Maeve Croghan

maevecroghan's picture
Neighborhood: Hunters Point Shipyard
Group Affiliation: Hunters Point Shipyard
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I begin my paintings outside in Nature. I find a location, and subject, which has meaning for me, I'll then return to the site to paint from real life.  I am influenced by the all the elements while painting. This affects my painting and the feeling I put into the paintings. Being out in nature allows me to deeply experience my subject as I am painting it.  
I like to explore how humans affect nature and how nature lives in it's environment, with or without much human influence. Often, I am attracted to aged forms of life - old trees and vines or massive rocks. They seem to have a kind knowledge beyond human understanding. The delicate beauty of a wildflower and a field of grasses has equal amazing beauty.
I complete my paintings in the studio. Here, I work from memory and feeling. As the work evolves, it sometimes changes from the original scene, taking on its own life. The painting eventually becomes a memory of my experience with the environment. There is a deep personal connection with each painting which always remains with me.