Mary Ann Duffy Godin

My life’s journey led me through the public high school where I taught business and technology classes for 40 years. After a successful career in teaching, I retired in 2004. I have always felt a creative spirit and believe it followed me wherever I went in some form or another. So with my five children grown and gone, my first career behind me, and my health and energy level primed to get the creative juices flowing, I decided the time is now to do something just for its own sake—maybe just for art’s sake!

My name is Mary Ann Duffy Godin. I grew up on a Vermont dairy farm when all things were homespun, homebound and homemade. A mother’s heart and creativity is a child’s first classroom—my mother brought a creative flare to everything she did so I believe in an unknowing way, art and creativity were all around me in a nostalgic time when life was simple and purposeful. She was my first art teacher! There was time to be mindful–to look at things and take stock of one’s surroundings—a time that one might wish to recapture and preserve in some way because of its stark contrast to our lives today. That being said, my subject matter is greatly influenced by the social fabric of American life in the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. My second art teacher was Jean Cannon who has been an inspiration and who is an excellent teacher and artist. I feel privileged and honored to have the opportunity to study under Jean Cannon. I also completed two drawing courses given at the University of Vermont and at Community College of Vermont as well as watercolor courses given by Kathy Bergeron and Jean Cannon—all of which I found to be very helpful. I have entered the Champlain Valley Fair Art Exhibition and hope to be recognized some day and was juried into a VWS show. I am a member of the Milton Artists Guild, the St. Albans Artists Guild, and the Vermont Watercolor Society. My work can be seen at the STAART Gallery in St. Albans, Vermont.

I tend to favor still life over most subjects so far; however, I do like chickadees! I want my paintings to say something but not to tell it all. I want them to hold something back! I speak to a certain kind of woman—again someone I think I know quite well—just maybe that is my inspiration! Anyway, the most I can do is show you what I love and then maybe you will see what I see and love it too.