By M. Sebastian Araujo

After living in Soho, NYC for thirty years Maureen had to move. She got an offer from the landlord of a buyout, called a friend who lived up Cape to see what she thought…As fate would have it someone she knew was looking for some summer help, so she decided to get on the BOLT bus to Cape Cod and take the job! After spending a few years figuring it out and working on two unpublished books, she picked up a brush again …

Why do you create Art?

 I had a grandmother who was a professional ceramicist and she let me play in the clay whenever I visited her. I had my work in a gallery and was winning awards in high school. Eventually, after graduating from VCU and moving to New York, where I lived in Soho for over 30 years, life got in the way although I continued to work for the pleasure of it whether I was showing or not. Often I stayed involved as a model, a muse, or a consultant in a gallery. By the mid-90s, I started a series of AIDS Angels. It would ultimately include my 9/11 experience, mostly in a collection of collages. These pieces were seen all over the States, in Europe and even Japan. This new series, these bird portraits, may not be as intense as the Angels were, but they are still observant guardians and messengers and I think they are equally compelling.

 Was there an Aha! moment in your life when you knew you were an artist?

 There wasn’t any particular moment or decision to be an artist; I do it because I have to. Sometimes I write instead, there are 3 unpublished novels under another name, and at one point I was very excited about photography but painting has been my thing since I was a precocious little art star in grammar school.

What is it about Cape Cod and Ptown that draws creative people to it?

 People talk about Cape Light but for me Provincetown’s draw is the community. There is something rather fabulous about all the various ways we nurture ourselves and each other be it in a gallery, a theater, or a public reading at the library. I also like having the winter months free to make art and how the social services in Massachusetts suit a creative life-style.

Who are your favorite artists? 

 I’ve been moved to tears at a number of exhibits – especially Pollack at MOMA, Basquiat at the Brooklyn Museum, and Jenny Saville at Gagosian. I once stood in front of a Van Gogh painting of an artichoke at the Met that I seriously wanted to steal, but the artist I’ve been most influenced by is Lee Bontecou. Particularly the later pieces; her gorgeous, precise drawing and those quirky, creepy ceramics. She had a profound dedication to the work regardless of the scale or medium. She was always working and the work was always amazing.

Provincetown has always been a haven amid the busy world where artists and others looking to “escape” the rat race go to find another vibe. Some recreate themselves and other like Maureen  McCaron find the inner self and let it shine forth into the world.

Which the way things are going these days is something we need more…

Maureen is represented by the Adam Peck Gallery 142 Commercial Street Ptown : 

 To Find out More Click Here:

https://maureenmccarron.com/