I always loved painting landscapes, but I never felt like they were DISTINCTIVE enough to be memorable or recognized as coming from ME. I wanted them to feel unique, minimalist, and chic at the same time. My new interpretation of the New England “landscape-as-sculptural-abstract-painting” hits these goals and I'm so proud of them. You can share in my love of the colors, lines and shapes of this terrain in different seasons and let the art take you to your favorite places in your memory.
Here is my artist statement for this body of work:
My lineage proudly traces back well over 300 years here in New England; with Maine farmers begetting future generations of farmers, masons, and other humble workers. My roots here run deep and wide...there is a true connection to the land in my soul.
I traverse the forests, fields, and coastlines gathering inspiration, observations, and impressions that are translated into my sketchbooks. How many unique and wonderful characters have also stood on these grounds?
In this newest body of work called “Yaaas Queen!”, I explore Mother Nature’s New England landscape and celebrate her resilient majesty by combining unlikely bombastic techno-colors and expressive mark-making that tangle into a fresh unique landscape painting experience.
I use raw canvas fabric to meld acrylic inks, paints, and graphite into my own innovative version of an abstracted landscape. Inspired by topographic maps, I mold and affix the canvas into undulating hills and valleys to give the paintings a sculptural quality you can touch and experience. The colors, lines, and shapes recall those found in actual New England scenery. My goal, however, is to not depict a SPECIFIC place, but to help you fondly relate and recall your OWN favorite place outdoors.
My favorite inspirations are Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park in Maine. I love referencing colors and shapes of the marshes, the forests, the rivers/lakes, and the brooks streaming through the mountains.
The results are not traditional or stodgy…these are fresh, chic, modernist re-inventions of an age-old genre. Here, Mother Nature gets turned on her head.
When the request to create a large custom diptych in this style for the lounge of Renown Health in Reno, NV, I was beyond excited. The goal of my work has always been to uplift, inspire, and soothe others and this was the perfect place for it! I was also thrilled the designers of the space saw the same vision as myself in these works. They requested large panels that would hang together and work as a unit. They also requested a wintery color palette next to a late summer/early fall color palette. And finally, they wanted to add an elk and a fox to the works to tie them to the Lake Tahoe region.
Here are a few images from the beginning of the process where I was manipulating the raw canvas and developing the color with acrylic inks.
The entire process took a few months from start to finish and it was an AMAZING experience and a complete honor.
Let me know in the comments what you think! Have you seen these at Renown Health in Reno, NV? They hang next to the cafeteria...you can sit and stare at the work while you take a moment for yourself and have a snack. A much needed respite when you are a bit anxious in a hospital setting. If you would like a custom commission, please click here to learn more and fill out the request form.
Thank you to:
Indiewalls and Renown Health, as well as their hospital space photographer: Photography Credits: Kurtis LeMay https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurtis-lemay/
