Danny O’Connor finds artistic inspiration – literally – in the marshes of the Meadowlands. Discarded sardine tins, half-and-half dispensers, wire and cardboard at the water’s edge are among the muses that have informed Danny’s imagination, creativity and found artwork.

Some of Danny’s work is currently on display through the end of May in the entrance to the Secaucus Library. They include a built-to-scale model Titanic meeting its demise in a mythic Kraken’s unyielding grip, a houseboat that O’Connor envisions having floated down the Hackensack River decades ago and an old wharf at Laurel Hill County Park in Secaucus. There are two views of the New York City skyline, steely grey by day and adorned with painted white lights at night.

“I see the cityscape constantly where I live and the contrast between this massive concrete village across the river and these beautiful marshes over here that are the jewel of the Meadowlands and the jewel of Hudson County,” said Danny, a Secaucus resident. “The houseboat is a scene of what could have floated down the Hackensack River in my imagination, like a vagabond floating down the river collecting things.”

Danny found the wooden Titanic models tossed curbside. The boats are 3 ½ feet long by 10 inches tall and were painted shiny red when he discovered them. “I like things that are rusty and weathered, that look like they have a story behind them,” the artist said.

“Pristine and clean is nice but I like things weathered and worn. I wanted to add to the story with the sea monster and paint the ship as if it had things happen to it on the ocean. At least for me, you have to build these little stories in your head.”

He said his favorite path is the Secaucus High School Marsh walkway. “I enjoy going out on the Secaucus High School boardwalk for serenity,” he said. “There’s a certain calmness near any body of water. The grasses in the meadows move with the wind in a pattern. It’s like a dance, seeing the wind 200 yards away and then coming and see-sawing through the grass.”

Danny said he doesn’t set out along the marshes with preconceived ideas for his next work of art. “It’s the randomness I enjoy,” he said. “I don’t go looking for anything specific or have anything in mind. I see patterns in things, just like a kid looking at the clouds and making little images. I just happen to do it with bottle caps and other things.”

Some of Danny’s additional work that is not on display:

In addition to found art, Danny is prolific in watercolors. His works are featured on his Instagram account, art_4_the_ether.

Past exhibit of Danny O’Connor’s watercolors at the Secaucus Library

The Meadowlands Nature Blog

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