Local Artist, Painting How She Sees it

A series of Still Lifes in Oil

Local artist and Medway resident of 42 years, Karyl Spiller Walsh, shares with me her progression of work over her years as a painter.  From her student work at Mass College of Art, teaching at Art Institute of Boston for 14 years, and more recently taking care of her horses and rescue dogs at home, she still finds time to paint. Her method has been the same. A series of sketches using pencil, pastels,and/or Conté crayon of her subjects prepares herself for a painting. Karyl only uses oil paint on canvas because she loves the way it mixes and blends with the vibrant colors.

Karyl had a very intense art training while attending Mass College of Art. She learned many forms of visual arts, from silk screening, graphic design, photography, as well as the study of art history. She traveled to Italy during graduate school, which had an influence on her art. Following she taught at The Art Institute of Boston, where she became the Chairman of the Design Department and helped to develop their program.

Here in Medway, Karyl has served on the Planning Board and Design Review Committee, where she always fought for the design and build in town keeping with the guidelines of Medway, a small New England town. 

Karyl in her bright, spacious studio

Karyl uses her mind as a reference in her drawings, including horses and chickens. From studying the anatomy, and being around horses her whole life, she can sketch these beautiful animals freehand. Art and horseback riding has always been part of her life. She was a self taught horseback rider and trainer.  She currently has 3 horses, among other animals, including several chickens.

Below is an unfinished painting Karyl is working on. Her composition is often the same in her work, but the subjects change. The painting isn't so much about a painting of a horse or a chicken, but more about whats going on, the story, the everyday movement of life. 

Some of Karyl's past work and her studio:

Karyl's work as a student

Henna at the Library

The Medway Public Library has some great things to offer this summer. Thanks to Lucy Anderson for bringing Henna by Heather for the teens. Heather did the art work for 20+ hands and customized each one for them. She took her time and did a beautiful job!





Check out more of Heather's work here.


In case you're wondering:

What is henna?

Henna is a small flowering shrub that has many uses. The fragrant flowers are used to create perfume, and the leaves are dried and then turned into a fine powder that’s used for dying clothes, hair and temporarily dying the skin — hence henna tattooing. The plant has even been known to treat skin conditions.

Where did henna tattooing come from?

The exact origins of henna tattooing aren’t clear, however the tradition dates back as far as Ancient Egypt. It was said that Cleopatra used henna to adorn her body and Egyptians used the dye to paint the nails of mummies before they were buried.

How is it used today?

The art of applying henna to the hands and feet is known as Mehndi, and is traditionally used for celebrations and rites of passage. Every culture and region of the world uses henna tattoos in its own unique way. For Hindu weddings, henna is painted on the bride to symbolize joy, beauty, spiritual awakening and offering, while Moroccans often paint doors with henna to bring prosperity and chase away evil. Depending on where you get henna tattoos, they will look different. Indian tattoos feature fine lines and floral patterns, while Arabic henna designs tend to be larger in scale and African henna patterns are more bold and geometric.

Local Artist & Poet, Anson Daniels (1813-1884)

Anson Daniels, Self Portrait 

Local artist and poet, Anson Daniels, son of Eleazer Daniels and Charlotte Richardson, was born July 8, 1813 in East Medway (now Millis, MA). He settled in west Medway making his home on the corner of Lovering and Winthrop Streets where he devoted himself to art and literature. 

Anson was a very successful portrait painter in addition to being an accomplished poet. 

The self portrait above was restored in 2012 by the Worcester Art Museum. This is the first restored piece of the Medway Historical Society's collection.  It is currently on view at the Historical Society. 

"He had a wonderful love for the beautiful in nature and in art"

"He was a man worthy of, and received, honor and love of all walks of life"

Anson was a member of the Second Church of Christ for 42 years and served as an honored Deacon in the church for 22 years. In 1866, Anson Daniels represented the Town of Medway in the State Legislature. Anson also served as a school committee member for 28 years, an office he held at the time of his death in 1884.

Anson married Harriet Rachel Lovering, (daughter of James Lovering and Lavina Edson) on November 7, 1837 in Medway. After her death in 1851, he married Josephine M. Daniels, (daughter of Jazainah B. Daniels and Cordelia Ellis) on May 2, 1854 in Medway.

A quote from a family friend about Anson:

"Deacon Daniels was more than poet or artist.  He was a man of broad and generous culture, an intelligent and loyal citizen, and a Christian of a type both rare and beautiful. He possessed a discriminating knowledge of religious truth, and while strong in his own convictions he was tolerant of others.  In spirit gentle and mild, he as conciliating without compromise of principle, or harsh in criticism of others faults."

Portrait of James Milton Daniels.He was the only child of Anson & Harriet Lovering. Born in 1838, he grew up to marry Harriet Cordelia Daniels. They had 4 children, Herbert, Carlos Anson, Ellen Harriet, and Henry Arthur.

 Other Portraits by Anson Daniels, on view at the Medway Historical Society:

 Some more information from the Medway Historical Society:

Anson died in Medway on November 5, 1884. His cause of death is listed as heart disease.
He is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery.

Excerpts from History of Medway, Mass. 1713-1885, Rev E.O. Jameson.

Local Artist Paints Mural of Choate Park

Nancy McCarthy, painted this beautiful view of Choate Park's Chicken Brook on the Director's office wall at the Senior Center. 

Nancy grew up in Medway, and has been painting since she was 10. She is self taught "I give all the glory to God" she says.  She lived in New Hampshire for a few years where her & her husband had an art gallery of her work.  Now residing in Medway again, she is currently teaching a painting class at the Senior Center.

Nancy shared with me some of her artwork. She often does custom orders, pets, homes, vehicles, landscapes, etc. 

 Dog Portrait in front of Cape Neddick (Nubble) Lighthouse

4th Grade Tile Project

Every year the 4th grade class works on a tile in their art class with teacher Mrs. Christine Moyer. The tiles will be installed on the walls of Memorial School, along with the others from previous years.

This years theme is a drawing/painting in the style of artist, Keith Haring.

These pastel muted colors will become bright, bold colors contrasted with black lines after they are fired in the kiln for a 24 hr process. 

Haring (1958-1990) was an American artist and social activist known for his illustrative graffiti motifs. Thanks to Memorial School art teacher Mrs. Moyer for all her work. 

Keith Haring and his artwork:

Happy St Patricks Day!!

What a beautiful sky this morning!

Also sharing a beautiful home in town that's ready for St Patrick's Day. Thanks Kathy for letting me share your home.

Have a great day!

New Artwork by local artist, Dorinda King

I met Dorinda at the Memorial School where we were both volunteering in the art room. After I learned she was an artist, she let me come visit her studio. You can see it here. She mostly has done portraits. I visited her last week and she shared with me her recent work.   The beach landscape was something different for her and less familiar.

This sunset was painted from a photo taken at Cahoon Hollow Beach in Wellfleet at the Cape. It's a special place for her, she visited with her family. The painting is very peaceful and calming, I can see that this is a place she enjoys.

Painting of Cahoon Hallow Beach, Wellfleet, MA

Photo painted from

Dorinda's Studio

Dorinda did these horse paintings for her daughter, Jennifer. Thanks Jennifer for sharing these with me!

Another recent painting by Dorinda, Tea Party

She buys her frames at yard sales and seems to find really beautiful ones!

Thanks for looking!