2020 to 2021

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2020-2021

I truly hope this newsletter finds you well!

It’s been a very strange year and a couple of months (to say the least).

Since the beginning of Covid, I have not sent out one newsletter. Written
quite a few but couldn’t find it in my heart to send one out, I just
felt like people had bigger fish to fry, more important things on their minds.

However, in these days, I am hopeful that life will go back to as we all once knew it (at least somewhat).

It seems like the vaccine is beginning to make that happen in some respect.
Even the schooners in Camden harbor are being uncovered and prepared
for the season after sitting motionless all last year. It seems like
there is some hope for a bit of normalcy this summer after all.

So again, I do hope this finds you well, healthy and happy.

In the Moment

If this pandemic has taught me anything it would be to stay in the moment, an eye on the future but definitely in the moment.

Even with all that happened (or did not happen) last year I have many things to be grateful for.

My eldest son Ross graduated from the University of Maine with degrees in Business / Finance, Marketing / Management with a concentration in Entrepreneurship and is now weighing his options.

My daughter MiAe decided to go from one coast to the other and is now
living in LA following her dreams.

My son Tysen graduated from Camden Hills High School, got short-changed on his senior year in High Jump, but is now continuing his studies at Northeastern in Boston.

My youngest son Westen, after vigorously training since the close of last season, went on to start for Camden Hills Varsity Basketball team as a sophomore this year and had a great season, masks and all.
Some of his video game clips from this season have taken over my Instagram page.

My wife’s shop in Camden underwent a name change from The Shop Next Door to Vivien and Coco and is now pursuing more styling and design in the midcoast and loving it.

Plus the downtime finally gave me a chance to mud my studio. : )

So as we move further into 2021 I’ll continue to take one day at a time with gratitude.

Daily Grind

At times I've felt my color palette can be a bit dark and heavy. I often struggle with trying to create high-key paintings. It’s just not in me.

But thanks to Pinterest and FB I have been learning about some new “older” painters that I have never heard of before that have helped me better understand my own work and preferences.

I must admit I spend a brief few moments on Pinterest after my morning warm-up to help get my head on straight.

Some of these painters I have stumbled unto are:

Bernadus Viegers
Joaquin Mir
James Wilson Morrice
Harry Leith Ross
Albert Marquet

All of these painters are different and yet similar. As an artist, I pick and choose what I like and what works for me or pertains to me.
I am a huge fan of grabbing bits and pieces of work that inspires me along my artistic journey, which is never-ending.

After 30 years of plein air painting, I can definitely look back and see the evolution and even mark certain time periods when I was inspired by different artists. My artistic voice has stayed present but there are other influences always lurking about.

Sharing One's Thoughts - RAC

I was grateful to be invited to be the judge for the Rochester Art Club's (RAC) Signature Member Show held in April - May 2021. It was done remotely via Zoom but the show was open to the public at The Village Gallery in Caledonia, NY.

Before the actual award presentation, I shared some of my thoughts about what I think makes a good painting and the judging process. Here is a link to the awards ceremony and my thoughts and comments on FB.

I often complain about how difficult it is to jury a show and yet it is a huge honor so thanks again to the Rochester Art Club.
⁠

Travel - On the Road Again

Over the years during my travels, I have been fortunate enough to be able to attend a few Edgar Payne exhibits and galleries that represent him, mainly in California.

I have been highly inspired by his work for many years and have finally planned a trip to the Sierras to chase some Payne-like scenes.

So this August TM Nichols, Tom Hughes, and I will do just that.

There is a special excitement and inspiration when one paints in the same location that a master stood. A few years ago, I did just that in Venice and painted in locations that Sargent had been.
That experience really feeds my artist soul to no end.

About Edgar Payne

Plein Air Events

As with everything else these days, some of the events will go on and some are still trying to figure out how.

The first Plein air event I ever did was back in Hyde Park, Chicago in 1996. Since that time I have traveled all over the country doing as many as 8 events in a year at times. That gets a little grueling.

As much as I enjoy them, meeting new folks, working with other artists, and being introduced to new and different areas I find myself pulling back a bit now.

It’s actually nice to be able to go back and work on a painting at a particular location multiple times and not feel rushed due to the deadline hanging over your head. That and doing smaller studies to be revisited with a larger canvas at my leisure.

So I will continue to do some of the events on occasion and will also continue to travel and paint just at a slightly different pace.

With that said …

Cape Ann Plein Air (CAPA) Festival has changed the time of their event which will now be October 3-11, 2021.

After being lucky enough to win Best of Show there last time it will be nice to go back to Cape Ann, such a beautiful historically rich area to paint in. A lot of the artists I admire so much painted there many many years ago.

