Watercolor paintings inspired by New England
Peaceful settings, architecture, and florals—created to evoke calm, familiarity, and memory.
To reach Irene: godduirene@gmail.com · 603-524-4615
Gallery
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Artist Statement
The rich subject matter in New England affords me a never-ending resource to paint. I choose to paint peaceful settings and places to ponder in New Hampshire and around New England. Looking to create an emotional response that calms the soul, I enjoy being able to take you back to a place you may have been and to evoke the pleasant memories. It may be the familiarity of a special place, or capturing a specific scene that is reminiscent of a place or subject more universal.
I enjoy being able to make that connection for people. As a native New Englander, that connection is not difficult to achieve. Sometimes the history behind the scene lends an influence as to how it is currently interpreted. Architectural details, so much a part of New England, find a way into some of my paintings. The landscape of New England appeals to me for all its diversity… with mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers and ocean.
There are also paintings showing a love for the beauty of flowers, especially a personal connection for irises. I create paintings in all sizes but have a particular fondness on creating miniature paintings that can be as small as 1 inch x 2 inches. There’s something wonderful that happens when you create a scene from a location or capture the fleeting beauty of flowers. I love that my artwork makes people happy.
My medium of choice is watercolor with a style that is self taught as a balance between realism and impressionism, where the realism is more painterly instead of being photo realistic. My paintings have continued to receive numerous awards over the years in local, regional, and international exhibits and are part of many corporate and private collections.
Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, I have been dedicated in a career in art since 1991. I formerly resided in Nashua, New Hampshire for 22 years along with my husband, Leo and our three children. I now enjoy living in Laconia, New Hampshire.
Celebrating 33 years as a professional artist
Many thanks to all of you for your support of my artwork during the past years. It is very gratifying to create something that allows the viewer so much joy. I hope to continue doing so in the coming years and hope that you’re able to see some of the new works I plan on producing and showing at the galleries that represent my artwork.
Email godduirene@gmail.com or call 603-524-4615.
Selected Art Shows
- 2021 (since 2014) — Whistler House Museum — Small Works Gallery for Lowell Art Association Members
- 2021 (since 1996) — Cider Painters of America International Miniature Art Exhibit, Kingston, PA
- 2014 — Featured Artist — VynnArt Gallery, Meredith, NH (July 2014)
- 2014 — Whistler House Museum — Open Call Exhibit (Jan/Feb 2012)
- 2012 — Artist of the Month — Northway Bank, Laconia, NH (Jan/Feb 2012); Laconia Savings Bank, Gilford, NH (Mar/Apr 2012)
- 2009 — Featured Artist — Month of July — Lincoln Art Gallery, Rt 112, Lincoln, NH
- 2007 — One Person Show — Artist of the Month — AntiquiTeas Tea Room & Shoppes, Londonderry, NH
- 2004 — Smithsonian Institute, Washington, DC — World Tour Exhibit — Miniature Artists, CPA
- 2001 — One Person Show — Taylor Home Community, Laconia, NH
- 2000 — Nashua Area Artists Association — 50th Anniversary Show, Rivier College, Nashua, NH
- 2000 — Nashua TV 13 — Interview with Jean Serino on the arts (personal story and paintings)
- 2000 — One Person Show — Borders Café — Artist of the Month, Nashua, NH
- 1998 — One Person Show — Hollis Photo and Frame Design Space, Hollis, NH
- 1996 — One Person Show — Amherst Town Library, Amherst, NH
- 1996 — Regional Exhibit — Byte Magazine, Peterborough, NH and Markem Corp, Keene, NH — Mini Shows
- 1994, 1993 — Chelmsford Cable Program “The Writers” — Artwork selected for background on two shows
Associations
- 2019–Present — The Common Man Company Store, Main St. Ashland, NH
- 2014–Present — The Artisan’s Gallery, Main St & Pleasant St corner, New London, NH
- 2012–2019 — Vynn Art Gallery, 30 Main St, Meredith, NH
- 2008–2021 — Whistler House Museum of Art — Lowell Art Association — Artist Member, Lowell, MA
- 2008–2009 — Lincoln Art Gallery, Rt 112, Lincoln, NH (gallery closed in 2009)
- 2007–2008 — Member with YankeeMarketplace.com — New England made products website
- 2006–2007 — Imagine Gallery — Canal St, Laconia, NH
- 2005–2012 — The Gallery at Mill Falls — Rt 3, Meredith, NH (gallery closed in 2009; reopened as Gallery 51 at 51 Main St, Meredith, NH. Limited works available or on request.)
