61.0°,
Light Rain Color her busy: East Rockaway resident vows to paint 52 works in as many weeks
The process of converting a blank canvas into a work of art is no easy feat, especially for someone who works and has a child. From conceptualizing and idea, to dedicating hours to work on the idea, there are plenty of variables that can come between an artist and their painting.
So when Lynbrook native and current East Rockaway resident Kathleen Mahoney set a goal of finishing 52 paintings in 52 weeks in 2012, she knew she had her work cut out for her. Mahoney is on pace to achieve her goal since starting in the first week of the new year and said her inspiration came from a friend who had the idea come to her in a vision.
Mahoney teaches two graphic design classes at Nassau Community College, a graphic design and an art history class at Molloy College and an online graphic design class at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. Her mother, who is an educator in the Hewlett School District, gave her the idea of getting into teaching after the magazine Mahoney worked for went out of business in 2001. She said she loves teaching, but got the itch to paint again last summer, which help spark the 52 paintings in 52 weeks initiative.
“If I could force myself to do a painting every week for a year it would help me be a role model for my son, for my students and for me, it would be an opportunity to work steadily, which I’ve never really done,” Mahoney said. “I’ve always wanted to go into the studio for eight hours a day and paint, but my life has never given me that opportunity.”
Mahoney does all of her painting at her dining room table, and she often gets some help for her three-year-old son, John. “Whenever I’m painting he goes running into the bathroom and gets Q-tips and I think he does a great job,” Mahoney said of her son. “He has no idea what he’s doing, but he does a great job and he enjoys it.” She added, “It’s like a bee to honey,” every time she sits down to paint John comes over to watch and sometimes helps.
