Marie Maines

My work consists primarily of landscapes, including natural and manmade forms. Each image evolves from something I have actually seen and responded to emotionally. I usually work from photographs, but these are always photographs that I have made myself. I walk in and around the area, making many photographs and field notes, about such things as color, mood and light. Some drawings are done “plein aire”, but I find my approach is very similar whether I am working from life or from a photograph, I might never glance back at it again from this point forward and if I am outside, I realize that I haven’t even looked up to see the scene before me after that dialogue begins. I begin modifying the composition, color and space to create the mood that attracted me to image in the first place. Many parts may be eliminated, others may be added. Sometimes the mood depends on a fairly traditional approach using aerial perspective for a feeling of depth. Other times, the image seems to need to be flattened and more one-dimensional for a more abstract treatment. I also find that the focal point used for dramatic impact sometimes gives way “in favor of a visual totality.” Henning, Fritz

I usually begin my drawings with charcoal or NuPastels, but move quickly to the softer pastels. My favorite is Schminke, but I also use Rembrandt and Sennelier. Until recently, my ground consisted almost exclusively of watercolor paper, stretched onto canvas stretchers. I would then gesso the paper and tone it with a thinned acrylic glaze. I continue to enjoy working on this stretched and toned paper, but am now experimenting with other surfaces, such as self of commercially prepared sanded pastel papers.

The more I learn about art, the more I realize how much there is to know. However, the learning process becomes more exciting and more compelling with each new composition. I feel very lucky to have such a wonderful obsession.