Be
sure to immerse yourself in the serene setting of The Cloister, captured everlastingly
in a variety of mediums and currently on exhibit at the Left Bank Art Gallery
on St. Simons Island.
In
celebration of the 75th anniversary of the grand hotel, the gallery pays homage
through its Artistic Tribute to The Cloister Hotel during the month of November.
An artist's
view One of several contributing artists, Laura Frances Maguire, was commissioned
to paint two pieces that turned into a complete collection of oil paintings and
charcoal drawings.
The
works represent more than just an artists' interpretation of a historical place.
Ms. Maguire
has fond memories of summers spent on Sea Island as a child — reminiscences beautifully
reflected in her pieces.
"It
was a favorite family vacation spot," she said.
Dyslexia
kept Ms. Maguire from performing well in school, so she decided to pursue a career
in acting.
She
said somewhere along the way, drawing and painting became her stage.
Mastering
the art Ms. Maguire earned an Andy Warhol scholarship to the New York Academy
of Art where she received a master of fine arts degree in sculpture in 1991.
She
chose to study the art because she "didn't understand it." Painting and drawing
however, has always come naturally to her.
Maybe
Ms. Maguire's classical training was the solid foundation from which she grew
as an artist, but she credits the support of her family for allowing her the freedom
to pursue art as a career.
The
Cloister collection Ms. Maguire's collection of Cloister paintings and drawings
was accomplished with a certain spontaneity but with careful regard for tradition
as well.
"It's
been fun sitting outside drawing these in a group," she said. Capturing the legacy
of The Cloister seems easy through the eyes of Ms. Maguire.
Her
use of light and shadow, and graceful flow of lines in her works, sets a beautiful
stage.
"If
[the art work] is nostalgic for someone else, that's satisfying for me," she said.
Although
Ms. Maguire takes her work very seriously, there is a refreshing childlike quality
innate in each of her drawings and paintings, as if she delighted in creating
them.
Perhaps
it's the subliminal message infused for the enjoyment of the viewer.
Ms.
Maguire said she often repeats a single word such as "lovelovelove" when she's
drawing, just for the fun of it.
The
word is indiscernible in the finished work but its effect lingers.
By
Karen Lane.
Nov
2003.
Original
story.
With
many thanks to the excellent Brunswick
News.
