Bloom Where You’re Planted

The expression “bloom where you're planted” means a person should take advantage of the opportunities of the present situation.

Blessed to be healthy and able to work in my studio during these difficult days, I've been making the best of our situation. So, blooming here at the Gallery has meant time to work on a few dormant projects and creating my 2021 calendar (who isn't thinking beyond 2020?).

The biggest bloom you'll see is my new online Shop!

Hosted by Etsy, the new Shop features note cards, cutting boards, Christmas ornaments, and all three of my books. Come check it out! Just click on the SHOP link above.

Shopping online is not nearly as enjoyable as our visits together in the Gallery, but it's a great way to shop local and support the arts in our community!

Thank you for your ongoing support! Take care.

— Martha

Deck the Halls Holiday Open House at 188 North Main Street

With a percentage of sales donated to Branford Community Foundation

 Come deck the halls at 188 North Main Street! Not only will you find three magical, locally-owned shops in one location, but you'll also be supporting the Branford Community Foundation, a local non-profit dedicated to preserving and promoting the quality of life in the Branford community. The 27th annual holiday open house, hosted by Cynthia’s Flower Shop, the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, and Luckey Redo, takes place on Saturday, December 7 (10am-4pm) and Sunday, December 8 (12-4pm).

 The free, two-day event features handmade gift items for the holidays including: holiday wreaths and festive arrangements, hand cut paper art, ornaments and gift ideas, books by local authors, one-of-a-kind wearables and accessories, and so much more!

A cornerstone of the local arts community, 188 North Main Street is home to Cynthia’s Flower Shop, a local, full-service flower shop owned by Cynthia Purcell; the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, a go-to shop for custom paper cut art, original artwork, books, and distinct gift items; and Luckey ReDo where you'll find whimsical, re-imagined and refashioned wearables created by textile artist Owen Sea Luckey. The shops at 188 North Main Street are all locally-owned, female-owned businesses which, combined, represent more than 84 years of creative service to the Branford community. 

A percentage of the sales from the event will be donated to the Branford Community Foundation. The Branford Community Foundation, founded in 1980, is a public, nonprofit, tax exempt, charitable trust. It provides an administrative, philanthropic service – a means by which public-spirited citizens may make gifts or bequests, the income from which is distributed for educational, cultural, health, social and civic needs.

The holiday open house is free and open to the public, and takes place at 188 North Main Street in Branford. For more information, contact: Martha Link Walsh, marthalinkwalsh.com, (203) 481-3505.

IMAGE: Holiday Joy Ride cut paper art by Martha Link Walsh, 2019

Martha Link Walsh Part of City-Wide Open Studios’ Alternative Space Weekend

Branford artist Martha Link Walsh has been selected to participate in the 22nd annual City-Wide Open Studios, produced by New Haven’s Artspace. Her work will be on view as part of CWOS Alternative Space Weekend, November 2-3, 12-6pm both days, at the Yale West Campus in Orange.

Plan to be enchanted as Walsh transforms her space into a Christmas wonderland showcasing her Christmas books, papercut Santas, original paper cuttings, her 2020 “Net of Wonder” original calendar, and lots more.

In a serendipitous moment some 48 years ago, Walsh discovered the art of paper-cutting. From that point on, she has filled her days learning about the history of cut-paper styles and traditions, and teaching herself to draw and cut. In the process, she has developed her own signature style, creating one-of-a-kind original paper cuttings that commemorate personal milestones, family histories, and holiday traditions. The essence of her art is about storytelling, which you can see in her three Paper-Cut Christmas books: Legends of the Gift Giver (2013) and The Twelve Days of Christmas (2015), and The Stories of Christmas (2018). Walsh has dared to devote her life to the art that she loves, and to serving the community of Branford, where she has her studio and store, the Martha Link Walsh Gallery.

