about the artist
THE ARTIST’S STATEMENT
The subjects of my paintings tend to be grounded in who and what I love about my life. Whether I am painting a landscape or a portrait, I don’t feel like I have to necessarily replicate the image, because I see with more than my eyes. Even now, as I strain to see through my narrowing tunnel vision and fading light, I can reconcile realism with my imagination and my heart. This inner vision allows painting to become a soulful expedition for me. I can sculpt with thick color or create translucent, atmospheric impressions. For me, this is what painting, or any art, is. As I create, I see with more than my eyes, because I believe that it is more important to convey a spiritual presence. This spiritual presence acknowledges and celebrates the subject. This, to me, is what it is to celebrate life and to be fully alive.
Maureen Sylak
THE ARTIST’S SOJOURN
My earliest influences in the arts came from my parents, who were both published poets. My father, James E. Magner, Jr., taught creative writing and American Literature at John Carroll University. My mother, Mary Ann Magner, also demonstrated great talent in drawing and water color painting. During my formative years, I was fortunate enough to be immersed in the arts through frequent visits to the Cleveland Museum of Art, and through dance classes at Karamu House, where my mother worked until her passing in 1971. My father continued to encourage me to pursue courses in drawing and design classes throughout my adolescence and young adulthood.
However, my focus moved away from studio art classes when I entered the Teacher Education Program at John Carroll University. After receiving my teaching certificate, I found very little time to devote to drawing and painting, and even less time after I became a mother. My art spirit simply went into estivation. During that time, I admired the art of others, but I didn’t make any of my own for about thirteen years.
My reawakening happened one spring, when I was forced to convalesce after surviving a long, serious illness. I was sitting comfortably in front of my sliding glass door, where I could see the fresh yellow blooms amongst the new green foliage. I was so grateful to have survived to see the flowers again, so I got my pencils and sketched the flowers in my book.
After my recovery, I was committed to refining my drawing and painting skills through various classes at Fairmount Center for the Arts, The Cleveland Museum of Art, The Cleveland Institute of Art, Valley Arts and The Cleveland Botanical Gardens. And now, after sixteen years, it is still my intention to maintain a connection with the art community and to never stop learning from it.
