Kathleen Anne O'Donnell Dugan/ A Short Bio
I was born to Lillian Joyce Frasier and Thomas J. O'Donnell, in Norwood Ma. I was the second child and oldest daughter of what was to become a family of eleven (9 siblings!). We were raised in Quincy Ma. Early elementary years were spent in Houghs Neck, romping in the marshes, bicyling the streets and exploring the beach lines.
It was during those years that I first discovered my love of art. Bringing an image into being, where there had been a blank slate a moment ago, gave vent to my active imagination. Art was fun!
As I grew, it seemed that further pursuit of any serious study of art constantly eluded me, for one reason or another.
In time, my life centered on raising my own two children. My creative abilities were limited to venues involving my family and church life.
It was only due to a series of events, taking place after my grandchildren were born, that I rediscovered my love of art. A buried desire resurfaced and I adopted a "now or never" and an "all or nothing" attitude in refocusing my career towards the development of my talent.
Stepping out from a world of mutual funds, I sought some classes and successfully started my own decorative finish and mural business, Wonders On Walls. As a result of this endeavor, many homes and several businesses, in the South Shore area and beyond, received beautiful transformations of the extrordinaire.
Soon I was collaborating with Wilkins Art Associates, in their efforts to bring healing through the arts. More than a dozen of my pieces were installed on the walls of Children's Hospital Boston, hopefully lifting the spirits of a hospital bound child and transporting their mind temporarily to a beautiful and vibrant place beyond their surrounding walls.
As time passed, I was no longer satisfied with merely bringing to life the vision of a client's request. I was brimming with my own visions and ideas.
I realized that I enjoyed converting photos of family members into scenes on canvas. Often, I would insert the family member into a fantasy setting. The result of this personal pursuit led to the rendering of a growing line of commissioned portrait requests and an additional venture of ongoing work.
I am a member and Co-President of the 4th Floor Artists, Rockland Ma; Plymouth Art Guild and the Russell Gallery, Plymouth, Ma; North River Art Society; Duxbury Art Association and South Shore Art Association.
My art has been recieved in local juried shows, including: PERKINS GALLERY AT STRIAR, PLYMOUTH GUILD'S ANNUAL JURIED SHOW, CLEMENS GALLERY, HINGHAM and PEMBROKE ART FESTIVAL.
My artistry has been featured in THE HOME GALLERY, CRANBERRY COASTAL and SOUTH SHORE LIVING magazines, as well as various newspaper mentions.
My art has been displayed in several local spots, including: PECK'S FLOORING AMERICA, Kingston; CRAVINGS CAFE, Kingston; BREWED AWAKENINGS, Hingham and ANGELS BY THE SEA, Plymouth.
I find that the journey as an artist is exciting and rewarding, both personally and as shared with others.
