For the Love of Boats

There is no better way to celebrate summer than to be on or near the water. With that comes boat trips and harbor wandering.  Both David Witbeck and Bethany Harper Williams have captured the love of each but in very different ways.

With as many different harbors along the coast of Maine and New England, we have become an artist’s dream destination. Lobster boats, fishing boats, yachts, sailboats, dories and don’t forget the dingy all find their way into the works of the artists who love them.

Present company included.

Bethany Harper Williams has a new series of lobster boats that was inspired by a dinner at the Ramp back in early spring. “We were having dinner, and the light was just incredible. It set the lobster boats and traps aglow,” says Williams. “I’m excited to see the reaction to these.”

Considering many of these new lobster boat pieces have been sold, it is safe to say they were very well received. If you love William’s treatment of people in her beach scenes, you will be amazed at what she has done with the harbor.

“Like with my treatment of people, I’m trying to simplify the boats and capture them without too much detail. Simple shapes, textures, they are like my sunbathers, ‘blobs’ of color,” says Williams. “The water becomes my area to abstract with shapes and textures, energetic brush strokes.”

William’s work has been described as capturing the calm and movement or energy at the same time. “I think this reflects who I am, calm at my core but continually active.”

When looking at Witbeck’s work the same texture and shape of the water and vessels are found, but the abstraction is gone. The clear spatial arrangements Witbeck’s provides, give structure to his work. 

“All my work is essentially big shapes based ever so loosely on reality,” says David Witbeck “Even my seascape and harbor scenes are essentially a sky or water shape combined with a land shape.”

When looking at his boats, the shapes are certainly obvious and at the forefront. Clean and basic lines allow for the addition of brilliant color and a sense of whimsy the fisherman and seagulls bring when they arrive on the scene.  

When we decided to pair this duo together for a summer show, Bethany Harper Williams said, “Our individual versions of whimsy will work well together.” We agree wholeheartedly and hope you have time to come and wander through this week.

This amazing two-artist show closes on Thursday, July 19. Shows on Maine Art Hill on 10 Chase Hill Road in Kennebunk, is open daily at 10 am. FMI 207-967-0049 or maine-art.com. 

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE SHOW IN ITS ENTIRETY

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT DAVID WITBECK

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT BETHANY HARPER WILIAMS