Growing up on a small farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts with a population of 1,620, my artwork is a reflection of simple, New England charm. Animals, apple orchards, antiques, old pictures and handmade items from Grandparents and other family members surrounded me, providing a visual sense. My family has a long history of creative talent in both carpentry and crafts, which has inspired my creativity as well.

As a child blending colors was never straightforward. Even with crayons I would smudge together two or three colors with my fingers. Winning coloring contests at local restaurants, banks, fairs and school was unexpected and encouraging. I loved taking art in High School and later enjoyed professional classes in watercolor, oil painting on canvas, and pottery. These are just a few of my favorite mediums. After finding my own style with acrylics, primitive and whimsical flair became second nature for me. Working with mucky earth tones is the colors palette I most enjoy, everything gets a touch of burnt umber.

About a year ago, I taught my mother to paint. She has encouraged me to apply my talent. She is creative, crafty and resourceful-it is fun ti share ideas and paint together. Now she joins me when we gather our goods to take on the road to craft fairs all over Massachusetts.

You won’t find me at the malls; my passion and designs are derived from the antique shops, second hand stores and barn sales where I treasure daily worn items, which later become a part of my art. I enjoy painting on watering cans, pails, slates, old books, chairs, bowls or pieces of slate that once roofed a barn or old home.

It was at a local craft show in August of 2001 where I discovered Back In Time Home Furnishings. They liked my painting style and I like their furniture products. After working as an artisan for 17 years for furniture manufacturing I joined the Back In Time team of handcrafters as a decorative painter. I have found it enjoyable and stress free working for the founders of Back In Time, Carey Arsenault, Marc Barrieault and Chris Boutell. They are all honest, hard working and committed to their business. I am inspired by their compliments and encouragement and their ability to share this in conversation.

The process I use, or the way I paint, is direct and spontaneous. My brushstrokes are applied directly to the furniture without sketching or using stencils. I usually begin working with darker tones and then move to lighter shades. The darks and light colors balance my pictures and provide depth. It's a very natural process for m; there is an easy flow from beginning to end. I never take my talent for granted. I thank God for giving me the ability to do something I enjoy so much. I have an inner peace to express and share with others.

It is easy to stand behind a product you feel great about. The finish applied to the Back In Time furniture has an appealing depth to it. “Everything I paint has depth to it, so it truly engages with the furniture.” Our work skills complement each other. They put their heart into their work, and I put my heart into my painting...yet sometimes I still use my fingers.

Colleen’s talent, brush strokes and creative vision are a huge contribution to the Back In Time product line. Our store merchants frequently tell us how thrilled they are to feature Colleen’s work in their Shops’s. “Colleen’s art is beautiful, combined with the furniture style, functionality and finish. Back In Time creates handcrafted American made furniture of heirloom quality,
which will last for generations.”