About Maggie Beare

The WackyArt website was built to showcase the work of Maggie Beare.

Maggie discovered her artistic talent rather late in life, not having been previously exposed to painting through the normal routes of college, work
or relatives. 

Maggie is married with two grown-up children, and has two grandchildren. Currently residing in the village of Sutton-cum-Lound, near Retford, Maggie
has lived in North Nottinghamshire all her life.

Initially inspired and encouraged by an artistic friend, in September 2001 she began a Drawing and Painting evening class at the local village hall and after two years gained NVQ levels 1 and 2 in the subject. 

In the midst of this, at the end of her first year on the course, Maggie sustained a shattered ankle and broken leg, which left her in pot for
51 weeks and now means that she is unable to walk far without the aid
of a stick. This accident meant that she was forced to retire early through
ill health from her work as Catering Manager for a local secondary school. However, she managed, with the help of friends and relatives, to continue
her evening course to achieve her NVQs.
 
Previously a very active lady who never sat still, Maggie suddenly had to come to terms with having to do just that. Former activities she enjoyed such as gardening, and house-sitting and dog walking for friends had to be curtailed, along with her catering prowess at work and home. It was time to look for something to occupy her days that she would both enjoy and could do. The evening course in Drawing and Painting had given her the basic knowledge on which to build, and was an easy choice for her to pursue her new hobby further.

A subsequent fall a couple of years later has left her with permanent damage to her left hand, which includes a lack of dexterity and grip. This second accident threatened her newly found pastime, but a strong determination and independent nature (some may say stubborn!) meant that she struggled on to even greater success and acclaim. With a few additional aids and a lot of help and support from friends and her fellow artists, Maggie has managed to produce numerous works of art and attends classes, groups and workshops all over the area.

She is currently a member of the Worksop Society of Artists and Sutton Art Group, both of which meet weekly. This has brought her into contact with a whole range of people and has noticeably widened her circle of friends.

Maggie has contributed to exhibitions at the Thoresby Gallery, near Ollerton, the Botanical Gardens in Sheffield, as well as the annual exhibitions for Worksop Society of Artists and Sutton Art Group.

She works in the mediums of watercolour, acrylics and pastels, and also enjoys pen-work, but is certainly not afraid to try anything new and relishes in the new ideas presented to her at her weekly classes and groups. In the last 3 years Maggie has also extended her talents into silk painting through one-day workshops, which she now organises from time to time in Sutton-cum-Lound Village Hall.

Art has taken over her life – it has certainly taken over her conservatory, where she stores her materials and works on her pieces when she’s at home! Never missing an opportunity to attain a sale, any visitors are subjected to an impressive tour of the house walls, which have become a gallery for her artwork!

Those who know her well have been surprised but delighted at how this hobby has taken off for her. Her talent is even more surprising perhaps when you consider that her parents and two sisters are not particularly artistic, although her husband is a renowned photographer, and her son and daughter both displayed an aptitude for art and design at school. Maggie’s artwork prior to 7 years ago had been limited to assisting her children to colour-in their homework!

Her attitude of never being afraid to try anything new and always ready to “have a go”, has inspired and encouraged many of her art colleagues along the way.