Ballybofey-based artist Veronica Maguire is inviting us all to escape into art in her new exhibition opening this week.
Veronica will launch her newest exhibition ‘Escape Into Art’ at the Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny on Saturday 12th November at 6pm.
The collection was inspired by Veronica’s longings to travel during lockdown. She imagined the places she could not visit and turned them into 21 striking paintings for her fourth solo exhibition.
“During lockdown, I missed travelling to the coast, feeling the sand in my toes, the fresh sea air, our beautiful rugged landscapes and countryside, so I escaped into my art. Art in general is a wonderful way to push your horizons,” Veronica said.
“In these paintings, l have produced movement in the seas with the waves crashing against the rocks in a storm, also showing calm and stillness. I created houses on cliff edges which depict emotions of being isolated and lonely. I think that this period brought out all these feelings to most of us at that time.”
There was originally 22 paintings in the collection, but one of Veronica’s ‘Homes of Donegal’ pieces was selected into the RUA 140th annual exhibition last year, where it was purchased by the civil service private collection and is now hanging in Stormount Castle Belfast. Another painting “Rugged Donegal with Mount Errigal in view” was selected this year for the Derek Hill exhibition at the Glebe Gallery.
Mostly self taught, Veronica’s art journey started in 2000. Originally from London, Veronica moved to Donegal at a young age and took up hairdressing before branching into art. In the year 2000, she set and her sister Bernie set a New Year resolution to take art classes. They both developed unique skills to create beautiful artworks with their individual flairs.
Veronica works mainly with oils, alcohol inks and watercolours. She has always been inspired and drawn to the colours of nature, the ever changing light on the landscape, the reflections, the mountains, the colours of the trees and the movement of the sky and sea, the sparkle of the river and lakes.
Her work is diverse; contemporary, landscape or abstract. She is always inspired by nature and the incredible scenery of Donegal.
If you would like to view the ‘Escape Into Art’ collection, visit the RCC Letterkenny between Friday 11th November and 17th December 2022. All welcome.
To find out more, visit Veronica’s new website www.veronicamaguireartist.com
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