When Big Canvases Get Small – Insights from Artist Craig Mooney

Posted on by Maine Art

When most of our clients think about Craig Mooney, they think big. He is known for his large canvases that barely can contain the New England skies and shores. When he showed up for this solo show with fourteen 12 x 12 pieces, we knew something fun was about to happen.

“The little ones are studies in reverse,” says Mooney. “They are complete paintings, just small.”

Usually, an artist makes a study to see how the colors are going to play out. Then they scale up. Mooney has taken a large painting he had already completed and scaled-down.

 Breezy Bay Islands 60x60

“Regarding the 12 x 12’s, most cases, I already know they work large, but what I don’t know is how they work small,” admits Mooney. “This was a real challenge for me. I paint large, it what I do. Even my brushes are large. When I have so much space, I can solve problems easily. Here, I am almost claustrophobic. I have to say a lot in a little space. The small pieces have to be as compelling as the large pieces. For me, that is hard to do.”

Breezeway 12x12

The islands in the big and beautiful 60 x 60, Breezy Bay Islands are found again in the smaller Breezeways. Likewise, is the Dory.

Dory 12x12

“I have been painting these boats since I was a child. They continue to reappear throughout my life and career,” shares Mooney. “Beach Shack is a return to that childhood theme. Whether the dory represents safety or escape, I am unsure. They are just always with me.”

Beach Shack 42x42

We welcome you to wander around Shows on Maine Art Hill up at 10 Chase Hill Road. It is a quiet and relaxed space that allows the viewer time and peace to absorb the work and the stories. Mooney’s Show runs until August 8. Visit from 10 am to 5 pm every day. FMI call 207-967-0049 or visit CRAIG MOONEY”S ONLINE SHOW to see the show virtually.

To read more stories and insights from Mooney, visit our blog posts that feature him by clicking this link.

CRAIG MOONEY – STORIES AND INSIGHTS

To see our entire collection of available works visit his Artist Page.

CRAIG MOONEY – ARTIST PAGE

Artist Julia M. Doughty

Posted on by Maine Art

“I am a stone scavenger and an iron hound. Since I was a child, rusty iron remnants discarded by past lives, have lured me. Old beds and cars and other rotting, wonderful iron carcasses call out to me. They are rich in history and speak of, perhaps, a simpler way of life. I love the color and texture of the rust, especially when combined with stone and wood. I love that nature has changed these objects in its process of reclaiming them. After I find these special objects, I continue their metamorphosis in my studio. Sometimes I know right away how I will incorporate them into my sculpture and sometimes it takes years. “

“Mindful scavenging insists that I step outside of myself to immerse in and study nature. Its beauty and the patterns found in every living or dormant thing, never cease to spark within me, a deep and soulful appreciation. This solitary time feeds me with renewed passion and strength which sees me through my artistic process in the studio and thus, my journey as an artist. Each piece I create is unique. They continue to evolve alongside the artist in me. I am most passionate about my seahorse and lobster series. It amuses me that the lobster is also a scavenger.”

Originally from Nova Scotia, Julia has now lived in Maine for 15 years. Her art has always been impassioned by the sea and in its proximity, she feels alive and creatively complete. With a BFA from The Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Julia’s journey in textile, graphics, and costume design has led her to the joyful discovery of ‘found object’ sculpture. Every aspect of her creative process, from scavenging the woods and coastlines to hours spent in her studio, brings her profound peace. Julia is drawn to the elements of iron (the rustier the better), copper, stone, and wood and strives to balance them in her sculpture. She has had several solo shows as well as group shows in Maine and in Nova Scotia. 

Below are several links to learn more about Doughty and see all of her available works.

Julia M. Doughty – Artist Page

Julia M. Doughty- THE BLOG – Artist Insights and Stories

THE CHOICE SHOW  2020

 

New Techniques and Tools – Insights from Artist Craig Mooney

Posted on by Maine Art

Artist Craig Mooney opened his Summer Solo Show at Shows on Maine Art Hill on July 20.  In less than twenty-four hours, almost half of the show’s pieces have sold. 

John Spain, the owner of Maine Art Hill, says, “It was fabulous. The works Mooney brought to this event are spectacular. I knew it. He knew it. The question always comes down to if the public recognizes it.”

They did. Both collectors and people seeing Mooney’s work for the first time fell in love. The most intriguing and most commented-on part of this show is its diversity. From the size to the subject there is a fantastic variety of work. Each is, without a doubt, a Mooney, but all hold something just a little unique, including a collection works that he has created using a new technique. 

Both Sandbar Light and Shadow and Above it All are lovely examples of this. He has continued with his big brushes but has added in a trowel of sorts to his repertoire. 

