Next Wave is a nod to our state's shifting seascape. While lobster traps and buoys will always be emblematic of Maine’s working waterfront, there’s a new tide rising: aquaculture. Kelp, seaweed, oysters, and mussels are increasingly vital to the future of our coastal economy and our marine ecosystems. These sustainable crops aren’t just nourishing our communities—they’re helping to filter our waters, restore habitats, and diversify income for those who work the coast.

My Oil Painting Process: Creating Iconic Wolfe’s Neck

My brush moves loosely, chasing that feeling. I layer color like lichen—soft pinks, stormy grays, mossy greens—letting the textures lead the way. It’s not about getting every crack or crevice just right, but about capturing the vibe of the place: grounded, weathered, quietly alive.

My Oil Painting Process: Afternoon Glow

I was drawn to the weathered red shed, not for its boldness, but for its quiet, unbothered presence. It’s the kind of place where someone might store buoys, bait, or a half-finished cup of coffee. Unpretentious. A working space, not curated for charm. And that’s exactly what made me want to paint it.

My goal was calm. Simplicity. I wanted to capture the way the late-day light falls—just so—on the edge of the roof or the side of the shed. That moment when the sun doesn’t flood the scene but gently kisses it before slipping away. I wasn’t aiming for drama. Just the peace in small things.

Of course, that was the intention. But as hard as I try to stay subdued, my vibrant painting style keeps seeping in. It’s just…me. I tell myself: this will be quiet, moody, restrained. And then suddenly the reds are redder, the shadows are glowing, and the whole thing starts humming with a life of its own.

Cornered, from the In Their World series.

I used a palette of delicate playful tones, layering on shades of muted browns and grays to capture the natural patina of the shell. The variation in mark-making, from bold, textured strokes to fine, delicate lines, conveys the complexity of its form. My deep saturation of colors plays with a hint of glimmering, floating -almost mystical quality- with a bit of playfulness.

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This oil painting explores the mesmerizing beauty of oysters. Through vibrant color and thoughtful composition, contrasting oyster shells float against a fluid, water-like background, deliberately set outside their traditional context. The piece invites viewers to explore the oyster’s natural beauty, highlighting its delicate textures and hard shell forms in an unexpected, abstract yet pleasing setting.