Island Landscapes: Charcoal Drawings by Rebecca Daugherty

Rebecca Daugherty, Grog Island, charcoal drawing, 21" x 17"

Last summer, after a couple bought some paintings Rebecca had done from the Stonington archipelago, they approached her and wondered if she might like to work from a particular location. Their family owned a small island- one we'd been past countless times in our kayaks, but never landed on, since it is privately-owned. For the last forty years or so, the family has spent time there, sometimes all together, but more often just one branch of the family spending some quiet time, living rustically in one of the simple houses.

They invited us out to a birthday party. We paddled-out and joined the crowd gathered around a small granite-ringed cove. We were the newcomers among family and friends of the family who had known each other for many years. We heard stories - family history intertwined with island history, and we walked around with our hosts who pointed-out their favorite spots.

Rebecca returned to the island every now and then with her sketchbook and began discovering her own favorite places. Once, when I guided a group of kayakers past the island, I pointed out the artist on the shore, adding "she's my wife." Over the winter, visitors to Rebecca's studio saw the walls getting filled with charcoal drawings. Rebecca identified them as studies for potential paintings, but people seemed to like the drawings on their own. She kept working on them, as well as ideas from other islands, and a new series evolved.

Rebecca Daugherty: Island Landscapes will hang from August 3rd though 19th, with an artist's reception on Friday, August 3rd from 4 to 7, in conjunction with Stonington Galleries First Friday.

Vaino Kola Reception and Artist's Talk

New Kola Painting to Hang Next Week

Vaino Kola, McNamara Cove #2, oil on canvas, 68" x 46"

As always, summer is flying past. The Marjorie Glick show hangs through this weekend, while the new Stonington show will stay up through most of July. Next week we'll hang a small show featuring Vaino Kola's new painting, McNamara Cove #2. As always, its a treat to get a new painting from Vaino; it's been a long time in the works, and the effort is evident in a painting that takes your breath away.

For these few warm months, Main Street Stonington has the feel of a stage. There's no easy plot formula and most of the players come and go without much fanfare, but the season rolls along surely enough. Summer residents and frequent visitors greet each other and have long conversations on the sidewalk. They may notice the small changes afoot in the town- another new stretch of concrete and granite sidewalk built, a sign identifying the town hall... a couple of benches, flowers. Some may worry that these small improvements portend dreaded Barharborization or Camdenization... but they don't seem to mind the fact that they can also now walk down Main Street with a phone to their ear, handheld electronic devices always at the ready. Stonington is not immune to the changes in the outside world, but we still get the same frequently-asked questions, often enough from people who seem amazed to be discovering Stonington for the first time, perhaps even relieved to discover that it exists. To them, the town feels idyllic, unique and fairly undiscovered.

Vaino Kola, Sundown, oil on linen, 24" x 48"

Many of those people will go home to places that are not idyllic or unique- at least to them, and they will feel refreshed by their visit here. Some may even bring art home with them- perhaps something that helps bring about that feeling- a feeling that was brought-on by a particular location, but maybe has more to do with a state of mind.

Vaino Kola, Dusk, oil on canvas, 36" x 56"

When we experience art, maybe we're hoping to have that same kind of connection we look for when we travel, and part of it comes out of being open to it and ready. Sometimes it even humbles you, makes you want to live your life better - even if all you do is get a better couch to be worthy of the painting it sits beneath. 

Vaino Kola has been painting this same stretch of Greenlaw Cove for nearly two decades, and my guess is that the more he paints, the more he discovers. Despite his immense talent, he is humble, and I wonder if this is at least partially due to his almost daily immersion in his work, and his ensuing connection to the natural world. Either way, his example humbles me, and some fortunate buyers may someday have their everyday life improved by hanging these paintings over their couches. In the meantime, we can all live with it in the gallery; come in and check it out.

Upcoming Shows

We have a full schedule this summer, with a line-up of overlapping shows. The fun starts in just two weeks on June 19 with watercolors by Marjorie Glick. First Fridays will be happening once again this year, starting with a show of Stonington-themed work on July 6. The season will continue with one-artist shows by Vaino Kola and Rebecca Daugherty and in September we'll have a food-themed exhibit in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce's new food weekend.

In the meantime, we're open for regular hours with our usual selection of great new work from some of your favorite artists, as well as work from a few newcomers to the gallery. Stop by and check it out!

What's Black & White & Red... and All Over?

That's right... the opening reception for our fourth annual Valentines show. But the show still hangs through tomorrow, giving everyone a last chance to get in here and make all their last-minute desperate Valentines Day purchases. As always, the reception was well-attended... with far more guests than any of our recent summer openings. It helps to have 37 artists in the show, most of whom came to the reception, some of whom even brought friends. And some even bought something. We appreciate the support; we couldn't be here without it. I've posted photos from the opening on our Facebook Page- check it out here.

This morning we awoke to find someone had left us a Valentine, taped to our front door.

This tradition has gone-on in Stonington for awhile- maybe every year we've been here. On the night of February 13th, someone leaves these hearts on a number of downtown doorways. We keep meaning to keep an all-night vigil so we can discover who does this, but it's like waiting for the Easter Bunny. I always fall asleep and wake-up to find that the mysterious heart-er has struck again. I have to admit, I really like it. Someone out there likes us.

Jennifer Lee Morrow, Look Into My Heart, mixed media, 4" x 4"

Valentines can be a rough holiday, best for greeting card companies, makers of candy... and of course art galleries. But like most holidays, it brings extra attention to something we should focus on every day. If you're with someone, I suppose you're supposed to overdo it, spend money and effort and make a big gesture. And if you don't, what does that mean? If you're not with someone, it could be great, awkward or just depressing. Back in elementary school, we pretty much had to give cards to everyone... and it was still awkward. But that's just me, I guess.

Susan Webster, Heartstrings, jute, ink, glue, 10" x 9"

But, being the recipient of yet another heart from the downtown Stoningon Mystery Hearter, gosh, I feel pretty good. I like this part of the holiday. And whether or not our "Red" shows make any financial sense, maybe they're like those mystery hearts- a way of putting it out there for anyone receptive enough to enjoy it.

Sarah Brandon, Crushed Heart, lead, glass, 8" x 8"

See more images here!