Nun expresses spirituality through painting and poetry

Date: 5/19/2009

By Lori Szepelak

Correspondent



HOLYOKE -- For more than 30 years, art and poetry have played an integral role in the life of Sister Maria Joseph Nace, S.P., especially spiritually.

"For me, art is a spiritual process," Nace, a member of the Sisters of Providence, a religious congregation,said "Playing transparencies against opacities, it goes beyond signs and develops its own mystery."

During a recent early afternoon interview at Providence Place, Nace explained her creative process, and shared her favorite poems in her recently published book, "Poet with a Brush."

Her 80-page book is a compilation of select pieces of poetry illustrated with her original art in watercolors and oils, an eclectic mix of landscapes, seascapes, floral and still life paintings. Her poetry is included under the sections titled "Seasons," "Artifice," "War," "Departure," and "Presence." Another unique feature in the back of the book is a letterpress print of a striking tree with the words:

Hail,

much known

in the apple of tree

and shade of life

dreaming a word

shaped by a vessel in time,

Ave.

"I am convinced that in my painting, as in my writing, I do much doubting, searching and liberating of chaff in order to bring myself into creative consequences that must be honest -- no veils, no shams, no camouflage -- utterly reduced to a word," she said.

Her book, priced at $20, will also be available this fall at Barnes & Noble Booksellers.

As she reflected on her religious life and career as a nurse, she noted that a one-year sabbatical that included a stint at the Breadloaf Writers Colony in Middlebury, Vt., changed her life.

"That experience unearthed my poetry that had potential," she said.

Nace says her inspiration for her painting and poetry comes from within.

"My interior has to be inspired," she added.

In early 2008, as Nace was cleaning her studio space, she rediscovered many of her poems and paintings that had been hidden from view for some time. She credited Hitchcock Press of Holyoke and Millennium Press in Westfield for helping her bring the book project to fruition.

Nace also credited her "influential teacher/mentors" William Schultz, PSA, and Jack Flynn, AWS, for their creative inspiration.

Nace spends an average of 10 hours -- and up to 80 hours -- a week on her paintings in particular. Currently, her favorite subjects to paint are seascapes and landscapes, and she has works for sale in galleries in Essex, Saybrook and Mystic, all in Connecticut.

Whether it's painting or poetry, Nace is at home in her Enfield, Conn. studio most days. Soon, she will also be leading watercolor painting classes in Mystic -- a seasonal pastime she truly relishes.

This poet -- with brush in hand most days -- provides inspiration through her lines -- of words and brush strokes -- effortlessly and with conviction.

"I spend a life time of painting, hoping that perhaps one piece will find voice," she said.

Nace can be reached at mariajoseph@sisofprov.org for more information about her book.