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Biography-Bernie Duffy

Gmail: bandjduffy@paintingsbyduffy.com

I have been drawing and painting since I can remember.  I was born in Rockland, ME.  My family lived in Philadelphia, Bridgeport, and Hartford before settling in Enfield, CT when I was 13 yrs. old. I met my wife, Joan when we were both in high school.  I joined the Navy during the Vietnam Era and served 3 years.  Joan and I married while I was in the service.  After being honorably discharge, we moved back to Enfield, where we raised two sons, Joel and Jason, (we now have two beautiful daughters-in-law and three grandchildren).  After leaving the Navy I applied for a position with the Enfield Police Department and spent 25 years with the organization retiring as a Lieutenant.  While employed as a police officer I completed my college education, graduating from Western New England College with a BS Degree in Law Enforcement.  After retiring from the Enfield Police Department I took a Captain position with the East Windsor Police Department and retired from that position after 12 years.  

Upon retiring I joined the Tobacco Valley Artist Association and began painting seriously.  I have been a member of several other Artists Organization: Academic Artist Association by invitation, Artists at the Crossroads by invitation, Art Center East Artists, Visual Art Center in Punta Gorda, Agawam Artists and Artisans and Peace River Plein Air Painters.  I have been in numerous local art shows and juried shows.  I have been recognized with awards such as: (Best of Show, 1st, 2nd, 3rd places, honorable mentions  and Peoples Choice awards at TVAA members shows, 1st and 2nd place awards Friends of the Chicopee Public Library Shows, Piedmont Award Piedmont Art Show, 1st Place National Arts Program, Roy Cook Memorial Award East Granby Public Library Art Show, etc).

For the most part I am a self taught artist, but have taken both private portrait painting with Kip Brodeur,  college level art courses, with Tony Cirone at Asnuntuck Community College and Impressionist Painting with Margaret Egli Punta Gorda, FL.  My work is described as leaning toward Impressionism/ Expressionism, but have moved to some Abstract pieces.  I use bright colors with complimentary colors butting up to each other creating tension in my pieces.  I let the viewers' eye complete lines with the art work.  I primarily work with oils and acrylics but do drift into watercolor, pastel and mixed media.  My paintings in these medias have been accepted in juried shows. 

Joan was born and raised in Enfield, CT.  During her life she has done various crafts, such as crocheting, decorative painting, various stitching projects, beading, etc.  After getting the children off to school she started working at Hallmark Cards Delivery Center as a filler, became a secretary and moving into a Management position.  While working at Hallmark Joan obtained a General Studies Associates Degree from Asnuntuck Community College.   She worked at the Hallmark facilities,in Enfield for 28 yrs. retiring in 2008.  Joan starting quilting before retiring, in 2007.  She entered her first quilt show in Punta Gorda, Fl. in 2008.  She received her first ribbons in her first show.  She won best use of color out of 280 quilts and honorable mention in her quilt class, large quilts.  Since that first show she has continued to create new pieces, some of which are posted on the Quilts by Joan page.  She has been recognized with numerous awards in multiple Quilt Shows in CT, VT and FL