She is one of more than 400 artists showing their work during the multi-weekend CWOS, which runs October 4 - November 3. This year’s festival explores the theme Older, But Younger, featuring many site-specific installations, interactive exhibits, and 13 commissioned projects that mobilize intergenerational collaborations between artists who seek to explore a range of topics related to the questions of longevity, renewal, where memory resides, and how it might be passed from one person to the next.

The Yale West Campus event provides each artist with their own room, and their own environment to showcase their work and sell their creations. It is located at 100 West Campus Drive in Orange, just off of I-95 at Exit 41. On-site parking is ample and free of charge.

For more information, visit www.artspacenewhaven.org/cwos-home or contact: Martha Link Walsh, marthalinkwalsh@gmail.com, (203) 481-3505.

Celebrate the 12 Days of Christmas…in August!


Get a Head Start on Your Holiday Shopping at the

Martha Link Walsh Gallery, August 12 through August 24!

 This special 2-week in-store event includes your first look at the Martha Link Walsh 2020 Calendar. This year's calendar features a cast of colorful underwater creatures inspired by Jacques Cousteau’s quote “The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.”

Plus, there are great gift ideas, books, stationery products and more. Stop in to take advantage of all of the special offers you see below!

Merry Christmas!

See Martha Link Walsh Paper Cuttings at Friends & Company in Madison

Guests at Friends & Company in Madison will dine with Abundance! a collection of new paper cuttings by Branford artist Martha Link Walsh, on display at the restaurant from January 15 - February 25. An Opening Reception is scheduled for January 20, 2:30 - 4:00pm.

The dictionary describes abundance as a relative degree of plentifulness, an overflowing of riches. It’s an apt title for Walsh’s collection of new works which burst from their frames with an exuberance of color and a depth of meaning. The Friends & Company show will feature a series of vegetable cut paper collages, as well as many of the pieces shown at Stony Creek's Willoughby Wallace Library in November 2018. 

Friends & Company, a shoreline staple since 1980, regularly displays artwork by local artists. They are located at 11 Boston Post Road in Madison.

For more information, visit www.friendsandcompanyrestaurant.com or contact Martha Link Walsh, (203) 481-3505.

26th Annual Holiday Open House at 188 North Main Street

With a percentage of sales donated to Feed Branford Kids

Step right into the holiday spirit at 188 North Main Street! Not only will you find three magical shops in one location, but you'll also be supporting Feed Branford Kids, a local non-profit helping to feed kids from families in need. The 26th Annual Holiday Open House is hosted by Cynthia’s Flower Shop, the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, and Luckey Redo, and welcomes guest artists Anita Griffith, Bob Parrott, and Susan Roberts. The event takes places on Friday, November 30 (5-8pm) and Saturday, December 1 (10am-4pm).

The free, two-day event features handmade gift items for the holidays including:

Cynthia’s Flower Shop - holiday decorations, hostess and business gifts, fun and festive flowers, and vintage ornaments

Martha Link Walsh Gallery - original paper cuttings, handcut ornaments, decorative cheese boards and luminaries, holiday cards, the 2019 papercut calendar, and the new book Stories of Christmas.

Luckey ReDo - original hand knits & up-cycled, re-imagined one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories for women

Anita Griffith
& Bob Parrott - handcrafted pottery

Susan Roberts Jewelry - distinctly feminine jewelry pieces that combine organic elegance with a posh, urban flair

A percentage of the sales from the event will be donated to Feed Branford Kids, a grass roots organization operating under the Branford Food Bank that works to ensure all Branford kids have food on weekends. It is 100% volunteer run and is supported solely by monitory and food donations.

The Holiday Open House is free and open to the public. Guests can enjoy refreshments provided by Take the Cake (Guilford) and special surprises all weekend! The event takes place at 188 North Main Street in Branford. For more information, contact: Martha Link Walsh, marthalinkwalsh.com, (203) 481-3505.

Pictured from left to right are Cynthia Purcell, Owen Sea Luckey, and Martha Link Walsh.

