Anne Ireland

Artist Statement

I’m excited by the drama of the landscape. We can all recognize the patterns that occur when sky, land, and water touch each other. I want to explore the power of that intersection with color and form which is often symbolic, atmospheric and unexpected.  My initial inquiry is about the dynamics of color and what happens when two or three colors connect or collide. I interested in the energy created when this occurs. Sometimes it’s an explosion and sometimes a quiet hum.

Much of my work is inspired by my saltwater farm on a tidal estuary in mid-coast Maine. This familiarity of place allows me the freedom to invent. I want to create new worlds that have their own autonomy of color, scale, light and emotion. I see the familiar, the iconic, as new, magical, mysterious and powerfully real.

These are the questions I think about in my studio. On the best days, I feel a delight in the process of meeting and discovering a painting…..as you would an interesting new acquaintance.  And each new discovery demands more searching.  Like any worthwhile relationship, it’s a commitment and a risk, but revelation is a great reward.

Resume 

Gallery:                       Cygnet Gallery, Portland, Blue Hill and Northeast Harbor

                                    Maine

Exhibitions:                   2008

                                    Two-person show, Cygnet Gallery, Portland, Maine

                                    Two-person show, Cygnet Gallery, Northeast Harbor, Maine

                                    “Three MECA Women”, Cape Cottage Gallery,

                                    South Portland, Maine

                                    2007

                                    Two-person show, Cygnet Gallery, Portland

                                    “Three Points of View”, Slade-Hill Gallery, Yarmouth, Maine

                                    2005

                                    Solo Exhibition, Cygnet Gallery, Bar Harbor, Maine

                                    “Crossroads”, Galeyrie Fine Art, Falmouth, Maine

                                    2004

                                    “Ten Years After”, June Fitzpatrick Gallery, Portland, Maine

                                    1997

                                    Solo Exhibition, North Yarmouth Academy, Yarmouth, Maine

Awards:                      Best in Show, Bath Heritage Days               1996

                                    Harley Flaws Merit Scholarship,

                                    Maine College of Art                                 1993

                                    Honorable Mention, Payson

                                    Scholarship Competition                           1991

Publications:              Maine Home and Design, Annual Art Issue     2009

                                 Switch, May issue                                        2008

Education:                  B.F.A. with honors, Maine College of Art       1994

                                 B.A., Bowdoin College                                  1976

Websites:                   www.cygnetgalleriesmaine.com

                                    www.maineartcollectors.com