Agawam River, 2021 Along the Trails

Agawam River, Oil on Panel, 18"x36"

The Agawam River traverses through Wareham, MA and and is part of the Wareham River estuary watershed. It is named in honor of the peaceful Native Americans that helped the Massachusetts Bay Colony establish its first settlement in Springfield, MA.  (per Wikipedia). This area of the River belongs to the Wareham Land Trust. The view here is from the kayak launch looking up river.  As an artist and also a member of both the Wareham Land Trust and the Marion Art Center, I was delighted to find they will be joining hands in promoting both the arts and land preservation with the show Along the Trails. The works must be inspired by, or depicting identified locations, at area land trust properties in Wareham, Mattapoisett, Rochester and Marion. 

The show opens Thursday, October 14 and runs through Friday, November 12, 2021

Hiatus, New Studio, New Beginnings

Agawam River, Wareham, MA

 I have a newish studio.  After almost a month of installing new vinyl floors, painting the walls and rearranging furniture, I am back to work.  This hiatus threw me a bit behind schedule with upcoming shows.  So, I have put the Fall Hydrangeas aside for now and begun work on Agawam River.  

As an artist and also a member of both the Wareham Land Trust and the Marion Art Center, I was delighted to find they will be joining hands in promoting both the arts and land preservation. The mission of the Marion Art Center is to enrich the SouthCoast community by supporting and promoting a vibrant arts experience for all. This year artists are invited to submit works inspired by the natural landscape for the upcoming fall exhibition entitled Along the Trails.  The works must be inspired by, or depicting identified locations, at area land trust properties in Wareham, Mattapoisett, Rochester and Marion. 

As a Wareham artist I am excited to promote the beauty of nature and the outdoor spaces provided to us all by the Trusts and to showcase the local arts.  I am often inspired by the Trusts’ lands when hiking and photographing.  For this show, the Agawam River Kayak Launch is my inspiration.  When photographing there this week, the river was high and fast from Ida’s rains.  The water was crystal clear and the reflections of the greens and the ochres were exciting to capture.

Hydrangeas in Fall, A Work in Progress

Hydrangeas in Fall, Oil on Panel, 18"x36"

Trying to find a green to represent the drying blossoms that isn't too chromatic yet does not appear so gray that image falls flat.  Is everything to heavy on the right, especially the big green leaf?  We'll see.  I really need to think about balance and movement before too much time is put into the details.  

 

Hydrangeas in the Fall, A Work In Progress

 

Hydrangeas in Fall, Oil on Panel, 18" x 36"

Just some grinding detail work.  I still like the pink that pops up here and there.  

Hydrangeas in the Fall

Hydrangeas in the Fall, Oil on Panel, 18"x36"

I have moved from pink blossoms to blue and green just because I think it is a more pleasing color.  I will probably include some pink as a sort of pop to the piece.  I've also added leaves and blossoms to the left side.  I like the idea of the eye being consumed by the plant without a spatial escape.  That large yellow-green leaf pointing to the left offers possibilities of a compositional device.

Oranges on Turquoise Plate

 

Oranges on Turquoise Plate, 2021, Oil on Panel, 18"x36"

I wish I could find a poem about oranges

or even the oranges of my palette.

This makes me wonder, 

what claim was first.

Of course it was the hue 

which rules supreme.

No WB no Emily no Walt to

Satisfy my thirst.

So I will just have to say

to orange in my simple way,

You grand and glorious secondary, thanks.

Hydrangeas, Fall Transition

 

Hydrangeas in the Fall, 2021, Oil on Panel, 18"x36"

I love painting flowers.  I love the intricate detail of each petal; its color, texture, form.  I also love the way the flowers sit in their surroundings submerged in verdant greens.  This is a large painting which will occupy my time, but provide a challenge that I am in need of.  Hydrangea blooms, if left on the bush, toward fall will turn pink and green as they dry.  Looking at this composition I see a need for more activity to the left.