As Seen On : Kate Delaney
I reached out to muralist Kate Delaney in the spring of 2023. I had joined the Amesbury Cultural Council the year before and we were looking promote more public art in our city. I had seen one of Kate’s pieces in Lawrence and loved her work, and reached out to her to chat about the process and see if she could provide us some insight into how we could support and fund a large scale mural in downtown Amesbury. My ACC buddy Margaret Leahy (Future ASO) and I met Kate for coffee and she shared with us her portfolio, her perspective and her expertise. We both instantly connected with Kate + her stunning work; her quiet strength and confidence, her kind and open demeanor, and the way that she listened to us trying to describe what we were envisioning, and helped us understand the steps that we would need to take to bring that vision to life.
Amesbury, if you are not familiar, is a mill city. We have a lot of brick walls, just ripe for muralling. We reached out to a number of those brick wall owners in our downtown and got a lot of no’s. And then finally, finally we got a yes. Greg Jardis, owner of Mill No.2, which now houses Amesbury Industrial Supply and the Industrial History Center said that we could paint a large scale mural on the back side of his building in the Upper Millyard. We all worked together on the logistics; the scale, the imagery, the color-scheme and here we are a year and a half later, celebrating the completion of Kate’s new mural at Mill No. 2.
Muralist Kate Delaney in the Mala Studs
Kate, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I grew up in Southern Maine, and my upbringing has had a lasting impact on both my life and career. My parents ran a cafe in Raymond, Maine, and from an early age, I was immersed in the world of a family business—learning firsthand about creativity and the dedication it takes to run a small business. Those experiences continue to shape me today. Now, I work as a commercial artist out of my studio in Lawrence, MA, taking on a wide range of projects including food illustration, murals, and signs. I especially love collaborating with small businesses, particularly in the food industry. It feels like a natural connection to my roots, blending my passion for art with my appreciation for the entrepreneurial spirit I grew up around.
How did your path in the art + mural get started? Where did you go to school? What do your days look like now?
I think the first mural I ever painted was for my high school guidance office. It was a spring window display with a field of lupine flowers. I studied Illustration at Massachusetts College of Art, where I mostly worked small, on watercolor pieces rather than big murals. My artistic journey has been shaped by a range of experiences, experimenting with various mediums and techniques. After graduation, I wasn’t sure what direction to go in. I even considered culinary school for a while and worked at a health-focused cooking school, assisting chefs during public classes. While I was there, I started illustrating some of the recipes, just for fun. One of those illustrations—a Shakshuka dish— ended up getting me my first watercolor client on Instagram. That small win gave me the confidence to really pursue a freelance career.
For the past 10+ years, I’ve been living between New York and Lawrence, working on a variety of projects across different cities. One of my many jobs was working with a window painting company in NYC, creating fun seasonal displays for restaurants. I got to do quirky projects like painting Baby Yoda eating pizza for Mardi Gras and the Grinch stealing tacos at Christmas.
A big turning point came when I started painting murals for local spots in the Merrimack Valley like Pazzo Gelato in North Andover and Café Azteca in Lawrence. It felt amazing to collaborate one-on-one with small businesses and get my name out there. I’ve also been involved in community initiatives, working with organizations like Elevated Thought and MyHomeCourt in Providence, RI to bring art to public basketball courts. These days, my work is a mix of different creative projects. I use both traditional and digital tools, depending on what I’m working on. I spend my time working with clients, visiting job sites, sketching and refining ideas, answering emails, managing social media, and working to improve my client outreach. It’s a little bit of everything, but I love it.
What are your favorite aspects of painting murals? Most challenging? What has been most rewarding?
Some of my favorite aspects of painting murals include selecting the colors and using the boom lift. Choosing the perfect color palette is both exciting and creative, as it sets the tone for the entire piece. Operating the boom lift is fun and gives me a different perspective on the mural as it comes together. The most challenging part of mural work is dealing with different surfaces and the physical demands it places on my body. Painting on rough textures like brick can take extra time and effort, while working on large surfaces like basketball courts can be physically exhausting.
The most rewarding part is interacting with the community. I often see the same locals day after day and get to watch their reactions as the mural progresses. Since much of my work in the studio is solitary, I really enjoy being out in the open, meeting people, and sharing in their excitement during a mural project.
You live in Lawrence, Massachusetts…Can you share your favorite haunts/eats/gems for our readers?
Here are some great spots to check out in Lawrence, Massachusetts:
- El Taller / Cafe Azteca: Fantastic Bookstore / Cafe for Mexican dishes featuring fresh homemade sauces.
- Lu’s Cafe: A must-visit for delicious Bánh mì.
- Canal Street Antiques: Perfect if you love browsing through unique antiques.
