I grew up in Connecticut and went to the School of Visual Arts in New York City, graduating in 1982. My wife Tamara and I moved to Seattle in 1989 and then headed back East, settling in Maine in 1992. I enjoy wandering the Maine coast, sketching, painting and exploring, The coastal landscape is a wonderful subject, the contrasts and tensions of light and weather along the water’s edge, the movement and interaction of water, land and sky, between manmade and natural objects catches my interest. The echo of people’s presence is important in my work, objects like wharves or small boats moored to docks or by themselves and how they interact with the light, the time of day, the lines of their designs, their sense of waiting and use, reflections of movement and space speak to my eyes and instinct for what will be an evocative picture.

The quality of the light makes Maine a special place, the long warm lingering summer light is particularly interesting, the fusing of colors in the late afternoon, the way the setting sun will light up treetops or pick out boats on the water. The early morning light, different in feel and tone also speaks of calmness before the sea breeze kicks in. Each season shows a new face, the clear sharp Winter light, the vivid greens of Spring, the color competition in Autumn, each is its own challenge of line, color, composition and intention.

I paint in oils, acrylic and watercolors. I also work with wood and bronze, in sculpture. My emotional reaction to the subject suggests which materials to use. The main thing is to convey the quality of the light, seeing in the landscape how light reveals aspects of composition and how color and light can carry that ah-ha moment of discovery and emotion to the viewer.

Sculpture Statement

I am interested in paring down an idea to have a simple shape that can be seen easily in outline and then use that shape to explore ideas where I can add texture or design or how the light moves around the edges and planes of the sculpture. I work mostly in wood that is carved or sculpted and then applied with either metal or metal leaf, I find the contrast of the non-corroding gold and palladium leaf finishes to be an interesting addition to the environment they are placed in. For outdoor pieces in the gray winter months they seem to gather light and add a highlight to the landscape. The copper and copper leaf pieces will alter in appearance in the environment with time, as will the wood, I like the idea of protecting parts of the piece and letting others react and change.

Learn more about John on his website: www.johnbowdren.com