ARTIST TALK: Abundance! Thursday, November 15

Visitors to the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library gallery are encouraged to find Abundance! a collection of new paper cuttings by Branford artist Martha Link Walsh, on display through November 20. Martha will give an Artist’s Talk on Thursday, November 15 at 7pm to talk about her inspiration and process for the two dozen images on display.

The dictionary describes abundance as a relative degree of plentifulness, an overflowing of riches. It’s an apt title for Walsh’s collection of new works which burst from their frames with an exuberance of color and a depth of meaning. Anyone familiar with Walsh’s paper cuttings knows that they are layered in symbolism as well as texture and shadow, but the surprise in this new collection is the amount of brilliant colors used throughout. From the title piece, Abundance!, to her detailed renditions of flora and fauna, Walsh explains that “I hold deep gratitude for abundance – from the ever-present support of family, friends and loyal customers to the ongoing creative inspirations for my art. Color seems the most appropriate way to express that sense of plenty.”

Sponsored by the Friends of the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library.

The Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library is located at 146 Thimble Islands Road, Branford, CT 06405. For more information, please contact Martha Link Walsh, (203) 481-3505, www.marthalinkwalsh.com.

IMAGE: Abundance!, Martha Link Walsh, cut paper art, 31" x 31", 2018.

Discover the Stories of Christmas at the Martha Link Walsh Gallery

Do you ever wonder why we hang stockings at Christmas? Where tinsel comes from or why we remember the little drummer boy? Find out in Stories of Christmas, the new Paper-Cut Christmas book from Branford artist Martha Link Walsh.

For more than 45 years, Walsh has perfected her skills in the ancient techniques of cut-paper art. For this third book in the Paper-Cut Christmas series, she gathered inspiration from her love of storytelling and the miracles of the season told to her as a child. Discover the Stories of Christmas that pass on traditions, recreate our myths, and remind us of Christmases shared with family and loved ones. Like a circle of time, the illustrations for these 25 stories add detail and charm to childhood memories, our make believe and want-to-believe tales.

Connecticut Public Radio’s Faith Middleton says “The spirit of this book is what this moment in time needs — warmth, kindness, hope — a reaffirmation of what is best in us, charmingly expressed through Martha’s skillful artistry.”

Preview the book at these two upcoming Gallery events:

Friday, November 9, 5-8pm
Book Launch: The Stories of Christmas
Book launch, reception, and kick-off for the 2018 Shoreline Arts Trail weekend.

Friday, November 30, 5-8pm
Book Launch & Holiday Open House
Book launch, reception, and kick-off for the Holiday Open House featuring Cynthia’s Flower Shop, Lucky Re-Do, and guest artists Susan Roberts, Anita Griffith and Bob Parrot.

Both events are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

The Martha Link Walsh Gallery is located at 188 North Main Street in Branford. For more information, contact: Martha Link Walsh, marthalinkwalsh.com, (203) 481-3505.

Find Abundance! Martha Link Walsh Paper cuttings at Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library

Visitors to the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library gallery are encouraged to find Abundance! a collection of new paper cuttings by Branford artist Martha Link Walsh, on display from Friday, October 26 - Tuesday, November 20. Walsh and fine art photographer Gaile Ramey will host an Opening Reception on Sunday, November 4, 4-6pm as part of this joint exhibit sponsored by the Friends of the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library. Martha will also give an Artist’s Talk on Thursday, November 15 at 7pm to talk about her inspiration and process for the two dozen images on display.

The dictionary describes abundance as a relative degree of plentifulness, an overflowing of riches. It’s an apt title for Walsh’s collection of new works which burst from their frames with an exuberance of color and a depth of meaning. Anyone familiar with Walsh’s paper cuttings knows that they are layered in symbolism as well as texture and shadow, but the surprise in this new collection is the amount of brilliant colors used throughout. From the title piece, Abundance!, to her detailed renditions of flora and fauna, Walsh explains that “I hold deep gratitude for abundance – from the ever-present support of family, friends and loyal customers to the ongoing creative inspirations for my art. Color seems the most appropriate way to express that sense of plenty.”