Cape Elizabeth Land Trust will proceed as it did last year. A few days painting in plein air then an online auction. That will be held in mid-August.

There will also be an event to help support the Camden Public Library, which will take place here in Camden in mid-July. Everything will be held outside. Details will be posted on my website as they become available.

Workshops

Call me old school but throughout this pandemic I have resisted the urge to teach via Zoom. I’ve been asked to, and also have many colleagues instructing that way, but just couldn’t bring myself to do it.

Don't get me wrong I think it’s a great idea especially when so many folks were stuck inside locked down.

Maybe I am just too hands on and know that I do prefer personal interaction. I figured I’d use that time to produce more work and refine my own skills.

However with restrictions loosening up a bit, and a lot of folks being vaccinated, myself included, the idea of workshops again should be a no-brainer especially plein air classes.

Because of how this year started with the uncertainty of Covid I currently only have one workshop scheduled at Coastal Maine Art Workshops in Rockland.

Please click on this Link for Information

We are still working on dates for a two or three-day plein air class in Rockport, Massachusetts with the Rockport Art Association sometime this summer. That’s actually the one in person Worskhop I did teach last year during this pandemic.

However, with the times as they still are there are a couple of much smaller groups, and even individual instruction, that will be happening this summer for the time being.

So for anyone that feels uncomfortable with a larger class but is interested in a smaller group setting please feel free to contact me and we can chat about some ideas.

You can reach me at: dewaardfineart@gmail.com

I will assume by 2022 things will be back to normal.

New work

With all of this solitary confinement, which is no stranger to most artists, there has been a lot more thinking, more contemplation, and more soul searching, plus a lot more painting.

One of the real positives for me is the added time to assess my own work.

Usually, at plein air events, your back is up against the wall. Time is of the essence. There is very little time for reflection of any sort.

With Covid I have found that the extra time was very liberating.

Adding a few strokes here and there one day then a few more a week or so later has really benefitted the end result. Stepping back is always good but this was even more so.

I often ask my students what is the narrative? Why are we painting this and what are we saying with our art?

Covid has definitely made that front and center.

One Person Show

I will be having a One Person Show at Roux & Cyr Gallery in Portland Maine. Here are a handful of the 20 pieces that will be exhibited. The opening will be held Friday, May 28, 2021.
If you’re in the area please drop by and say hello.

Morning at the Port 18" x 24" Oil on Linen

No Place Like Red's 12" x 24" Oil on Linen

Evening Stroll on the Old Port 12" x 24" Oil on Linen

Winter Compliments 12" x 16" Oil on Panel

Quiet Winter Eve 12" x 16" Oil on Panel

Roux & Cyr International Gallery, Portland ME

Recent Work

Some new pieces as well as some that have received a few extra strokes.

Rackliff Cove in Spruce Head Maine.

The Paint Shop 18” x 24” Oil on Linen

Summer Morning 10” x 8” Oil on Panel

Barbara's Hollyhocks 20" x 24" Oil on Linen

Lobstering Chaos 12" x 24" Oil on Linen

Evening in Port Clyde 18" x 24" Oil on Linen

Fading Light in the Cove 18" x 24" Oil on Linen

Leisure Time after Breakfast 12" x 16" Oil on Panel

Morning on the Canal 16" x 20" Oil on Linen

A Fall Evening 12" x 16" Oil on Linen Panel

Beautiful Fall Day at the Orchard 30" x 40" Oil on Linen

Quite Late Afternoon 12" x 16" Oil on Linen

Colors of Spring 8" x 16" Oil on Panel

La Camera da Letto 18" x 24" Oil on Linen

Summer Morn 8" x 16" Oil on Panel

Laundry Day in Castello 18"x 24" Oil on Linen

Beginning of Fall 9" x 12" Oil on Panel

Quiet Evening at the Pump 8” x 10” Oil on Panel

Hot Summer Day 24" x 30" Oil on Linen

Evening Stroll in the Harbor 8" x 10" Oil on Panel

Quiet Evening in Essex 18" x 24" Oil on Linen

Sheds and Shacks 8" x 10" Oil on Panel

Morning in the Cove 8” x 16” Oil on Panel

The Viking O. 18" x 24" Oil on Linen - SOLD

If you would like to stay up to date with my new work as wells what or where I am off to painting wise please follow me on INSTAGRAM.

Thank you for your time!
Wishing you good health and happiness!

Warm regards~
Ken

Copyright © *May 2021* *DeWaard Fine Art*, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
771 Camden Road Rd
Hope ME 04847

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