Portland Art Gallery Hosts New Series by Anne Heywood
“Six O’Clock III: Feet”, pastel, 22″ x 32″, copyright A.Heywood 2022
Anne Heywood, American Realist, presents a new body of work at the Portland Art Gallery in Portland, Maine this September.
Her “Six o’clock” series of pastel paintings began with a pact between her and her husband years ago. “We would come to our summer house on the Damariscotta Lake for relaxation, and not really relax due to the many projects we had to do. One day I told my husband that my favorite activity at our summer home was to sit on the wharf and enjoy the sunset. We decided right then and there that, no matter what was happening, we would meet at six o’clock on the wharf every evening.”
“Six O’Clock VI: Whirl-a-Gig”, pastel, 22″ x 34″, copyright A. Heywood 2022
Those relaxing moments became the inspiration for Heywood’s new “Six o’clock” series. “I always envisioned that I would paint those sunsets, particularly after my husband passed in 2020,” said Anne. “When the Portland Art Gallery invited me to be part of their 2022 September show last year, I decided that this was the time to fulfill that dream.”
“Six O’Clock V: Paddle”, pastel, 22″ x 34″, copyright A. Heywood 2022
Heywood’s paintings all include the view from their wharf on the Narrows part of the Lake, an island with three prominent trees silhouetted by sunsets; each is unique in both the sunset and the mood. In “Six o’clock I: Moonrise Sunset” the sun is large and low, and the moon is barely distinguishable from the clouds. In “Six o’clock III: Feet” the painter’s feet are in the foreground in a relaxed pose with a dramatic sunset beyond. Heywood adds, “There are many joyous memories contained in each of these “Six o’clock” paintings,” said Heywood. “I believe viewers will sense this. After all, who doesn’t like to put their feet up and enjoy a sunset?”
The Portland Art Gallery is located at 154 Middle St., Portland and at www.portlandartgallery.com. The show’s opening is on Thursday, September 1st between 5:00 and 7:00 pm. The show will be on display for the month of September.
Anne Heywood is a professional artist, author (Pastels Made Easy, Watson-Guptill publications, NYC, 2003), and art educator. Heywood has earned many honors and awards during her 32-year career. She is listed in Who’s Who in American Women among other publications. For further information, www.anneheywood.com and anne@anneheywood.com.