Just for You by Maryclare Heffernan
The Seacoast Artist Association has relaunched their monthly Body of Work exhibits in April with two new solo shows by watercolorist Kathy Flygare and oil painter Maryclare Heffernan.
Sailboats in Calm Harbor by Kathy Flygare
“Solitude” permeates the watercolors by artist Kathy Flygare. “These were all painted to cope with my loneliness from family and friends,” she says. “With this year of COVID, I have still enjoyed painting through Zoom classes and painting in the quiet of my home. Being at home has given me the time to paint where I might have otherwise been busy doing other outside things. I am grateful for that. A positive spin to this challenging year.” Letting go is a mantra for Kathy. “Painting a subject is so personal. If I try to copy what someone else is painting and I compare mine to theirs, I might like theirs better but when I look back at mine, I must appreciate it, for it is my interpretation and skill which make it very personal…another moment requiring me to let go. It takes me awhile to start a painting. I have to find the location or subject and think about it awhile before putting paint to paper. Once I do begin, I am transported to an inner part of me that is in the moment and devoted to the process. If I worry too much about the end result, I miss the development process and the partnership. It takes steps to develop a good painting, so staying in the moment helps each step progress easier. This is like living in the moment and not worrying about yesterday or tomorrow. Letting it flow and letting go…”
French Garden by Kathy Flygare
Peace is Flowing Like a River by Kathy Flygare
“Petals and Feathers” float through the oils by artist Maryclare Heffernan. Maryclare arrived late to the creation of art; a surprise discovery that she says has offered her the most treasured exploration of my life. “Art is how we bear witness to the moments we live and share the visual stories we need to tell. Several years ago, after undergoing surgeries, one of my two artist sister’s came to visit. She brought with her little square canvases and paints, brushes, mediums. She picked peonies from the garden along the driveway and we sat on the front porch and painted. The rush of joy I felt in that first moment of painting pink, white, and green-stemmed flowers on those inexpensive canvases was heart stopping. Art fills my heart and soul with joy and possibility. What matters is that we contribute to our world and offer whatever we have to share so that as a community of human beings we become stronger, kinder, knit together in a more compassionate and generous way than we were before. I am eternally grateful to my sisters and my other artist mentors for guiding my artistic journey and for my own willingness to learn and fail and fail and learn.” Maryclare and her two artist sisters, Karen Romagna and Michele Rofrano share a website threesistersfineart.com
Come Spring by Maryclare Heffernan
Oh Peonies by Maryclare Heffernan