Meet the Artist: Art Teacher Creates Playful Design for Pollywogs

The Needham Merchants Association's "A Chair To Remember" project brings together local artists, businesses and organizations in an effort to draw more people downtown and encourage them to shop local.

Placed throughout downtown Needham, each Adirondack chair has its own theme and was painted by a local artist. The chairs will be auctioned off at an event in September, with proceeds to benefit town beautification projects and local students.

Needham Patch will be profiling some of the artists behind these creations throughout the summer. Today, we chat with Sheila Davis, who designed the chair that was on display this summer at Pollywogs.

Want to own this chair? Bid on it at the auction set Sept. 29.

For a full list of chairs, artists and locations, click here.

-----

Title: "Summer at Frog Pond"
Artist: Sheila O Davis
Sponsored by: Pollywogs
Find it at: Pollywogs, 1024 Great Plain Ave.

Why did you decide to participate in this project? As a professional artist and longtime resident of Needham, I have enjoyed so many town events over the years. The "A Chair To Remember" project sounded like a great opportunity to celebrate Needham as an artist.

What was your inspiration for the piece? It was easy to find inspiration in my store choice, Pollywogs—a wonderful children's shop in the center of town. I incorporated themes from their logo and decor and the season to create "Summer at Frog Pond," a light-hearted beach scene with frogs, tadpoles and pollywogs. Painting something that children would enjoy was important to me. As the art teacher at St. Joseph's Elementary School for the past 17 years, teaching children to see and appreciate art in their world is a constant personal goal.

What is your background as an artist? Professionally, I have been a painter in New England for more than 30 years. My art practice includes land and sea scapes, portraits and several series of life's everyday objects. I sell giclee prints and also do oil and pastel commissioned works for a loyal and growing base of clients. My work has been shown at the Pastel Society of America in New York City, the Copley Society in Boston, and several galleries in Massachusetts and Maine. 

Where can someone see more of your work? Many of my works can be viewed on my website, www.sdartist.com, and I keep people updated on my practice, shows and current projects through Facebook at facebook.com/SheilaODavisFineArt.

-----

Click here to read more profiles of "A Chair To Remember" artists.