On display at Central Vermont Medical Center Art Gallery until January 10, 2026

Artist Statement: “Growing up in Ohio post WWII, my first response to communication was to use color to express myself. Imagining stories with my drawings; my dolls, dressed in my inventive clothing, were my favorite playmates. I could replicate the natural world and the people in pencil, pastel, and paint but I would often feel I wanted to express something more original than what I was seeing.

Painting with watercolor allowed for more flow. Studying with Kaji Aso in Boston brought out the expression of an internal spirit in hue rather than form. I have since found that developing a painting through a gestural line to become a form with some lovely mixed tones filling out spaces was satisfying internal wandering. Being in dialogue with the story growing before me was a natural way to lose myself and then find myself later when I looked at the delivered painting. Some might call these abstract, but there are recognizable forms, emotions, movement, and stories flowing in a dance of stroke, texture, energy, and varying hues of mixed paint. Some canvas work is created full of itself; others need layers and years to find their completion. Each painting is waiting for recognition of its validity.

Color is instinctive to me; it enriches my presence. Creating allows me to experience my life force. These tough days can make the escape into any form of art be a renewal to the spirit. It helps to connect with what I am calling internal wanderings or that personal space to roam our essential self. The viewer can also experience an internal wandering as the eye travels around the painting being led by the emotion of color or the spirit of form.

I have maintained a studio at Studio Place Arts, in Barre for 25 years proudly being one of its founders. Working in an art community takes away some of the isolation artists feel. The long-time monthly artistic companionship of my Second Tuesday Art Group keeps me thinking about my work and learning to express myself in words not only in paint-stroked color. My work has been shown at the Vermont Supreme Court in 2001 and 2004, at the Vermont Arts Council, in the Verve exhibit at Kent Museum (2015) and in many locations in the area. My handprinted silk scarves are displayed in Artisans Hand Craft Gallery and other Vermont galleries.”

If you are interested in purchasing one of Maggie's paintings, please contact her directly: 802-279-0774 | colormuse@gmail.com | www.maggieneale.com.

How Can I Display My Artwork at the Art Gallery?

The process for submitting work for display at the Art Gallery is an easy one. 

Please send three images, a website and an artist’s statement/exhibition proposal to Kate.Arslambakova@cvmc.org. 

Proposals are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and we will be in touch if your work is selected for an exhibition.