Sponsored by the Friends of the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library.

The Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library is located at 146 Thimble Islands Road, Branford, CT 06405. For more information, please contact Martha Link Walsh, (203) 481-3505, www.marthalinkwalsh.com.

IMAGE: Abundance!, Martha Link Walsh, cut paper art, 31" x 31", 2018.

May 12: Mother’s Day Open House

Join local artists Cynthia Purcell, Owen Sea Luckey and Martha Link Walsh for a special Mother's Day Open House to honor the moms in your life! Stop by the shops at 188 North Main Street (Branford) on Saturday, May 12 from 9:00am to 5:00pm to be inspired. As a show of support for shoreline moms, a percentage of the day's proceeds will be donated to the Women & Family Life Center in Guilford.

The Mother's Day Open House is free and open to the public, and includes:

• Cynthia’s Flower Shop - unique and inspired flower arrangements
• Martha Link Walsh Gallery - original paper cuttings and creative gifts
• Luckey ReDo - re-imagined wearables and accessories

Imagine stopping at one location to find a keepsake work of art, seasonal custom bouquets and plants, or a unique outfit just in time for Mother's Day.

Light refreshments will be served. The event takes place at 188 North Main Street in Branford. For more information, contact: Martha Link Walsh, (203) 481-3505.

Call in the New Year...

Call in the New Year with the Flight of Fancy 2018 Calendar.
Let it color your desktop or counter with whimsical birds for each month. Meet Rooster, Puffin, Toucan, Pelican, and eight of their friends as only Martha Link Walsh can imagine them! This whimsical desktop calendar measures 5x7 and features 12 distinctive paper-cut birds set in a lucite stand. Included in the packet is a special narrative about bird totems and their meaning. Each calendar costs $32.50, which includes the monthly calendars and stand. It's the perfect way to start your new year!

The Magic of Christmas

Decorations • Traditions • Stories • Santa and All

Papercut Ornaments
Martha's cut paper ornaments will surely be a special addition to your tree, to add to your home decor, or to give as a gift.

A Paper-Cut Christmas, The Legend of the Gift Giver($28.50)
The stories in this book are about real and imaginary heroes who inhabit chilly landscapes and bring gifts of cheer and hope during long winter nights. Legends created and handed down through generations of storytelling … Holland’s Saint Nicholas, Italy’s Lady Befana, Poland’s Starman and Sweden’s Santa Lucia are among the magical characters described in this book. Read one story a day during your month leading up to the 25th of December.

A Paper-Cut Christmas, The Twelve Days of Christmas ($32.50)
Holiday traditions may vary among cultures and generations, but the carol The Twelve Days of Christmas has lasted the test of time through both. Unwritten origins and references to mythology and pagan beliefs, plus their intriguing meanings given by Christians, add to the enduring magic of the Christmas classic, highlighted by Martha’s unique papercut interpretations. The joy of the song is echoed in this holiday book.

The Martha Link Walsh Gallery is located at 188 North Main Street, Route 1 in Branford. The shop is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9AM - 5PM. For more information, contact: Martha Link Walsh, (203) 481-3505.  

Flights of Fancy

Experience the bold, creative styling of Branford artist Martha Link Walsh in her new 2018 calendar, Flights of Fancy.

Meet Rooster, Puffin, Toucan, Pelican, Cockatoo, and seven of their friends as only Walsh can imagine them! This whimsical desktop calendar measures 5x7 and features 12 distinctive paper-cut birds. Set in a lucite stand, the colorful prints are sure to bring a smile to your face as you move along through the coming year. Included in the packet is a special narrative about bird totems and their meanings.

Each calendar costs $32.50, which includes the monthly calendars and stand. A perfect holiday gift!

The Martha Link Walsh Gallery is located at 188 North Main Street, Route 1 in Branford. The shop is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9AM - 5PM. For more information, contact: Martha Link Walsh, (203) 481-3505.  

