Artist In Residence: Summer 2010
For the Summer months, through the first week in September, the Quebrada Baking Co. café in Wellesley Hills is pleased to welcome back Ann Marie O’Dowd, a painter whose body of work consistently captures something singular and ephemeral in its subjects.
Ann Marie, who along the way has been known as graphic designer, photographer, wife, mother, teacher, and art enthusiast, discovered her true artistic calling in 2000. It was then that with three young daughters at home, her desire to try something new led her to a painting class at a local school, where she fell in love with the physical qualities of paint. She has since created hundreds of bright, beautifully-colored acrylics.
Working in part with a body of black & white source images she’s taken herself, Ann Marie transforms the gray tones in those photos – people, animals and still-lifes – into a full palette of vibrant colors. Fiery red and oranges are favorites, though recent works explore cool shades of blue and green.
Ann Marie’s work often focuses on the up-close and personal aspects of her subjects; their smile, a moment’s mood, the balance of an arrangement. Her unique visual language often includes bold strokes, and a backdrop of breezy geometric patterns.
Please stop by the air-conditioned Wellesley Hills café and enjoy Ann Marie’s art over coffee or tea – iced or hot – and of course, a delicious fresh baked good, cookie or dessert.