21 January 2013

A Sense of Place

There are some places that live with us. Perhaps we grew up in these special spaces; perhaps we live in them currently. They become a part of our psyche, like a silent tapestry that abides within . . .

For me, it is the oceans, rivers and lakes of the Northeast. I grew up on eastern Long Island and could walk to the beach from my house. My husband and I, when we were dating, spent most of our free time at the beach. Every summer we head for Cape Cod and our children, now grown, follow in the familiar path to the Cape.

Every autumn we head north to Maine and walk the coastline, drinking in the wide open spaces, the quicksilver skies. On my daily commute I pass along the CT River and witness amazing turns of light and of seasons.

These sketches and paintings are my attempts to capture those moments . . .



Encroaching Storm [watercolor and gouache]


Spindrift, West Dennis [watercolor and gouache]


Thunder Skies [watercolor and gouache]


“A place belongs forever to whoever claims it hardest, remembers it most obsessively, wrenches it from itself, shapes it, renders it, loves it so radically that he remakes it in his own image.” 
Joan Didion

4 comments:

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

So love the 'Encroaching Storm'! Very expressive of places and moments you know well!

layers said...

In trying to capture the light and motions of the landscapes and water.. I think making your brushstroke loose and non-objective... helps to capture the mood and feelings so well.

Kelly M. said...

So good to hear from you, Donna! Thanks very much for your thoughts, too!

Kelly M. said...

Many thanks, Mary Ann! When you love something or some place deeply, it seems easier to paint it, perhaps?