“The tool is something I picked up at the hardware store, not from the art supply catalog,” says Mooney. “It is a large flat metal tool.  It reminds me of something you might use for bricklaying or plastering. I love it.”

Mooney uses this to create a more geometric design, both in subject as well as the paint itself. The windswept skies and seas and stunning green islands and marshes have a new and exciting appearance that forces the viewer to lean in. 

“With solid and smooth strokes, I can create movement with the trowel,” explains Mooney. “Done is successive strokes; it adds a little bit of texture that I have not been able to create with a brush.”

Earth Meets Sky is another example of this work. 

“When I work big, the paint has to be compelling. It can’t just be an object or a place,” says Mooney. “It is not about how well I can paint. I want to show something interesting, the history and the mystery.”

This show is full of Craig Mooney stories.  We invite you all to see it for yourself. Shows on Maine Art Hill is open every day 10 – 5. Mooney’s show will run until August 8. FMI call 207-967-0049 or visit CRAIG MOONEY SOLO SHOW 2019

To read more stories and insights from Mooney, visit our blog posts that feature him by clicking this link.

CRAIG MOONEY – STORIES AND INSIGHTS

To see our entire collection of available works visit his Artist Page.

CRAIG MOONEY – ARTIST PAGE

Pop-Up Lynn Ericson

Posted on by Maine Art

Featured Artist, Lynn Ericson is the guest artist for Pop-Up beginning Tuesday, June 23 to Monday, June 29. Read on to learn more about her inspiration, her process, and her work.

June 23 to June 29

As a graphic designer, Lynn Ericson spent years capturing the essence of a product or service and communicating that message with immediacy. She has traded designing logos and advertising campaigns on the computer for acrylic paint, but the goal of her painting is very much the same: capturing the essence and making a connection.

She attempts to communicate the feeling of a scene that captures her attention. She is struck by the blueness of a coastal cove, the liveliness of a field of flowers or the intensity of a sky. Often it’s the memory of a color combination or the strong composition in a landscape that first attracts her.

Though she starts with photos, the painting takes on a life of its own, and the variety of the Maine seasons and the lushness of the French landscape are endless sources of inspiration. Lynn has a B.A. degree in English Literature from the University of Maine and an M.F.A from Rochester Institute of Technology. She lives in Hollis, Maine.

For more info about Ericson and her work, follow this link to her website.

lynnericson-fine-art

Let us know if you’re coming to L.K. Sleat’s show on Facebook!

 

New England’s Perfection – Artist Craig Mooney as Solo Summer Show

Posted on by Maine Art

“It is a place only I have been. It is the epitome of New England’s perfection. It is a piece and a part of each beach, mountain, or ocean I have visited. It is where I am at peace, but it is wherever you find happiness,” says artist Craig Mooney.

We are happy to be hosting artist, Craig Mooney for his one-man show beginning July 20th at Shows on Maine Art Hill. This show will run for three weeks and contain, not only his classic seascapes and landscapes but also many fabulous new works. 

Born and raised in Manhattan, Mooney left the city in 1988 to attend Wheaton College in Norton, Massachusetts, where he received a fine arts degree in 1992. After so many years in the city, he has now found a quieter place to live and work, Vermont.

“All the places I have called home have inspired me, my native New York, the mountains and farms near my studio in Stowe, Vermont, and the beaches of Maine and Massachusetts,” says Mooney. “In all my work, it is always the sense of atmosphere I am after.”

In Mooney’s upcoming show,  he has a variety of newer themes as well as older ones. The romantic themes of weather and storms that were familiar to the 18th and 19th-centuries seascape painters have always influenced his work, but this show will be more. 

“In the past, I tried to capture a ‘moment in time’ which evolved into works more about symbolism. The sea and land, the sailboats in the distance, these are more metaphors for a more in-depth dialogue with the subject,” explains Mooney. “This way, the paintings can be entered by anyone.” 

All the works for this show are done in oil, and some pieces are quite large, exceeding sixty inches, which is classic Mooney. The hook this year, he is also experimenting with small 12 x 12 inch works.

“I want to capture the essence of my inspirations in smaller works. Can the vast skies and landscapes be felt in miniature? I have proven they can,” Mooney says. “There will be a few more surprises, though. I have departed from past shows with the inclusion of a variety of new subjects – seals, waterfowl, and different wildlife of coastal Maine. It is going to be fun.”

Mooney loves his studio in Vermont, but with all the time he spends in Kennebunk and the weekends spent with family on Cape Cod, he has become a “coastal painter.” He is not sure when it happened, but it is part of who is, so the new works are a fascinating new addition.

