Eric Payne:

I was born and lived in Northern California until my parents moved to Western Mass when I was 14. I’ve been here ever since with a few years here and there back west.

I have always been involved with art and music and come from a family that participated and encouraged both.

I started painting seriously when I was in my thirties and have continued this passion. Though I have never taken art classes I have been greatly inspired and taught by my sister Emily Payne and my sister in law Kate Blakeslee, not to mention countless friends along the way.

Over the last 6 years I have taken four cross-country motorcycle trips in and around the month of September. I have been greatly inspired by these trips and the landscapes I’ve been through especially Montana, Nebraska and Nevada.

Nancy Meagher:

I have vivid memories of being three years old and discovering how to make purple using a red and a blue crayon. In third grade I entered a town art fair in Winchester, MA and won third prize. Having my photo taken wearing my red silk- prize ribbon helped me to understand myself. I spent hours in my basement studio working quietly as a child.

I’ve created art all my life, and now that I’m retired, I have been working full-time on a variety of art and writing projects. The story of “Millicent and the Day it Rained Buttons” was the fruition of six years of hard work.