Page 8 | THE LAKER | June 21, 2021 Lake
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An Artful Gem: MacDonald Fine Art By Kathi Caldwell-Hopper Like many people, with a busy job and lifestyle, it can be a bit difficult to find the time to do the things I most love to do. For some people, their interests are in hiking, bicycling, or travel. For me, it is viewing art. We are lucky to have some good galleries in the Lakes Region, and I visit them as often as I can. So, when I heard that a new gallery had opened its doors, and was about 10 minutes from my home office, I was really excited. (Normally, a day trip for me is defined as wandering back roads or finding a cool shop or other business miles from my home, but now and then, I find a gem of a place nearby.) The MacDonald Fine Art Studio and Gallery, located at 43 Gilford East Drive in Gilford, is next door to MacDonald Veterinary Service. The gallery is owned and operated by Susan MacDonald and her son, Tristan; Susan’s husband, Dr. MacDonald, owns and operates the veterinary practice. I was aware of Susan and her talent as a painter from an article in a June, 2020 issue of The Laker titled “An Artist’s Life at Snow Dragon Studio” by Tom Caldwell. I knew Susan and Tristan paint at their home studio in Meredith. Tristan is also a busy Dartmouth College student, and his passion for art runs in the family. Tristan’s grandfather (and Susan’s father) was the well-known Lakes Region artist, Loran Percy. The artist – or “Grandpa” as Tristan refers to Loran – had a gallery and gave lessons in Gilford. Sadly, Loran passed away some years ago. Many local people and collectors from other areas love Loran’s artwork and are passionate about his paintings. I was curious to see the gallery, and visited on a Thursday in June. Susan and Tristan were both in the gallery and as I stepped into the space, they
welcomed me and explained a bit about the artwork that fill the gallery walls. It is a well-lit and pleasing space and I could not wait to browse the paintings. “We officially opened the gallery on Friday, May 28,” explained Susan. “Our focus is realistic and contemporary Impressionism. There are eight artists exhibiting their work here at present.” Tristan added that when figuring the layout of the space, they wanted to gallery to not be overcrowded. Susan and Tristan have done a good job of thoughtfully displaying both large and smaller paintings and the viewer will relish seeing the landscapes, floral and animal paintings. There is certainly nothing cramped about the gallery and I had plenty of room to browse, starting with a large landscape by New Hampshire artist Byron Carr. The work is beautiful and brought to mind the gorgeous landscapes of the White Mountain painters of the late 1800s. Not far from the entrance, a wall greets the visitor with the work of Loran Percy. I felt a bit emotional to see Loran’s vision of Lakes Region landscapes. Susan explained that Loran’s art is less Impressionistic than hers, with Loran’s being a more controlled use of brushwork. However, Susan’s paintings, while in a looser style, are not so very unlike her father’s work. Susan said those who were fans of her father’s are thrilled to see Loran’s work at the gallery. Other artists represented at MacDonald Gallery are skilled and I could see the thoughtful manner in which each was hung for viewing. Tristan’s paintings are varied and he has presented a range of work, from smaller paintings of birds to large landscapes. (I love a painting of a bird with blue feathers.) His work shows a skill and sensitivity for animals. On the opposite end of the canvas
Susan and Tristan MacDonald stand before artwork by Susan’s father, Loran Percy. size spectrum, Tristan has displayed a beauties. I was eager to see his work large 12- x 36-inch oil painting called “in person” because I have seen some of his paintings of waterfalls online “Sailing on Glass” that is among my and loved them. favorites. The long canvas brings “Byron came to the gallery before the the viewer into a lake scene most opening day with a lot of his paintings,” of us have seen and marveled at: a Susan explained. He helped her choose delicate pink and blue sky mirrored the best paintings for the gallery and on the glass-like surface of Lake the work is thoughtfully displayed. Winnipesaukee. The painting would Byron has an eye for landscapes, and be absolutely perfect for the home of I always admire an artist who can a lake and boating lover, with a single paint a scene and evoke emotion in the white sail boat strategically placed on viewer. His paintings drew me in and the canvas. The majestic mountains I suddenly felt as if I was right there span the background, showcasing the at the water’s edge while bubbling, perfection of the scene. tumbling water splashed over large Tristan is modest about his paintings, boulders. A mountain scene invited me and would share with me a scene or to step back in time to an old country how he painted something, but he road while hints of a painted New allowed me to have time alone with his England countryside offered quiet and work and the work of others so I could peace. take in everything the gallery offered. As I made my way through the Byron Carr’s paintings are gallery, I was suddenly aware of some spectacular, and most are larger in • Day Tripping size. A very talented artist, Carr is Continued on page 10 displaying landscapes and they are Curry Place, Holderness, NH | 603-968-7615 620 Tenney Mtn. Hwy, Plymouth, NH | 603-238-6990
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