Newburyport native Alycia Matthews was almost 50 when she started getting serious about papier maché.
Within three years, she has developed an original line of three-dimensional, hand-painted figures for every season and holiday.
This weekend, the graphic design artist will be making her first Newburyport festival appearance since moving back to her hometown after 30 years in Texas.
Matthews says she draws from her own imagination in turning her sketches into the colorful art forms she will be showcasing at the festival.
"My inspiration comes from everything around me," she says. "I never know what is going to spark a new idea. But while creating, I always try to give my pieces that warmth of a vintage piece."
Matthews works with ESC Trading Co., a wholesale company based in Ohio that sells her pieces to gift boutiques and specialty stores around the country. Locally, her pieces, which sell for $25 to $150, can be found at Flukes & Finds & Friends in Newburyport.
"I put a lot of work into them (her artwork) so that they last, and I am always trying something new," says Matthews, who counts her jack-in-the-box and cat-in-the-box designs among her favorite pieces.
Several other artisans from the region will be participating in this weekend's Fall Harvest Festival, including Suzanne Gleason of Amesbury, who makes two-dimensional fancy cards in all colors and textures; Martha Everson of Salem, who creates photographic art blocks; and Spirit of Newburyport photographer Jon-William Brown of Newburyport.
Matthews says she is happy to be back home to share her creations with the community and is looking forward to meeting new people at the festival.
"Many people have told me that my pieces bring smiles to their faces, and that is what it's all about," she says.
For more on Alycia Matthews and her artwork, visit www.AlyciasArt.blogspot.com or www.AlyciasArt.etsy.com
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