- 2004–2016 — Decorative Interiors — Union Ave, Laconia, NH
- 2004–2006 — Sundial Shop — Main St, Laconia, NH
- 2003–2007 — Village Artists and Gallery — Ashland, NH
- 2003–2008 — Lakes Region General Healthcare Auxiliary Board — Laconia, NH
- 2003–2016 — Lakes Region Art Association — Laconia, NH
- 2003–2004 — Oglethorpe Fine Arts & Crafts — Meredith, NH
- 2001–2005 — Opechee Garden Club — Laconia, NH
- 2000–2003 — East Pearl Art Gallery — Juried Artist — Nashua, NH
- 1996–2021 — Cider Painters of America International Miniature Society — Dallas, PA
- 1993–2007 — Sharon Arts Center — Peterborough, NH
- 1992–2002 — Chelmsford Art Society — Chelmsford, MA
- 1991–Present — Nashua Area Artists Association — Nashua, NH
Awards
- 2021, 2017 — Third Place Watercolor Award — Greeley Park Art Show, Nashua, NH
- 2018 — International Miniature Award for Excellence — Cider Painters of America, Kingston, PA
- 2016, 2015, 2013, 2011, 2003 — First Place Watercolor Award — Plymouth Art Show, Plymouth, NH
- 2016, 2013, 2011, 2009 — Second Place Watercolor Award — Lakes Region Art Association Show, Meredith, NH
- 2016 — Popular Vote — Littleton Art Show, Littleton, NH
- 2015 — International Miniature Award for Floral Category — Cider Painters of America, Kingston, PA
- 2015 — Honorable Mention — Greeley Park Art Show, Nashua, NH
- 2015, 2014, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2005 — Purchase Prize Awards — Plymouth Show, Plymouth, NH
- 2014 — Peoples’ Choice Award — Littleton Art Show, Littleton, NH
- 2012 — Best in Show — Greater Salem Art Assoc Spring Fling Show, Salem, NH
- 2012 — Popular Choice Award (tie) — LRAA Show, Laconia, NH
- 2011, 2008 — Second Place Watercolor — Londonderry Art on the Common, Londonderry, NH
- 2011 — Second Place Watercolor — Greeley Park Art Show, Nashua, NH
- 2011 — Honorable Mention — Salem Art Show, Salem, NH
- 2010 — Two Purchase Prize Awards — Plymouth Art Show, Plymouth, NH
- 2008 — 3rd Place — Watercolor — Plymouth Art Show, Plymouth, NH
- 2008 — 2nd Place — Painting/Drawing — Littleton Art Show, Littleton, NH
- 2006 — Second Place Award — Watercolor — Plymouth Art Show, Plymouth, NH
- 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 — Purchase Prize Award — Lakes Region Art Ass, Laconia, NH
- 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003 — Purchase Prize Award — Littleton Art Show, Littleton, NH
- 2005 — International Award — Excellence in Miniature — Cider Painters of America, Dallas, PA
- 2005 — First Place Award — Still Life — Lakes Region Art Ass, Laconia, NH
- 2005 — Honorable Mention — Greeley Park Art Show, Nashua, NH
- 2004 — 3rd Place Award — Watercolor — Plymouth Art Show, Plymouth, NH
- 2004 — Purchase Prize — WLBZ2 Sidewalk Art Festival, Bangor, ME
- 2004 — 1st Runner-Up to Best of Show — Saco Sidewalk Arts Fest, Saco, ME
- 2004, 2003, 2002 — Purchase Prize — Saco Sidewalk Arts Fest, Saco, ME
- 2003 — International Award — Miniature Floral Painting — Cider Painters of America, Dallas, PA