5 Gifts Under 50

1. The 2018 Desk Calendar ($32.50)
Flights of Fancy focuses on a colorful and whimsical bird for each month, done in a stylized design. The price includes a lucite frame to showcase one month at a time.

2. Christmas Tree Ornaments ($34.00)
Unique ornaments for your tree, to tie onto your packages, hang from your mantle or to give as a special gift. These paper-cut designs are hanging freely inside each blown glass ornament, like a ship-in-a-bottle. Pure magic for the season.

3. Papercut Luminaria - Wine Glass Shades ($12.00)
Add a tea light or candle to your wine glass, cover it with these handmade papercut shades and transform any table setting, mantle decoration or special nook with an enhancing soft glow.

4. Glass Cutting Board or serving tray ($36.00)
Decorated with colorful papercut designs, these glass “trays” will brighten up your kitchen, dining area or party table.

5. Flights of Fancy Notecards ($29.50)
A baker’s dozen of bird notecards. One of each month’s calendar design printed as 5X7 notecards and packaged together. Perfect for your thank you notes or remembrances.

The Martha Link Walsh Gallery is located at 188 North Main Street, Route 1 in Branford. The shop is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9AM - 5PM. For more information, contact: Martha Link Walsh, (203) 481-3505.  

25th Annual Holiday Open House at 188 North Main Street

Saturday, December 2
Sunday, December 3
Both Days, 10am to 4pm

It's easy to get into the holiday spirit at 188 North Main Street1 Not only will you find three magical shops in one location, but you'll also be supporting Feed Branford Kids, a local non-profit helping to feed kids from families in need. This is the 25th Annual Holiday Open House, now hosted by Cynthia’s Flower Shop, the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, and Luckey Redo. The event takes places on Saturday, December 2 and Sunday, December 3, from 10am to 4pm.

The free, two-day event features handmade gift items for the holidays including:

Cynthia’s Flower Shop - holiday decorations, hostess and business gifts, fun and festive flowers, and vintage ornaments

Martha Link Walsh Gallery - original paper cuttings, handcut ornaments, 2018 Flights of Fancy calendar, decorative cheese boards and luminaries, and holiday cards

Luckey ReDo - original hand knits & up-cycled, re-imagined one-of-a-kind clothing and accessories for women
 
On Saturday at 1pm, Cynthia's Flower Shop is hosting a Hanging Succulent Terrarium Workshop. Attendees will plant succulents inside a glass terrarium and select a holiday ribbon for hanging. The cost for the workshop is $15; please call to register, (203) 481-3115.
 
The Holiday Open House is free and open to the public. Guests can enjoy refreshments provided by Take the Cake (Guilford) and special surprises all weekend! The event takes place at 188 North Main Street in Branford. For more information, contact: Martha Link Walsh, marthalinkwalsh.com, (203) 481-3505.

Shoreline ArtsTrail 2017

Shoreline ArtsTrail
OPEN STUDIOS WEEKEND
Saturday, November 11
Sunday, November 12, 2017
10AM-4PM

Just in time for the holidays! Be sure to stop by the Martha Link Walsh Gallery during the Shoreline ArtsTrail OPEN STUDIOS WEEKEND to find all sorts of creative gift ideas including the 2018 Flights of Fancy calendar! See you this weekend!

Have you seen Evidence of Flossing?

Join the Martha Link Walsh Gallery as we kick-off the launch of Evidence of Flossing: What We Leave Behind, a new book by Branford author Jen Payne.
 
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LAUNCH PARTY
Saturday, October 14 * 3:00PM - 6:00PM
Book Signing, Refreshments & More
 
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SUNDAY SALON
Sunday, October 15 * Noon - 2:00PM
Artist Talk with Jen Payne & Martha Link Walsh
Conversation, Refreshments & More
 
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Hosted by
Martha Link Walsh Gallery
188 North Main Street * Branford, CT
 

Click here to learn more about
Evidence of Flossing: What We Leave Behind
 
 
The Martha Link Walsh Gallery is located at 188 North Main Street, Route 1 in Branford. The shop is open Tuesday-Saturday, 9AM - 5PM. For more information, contact: Martha Link Walsh, marthalinkwalsh.com, (203) 481-3505.  

