Karen Rinaldo + her "little brush" impact Falmouth in a Big way!

Tommy's Place is excited to announce our newest Tommy's Place Founding Member Room Sponsor.
Falmouth's own Artist-in-Residence Karen Rinaldo is sponsoring the Arts and Crafts Room in memory of her mom!!
Please read more of Karen's life story below and why she chose to become one of a limited number of Founding Members of
Tommy's Place...Another example of ordinary people doing extraordinary things to make the world a better place!!

Karen Rinaldo -

Perhaps no single member of the community has better captured that gift of history throughout our history – and selflessly shared it with us – than legendary local artist Karen Rinaldo. Her ability to artistically exhibit the soul of our community and its landmarks and landscapes on canvas has touched lives for generations since she came to Falmouth as a self-described ‘creative soul’ in the 1970’s. Since then, she has become deeply rooted in – and her artistry has been woven into - the fabric of the community she so loves. Karen’s gift to Falmouth is in her philanthropic pursuits in generously sharing her artistic gift with all of us and in supporting organizations who help to preserve the historic bits of that same local soul.

Karen’s deep love for and respect of history is rooted in her own formative experience living in a pre-Revolutionary homestead in Worcester on the old Post Road that meandered through 18th century Massachusetts. Replete with secret tunnels and stories to match, this house sparked Karen’s profound connection with history and passion to preserve it. It was also the site of her first philanthropic exercise. She would charge a nickel to locals and provide tours of the house and tell the tales of its journey through time. She would then donate the proceeds to a local charity. The house was later razed, taking with it the physical remnants of those memories, but solidifying Karen’s commitment to preservation. In much the same form, her work continues in that fashion today. Through her paintings, Karen takes us on tours of Falmouth’s history and preserves what may have been razed by raising our awareness and appreciation for the Falmouth of yesterday.

Her journey to Falmouth – and to the life of an artist – were not-so-gently nudged by what Karen calls a ‘defining moment’ of her life. After youthful escapades and what she described as ‘prowling around,’ she found herself as a sixteen-year old before a judge. When the magistrate sternly but paternally asked her what she intended to do with her life, she told him she wanted to be a painter. He quizzically responded with another question, asking if she intended to paint with a big brush or a small one, mocking her whimsical but resolute response. She proudly and determinedly (if perhaps a bit timidly) reported to the judge that she wanted to, “be a painter with a small brush who paints fine paintings.” The judge replied, “Kid, you’re gonna need a lot of luck.” Karen knew that hard work begets luck, and set out that day to prove to the judge that she could paint with the small brush – but make a big impact. That day and those prophetic words – from Karen and from the judge - formed the foundation and the portal to a life dedicated to sharing her gift and her gratitude with others through that small brush.

Not too many years later, Karen found herself in Falmouth, pursuing that same goal of painting fine paintings. Her gallery, now a local landmark at the end of Scranton Ave. next to the venerable Clam Shack, was a fish market, replete with lobster tanks and rubber mats on the floor. The location, however, perfectly fit Karen’s love of colorful panoramas and connection with the sea. She displayed paintings there, and began to integrate into what is now her hometown. Through the 80’s she continued her relentless pursuit of living the life of an artist, always seeking local charities to support with her artwork. Her images on the Falmouth Fireworks t-shirts are now the stuff of local legend. People collect these local treasures like baseball cards – I have a few myself and look forward to my annual visit with Arthur Ratsy to buy mine. One of her gallery locales throughout that locally nomadic journey was a spot on Academy Lane, near the Chamber of Commerce. Her gallery didn’t have a phone, so she would give out the number of the pay phone outside the Chamber building, then hurl herself hurriedly down the stairs and outside when it rang, hoping a willing and eager customer was on the other end.

The customers came. In 1989, the Fish Market next to the Clam Shack closed, and Karen had found a permanent home for her paintings and her passion. Still today, she sits in the modestly appointed studio, richly replete with the markings of a true artist’s lair: her inimitable works of art in various stages of completion, a canvas facing the priceless vista of Vineyard Sound, and of course, lots of small brushes. A generation later, Karen continues to capture the essence of our local soul, and continues to build on those tours of her homestead, living a life of purpose with her charitable pursuits.

Karen is now proud to be a supporter of Tommy’s Place. In her own words, “When I learned of Tim O'Connell's back story and dream (intention) a vision for the house the former Elm Arch Inn I was inspired and moved at its opportunity to help families in a "home away from home for children fighting cancer." Falmouth is an engaged and caring town and Tommy's Place, so appropriately named, is the perfect place for such a dream to be launched. The Elm Arch Inn is itself a survivor in the chronicles recorded in our history books and the years withstanding. It is a good analogy to these young lives withstanding and confronting their personal battles.

I learned of rooms within the facility in memory of and a way of sustaining and generating funds to help move the project forward. An artist's greatest gift is that of vision. Art gives us sight…Vision gives us insight. When my Mom lost her vision it made a huge impact on our lives and the way we communicate now with word pictures and an introduction to a different kind of vision.

She taught me a whole new way to see things simply called "inner vision." Inner vision is the place we automatically go to to solve a problem, think things over. In that darkness we reconfigure and have a better understanding of problems and for this artist shapes and forms and yes, even color. Her philosophy I found so profound and I became better at visualization and conceptual ideas.

I thought about the idea of honoring this amazing person who I learned such valuable lessons from and literally learned how to see from with a room in her name but and with that line attached Art gives us sight… vision gives us insight.

Tommy's Place thru Tim O'Connell's great vision will give an awesome opportunity of relief, and relaxation to ease the world of hospital stays and Dr. visits these families experience to a "dream vacation home. Our community can take pride in turning the worst of times into the best of times.”

Indeed it can, Karen, and Tommy’s Place takes pride in having a partner like you.

Thank you so much for your support Karen Rinaldo!! For those that want to support Karen’s vision and amazing work, please visit her at her new “home” which is right around the corner from “Tommy’s Place” at: The Gallery on Main, 317 Main Street in Falmouth, www.thegalleryonmainfalmouth.com

www.tommysplace.org