STORIES TOLD THROUGH PAINT UPSTAIRS AT HAYNES

Haynes Galleries proudly presents “Stories in Paint” as part of the Upstairs at Haynes series. The show is compromised of paintings that tell stories through a single image. It features work by several top Realists with different aesthetics. “Stories in Paint” runs through September 24 alongside “Zoey Frank: Connections & Changes” and “Roger Dale Brown: A Passion for Painting.”

Narratives in painting have a long tradition. It’s difficult for a visual artist to tell a story in a single image. But when they do the painting can connect with the viewer more deeply and communicate the artist’s idea more elegantly. The most talented artists, from the past and today, do it by embedding their image with one or several elements. It can be the way light falls across the room, the elements a character is surrounded by, the expression on their face, or even the way they look out at the viewer. No matter the combination, the best narrative paintings suggest something came before and that something will follow the specific scene depicted and the viewer will want to be a part of that story.

Bo Bartlett, who splits his time between Georgia and Maine, paints the underlying epic nature of the commonplace. Following in the great tradition of American Realims, his scenes are remarkably ordinary but are heavy with implications as if his characters are wrestling with some internal quandary. But visually they have a modernist twist and a flatter style. In The Present, a young woman in a swimsuit braids another’s hair by the sea. They are connected by the intimacy of the act but are also incredibly isolated from one another, barely touching, each absorbed in their own world.

Andrea Smith’s figurative work is ripe with narrative elements. With remarkably few extraneous details she is able to imply a greater story in just a single image. The carefully balanced compositions and soft diffusion of light lend the paintings a mature, unrushed mood, letting the viewer take the whole scene in and immerse themselves fully in Smith’s story.

With more whimsy but no less care, Seth Haverkamp produces portraits that capture a moment in time for those closest to him. Usually that means close friends or his children who he often dresses up with playful and homemade accessories like headdresses. His goal is to take one moment in time in his subject’s life and freeze it. He does it with amazing results, paintings that are personal but also broadly appealing.

With masterful draftsmanship and the ability to capture the character of her subjects, Ellen Cooper’s paintings reflect the personality and grit of her figures. They are so captivating Cooper has an international reputation for her portraits. But they are so much more than portraits. Her subjects often appear as if they are at crossroads, contemplating their future.

Accompanying “Stories in Paint” will be a select group of vignette shows showcasing the range of Haynes Galleries artists and collection. Landscapes of all styles are on view in “The Best of Landscapes” with works by Joseph McGurl, Donald Demers, and Peter Poskas while Marc Dalessio’s distinct painterly take on plein air painting is seen in a collection of his views of Maine and Europe. The depth of Realist still life art can be seen in a special grouping. Finally, the best of the gallery’s traditional & contemporary works are together in a stellar collection at the top of the stairs.

There is plenty of extraordinary work to see and experience during the second half of the summer at Haynes Galleries. “Stories in Paint” will be like stepping into a great book written by a great author. The accompanying vignette shows highlight the diversity of the gallery’s roster and exceptional things Realists are making today.
Note about roadwork on US 1/Main Street in Thomaston- Roadwork construction is progressing quickly. Two-way traffic has returned to Main Street, drastically reducing driving time. The gallery is open through all construction and welcomes visitors, either walk-ins or by appointment, no matter what the conditions on the road. Haynes Galleries is located at 91 Main Street, Thomaston, Maine. Gallery hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by appointment. For more information, visit www.haynesgalleries.com or email garyhaynes@haynesgalleries.com