Branford Artists Create Christmas in July!

It was serendipitous that three artists ended up sharing space at 188 North Main Street in Branford. One by one, they found their way to this funky space along Route 1 and set down to making art. Now, they've put together a little Christmas in July just for you! Join Martha Link Walsh, Cynthia Purcell and Owen Luckey for this special event, Saturday, July 15 and Sunday, July 16, from 10am - 4pm both days.

At the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, see Spread Your Wings to Soar, an exhibit of Walsh's newest paper cuttings. At Luckey ReDo, you'll get to see the latest creations by this popular textile artist including a new line of re-imagined denim jeans. Well-known for her creative floral displays, Purcell welcomes visitors to stop into the flower shop to enjoy some of her recent arrangements.

“There's a lot of collaboration between the three of us,” says gallery owner Martha Walsh. “It's a really creative environment, and we're excited to show off what we've been up to!”

There will be plenty of items for sale, including potted plants and seasonal flowers at Cynthia's Flower Shop; wearables and accessories at Luckey ReDo; cards, prints and papercut luminaries at the Martha Link Walsh Gallery, plus a chance to purchase the new 2018 Papercut Calendar!

The Christmas in July event will be held at 188 North Main Street in Branford. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 203-481-3505.

Above: The artists at 188 North Main Street: Cynthia Purcell, Martha Link Walsh, and Owen Luckey.

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Christmas in July!

Saturday, July 15 & Sunday, July 16
10:00am - 4:00pm

HOSTED BY
Cynthia Purcell
Owen Luckey
Martha Link Walsh

FEATURING
Potted Plants & Seasonal Flowers
Summer Wearables & Accessories
New! 2018 Papercut Calendar
Holiday Refreshments & More!

The Christmas in July event will be held at 188 North Main Street in Branford. It is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call 203-481-3505.

Papercutting Tells a Story

Specializing in commissioned originals, Martha creates unique, one-of-a-kind papercut art. Just as an author pens a story, Martha takes scissors to paper and captures the spirit of one’s life journey. Her cuttings combine symbols and images in intricate groupings, cut from a single piece of paper.

Martha’s artwork makes a thoughtful gift for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, retirements, and those special moments needing thoughtful commemoration.

Men can be so hard to buy for. Does he love to fish? Is his passion cooking? Is his family his focus? Why not tell his story through images and dedicate an original paper-cutting to him.

Stop by anytime and let’s design the perfect gift for Father’s Day!

The Martha Link Walsh Gallery is located at 188 North Main Street, Route 1, Branford, CT 06405. Please contact Martha at 203-481-3505 for more information, or visit www.marthalinkwalsh.com.

Martha’s artwork will be on exhibit during June at both Lynn’s Deli (318 East Main Street, Branford) and the State Capitol Building in Hartford.

On June 26 there will be an Artist’s Critique Event at the gallery – please call for details, 203-481-3505.

The Art of Papercutting

Specializing in commissioned originals, Martha creates unique, one-of-a-kind papercut art. Just as an author pens a story, Martha takes scissors to paper and captures the spirit of one’s life journey. Her cuttings combine symbols and images in intricate groupings, cut from a single piece of paper.

Martha’s artwork makes a thoughtful gift for birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, retirements, and those special moments needing thoughtful commemoration.

For me, the swan has always personified my Mom. She was incredibly beautiful inside and out. Fiercely protective but nurturing of her family she moved through her life with grace and fluidity.

What represents your Mom? Your wife? Someone you love? Let us work together to create the perfect gift for the woman in your life, a special gift for Mother’s Day and more! Give me a call or stop by the Gallery today!

The Martha Link Walsh Gallery is located at 188 North Main Street, Route 1, Branford, CT 06405. Please contact Martha at 203-481-3505 for more information, or visit www.marthalinkwalsh.com.