September 2016 brought yet another change of scenery. Thanks to the Goetemann Artist Residency awarded by the Rocky Neck Art Colony, I had the opportunity to paint on Cape Ann, Massachusetts for a whole month. What a treat! What a challenge! I had made day trips to paint on Cape Ann many years ago, and had found the rocky coast and quarries very inspiring. Now I had a chance to explore and paint intensely, morning through evening, and without the long commute!
I stayed on Rocky Neck, a peninsula across from the main waterfront of Gloucester, in a studio apartment. I gave an introductory presentation of my work at the Cultural Center on Rocky Neck, and had a closing conversation at the studio apartment at the end of my stay. I enjoyed meeting everyone at the RNAC, and especially appreciated the generous help and kindness of my advisers, Nadine, Kristie, and Kathy. (Thank you!)
There were so many possible directions for me to go with my work, and I was as curious as anyone to see what I would come up with. Would I do trucks again? There were some pretty awesome trucks here. Or the large fishing boats, trucks of the sea, in Gloucester harbor? Townscapes? Street views? The buildings were so New England, so stunning in the late summer light. It was all very inspiring, and all so very tempting. But the rocks, the strong granite coast and the gorgeous quarry walls captivated me again, and I ended up doing mostly rock paintings. And I loved it.
Gloucester morning.
Boat and sky shapes.
Seaside houses.
Gloucester fishing boat.
Rockport Motif No. 1, catching the light.
Gloucester madonna.
Colorful flowers.
Gloucester Joan of Arc.
Tempting fire truck.
Schooner Arabelle.
Breakwater progression.
Overgrown quarry.
Painting on the coast.
Inviting quarry pool.
Froggy friend.
Geese reflections.
Green heron.
Quarry gulls.
Quarry water – ocean water! There are very few places like Halibut Point.
Quarry rock faces and water.
Quarry with teens.
Quarry painting spot.
Quarry swimmers.
Quarry stones.
Sunset from Eastern Point.
Painting rocks, it really does.
What a joy to spend a whole month focusing on my work, building on the experiences day after day, feeling the momentum and improvement with each painting. Thank you, Rocky Neck Art Colony, for the incredible gift of time.
More to come…
Jana Matusz on Site 