By Jordan J. Phelan
[email protected]
SUNAPEE, N.H. — Beyond the double doors and reception desk at the Sunapee Cove Assisted Living facility sits a woman of grace and remarkable talent surrounded by her life’s work of watercolors and paintings, a collection directly attributed to her hidden aptitude for bringing life to the canvas.
At 92, Sylvia Willoughby is not reluctant to share the origins of her motivation.
“I just needed a sense of peace and this is a wonderful way of making me settle down.”
In a sit down conversation with Willoughby, she was also open to revealing her journey from her hometown of Bennington, Vermont, to the fascinating destinations of the Alps, France and Japan, where she was heavily influenced by the culture’s watercolor art form.
Beginning at the age of 12, Willoughby gravitated toward the arts. Even today she is able to vividly recall her first interaction with the craft, which included drawings of horses. From there, Willoughby attempted to further her mastery of the form by weaving art into her academic studies at Ohio Wesleyan University. Despite her best efforts, she was only able to muster one summer course on the topic while simultaneously pursuing — and ultimately completing — a degree in education.
Willoughby remained in Ohio working as a school teacher, eventually switching professions to focus on real estate. Throughout the mid-20th Century, Willoughby, now a mother of four children, dedicated her efforts to her occupation and family.
In the 1970s, the spark to revisit her imaginative interest returned after she retired and moved to Florida, but she still had no intention of making her work known to others.
“I worked with people down in Florida and everybody seemed to be superior,” she said. “I did it for myself more than [the attention it would bring].”
This outpouring of creativity and precision continued until this past summer when Willoughby decided to move back up to New England. It was then that her friends and family discovered a trove of artwork created over the course of the past 40 years stuffed in her walk-in closet and underneath her bed. They decided it would be best to share their mother’s creations with the world.
On Friday afternoon, residents of Sunapee Cove Assisted Living joined Willoughby’s family to view 80 pieces of artwork — 60 of which were matted or framed — displayed on the facility’s tables and walls. Some of the pieces, ranging from $3 cards to $250 originals were marked for sale, but most on display were already owned by members of the family.
As viewers admired her handiwork in silent awe, others did not attempt to mask their astonishment.
“I didn’t realize she was an artist,” said Lois Flanders, a friend of Willoughby.”[The paintings] are just beautiful.”
“You must have painted 24 hours a day to create all of these paintings,” remarked another attendee.
One visitor even requested Willoughby’s services in artistically capturing her family’s cabin by the lake. Willoughby does plan to start painting once again after the holiday season, but that is not to say that she has stopped in recent years. In fact, one piece showcased on Friday was completed just last week.
Toward the end of the showcase, Willoughby and her family donated three large paintings to the facility, citing that the residents and caretakers have greatly enjoyed their presence on the main room’s walls.
While she never anticipated such a large crowd gazing in bewilderment at her own artwork, Willoughby is glad that her creations have brought so much joy to those around her and thankful for all the people she has come into contact with along the way.
“I have met some wonderful people here. It has been a pleasure.”
As your daily newspaper, we are committed to providing you with important local news coverage for Sullivan County and the surrounding areas.