Blog and News

The art of Nellenby harkens back to the classic children’s books of the past.

The creation of the Nellenby animal characters and their lives was very much inspired by the characters around me, and the city of Boston. 

Nellenby has a range of interesting animal characters. Here are portraits of some of them with messages.

Create a color palette from photos you have taken of places you love.

As an artist I believe I am formed from many influences from childhood to adulthood. The experiences of the times, in my case beginning in the 50s and 60s a time of modernism followed by abstract expressionism in art; culture and beliefs – Irish Catholic, democrat politics, conservative Boston; family...

In my recent past I was president of the arts non profit, Arts Wayland for 5 years and helped start the W Gallery in Wayland, Mass. In those 5 wonderful years I met many of artists and my life was greatly enriched for it. Those friends are the Gold of...

I do not live in Nouvelle, the upscale apartments in the Natick Mall, but I have my own home of sorts in my studio in the former Burberry store. I try to imagine the tailor whose area was where my studio is now. There is no more needle and thread,...

His energy, mental strength, inventiveness and determination are very inspiring to me. He was not an artist to be put off by the opinions of critics. His self confidence was a great part of his success.

Children have a natural affinity for nature - gardens, animals, forests and shoreline fill them with a joy and energy that can be guided and nurtured. The lessons gained and the love experienced will sustain them through their lives. When I was 7 years old, my father was a young...

In the attic there was a space behind a door, under the eaves, with a small desk and a window. My roommates agreed to let me use it as a studio. It was my first real studio and I loved it with a passion. I started painting my animal characters.

One of my Nellenby stories is about Boris, a swarthy pig, and Giselle, a true romantic with a long neck we all can envy. I created sketches for the first chapter. 

The characters of Nellenby are inspired by my life growing up in Boston.

A long while back I created a cast of characters and placed them in a fictitious place called Nellenby. 

Surviving as an artist during Covid meant focusing on work and creativity. I took advantage of the solitude to focus more deeply on my art.