Frances McGuire  ARTIST
  Commissions
  Available Work
  Oak Bluffs and Martha's Vineyard
  Room Series
  Hudson River Valley 2018 - the beginning
  Hospital Drawings 2017 - 2018
  Blue Period 2018
  Poster Boxes
  Ferry Crossing
  Escapist Paintings or You Paint What You Know
  Pipe Rail Fences
  Motels
  Invitations and More
  Drawings
  Digitalized Archival Prints
© 2024 Frances McGuire

Blog

"Write what you know" has been said by many college professors.  Usually I paint what I've seen and know but I guess these fall into an unexpected category.   Let's just say I've experienced a lot of knee surgeries lately and have been unable to go to my studio to paint in months.    And so while in the hospital and under the influence of drugs, surrounded by buildings and the Hudson River I began these.  The surgeon would begin the operating experience with music,  he primed the room and unknowingly primed his patient with the music as an opening salvo.  So it was being rolled in under bright lights,  kind hands draping warm blankets, and then the sweet drugs going in, with the briefest moments of euphoria kicking in, and bam, out.  The operating theater scenes are based on reality but fictionalized because the patient is physically there but not there.  I've loved doing these.



2017 is starting off with great projects.  I've just completed a mural for the iconic Ritz Cafe in Martha's Vineyard.  Know as The Ritz Cafe since 1945 the historic bar has now been transformed under the renowned chef Benjamin DeForest and renamed The Ritz Soulkitchen & Barbecue.  The Ritz Soulkitchen & Barbecue now features first rate food, bands, drinks, two murals and several other works of art while retaining the soul of the former "Dive Bar."  Given my history on the Vineyard, and specifically Oak Bluffs,  I'm very grateful that Ben DeForest reached out to me to contribute to this exciting new venue.  The place is already hopping with diners, drinkers,  Islanders, visitors, bands, and dancers.