John Spain, owner of Maine Art Hill, notes, ”I am always thrilled to have a solo show with Craig Mooney. His talent and ability to capture Maine and its beauty never cease to amaze me. With the addition of small works and new themes, this show is a must visit.”

Mooney looks forward to discussing his work and his process during his Artist Reception on Saturday, July 20th, from 5 to 7 PM.  This show runs through Thursday, August 8th. Shows on Maine Art Hill is at 10 Chase Hill Road and is open from 10 AM to 5 PM daily. FMI visit www.maine-art.com or call  207-967-0049.

Virtual Tour will be available the evening of Friday, July 19th. Click here to view.

To read more stories and insights from Craig Mooney follow this link

To see our entire collection of Mooney’s work follow this link

Protected Places  – Insights from Artist Ingunn Joergensen

Posted on by Maine Art

For this show, Ingunn Joergensen is revisiting her barn and boathouse theme. These works have the simplicity which comes from her native Norway, yet they hold the warmth of an old New England barn. 

“I don’t think I will ever grow tired of these structures,” says Joergensen. “It’s the idea of protecting the crop, the herd, the lively hood, and in that the future of those who rely on it. To me, that is love in its purest form.”

For Joergensen, the barn becomes a symbol of hope and hard work. It is a connection to the land or sea and holds purpose and presence.  These structures tie us to those before us and future generations. 

“It is a circle of life. It’s a sense of place and belonging we all need and crave in our lives,” says Joergensen. “I have always said that a barn is my Cathedral. These new works are a place of peace, decluttered, and expanded from our ego.”

Likewise, Joergensen’s nest series carries the same metaphor.  

“My nests are a continuation of the same idea, just in a very organic version,” she shares. “They are a brilliant structure, both strong and fragile, and made to protect something much loved.”

To see Joergensen’s entire collection for this show, please visit before July 18. These works are hung at Shows on Maine Art Hill, along with works from fellow artists Julie Houck and Margaret Gerding. You may also see the online virtual tour by following this link. VIRTUAL TOUR – JOERGENSEN, GERDING, and HOUCK.

To read more about Ingunn, click here – Stories and Insights – Ingunn Joergensen.

To see our complete collection of Ingunn’s work, click here – Artist Page Ingunn Joergensen. 

All three artists show with Maine Art Hill year round. Please visit anytime or call for more info.

Pop-Up with Michael Goodwin

Posted on by Maine Art

Featured Artist, Michael Goodwin is the guest artist for Pop-Up beginning Tuesday, July 16 to July 22. Read on to learn more about his inspiration, his process, and his work.

Meet the Artist and Reception on Thursday, July 18th from 4-6

July 16 to July 22

“I was born in beautiful, rural northeastern Maine in the 1950s. The nature around me became the greatest distraction from an otherwise boring, isolated childhood. Since my grandfather, a self-taught artist painted landscapes, I did too.

I graduated from Maine College of Art in 1977 with a BFA. My inspiration is nature, primarily Northern, Southern and Coastal Maine, Woodstock New Brunswick.”

“My parents approved a few of my past times – I was a confirmed sissy according to them – but at least painting pictures was neither masculine nor a feminine occupation and they approved. They bought me my first set of oil paints when I was 12 years old and my life was transformed.

Although in art school I majored in sculpture, I never stopped painting, returning specifically to the landscape at age 40. I’ve never looked back.”

For more info about Goodwin and his work check out the following links to his social media.

Facebook

Instagram

Also, check out this fabulous interview with Tupelo Quarterly

Let us know if you’re coming to Michael Goodwin’s show on Facebook!

The Skies are Full of Light – Artist Julie Houck

Posted on by Maine Art

Classically trained in San Francisco and France, Julie Houck studied light on form and ‘Old Masters painting. In this, she brings her unique style to Maine Art HIll.

“The essence of light and classical training is seen in my work. In the more contemporary pieces, White Cloud and When the Rain Stopped, the Sun Came Out, transparent layers are used to create luminosity,” says Houck.”My canvases are double oil primed linen, which also gives luminosity to the surface.”

Landscapes and seascapes are a primary theme in Houck’s work. The ever-changing sky of northern New England allows a variety of color, depth, and emotion to be present in this new body of work.

“I am drawn to coastal wetlands and the ever-changing patterns of clouds as they dance across the sky,” says Houck. “The unpredictable and ethereal nature of the sky, juxtaposed with the calmness and serenity of the marshlands provide an infinite source of inspiration.”

