John Mulcahy was born in Quincy, Massachusetts.

             John’s early inclination for drawing and making pictures caught the eyes of his grade school teachers, and at age eight his drawings began to be selected for exhibitions. Mr. Mulcahy pursued art throughout his education, majoring in art and attending classes at the Museum School in Boston, and Mass. College of Art.  Formal studies were completed at the Art Student’s League in New York City, where he studied under Hilary Holmes and Harvey Dinnerstein.   While living in Litchfield, CT., Mr. Mulcahy continued to work closely with well-known landscape artist Curtis Hanson. He participates in local and national shows and sells work privately and in galleries throughout New England and New York State.     

            Mr. Mulcahy’s landscape oils are painted entirely on the scene, in all seasons, any weather. His attraction to his subject and the many aspects of being outside in the landscape while painting it go hand in hand. He enjoys the challenge of working with the elements, the endless variation and medley of light, weather, season and view, and even the limitations of dealing with a scene at the moment. All the elements that go into one artists body of paintings, seen together reflect the artist’s vision. In John Mulcahy’s words, “The language of painting speaks for itself in a way that words cannot fully grasp.”

            The current display of paintings at the Norfolk Library continue to delve into the fascinating aspects of the natural landscape with a particular emphasis on paint application, including texture variation and simplicity of form. The beautiful natural light of the library, its airy hall and welcoming feel become a perfect setting for contemplating “En Plein Air” paintings.