rovincetown is a special place that, for centuries, has captured the attention of many famous artists, poets, and writers. “For me, the quiet solitude in Provincetown offseason is a perfect getaway to catch-up and do hopefully do some painting,” says Bigbee. “The incredible light and colorful surroundings are captured perfectly in this Season of Solitude, as well as others sparked from this same visit.”
This year we began with seventy-eight original works from thirteen artists; six pieces each. Then, as most of you know, this is where the process begins. Between the artist, local designer Louise Hurlbutt from Hurlbutt Designs, and you the voters, the show was curated down to three pieces from each artist. These three were carefully “chosen” to be in the show, and we so appreciate all the help we had making these difficult decisions. The three choices for each artist were just as arduous this year as in the past.
“I decided to rent a cabin at Wolf’s Neck Woods State Park in June to work on my September show. I booked their senior cabin and off I went,” shares Bigbee. “I invited my friend and artist Ingunn Joergensen, and we escaped to a slice of heaven for a while.”
Capturing and celebrating the colors of Maine is one of the prime desires of a New England artist. It is both a skill and a talent artists Claire Bigbee, Ingunn Joergensen and John LeCours share. This talented trio is featured for three weeks at Shows on Maine Art Hill opening September 1. The artists will attend an opening reception at 10 Chase Hill on Saturday, September 1 from 5 – 7 PM. When three artists together are group together, there needs to be a sense of cohesiveness, a thread that weaves through and connects. For this show, it is color.
A painting, for Claire, is an expression of those moments when struck by a view. It is her attempt to keep that white heat moment of excitement. The middle tones in this painting have a darkness, the colors are muted, but there is a harmonious glowing quality, like a thin veil over everything.
“The winters are stripped down and everything slows down. I like that solitude. The light is incredible. The blue shadows in the winter and the skies. The beach. The water. The coastline. The pastoral inland views,” Bigbee raves. “The whole state is just a huge painting waiting to be painted.”