Esther Garcia Eder Studio Tour
Since artist, Esther Garcia Eder, joined the gallery roster in September of 2023, I have had the opportunity to spend time with her at both of her studios - in Maine and in Massachusetts. In September I made the journey out to the island of Vinalhaven where Esther has maintained a home and studio for decades. This spring brought along a chance for me to visit Esther in her South End studio in Boston before she heads back up to Vinalhaven for the summer and fall seasons.
Esther’s Vinalhaven Studio
Esther’s studio on Vinalhaven, an island located twelve miles off the coast of Maine, is in the most charming studio building behind her home. The bright yellow barn doors are a cheerful welcome to anyone lucky enough to visit Esther in her studio on the island during the summer and fall months. Most of the work in Esther’s island studio is inspired by her time in Maine - she paints plein air while she’s on Vinalhaven and sets herself up in the many quiet coves, the island’s quintessential harbor, and its quarries as she captures scenes and moments that are distinctly Maine in her signature gestural and vibrant style.
Having been there myself, I love that we currently have a painting of her Vinalhaven studio here at the gallery.
Esther’s Boston Studio
Esther’s studio in Boston is in the heart of the South End which allows her to actively participate in the many SoWa art shows and events during the winter and spring months. Though she has paintings of Maine, California, and other landscapes inspired by her travels, it is her figures that occupy most of her time while she’s painting in Boston.
On many of these figures in her Boston studio, Esther notes: “these paintings are my raison d'etre, my ‘reason for being’ as an artist. Usually in a large format, they combine memories of concrete moments and places in images that embody these memories. The paintings express these memories in the way that dreams do, indirectly and with a connection that is hidden but evocative."
It was a fascinating experience for me to be in Esther’s Boston studio immersed in a completely different body of work than what I’d previously experienced in her Maine studio. A bonus thrill for me was seeing in person the yellow boombox given to Esther by one of her sons that makes a key appearance in one of my favorite works by Esther that we have at the gallery, Sunny Spot.
A special thank you to Esther for opening up both of her studios to me. Any time spent with Esther is always inspiring and uplifting.
