Martha Wakeman: Reflections Along the Road One Travels

Due Strada Sopra Fiesole, Two Roads Above Fiesole By Martha Wakeman

This November, the Geary Gallery presents “Reflections Along the Road One Travels” featuring the expressive landscapes of New London, CT artist, Martha Wakeman.

The Geary Gallery of Darien proudly presents its November exhibit, “Reflections Along the Road One Travels,” featuring the expressive landscapes of New London, CT artist, Martha Wakeman. The pastel paintings that journal her memories of the people and places of Italy, will be on display November 1-30. The Geary Gallery is located at 576 Boston Post Road in Darien. All are welcome and admission is free.

About Martha Wakeman

Martha Wakeman grew up in Darien, CT and moved 40 years ago to New London, Connecticut, near the campus of Connecticut College where she taught pastel, drawing and painting.

She studied at Tyler School of Art in Rome and holds a B.S. in Art Education from Skidmore College and an M.A. and M.F.A. from Villa Schifanoia-Rosary College Graduate School of Fine Art (Dominican University) in Florence, Italy.

According to Wakeman, “Journey, the memories, the dreams and the reflections along the road one travels, has been a constant theme in my painting. I sometimes see reality as a series of dreams, of encounters, of momentary, fleeting fragile yet often beautiful experiences. Italy, where I spent ten years and where we still return yearly, has been and continues to be a strong source of inspiration. Memories of people and of the Italian landscape with its extraordinary light have influenced my painting.”

Now retired, she and her husband spend six months a year in San Terenzo, a small town on the Ligurian coast in Italy. She has exhibited her paintings and pastels in Florence, Milan, Connecticut and New York. Her work is in collections in the U.S., Europe, New Zealand and Canada.

Wakeman has taught in the summer session at the Umbra Institute in Perugia, Italy. She has also taught at Gonzaga University in Florence, at Palazzo Rucellai in Florence, and at Connecticut College. She created Art and Study Retreats in Italy, one of which was a nine- day Drawing and Pastel workshop at the Pensione Bencistà in the Fiesole hills above Florence in 2012.

To view Wakeman’s pastels, and to read more, visit our online gallery.

Gallery Location & Hours

Geary Gallery is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and is located at 576 Boston Post Road, Darien, CT 06820. For more information, call (203) 655-6633.