Framingham Teen Artist Featured In Natick Open Studios Weekend

FRAMINGHAM, MA—Started in 2002, Natick Artists Open Studios gives the community a chance to check out dozens of local artists in eight different locations throughout the weekend.

This year's open studios, happening Oct. 20 and 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., features 76 artists who live, work or show in Natick, as well as guest artists. These artists include painters, photographers, designers and creators of jewelry, ceramicists, sculptors, woodworkers, paper artists, fabric artists, glass artists and garden artists.

And among those artists is 13-year-old Gabriel McGarry, an eighth grader at the McAuliffe Charter School in Framingham whose art is featured in the lobby at 43 Main St. during the open studios weekend.

"I can't help myself," McGarry told Patch when asked what inspires him. "I've been doodling, sketching, building, folding and painting for as long as I can remember."

McGarry said he got serious about painting with acrylic on canvas after he took a class at the Danforth Art Museum a few years ago. He also was inspired by watching episodes of legendary morning TV artist Bob Ross.

"I'm lucky that McAuliffe offers weekly acrylic painting as an enrichment option," said McGarry. "Also, I make origami and do woodwork. My work consists of abstract pieces and landscapes, but there are also a few 'out of sorts' paintings in my collection. The way I paint includes varying brushes and strokes both long and small. I like layering on the paint to create deep vivid colors right next to light, stable color which add up to beautiful landscapes that seem both realistic and not."

McGarry said he hopes to be a professional artist one day.

Natick and Framingham people, we would love to feature you, too. Have a story, a tip, a comment, a letter to the editor? Reach out enthusiastically to charlene.arsenault@patch.com.

Photo submitted, used with permission