Squall Line

In work, such as Squall Line,  and Around the Bend, the sky explodes, yet the clearing clouds offer up a shaft of light piercing the darkness. It is a little Zen garden, and the marsh below remains calm and peaceful.

The Temptest

“The Tempest and Breaking Free, remind me that life is full of challenges,” explains Houck.  “In contrast, The Colors of Morning calls up the quiet place within that brings me home and reminds that even the most turbulent times will pass.”

Breaking Free

Many of Houck paintings are in oil, but a few are encaustic or a blend of both.  Encaustic was initially developed by the ancient Greeks to seal cracks in the hulls of their sailing ships. Often pigment was added to create colored paintings on the hulls serving a dual purpose.

“Encaustic is pigmented beeswax. I use artist grade pigments mixed into beeswax. The wax is then melted and applied with a stiff brush,” shares Houck. “Each layer has to be fused by flashing with a heat source. The wax can be manipulated by heat guns, small torches, and irons, but after it is archival. It will not melt, and is impervious to water.”

Come and see both styles of Houck’s work at Shows on Maine Art Hill at 10 Chase Hill in Kennebunk. As part of a trio of local female artists, this show will run until  July 18. The Show Gallery is open every day at 10 am. FMI call 207-967-0049 or visit us at www.maine-art.com to see the show its entirety.

Click here to view our complete collection of Jullie Houck’s work.

Click here to read more stories and insights from Julie Houck

Pop-Up with Stephen Young

Posted on by Maine Art

Featured Artist, Stephen Young is the guest artist for Pop-Up beginning Tuesday, June 25  to July 1 AND July 9 – July 15. Read on to learn more about his inspiration, his process, and his work.

June 25 to July 1 and July 9 to July 15

 

Stephen Young is a third generation Nantucketer and a member of the Young’s Bicycle Shop family. He attended Cushing Academy and studied Architecture at Dean College. His art career started by painting rocks and selling them on the sidewalks of Nantucket as a child. From there he continued over the years from furniture design to house and interior design. For the last few years,  he has been living in Maine and selling his paintings in stores from Maine to Cape Cod to New Jersey. 

His studio, once private, is now open to the public and also now includes a gallery space.  

“Someone once told me ‘Don’t be afraid of color.’ These are words I live by to this day,” says Young.  “So don’t you be afraid of color, either. Let me show you how color can bring your walls to life.”

 

 SIDE NOTE

What’s with the name? ACK-ME- ARTS. ACK is the Nantucket call sign for the Nantucket Airport. As in JFK, LAX. My roots are from Nantucket “ACK” and my current life is in Maine “ME” so together they make up my business name “ACK – ME – ARTS”. 

For more info about Young and his work, follow this link to his website.

https://www.ackmearts.com/

 

Let us know if you’re coming to Stephen Young’s show on Facebook!

“Morning Light” A 30-Day Challenge for Margaret Gerding

Posted on by Maine Art

The 30-day “Morning Light” challenge is a showcase of how Margaret Gerding’s artistic process works. Each painting is done quickly, within an hour, plein-air, on an 8×8 panel.

Day 3 Day 7

“This subject matter reflects the time of the day I often paint. I love the quiet early morning, the sound of the birds awakening, the light setting the scene, the stillness in the air,” says Gerding. “I like the solitude. When the world is still, I am closest to nature and the soft light of morning.”

Day 6 Day 4

When an artist sets out on one of these challenges, it is hard not to have expectations.  The morning sun easily creates a picture in the mind of how this grid would eventually look.

“I didn’t expect so many overcast days, but I have learned to love the diffused colors and atmosphere that goes along with it,” says Gerding about the surprise at the end of a cloudy month. 

Day 2 Day 5

No matter the color, looking at the collection as a whole gives excellent insight into how Gerding works. These small pieces are often just the beginning of something more.

“The quick studies capture a moment in time and are used to produce future large studio created paintings,” explains Gerding. “It’s important for me to work directly observing nature—the struggles along with the successes. Dividing my time between plein-air and studio painting has allowed me a balance between study and refinement.”

For the 2019 Summer Show, Gerding has arranged these 8 x 8 s in a beautiful grid. Each sells for $850, with special pricing for multiples. 

Gerding’s work will be featured at Shows on Maine Art Hill through July 18, alongside Ingunn Joergensen and Julie Houck.  Shows is open every day from 10 – 5.  FMI call 207-967-0048 or to see the entire show online click the link below.

Gerding, Houck, and Joergensen- A Summer Show

To read more about Margaret Gerding follow this link – Stories and Insights from Margaret Gerding

To see our entire collection of work from Gerding follow this link – Margaret Gerding – Artist Page