WA L K “Tempest” utilizes a nearly mono-chromatic
september 2018
color scheme of darker
blues, white, and a touch of green. The
paint is applied in an impasto style
and the surface texture is active, thick,
and layered, mimicking the waves
themselves.
The tone is moody and contem-plative,
whereas the bright, primary
color palette of “New Born” suggests
something rejuvenating or inspira-tional.
Love’s brushstrokes are drip-like,
thin and wild, following the swell of
the waves and movement of the sur-rounding
water. The perspective is not
entirely clear and the viewer could
interpret the angle as an aerial or pro-file
view. The composition’s lines and
motion coalesce near the center of the
canvas, drawing the eye down and into
the vibrant, energetic moment.
Wrightsville Beach is of special
importance for Love, who lived in the
area for about 15 years.
“I had to move off of the island, but
I will be going back,” he says. “I started
out surfing Carolina Beach until I finally
saw what Wrightsville Beach water
looks like; it’s pretty much the most
beautiful I’ve seen on the East Coast.”
His affinity for the area is memo-rialized
in works like “The Oceanic,” a
sprawling scene depicting the iconic
restaurant where it sits on the coast-line,
perched atop short dunes. Love
paints the structure beneath an impos-sibly
blue sky; shallow waves break on
craggy rocks in the background and a
strong wind blows the sand and sparse beach foliage.
Love cites elaborate, detailed pieces from the Baroque
and Rococo periods and notable examples of wildlife
artwork among his diverse inspirations. But one of his
most significant influences is iconic illustrator and painter
Norman Rockwell.
Rockwell dropped out of high school early and studied
at Chase Art School, the National Academy of Design, and
the Art Students League. This technical education would
serve him throughout his illustrious career.
While he is best known for his paintings of American life
during the early 20th century, he also painted portraits of
notable U.S. figures — including four presidents — and
Eclipse Artisan Boutique
More than 200 local and
regional artisans:
203 Racine Drive,
910-799-9883,
EclipseArtisanBoutique.com
Hand carved wooden
shore bird decoys
various sizes, starting
at $125
Golden Gallery
Cotton Exchange, 311 North Front Street, 910-762-4651,
www.thegoldengallery.com
For Sale By Owner
70
WBM
“Table for Two”
Original watercolor
and archival
pigment prints by
Mary Ellen Golden
Large, original, framed Dominican/Haitian painting circa 1997.
42 inches by 31 inches.
Can be inspected by appointment only,
at 7232 Wrightsville Avenue, Ste. D, Wilmington, NC
Contact: Pat Bradford 910-367-1137 or 910-256-5830