- 2003 — Second Place Professional Award — Lakes Region Art Ass, Laconia, NH
- 2002 — International Award — Miniature Waterscape — Cider Painters of America, Dallas, PA
- 2000 — Purchase Prize Award — Manchester Art in the Park, Manchester, NH
- 1999 — First Place Professional Award — Watercolor — Chelmsford Art Society, Chelmsford, MA
- 1999 — Merit Award — Saco Sidewalk Arts Festival, Saco, ME
- 1999, 1998 — Purchase Prize Award — Saco Sidewalk Arts Fest, Saco, ME
- 1998 — First Place — Favorite Artist Competition — NAAA Nashua Mall Show, Nashua, NH
- 1997 — Honorable Mention — American Mothers Inc/NH Assoc Creative Arts Competition
- 1997, 1993 — Third Place Award — NH On My Own Time — SN Medical Center, Nashua, NH
- 1996, 1994 — Purchase Prize Award — Greeley Park Art Show, Nashua, NH
- 1995 — Staff’s Choice Award — Sharon Arts Center Foyer Exhibit, Sharon, NH
- 1995 — Honorable Mention — Chelmsford Art Society Holiday Show, Chelmsford, MA
- 1993, 1992 — 1st Place Award — Nashua Telegraph Progress Edition — Cover Design, Nashua, NH
- 1992 — Third Place — Members’ Show — Chelmsford Art Society, Chelmsford, MA
- 1992 — Honorable Mention — Greater Salem Art Assoc, Salem, NH
- 1992 — Second Place — Peoples’ Choice Award — Spring Palette Juried Art Show, Nashua, NH
Elected or Appointed Office
- 2003–2008 — Board of Directors & Chair of Scholarship Committee, LRGH Auxiliary, Laconia, NH
- 1999–2000 — Advisory Board — Nashua Area Artists Association, Nashua, NH
- 1999–2001 — Heritage Committee — Association Canado-Americaine, Nashua Chapter
- 1998–2000 — Nashua Area Artists Assoc. Rep — Nashua Chamber of Commerce
- 1998–1999 — President — Nashua Area Artists Association, Nashua, NH
- 1998–1999 — Nashua Area Artists Assoc. Rep — Nashua Arts & Humanities Coalition
- 1995–1998 — Nashua Summerfest Committee — City of Nashua, NH
- 1994–1995 — Co-chair — Greeley Park Art Show — Nashua, NH
- 1992–1995 — Vice President — Nashua Area Artists Association, Nashua, NH
- 1991–1992 — Advisory Board — Nashua Area Artists Association, Nashua, NH
- 1991 — Chairperson/Liaison — Nashua Farmers’ Market / NAAA Scholarship Fund
Biography
I was born and raised in Lowell, MA and worked as a bookkeeper in a flower shop for 22 years. In 1991 I decided to change careers and dedicate myself to a life with art. Previously living in Nashua, NH for 22 years with my husband, Leo and our three children, I now reside in Laconia, NH where the environment and subjects around inspire me every day.
Art Education
- Self taught artist
- Workshops in watercolor with Leo Smith, AWS; Andrew Kusmin, NEWS; and Shirley Winslow
Contact
Calendar
Artwork is available during gallery hours at:
- The Artisan’s Gallery, corner Main & Pleasant Sts, New London, NH
- The Common Man Company Store, Main St., Ashland, NH
I am no longer doing art shows in person; commissions and artwork for sale are still available. Please email or call and leave a message.