One of the five artists featured in Beacon Gallery’s current show, “Synaesthesia: Abstract Art & Creative Writing” is Myra Abelson. Although her career as a painter started later in her life, Abelson believes that the greatest gift she has given herself is the time to paint. With this precious time, Abelson has created a wide range of works, stemming from a wide range of influences.
At age 14, Abelson received a three-year scholarship to attend the School at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and while in college, she took classes in drawing, painting, and sculpting. However, despite this background in the Fine Arts, Abelson believes that she is mostly self-taught.
Originally, Abelson was enchanted by the Impressionists, whose “lavish use of color, focus on light and atmosphere, and a reverence for the ordinary” inspired her, and so she created her works accordingly. More recently, however, her pieces have been influenced by the Minimalists. Her works featured in “Synaesthesia: Abstract Art & Creative Writing” embody her shift in focus to abstract works, through which she is able to explore “the interplay of color, form, texture, and movement.”
Abelson’s creative process often leads her to a sense of discovery with each painting- another example of the “serendipitous nature of things,” as she likes to say. While she is at the canvas applying one brush stroke at a time, she often does not notice what is happening on the canvas as a whole; how much is evolving without her realizing it. Abelson claims that when she stands back from the easel, she is delighted by the unexpected; the surprises in color, movement, and contrast that she had been unconsciously creating. It is this aspect of her career that brings her the most joy.
In addition to her career as a painter, Abelson also serves as a member on the Board of Directors of the Newton Art Association, and has since 2002. From 2008-2010, she served as the Vice President of its Programs, and today, she serves as the Vice President of its Critiques and Salons. She also served as a member of the Concord Art Association in 2017.
Come check out the surprises Myra Abelson has captured in her abstract paintings at Beacon Gallery. “Synaesthesia: Abstract Art & Creative Writing” will run through July 29th. We hope to see you there!
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