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by Jules Masterjohn
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| Maureen May displays her multi-media map titled “NO
Matthew 5:8 (A Geography
Lesson)” from inside her Smiley Building Studio./Photo
by Todd Newcomer. |
Maureen May appears to be an ordinary person to the outside observer.
Seeing her in the office where she works as a paralegal, one would assume
that she’s relatively normal. Her dress and mannerisms don’t
hint at her deep dedication to the creative, both as a prolific artist
and a committed art collector. Seen from the inside – the inside
of her house, that is – Maureen’s extraordinary devotion is
revealed. The small house she shares with artist husband, Paul Pennington,
is home to more than 200 artworks by emerging and well-known artists. Maureen
says of the collection, “This is more art than anyone should be allowed
to have in such a little place.” I wondered, should I contact the
Art Police and report the abuse? I thought I should ask her a few questions
before making the call.
JM: The walls in your home are literally covered with original
art. What compels you to collect?
MM: Many times a work of art will stay with me mentally, well
beyond when I first saw it. A piece usually ends up in my collection
if it is something that I expect will continue to evoke, even
months or years after first seeing it. Each piece I purchase
needs to hit an emotional chord, blow me away, challenge me,
whisper to me. I can’t pinpoint any one reason for collecting
`85 though an important one is that I want to support the arts.
I know it is helping the artist, and being one myself, I know
that an artist appreciates it. I guess, in a way, it is a show
of respect for the artist and their vision.
JM: How did you cultivate this admiration for artists and
the arts?
MM: My mother taught me to appreciate talent and insight.
Though she did not attend college, she is one of the most learned
people I know, and she exposed all of her children to the arts
by weaving them into our daily surroundings.
While growing up, we were surrounded by classical and operatic
music and hundreds of books covering numerous subjects were
available to us throughout the house. We took regular trips
to the movies, watched marvelous films and arts-related shows
on television, and were treated to local theatrical productions.
She taught me to appreciate all forms of art, which is probably
why I am personally involved in the visual arts, music, theater
and dance.
JM: When did you first recognize your aptitude in the visual
arts?
MM: I remember, as a child, my work standing out from other
children’s when I was in kindergarten, and it continued
throughout grade school. Oddly, I didn’t have much of
an imagination while growing up and was very aware of that.
I was more of a literal interpreter of my surroundings and
remember wanting to be more imaginative. To be honest, my ability
in the visual arts came fairly easily to me.
Looking back, I was more of an observer during those times,
like a sponge soaking up everything around me. In the last
15 years, I have been twisting that sponge to discover all
sorts of interesting things that were sopped up along the way.
My brain is so full of ideas, and more just keep coming, that
I’ll need a few lifetimes to act on them all.
JM: In this lifetime, what is the most challenging obstacle
to creating those ideas?
MM: That would definitely be time. I work an almost full-time
day job and have other responsibilities that keep me from my
studio. One of the most important aspects to being a successful
artist is discipline, but it is hard to have that when you
have little time to be disciplined. Which leads me to another
obstacle, which is fear. I am afraid of quitting my day job
for fear of not being able to afford our mortgage payments
or have a comfortable lifestyle.
JM: You spoke of discipline. What other qualities are necessary
to be an artist?
MM: I believe an artist is a risk-taker `85 and a thinker,
a puzzle solver, an observer. An artist is someone who understands,
someone who questions and who challenges themselves and the
viewer. An artist is someone who is playful, yet serious when
it is warranted and someone who is serious, yet playful when
that is warranted. An artist is someone who follows one’s
own vision, but is not afraid to learn from others; someone
who continues to grow creatively; someone who falls into ruts
on a regular basis, but always finds a way out; someone who
is in touch with themselves; someone who is in touch with their
surroundings; someone who is in touch with others.
Each of us has a core that consists of a culmination of tens
of thousands of years of creativity. It is innate and indescribable.
JM: How does living with your artist husband influence your
creativity?
MM: The best things about living with an artist are spontaneity,
sharing a vision of the world, learning from each other, inspiring
each other, understanding each other, having your weirdness
accepted and even expected.
The worst part, though it is not all that bad, is the struggle
for money to support our creative endeavors. We both have jobs
outside of our artwork. Art is of utmost importance to us,
and art is of utmost importance to the soul of a society, though
most people do not realize it or are not willing to admit it.
In any respect, we’ll continue to make careful financial
choices because we are destined to create.
JM: Between a paralegal profession, a studio practice as an
artist, and a marriage, does your creativity find its way into
your daily routine?
MM: Yes, I like to tap dance while cleaning the house.
A small portion of the art in the collection of Maureen and
Paul can be viewed at the Durango Arts Center’s Art Library
through Oct. 30. Maureen’s recent work can be viewed
on-line at www.artistsregister.com.
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