Title & Artist:  "The Town Squared" – by Katie Alexander

Medium & Size:  Acrylic on wood.  21 7/8" L x 8 5/8" H x 3/4" D.  For indoor display only.

Artist Statement:  This painting depicts landmarks from my beloved hometown of Marblehead while capturing the playfulness of sailboats on water. I wanted to make use of the cod’s fins by extending images into their spaces on the canvas. Filling the fins with buildings and boats was easy, but it took some thought to decide how to use the space on the "chin" of the fish. I came up with the idea to fill it with another cod!

The buildings are simplistic representations of well-known spots around town: Fort Sewall, Abbot Hall, the Powder House, the Old Town House, and the lighthouse at Chandler Hovey Park. Since Marblehead is a coastal town, I felt that water and boats needed to be a focus of my painting. I love that the sailboats appear to be dancing in all different directions.

My artwork often reflects my attention to detail. I started by painting the edges of the cod in a black and white pattern. After seeing how the stripes looked, I decided to extend them onto the surface of the cod to create a grid. I drew the grid lines and then painted each square freehand around outlines of the buildings and boats. I found it relaxing to get lost in the squares as I painted.

Artist Biography:  I am a Kindergarten teacher at Brookwood School in Manchester, MA, where I incorporate art into my curriculum on a regular basis. I grew up in Marblehead and now live in Beverly. I began taking art lessons at the age of 8, and in high school decided that I wanted to focus on oil painting. I took lessons for three years with Debra and Jack Highberger in their portfolio program at Acorn Gallery in Marblehead, and I’m so grateful for the incredible training I received from them.

Over the years I have exhibited artwork in the Marblehead Festival of Arts—in the Painting, Photography, Drawing, Crafts, and Mixed Media exhibits. I have received an Honorable Mention award in the Painting exhibit. This year I am Chairperson of the Festival’s Painting exhibit.

I received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis with a minor in Fine Art, and a Master of Arts degree in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University. Art is my passion and hobby, and I try to find ways to pursue it in my free time.

Hosting Business:  "The Town Squared" is on display at Haley’s Market Café, 112 Washington St., Marblehead, MA.