If you’ve never been to an artwalk downtown, you are missing out! Periodically, the Charleston Art Galleries get together to open their doors in the evening, serving wine and appetizers to folks wandering through. You can take a glass and go from one gallery to another, socializing and getting a chance to view great art! The next French Quarter Art Walk will be this Friday, May 3rd, and will feature our very own Esther Doyle, exhibiting her work at the Spencer Art Gallery, in an exhibit delightfully called “The Nature of Things.”
To learn more about to the Art Walk, you can download a map of all participating galleries here. Of course, we suggest that you begin your journey at the Spencer Gallery. Our nature center store features stationary Esther designed from one of her paintings, and depicts a loggerhead turtle making her way back to the sea after laying eggs. Many of her paintings in the current exhibit were inspired by her observation of nature right here in her own backyard on the island. “Dewees Island is so inspirational,” Esther told me. “Everywhere you look, there is something to paint: raccoons and sea turtles, birds and landscapes. I love living here, where I’m inspired every day!”
Dewees Islanders will be impressed with her ability to capture island scenes in oils and canvas, and her choice of settings and poses from our island animal neighbors. I asked Esther for some more biographical information to share with readers. Esther started sketching as a young child and by the age of 13 was drawing detailed works in graphite. Though desiring to be an artist since childhood, she chose a “dependable, steady career” at the urging of her parents. After 5 years as a legal secretary, feeling stifled and bored, she pursued a career in nursing which was a great fit satisfying her desire to challenge herself on many levels, always learning something new, and having a meaningful contact with clients.
During her nearly 30 years of nursing, her artistic endeavors were limited to the occasional drawing. However, while recovering from a neck injury of her own, she pulled out the sketchpads, bought an easel and acrylic paints, and rediscovered her love of art and creating. This ultimately led to a side business in decorative art, painting children’s furniture, decorative accessories, and murals. In addition to the decorative art she began designing and building her own children’s furniture to paint. Several of her pieces were featured in “Fresh Paint” published by Lark Books. She has participated in many juried art shows around the Southeast.
Eventually, both her art business and eventually her nursing career were placed on hold while she took care of aging parents, relocated to Dewees Island, built a house, and furthered her education. Finding time to paint kept getting pushed aside. Determined to return to her art that she missed so much, she concluded that taking art classes would get her back into the studio regularly. At the suggestion of a friend, she started attending classes taught by Joyce Hall in painting with oils. “I love the medium and have enjoyed the classes and being back in my studio immensely.”
Esther is currently represented in several galleries in the Carolinas. She is an exhibiting member of the Charleston Artist Guild.
Esther says ” I want to create art that one can step into and enjoy being there or feel moved by the content. My style is largely realistic, but I also enjoy the painterly approach in drawing the eye to the focus of the work. I do sometimes like to place little surprises of interest somewhere in the painting for one to discover as they contemplate a piece. There is no end to the learning experience in art. Every day is a new discovery. I love it.”
Esther’s work is featured on the cover of this month’s publication: CHARLESTON FINE ART GUIDE – May Issue