Wareham artist Susan Gilmore has an eye for design. Her interpretation of everyday colors, shapes, and textures transcend reality, in turn providing her with her own unique brand of artwork.

"My work is joyful work," Gilmore said. "I focus on the light. I like it when people are happy when they look at it."

Gilmore, a graphic designer by trade, has been an artist all of her life. Her passion for handcrafting "feel-good" artwork lead her to the Swain School of Design in New Bedford where she received a degree in sculpture in 1970s.

Gilmore has since developed orginal scuplture techiques. One of her signature designs is women made from wire. The wire women are created by twisting aluminum wire by hand, a process one would think is time consuming, but Gilmore said once she has designed the concept, the rest flows. In addition to hand-coiling the wire, Gilmore hand blows glass which she then incorporates into the sculpture.

Gilmore got the idea for the wire sculptures after a close friend was diagnosed with breast cancer ten years ago. Gilmore said she wanted to sculpt a design that showcased the female form.

Today dozens of wire sculptures decorate her yard and home. Gilmore is currently putting the final touches on her first wire bird... and she isn’t stopping there. She said she hopes she will soon have enough sculptures to create a "sculpture park" on her lawn for the community to visit and enjoy.

Gilmore's talents are not limited to sculpting. She is a painter, an illustrator, and a web designer. She has showcased her work in galleries across the South Coast region.

On Friday, September 23, Gilmore will join six other local artists in a free multi-site gala in Wareham. The Progressive Arts in Wareham Show, or PAWS, is the effort of local businesses, restaurants, and artists to bring community members a night out on the town in Wareham.

In addition to Gilmore, the artists are: Bruce Gannon, Denn Santoro, Steven Becker, Charles Wood, Pam Rainey, and Eileen Grady.

Artwork will be displayed at Wareham Community Television (WCTV), Eastern Bank on Main Street, Gallery Consignment, and Buzzards Play Productions. Event-goers will drive to each of the four locations to check out the artwork and the town.

The evening will conclude at one of four participating local restaurants - Charlie’s Place or Ella’s Wood Burning Oven Restaurant in East Wareham and the Narrows Restaurant or Piper Beau's in downtown Wareham. All will offer a discount of 20% for gala attendees.

Check out the galleries to view more of Gilmore’s artwork.