A Menagerie Of Nature

Artwork by Patrick Laughead and Nancy Duffany will be on display at The Gallery at FCTV from March 4th through April 26th, 2024. An opening reception will be held Sunday, March 10, from 3-5pm.

As the proprietor of Laughead Landscape Company, Patrick Laughead embraced a departure from conventional methods by incorporating colored pencils into his landscape plans, fostering creativity and competitiveness. The positive reception from clients prompted him to venture into painting during the off-season in the 1990s.

Patrick’s early retirement, a consequence of his service during the Vietnam era, became an opportunity to rediscover his passion for painting. Encouraged by his supportive wife, he established a dedicated art space in a spare room, colloquially referred to as his “Happy Place.” Despite lacking formal training, Patrick relishes the challenge of conveying his perceptions and reflections on the world around him, a process his wife aptly terms “his mind’s eye.”

Patrick’s artworks have graced venues such as the Falmouth Harbor Art Fair, Falmouth and Cape Cod Art Centers, Barnstable Town Hall, Bagel Haven in Mashpee, and Big Pine Key, FL. Furthermore, he has generously contributed paintings to the Rotary Club of Falmouth and FCTV auctions. A gallery showcasing his work is situated behind his residence at 807 Old Barnstable Road, East Falmouth.

Nancy Duffany, is a native Cape Codder from Falmouth/Woods Hole. She is a self-taught artist, with notable studies under Laure Paillex and, more recently, Odin K. Smith. Duffany, a lifelong creator adept in various mediums, currently channels her artistic energy into mixed media techniques, collage, and acrylics, resulting in a fusion of figurative and abstract styles.

The artist’s focus revolves around animals and natural subjects, aiming to convey a narrative while incorporating elements from the natural surroundings, such as sticks, stones, leaves, and grass. Drawing inspiration from walks with her husband and dogs and time spent in the garden, Duffany’s art reflects a passion for reusing and repurposing unusual, textural, and found materials.

Having successfully navigated the responsibilities of raising a family and maintaining a full-time career, Duffany now enjoys dedicating her time to creative pursuits. She remains committed to continual learning and exploration of new ideas and techniques. For Duffany, art serves as a means to de-stress, allowing her to focus on her imagination and momentarily escape the challenges of everyday life. Nancy often recalls this statement by Vincent Van Gogh, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

The Gallery at FCTV is located within the Falmouth Community Media Center, which is at 310E Dillingham Ave., easily accessible by Rose Morin Lane. FCTV Hours: Mon: 12-8pm, Tue, Wed, Thu: 10am-8pm, Fri: 10am-6pm. Sat: Closed, Sun: 12-8pm.