Winslow Homer: American Passage

 

Winslow Homer(1836-1910), was quite remarkable in depicting on pencil, paper or oil, many of the significant moments of America history. He was sympathetic to abolitionists, experienced Abraham Lincoln's inaugural speech, and was along the front lines of the civil law.

At the end of last week I finished reading Winslow Homer: American Passage, by William R. Cross. I had read a review in the Atlantic Magazine about this book which piqued my interest. There had not been a book profiling Winslow Homer's life in decades, other than catalogues of his paintings.

This book did not reference or at least I don't recall any connection to the current exhibit of Winslow Homer's paintings at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York City, which runs until July 31, 2022.

Yet, after finishing this book I am amazed that Winslow Homer largely, escaped a life of hard labor on the farm or factory which so many others must have experienced.

Bar Harbor, Maine

                                                                                       (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

The last time I visited Bar Harbor, Maine, during the summer, which was several years ago, this little stretch of beach became etched in my memory. Part of it was the vivid colors of the shoreline, part of it was the rock strewn inlets and the other part was the white sail of a large boat gliding past the evergreens in the distance.

I feel like I got off to a good start with this watercolor. It is the kind of composition which draws the viewer in with the diagonal orientation of the water, enhanced by the landform.

In particular, I like the strong values and linear details on the sand in the foreground. Also, the sky has a warm quality which I don't come upon too often.

One Wash Darks

                                                                                    (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

Spring sure is leaping into Summer. At least here in Vermont, where air conditioners are in place and running on the third week of May. Perhaps, this watercolor study will cool things down a bit.

This wash was a dark I have been experimenting with, lately. It consists of burnt umber/indigo and a touch of payne's gray. This is basically a one wash painting. There is a variation of the proportions of the pigments from one area to the next but it is one wash, in essence. The bush was painted by drawing the wet pigment down from above with my rigger brush.

I painted this on Holbein watercolor paper which doesn't seem to accept numerous washes, yet the pigments remain so fresh and vivid.

Watercolor Doodle

                                                                            (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

In this day and age people have a greater connection to their devices instead of the people around them. There, I said it. That is in essence, what I have been thinking about lately. Everyone has different devices, different degrees of money invested, innumerous distractions and yet we don't really know how to use each others gizmo's. It really is a bizarre reality. Stepping back from the scene it really is quite humorous.

After some time away it felt good to return to the brush. Continuity is key, particularly when it comes to progress. Also, painting keeps the mind engaged even if just on a sub-conscious level. 

I like the colorings and brush work in the foreground. Sometimes you say me more when you have nothing to say or when it is least expected. In addition, I experiment most when the subject doesn't get in the way.

Florence Griswold Museum

                                                                                       C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

While at a family reunion my mom and I were fortunate to visit the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, CT. It was a center point for American Impressionism in Twenty Century America.

The house and property housed summer artists, creating an artistic community with frequent plein air excursions. Many well-known artists spent time at the house and grounds. They included William Metcalf and Childe Hassam, amongst others. Through the years over 200 artists spent time at the artist colony.

Above is a photograph of a painting by William Metcalf, currently on display in one of their galleries.

Plein air

                                                                          (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

We have had a glorious string of days here in southern Vermont. Trees and shrubs seem to be rushing to unfurl their foliage and develop new growth. In fact, it is hard to keep up with all that is going on in the natural world.

Tuesday morning I managed to squeeze in this plein air painting. As I assembled my stuff to go home after painting I swear the grass was greener than it was when I arrived.

It was deceptively blustery while I was painting with the wind coming from numerous directions. Regardless, I learn something every time I paint. I have been resisting the urge to cover the whole paper with pigment. The white of the paper which can be found in the distant grass and the lower sky are some of the dry brush affects which I left as they were.

Windsor, Vermont

                                                                                       (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

Windsor, Vermont is considered the "birthplace of Vermont". This town is where the constitution of Vermont was adopted in 1777. This marked the founding of the Vermont republic.

This is the second painting I did derived from passing through Windsor, Vermont a little over a week ago. It was here that my wife and I discovered this neat little river which meanders around the community ballfields. Along this river there is a lovely swimming hole which includes a small, sandy beach.

This vantage point is adjacent to the pedestrian bridge which is just behind me. I painted this on Artist Watercolour Paper(rough) which I have taken a liking to.

Windsor, Vermont

                                                               (C) 2022 Dale DiMauro
 

Last week my wife and I stopped in Windsor, Vermont and discovered their athletic fields by accident. We were looking at the headstones in an old cemetery along the main drag which include Carlos Coolidge(Governor of Vermont during the mid-1800's). Before long we noticed kids climbing this anchor fence along the back woods.

We followed this high school kid on the trail and along a local river to the community ballfields. It took us to a pedestrian bridge which by all accounts must be a lovely swimming hole in the summer.

This is the watercolor I painted from that experience. You can see the green of the lawn is very inviting through the woods. This is just walking distance from the Precision Museum which we visiting before heading back home.

Vincent Van Gogh

Reading Van Gogh: The Life (2012) by Steven Naifeh and Gregory White Smith took some time. This is a well researched and well written book. It was a challenge to even hold in my hands as the text of the book is close to nine hundred pages in length.

However, I learned a lot about Vincent Van Gogh(1853-1890) and his difficult life. Van Gogh is credited with creating around one thousand paintings and one thousand drawings. He sold at least two of these paintings and numerous drawings during of his life. Yet, he only lived to the age of 37. Also, his brother Theo who supported him emotionally and financially died within a year of his death.

Vincent may be best known for cutting his ear off and shooting himself. Regardless, he has become one of the most influential painters in western art. A Van Gogh sold for $82.5 million in 1990.

One of the things I admire most about Vincent is that he consistently painted portraits of the underclass which is not something you see everyday. Also, he was largely self-taught, a truly original artist.