For Leyden artist Pat Little, art is all about joy, and nothing makes her laugh more than painting chickens doing silly things. Her collection of “Cosmic Chickens” will be on display at Mocha Maya’s at 47 Bridge St. in Shelburne Falls until March 16.

Little is a retired nurse and lifelong artist who painted her first chicken by accident in 2018. 

“I was in the process of painting a landscape and I saw this thing that looked like a chicken,” Little said. “So I kept going and decided to have them do things.”

While the original chicken painting was an accident, Little said she finds chickens to be inspiring. She does not have any chickens currently, but has raised chickens throughout her life and loves how funny they can be. 

 “I’ve always enjoyed their antics,” Little said. 

“Cosmic Chickens” is a combination of Little’s love of chickens and of art. She said she has been painting since she was a young girl, and studied Art History in Santa Monica in the 1970s. She also took painting classes at Greenfield Community College and is a member of the Deerfield Valley Art Association.

Little said as she played around with the idea of chickens she found that she could make them do silly things, like ride a bicycle, play a game of pool, dance ballet, or enjoy a beach day. She loves how fun they are with their big eyes and silly activities. 

“They’re fun and they always make people laugh,” Little said. “I think we need some cheering up these days.” 

Little said she is motivated by humor and making people smile.

“Not all of my paintings are silly but I think humor is just a wonderful thing,” Little said. “People don’t even have to know who you are but if they can come in and look at your work and laugh, I think it’s great.” 

She is excited to have her work on display at Mocha Maya’s where plenty of people will be able to see it and hopefully take some enjoyment from it. She said some of the pieces were previously on display in the cafeteria at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield, but unfortunately the exhibit was set up right before the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns began, so not so many people got to see her work. 

The current exhibit in Shelburne Falls allows people to enjoy her previously made paintings as well as a few pieces she has made since 2020, including a painting inspired by the pandemic that features a group of chickens in a Zoom meeting. 

Little loves to paint her silly cosmic chickens, but said she primarily paints landscapes, and has a collection of elegant, not silly chicken paintings as well. She added she is currently exploring the idea of pollinator paintings with a focus on honeybees. 

Outside of painting, Little had other artistic pursuits. She enjoys drumming and participates in a weekly drumming circle at the Senior Center in Shelburne Falls. She also volunteers with Meals on Wheels. 

“Cosmic Chickens” is on display at Mocha Maya’s in Shelburne Falls until March 16. 

Reach Madison Schofield at 413-930-4579 or mschofield@recorder.com.