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Maureen is a landscape painter who lives in the Point Loma neighborhood of San Diego, CA. She grew up surrounded by art in a family where everyone painted. Her father was a student of Roy M. Mason and her mother could draw anything. As an elementary school teacher, Maureen painted in her classroom, but her niece, Melanie Florio, a graduate of Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD) and now a professional painter and illustrator, introduced her to oil paints, and she found her love.
Maureen paints in her home studio in Point Loma and continues to paint what makes her happy – scenes from old family photographs, landscapes from her life, and things that bring back the flood of family memories of growing up at the beach. Maureen has worked with accomplished teachers, attended many workshops with Southern California artists and continues to study and learn.
Maureen is a member of the Point Loma Artists Association, the Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, and the California Art Club. Currently, you can see her work in her home studio, and at local shows. Her work is also on display at Rancho La Puerta in Tecate, B.C. Mexico, and La Playa Gallery in La Jolla, CA where she had her first solo show, “San Diego, Inspired,” in February of 2018. Maureen has an upcoming exhibition of landscapes scheduled for March of 2020.
I love painting. As a child, I was lucky to have an accomplished artist as a father and a mother who could draw anything. I always painted. For 25 years, would I paint in my classroom as an elementary school teacher to illustrate ideas and stories that my students created. My niece, Melanie Florio, a graduate of Laguna College of Art and Design (LCAD), now a professional painter and illustrator, encouraged me to paint with oils and my eyes were opened. I am in love with the thick paint, the darks and lights in nature, and the impressions of the world around me.
I paint in my home studio in Point Loma. I paint what makes me happy – scenes from old photographs, landscapes from my life, and things that bring back a flood of family memories of growing up at the beach.
I love to paint the things in my life that help me remember good times. And I encourage everyone to paint their own story.
La Playa Gallery: Hi! Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Can you tell us your name, where you live and a little bit about your past?
Maureen Blackhall: My name is Maureen Blackhall and I live in Point Loma. I have been painting in oils for about 10 years.
LPG: Can you give us a brief overview of the work you create?
MB: I paint landscapes, working with subjects that I know from yesterday and today to tell my story.
LPG: How and when did you get started?
MB: I always painted in watercolor until my niece, Melanie, introduced me to oils and I love them. I love the thick paint and textures I can build with oils.
LPG: What motivates you to create new work?
MB: I am continually motivated by the landscape around me. I take hundreds of photographs when I see something I like and always have a bank of subjects ready to paint.
LPG: Is there a specific series you are currently creating and what is the inspiration behind it?
MB: I am starting a series of paintings of backyard birds. I love watching the birds at the feeders, on the beach and in the mountains.
LPG: What is the most indispensable item in your studio?
MB: Lots of brushes and lots of light!
LPG: Do you have a routine you follow for creating or only work when inspiration hits?
MB: I paint at specific times during the week and stick to a specific schedule. I paint for 2-3 hours at a time and then walk away for at least a half hour. This gives me a fresh look when I come back.
LPG: Do you collect anything and does it influence your work?
MB: I collect pottery, sea shells, glass and toys. I use the colors in my work but not the items. The lines and shapes in nature influence me more than the items I collect.
LPG: What artist or artists have influenced you the most?
MB: First my parents, who were both artists, and then the list is long. Roy M Mason, Frederick Whittaker, Chauncey Ryder, John Sell Cotman, Joaquin Sorolla, JMW Turner, Andrew Wyeth, Maurice Braun and the rest of the California impressionists.
LPG: Support for each other is so important. Locally, what artist excites you the most?
MB: Danny Griego, Marjorie Taylor, John Cosby and Ray Roberts.
LPG: Well, thank you for letting us into your creative world. It’s been a pleasure and we are really looking forward to featuring your work at La Playa Gallery!
MB: Thank you!
La Playa Gallery, Upcoming Show, “The Grand Small Works Exhibition,” May 2019
Southwestern Yacht Club, Solo Exhibition, “Landscapes,” March/April 2019
La Playa Gallery, “San Diego Inspired,” Solo Show, February 2018
Genesis Diaz Benefit, March 2017
La Playa Gallery, Group Show, “Surf Culture,” June 2016
Forest and Ocean Gallery, Laguna Plein Air Painters Association, “Autumn Colors,” Laguna Beach 2016
Point Loma Garden Walk, Exhibition 2015-2019
PLAA, Holiday Show, Dec 2012 – 2018
Point Loma/Hervey Branch Library, Exhibitions 2014 – 2019
Point Loma Artist Association, Art Tour May 2015
PLAA, Art in the Park 2013, 2014, 2015
Land and Sea Festival, May 2014
Inspirations Gallery, San Diego, “In Our Backyard,” Oct 2013
Point Loma Assembly, Art Show, Sept 2013
ArtWalk, Liberty Station, San Diego, August 2013
Art in the Pines, Torrey Pines Plein Air Event, April 2012, 2013
Enjoy my paintings at
La Playa Gallery, 2226 Avenida de la Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037
and at
Rancho La Puerta, Tecate, B.C., Mexico, Bazaar del Sol Gallery
2226 Avenida de la Playa
La Jolla, CA 92037
laplayagallery@gmail.com
858-454-6903
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