For me, art allows humans to particpate in God’s creative work, reflecting the transcendent mustery of God through human hands. Inspired by the local flora and fauna of the Eggemoggin Reach area where I live on a Maine island as I sail my wooden Beetlecat sailboat Bonnie, row my Nutshell pram Lassie, and hike the surrounding trails, I create impressionistic figurative art reflecting gratitude for God’s natural creation. Outdoors, I am inspired to cultivate a constant awareness of God’s presence which yields the joy and peace as Brother Lawrence describes in the 1691 classic book The Practice of the Presence of God.
Illustration media I use is graphite, pen and ink, watercolor, markers, and colored pencils. I embrace watercolor’s inherent unpredictablity, prioritizing tonal value before hue (color) and light before detail. I work with the paint as a partner rather than fighting it, encouraging bold, confident brushstrokes, and using the white of the paper to convey light, aiming to capture the essence of a subject with speed, spontaneity, and joy. I use wet-in-wet techniques, advocating the courage to simplify and allowing the paint to flow with a positive, fearless attitude embracing opportunities for spontaneity.
Introducing me to Maine and his work ethic, I am appreciative of my great grandfather Francis Byron Green who wrote the book History of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, and Southport in addition to being a Maine Senator and founder of the Boothbay Register newspaper. Thankfully, my great grandmother Jennifer Ring Sanderson of West Yarmouth, MA enabled my faith encouraging me to attend Cardinal Spellman High School. In her late 90s while feeding Cape Cod chickadees from her hand, she also fostered my love of the biodiversity which existed then from her home on Mill Creek off Lewis Bay.
These are some influences bringing Mathew 22-37-40 to my attention:
37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Thank you for visiting. Peace to you!