- Essex Art Center: Offering classes, events and art galleries
- Elevated Thought: Art + Social Justice Nonprofit, offering events and art exhibits showcasing local talent.
- Lawrence History Center: Amazing staff! For the best Lawrence photo archive visit the LHC collection.
- The Heritage State Park: A scenic park, and exhibits showcasing history of Lawrence mill workers and the Bread & Roses Strike.
What do you like to do outside of painting + illustrating?
Outside of work, I enjoy a variety of activities. Last year, I went kayaking on the Merrimack River, right under the Duck Bridge. The view of the Ayer Mill clocktower, which can be seen from many parts of the city, was even more special from the water. Highly recommend the experience! I also love hiking with friends, especially in Maine and New Hampshire. I'm not aiming to complete all the 4,000-footers, but I enjoy exploring the trails. This summer, I walked the Via Francigena, a historic route through Switzerland to Italy with my dad.
In addition to hiking, I love cooking, watching movies, and traveling whenever I get the chance.
How did you and Amy come to know each other? Do you remember the first connection or your first meeting?
Amy first reached out to me in early 2023 after coming across a floral mural I had painted. I remember our phone conversation where we connected over our ties to Lawrence, and Amy shared the Amesbury Cultural Council’s enthusiasm for bringing public art to the downtown area. We later met for coffee at the Bakehouse, and after that meeting, I knew I wanted to work with Amy and Margaret. Even though I knew the project logistics would take time, I was confident it was going to happen if I was working with these two artists!
Margaret, Kate + Amy in front of the recently completed mural at Mill No.2
Can you tell us a bit about the process and inspiration for the new mural that you are painting in the Upper Millyard in Amesbury?
The mural honors the industrial history of Amesbury, focusing on Mill No. 2 and its role in the town's textile industry. Influenced by weaving classes I took in college, the design incorporates a woven twill background, reminiscent of the cloth once produced at the mill. The mural also features interconnected gears symbolizing the importance of waterpower to the mill's operations, while blue tones reflect the Powow River, which powered the machinery. The vignettes capture Mill No. 2's evolution — from 1820s textiles to carriages and automobile body manufacturing in the 1920s — highlighting its ability to adapt over time. The mural serves as a tribute to the women who made up two-thirds of the workforce, celebrating their contributions to New England's industrial legacy.
What has it been like working with Amy + Margaret and the rest of the Amesbury Cultural Council?
Working with Amy, Margaret, and the Amesbury Cultural Council has been a wonderful experience. Their communication has been excellent, and they bring a lot of excitement, trust and positivity to the effort of bringing art to the community. They've been instrumental in facilitating connections, such as with the building owner Greg Jardis, and the Industrial History Center, and are deeply committed to being responsible stewards of the space.
Margaret Leahy and I helping Kate Delaney paint the background of the new mural in Amesbury's Upper Millyard!
What piece of Amy’s jewelry line do you wear? Are there any that you covet? :)
Oh, absolutely! I have been wearing the 14kt gold fill Mala Studs, but I’m in the middle of a serious shopping list crisis for Amesbury Open Studios. So far, I've “narrowed it down” to the Joni Strand, Laney Dangles, Lida Threaders, Florence Threaders, and Giorgia Studs. But let’s be real, I’d take one of everything if I could.
What draws you to Amy’s jewelry?
I love that Amy’s pieces have a versatile quality that lets me wear them whether I’m dressing up or spending the day painting. Her designs are feminine and minimal. They feel both glamorous and relaxed.
How are you most often seen wearing this? And is jewelry the first thing you think about or the last thing you adorn with when it comes to outfitting for the day?
I typically wear Amy's jewelry with my everyday wardrobe—whether it's coveralls, jeans with a T-shirt, or a dress. Jewelry is usually the final touch that completes my outfit.
coveralls check, mala studs check, ready to paint check
Thank you so much for reading our latest installment of As Seen On and learning more about Kate. You can check out more of Kate’s beautiful work here and here.
The Amesbury Cultural Council will be having a Meet the Muralist celebration on Tuesday 10/8 from 5-6pm in the Upper Millyard where you can meet Kate, learn about her process, and even try your hand at textile weaving. And right next door, the ACC will be having a fundraiser at Flatbread Pizza from 5-9pm where a portion of every pizza will help the ACC continue to promote the arts in our city and fund future projects like the new mural at Mill No. 2. We would love for you to come meet Kate, check out her beautiful mural, and grab a pizza and help us support + celebrate the arts in Amesbury.
And ASO readers, please enjoy 20% off of Kate’s favorite AVE styles through October 20. Discount is automatically taken at checkout.
If you or someone you know wears AVE jewelry and is interested in being featured in our “Ode to the Wearers", please reach out so that we can learn more about you and what you wear.