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[1998] Since last summer...
By scrutinizing the quick map he made on his visit to Monhegan, Lynda and I discovered that our studio-cottage was once occupied by Robert Henri. He spent several summers on the island and was the recognized creative leader of the most prominent circle of artists at that time, the most notable member being Rockwell Kent, also a friend. Henri then cut a larger figure in the art world than Kent did, although Kent eclipsed him later. Kent's work is being honored at the opening exhibit of the Monhegan Art Museum this summer.
After leaving Monhegan, Kent searched for a farther island and chose Newfoundland. Lynda and I came upon his cottage there on the harbor at Brigus, lonely on the sea. Kent told his wife that he had found the "house of dreams." A few years later -- this was during World War I -- Kent was vigorously urged to leave Newfoundland and returned to the United States. He had had a stormy time on the island. He now did a painting of his house there, this time calling it "House of Dread."
Both Henri and Kent can be said to have influenced the work of later Monhegan artists, myself included. One of my paintings is called "Robert Henri's View." Presumably the view hasn't changed much in three-quarters of a century.
A more recent influence on my painting was a visit we paid last fall to Bailey Island. One of 365 islands in the Portland area, Bailey Island seems sparsely inhabited -- although with characteristically choice houses -- and has a grandeur quietly reminiscent of Monhegan. Several of my newer watercolor paintings resulted from that island's shores. Along the coast from Bailey Island is the Ogunquit Museum of American Art. This is a sparkling building on the water's edge. We had visited it several times before last fall. This time the director asked for four more of my new watercolors for their permanent collection, adding to my presence there.
Since last summer paintings of mine have also been acquired by Framingham State College in Massachusetts. And three others, two of them done on Monhegan, now belong to the Springfield Art Museum in Missouri. This center has become something of a beacon in the watercolor world.
My entry into the cyberworld with a website of my own can still be called a noble experiment. By June there were over three hundred "hits" or "visits" to the site. This may be considered promising when you realize there are millions of web sites out there. Mira Dessy, who is managing the project for me, is looking for ways to expand this audience.
There's now an ample supply of the videotape that shows me demonstrating watercolor techniques in my Vermont studio. This film was made by my son Paul, a directory of photography in California. Watercolor Bold and Free is the title, the same as that of my book. Two new editions of books that include reproductions of my paintings bring my "library" to a total of more than a dozen books.
And finally, a story from last summer: A weary middle-aged couple was seen leaving the island to board the boat. Clearly the husband was elated at seeing Monhegan. Not so his wife. Said she, "Too many artists. Too many rocks."
[Summer 2003]
[Summer 2001]
[Summer 2000]
[Summer 1999] |
