Maysey Craddock: Unfolding Shores

By Phoebe Lusk-Hussong

Maysey Craddock (‘89) draws inspiration from banks and coastlines in her upcoming show at David Lusk Gallery, Unfolding Shores.

   On November 18, Maysey Craddock (‘89) will open her show Unfolding Shores at David Lusk Gallery. Her artwork is inspired by the connection of water and land in the Mississippi Delta, Perdido Bay, swamps, and coastal estuaries with colors of northern Italy. The images in the show are explorations of coastlines and their changes, painted on stitched paper bags and drawn on vintage wall paper.
   Maysey grew up in midtown Memphis and spent much of her childhood at St. Mary’s Episcopal School. She graduated from St. Mary’s as a part of the class of 1989, “The Last Ladies of the 80’s.” and then went on to attend Tulane University in New Orleans with a double major in sculpture and anthropology and a minor in Latin American studies. It wasn’t until 1997 that Maysey decided to become a full time artist; “I never thought it would last, but I was riding the wave that was in front of me, and then more kept coming.” From New Orleans to Germany, her career has taken her many places, but she has made her way back to Memphis and is currently living in midtown again. Her niece Meriwether McLean (8) is in middle school at St. Mary’s.
   Over the years, Maysey’s biggest inspiration has been Perdido Bay, Alabama. Her family owns a house on the water, and she spends a large part of her life there. Throughout her time in Perdido, Maysey has watched the Bay grow as she has grown, finding inspiration in its ever changing coastlines. As Maysey said, “Basically, I’m inspired by being in a place I love, Perdido, and seeing how it changes with time, storms, and development.”
   The opening of her show will take place on Friday, November 18 at David Lusk Gallery, and it will be up until December 23. Maysey will have a gallery talk about her work and her inspiration on December 10 at 11 AM.