Sister Maureen MacMahon OP writes on her passion for art.
The History of Art fascinated me. I marvelled at the skill of the cave painters of seven thousand years ago, in the caves of Lascoux and Altimara. The Icon paintings of Russia and other Eastern European countries were a revelation of religious symbolic art. In Western Europe the frescoes of Giotto (14th cantury) and Masaccio (15th century) revealed the beginnings of humanism in art that culminated in the magnificent images of the High Renaissance. I followed with even growing interest the classical and romantic periods, the work of the break-away groups of Impressionists, the innovative paintings of Braque and Picasso. Expressionism and all the other ‘ismo’ followed one another in quite succession, leading to the varied and individual styles of painting today. It tells us about their religious beliefs, the clothes they wore, the games they played and the battles they fought.
Let me introduce myself. I am a Dominican sister. My name is Maureen MacMahon. I have lived all my life in Ireland. They call me an artist, but I prefer to think of myself as someone who paints, who has thought art to small children, to older pupils in second level schools, to third level students and now to amateur artists of various ages.
My artistic career did not begin with a white – heat desire to paint nor I was always drawing, as I said of so many artists.. The fact is that as a novice, my superiors decided that I should do Art, as my school record was good in that area. The training in those by-gone days was haphazard in the extreme. No special time was given for study, except in the summer months. Attendance at the National College of Art was not possible. Preparation for examinations was therefore a slow process and for long periods I was engaged in other activities. As a result I was almost middle aged before I acquired the Art Teacher’s Certificate and sat for my final Diploma! Over the years, however I grew to love the many diverse facets of art.
Among seekers of the truth, painters come closest to discovering the secrets hidden in nature, the delicate balance that exists in the universe, the spiritual hunger deep in the heart of every person, This latter is not immediately evident in the work of many artists. For me, however one artist stands out above others. In the paintings of the 15th century Dominican, Fra Angelico , the golden thread of faith sums through all he did. His own deep spirituality is echoed in his paintings. They lead the observer as he had intended, to meditate on higher things.
For slightly different reasons, I find the work of the 20th century Irish artist Jack B. Yeats, exhilarating. The special relationship between man and horse was for him significant and symbolic – the Singing Horseman.
In my teaching I was thrilled by the pictures of the young people I taught. The spontaneous representations of the 7 years olds, the eager endeavours of the 13 years olds and the accomplished paintings of the 16 to 18 years olds were a joy. They all re-enforced the truth that art is one of the natural means of communication. The objective of an art class is not to produce minor artists. The finished work may or may not be good. It is the concentrated effort of translating thought and vision into an image that can be decisive factor in the development of personality.
To teach is to learn and never more so than when dealing with adult amateurs. As director of the large painting group known as “The High Loft” (from its beginnings in a converted hay loft), I have experienced the camaraderie of those who pursue the same goals. Friendships are forged from common struggles with paint and perspective. I have rejoiced in seeing hidden talent developing and shared in the achievements of many. I have also witnessed the change that art can bring about in those suffering from bereavement or depression. My reason for continuing to teach is to try to be of some small service, to pass on my love of art to others in this that God may be praised.
For the true artist there are no thoughts of fame or fortune, no desire to please. The experience is in the painting and when it is over, it is time to start again, always seeking and searching and never achieving the ideal. It is a lonely and elusive pursuit and it lasts a lifetime.
The study and practice of painting has enriched my life. It has helped to open my eyes, to see with greater intensity. I have come to appreciate the beauty of the human form, the pattern of moving clouds, the majesty of trees, the ever-changing contours and colours of the sea. The infinitive variety animals, birds and fish has amazed me. I want to cry out; Who but God could create or master-mind the evolution of such diversity and beauty? “Great are the works of the Lord to the pondered by all who love them”. (Ps. 110)
Painting itself came alive for me when the opportunity arose to paint out-of-doors. To stand in front of a blank canvas endeavouring to interpret the landscape and catch the mood with brush and paint is a daunting task. But to be beside running water, watching the shimmering shapes of reflections, with the wind in one’s face, has a calming effect on the spirit. At other times one becomes aware of the silence, broken only by the song of the bird or the sound of the wave lapping on the shore. There are very special moments. Although I have not always consciously thought of God at these times, He was there. He was there in the frustration. He was there in the physical discomfort from midges and flies. Above all He was there in the feeling of well-being and peace that closeness to nature of a religious experience.
Painting is not a pastime. It is all absorbing, engaging the mind and heart and hand. It penetrates the depths of ones being and shares in God’s continuing work of creation. To be part of this a privilege for which I am grateful.
