolor and acrylic during elementary and middle school, with an emphasis on detail and realism. My creative world expanded in college, where I explored oil painting, figure drawing, pottery and photography. Mostly, I still prefer two-dimensional mediums, and like to combine structural and natural elements in my compositions.The interplay of color and light always delights and inspires me! I’ve also had a lifelong love and appreciation of nature.
In 2017, two of the three photographs here were entered into the Andover Historical Society’s juried show, highlighting ‘Andover Places,’ and one received an honorable mention. One of the paintings was also accepted for exhibition in Boston to represent the Massachusetts Office on Disability in their Breaking Barriers show. Enjoyment of the arts, nature and physical activity help me maintain a work/life balance, although I don’t have as much time for them as I’d like! Currently my creative efforts are channeled into customized OT treatments and healthy, gluten-free cooking. If interested, a price list is available at the circulation desk, which includes information on purchasing matted 8×10 prints as well.
Kelly Barnes – Display Case
Kelly (Deyermond) Barnes grew up in Andover and worked as a page in the Children’s Room when she was in high school. After getting married and buying an antique home in Haverhill, she started to find old furniture and refinished the pieces in their own style to match the house. Kelly and her husband enjoy estate sales, barn sales and yard sales and find many treasures that she can make into something else. She makes signs, candle wall sconces, beer bottle openers with old beer taps and even had made a wall sconce with a light out of an old roof jack! Kelly sells her reclaimed, reimagined treasures at local artisan fairs and though her online Facebook shop, A Second Chance. www.facebook.com/asecondchancedesign