Painting Maine – Thoughts from David Witbeck

Even though David Witbeck now lives in Rhode Island, Maine still holds a large portion of his heart and his work. He has so many memories he has created here and visits as often as he can. “Last October I spent a couple weeks recharging my Maine batteries and explored,” says Witbeck. “I wandered amongst the pole wharves of Friendship and Stonington, and visited many bays and harbors along the coast.”

Noontide by David Witbeck Haunted Island by David Witbeck

“This year I seem to have developed a fascination with pole wharves,” shares Witbeck. “They often look so spindly and fragile, and yet they withstand the coming and going of the tide and the bumping of boats against them.”

Image from Maine Encyclopedia

Pole wharves are a classic style that are often found in the fishing villages of Maine.

Witbeck loves walking low tide mudflats around and under the pole wharves. He spends a great deal of time looking for whatever secrets the receding water may have revealed. “Even though the pole wharves I visited don’t look a bit like the ones I painted, they certainly provided me with inspiration.  My work has always been more about what it feels like than what it looks like,” says Witbeck.

Lumpers by David Witbeck (wood cut) Town Landing by David Witbeck (wood cut) Menemsha Gulls by David Witbeck (wood cut)

Witbeck’s Solo Show at Maine Art Gallery also has a few new harbor paintings. “These pieces are based on the view of Camden and Penobscot Bay from Mt. Battie and Mt. Megunticook. The day was spectacularly beautiful, like so many autumn days in Maine,” he says. “Like all my work, they are essentially big shapes based ever so loosely on reality.”

Archipelago by David Witbeck Blue, Blue Bay by David Witbeck

Witbeck captures the Maine coast and all its wonders in a fun and interesting way. We welcome you to come and see this amazing show and challenge you not to smile.

David Witbeck

Maine Art Paintings and Sculpture is at 14 Western Ave in Kennebunk. We open every day at 10 am. Please check our website for daily closing hours as they will change with the seasons.  We do showcase Witbecks work all year round, however, this solo show will only be hanging through October 19.

Click this link to see the 360-degree virtual tour of Witbeck’s Solo Show

David Witbeck – A Solo Show

Click this link to read more about David Witbeck

David Witbeck – Artist Insights and Stories

Click this link to see our entire collection of Witbeck’s work

David Witbeck – Artist Page