Kaffee Kang, Painter
Some people love to travel, to see other lands, to experience different cultures, to sample exotic cuisines, and even to learn a foreign language. But often, we cannot travel because it is too expensive, or we have obligations at home, or there is a worldwide pandemic, or, simply, we are homebodies. That is when art comes into play. A good book, the latest movie, or even a song on the radio can take us far away, to a different place and perhaps a different time. Paintings can do the same thing.
Regardless of the subject matter, I have come to realize that what I enjoy most about making paintings is presenting a new perspective to the viewer. Sometimes, my paintings share a personal story from my past. Sometimes, I make commentaries on the state of our current world. And sometimes, I just look at things around me with a unique visual focus.
While trying to maintain a freshness in my work, I have recently been delving more deeply into visual narratives that revolve around the human figure. Multiple figures, in varying circumstances, tell stories of family, friends, and strangers. Everyone has a story to tell.
My paintings are held in private collections and have been exhibited at the following venues:
Concord Center for Visual Arts, Concord, MA
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Concord Art Calendar 2025
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BIRDS: A Members Exhibition, 2024
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Francis N. Roddy Open Competition
2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2015
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Members Juried 1, 2025, 2021, 2020
Danforth Art Museum, Framingham, MA
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Annual Juried Competition, 2024
Fitchburg Art Museum, Fitchburg, MA
(Juried Competitions)
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89th Regional Art and Craft Show, 2025
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88th Regional Art and Craft Show, 2024
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87th Regional Art and Craft Show, 2023
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86th Regional Art and Craft Show, 2022
Gallery Twist, Lexington MA
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"FRESH", 2024
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"PAIRINGS", 2023
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"COOL, CALM & COLLECTED", 2021
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"LOOKING UP", 2021
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"ILLUMINATION", 2022, 2020
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"re/seeing HUMDRUM", 2019
Maryland Federation of Art
Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD
(Juried Competitions)
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Winter Member Show, 2024, Juror's Choice
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Winter Member Show, 2022, Honorable Mention
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Spring Member Show, 2021
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Winter Member Show, 2020
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"Strokes of Genius", 2018
Maryland Federation of Art
Curve Gallery, Annapolis, MD
(Juried Competitions)
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"Street Scenes" 2022, Honorable Mention
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"Reflections" 2022
Maryland Federation of Art
House of Delegates Building, Annapolis, MD
(Juried Competition)
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Lowe House Exhibit, 2024
Touchstone Gallery, Washington, DC
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"FIGURES", 2024
Joe McGill, Woodturner
For many years, my creative efforts were focused on 'flat board' work, i.e., furniture design and construction. While I derived great pleasure from producing fine joinery and handsome, functional pieces, I found the process limiting. On a whim, I purchased a used lathe and was immediately captivated. I love everything about the process of taking a piece of wood from a storm-felled tree and turning it into a functional or decorative object. Chainsawing a block of wood to discover and assess what it has to offer; mounting the piece on the lathe to take advantage of those characteristics; the lubrication of the cutting edge by the water in the wood; and the movement of my body as the tool shapes what the wood wants to be, are all captivating to me.
I am a past president of Central New England Woodturners. I have taught woodturning at the Lincoln-Sudbury Adult Education program. My work is displayed in many homes and used by many families, across the country. I have exhibited at:
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"PAIRINGS", 2023
Gallery Twist, Lexington, MA
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Sudbury Art Association Holiday Market, 2024, 2022, 2021
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Arts Wayland Holiday Market, 2019
The W Gallery, Wayland, MA
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Arts Wayland Members Salon, 2019
The W Gallery, Wayland, MA
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Turning Wood: The Art of the Woodturner
2024, 2023, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2015
Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University
Boston, MA