What is the Fynbos (fayne-boss)? It is the smallest floral kingdom in the world. The Southern tip of Africa is its home. From a distance this dry land appears quite unimpressive. The colors seem drab and lifeless. Upon closer inspection its true beauty is revealed. Over 9000 indigenous species hail from this area which is about the size of Portugal. Exploring vast areas of this diverse ecosystem required feet on the ground. Lynne and John M.T.Seitzer traversed many miles of this hilly to mountainous scrub land along side of Susan Schadler and often accompanied by a very knowledgeable guide, Frank Woodvine. They took reference photographs as they walked.
Susan had a dream to write a picture book to allow people (children ages 2 to 92) to explore this unique remote area vicariously. The book, Come Walk in the Fynbos With Me, is the result of a 3+ year collaboration combining her story with the Seitzer’s paintings. Creating paintings to suit the words and words to suit the paintings involved the sharing of ideas, finding compromise when necessary and remaining flexible.
With thousands of beautiful paintable subjects and far too many for an introduction to the fynbos the selection process began. They spent weeks making decisions and editing them to hundreds and ultimately to just under forty. At this point a final list of illustrations was compiled. Susan then verified the names of the species, often consulting with the guide they had worked with in South Africa.
The process of deciding who would paint which image began. Their collaborative efforts went well. Lynne and John each painted half of the chosen images. The challenging work of interpreting photo references together with visual memories began. Often several plant species were incorporated into each 18 x 24 oil painting allowing more of the Fynbos to be experienced. Twelve months later the paintings were complete and ready to be digitally recorded. These files were then sent to the publisher along with Susan’s final draft. Months later the book was in our hands.
It is a beautiful book. Come see the original paintings which are on display in the upper gallery at the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, (4 Oak St. Boothbay Harbor) for the month of July.
Books are available from Joy To The Wind Gallery at 34 Atlantic Avenue, Boothbay Harbor, 207-633-7025 and at susanschadler.com.
An Artist and Author Reception will be held at the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library on Friday, July 20th from 530-7 pm. All are welcome. Refreshments will be served and the art and books will be available for purchase and signing. The Art is available for viewing during library hours: 10am -4:30pm Tues,, Thurs, Friday and Saturday and Wednesdays from 10-7pm. 207-633-3112
Dominique Ostuni’s solo exhibition, “Would an Angel Apologize for Spilling Champagne,” is on view through Oct. 3 at Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland. A centerpiece of the exhibition is “Excess Comes Naturally,” an elaborate mirror standing more than 8 feet tall. The work begins with an ordinary functional object, then overwhelms that function with porcelain, […]
Waterfall Arts will invite the public inside more than 40 artist studios during the Lincoln Street Center Fall Open Studios from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 at 24 Lincoln St. in Rockland. During the free event, artists will open their studios and welcome visitors into their creative spaces. Guests can explore Rockland’s historic former […]
“Made in Maine,” the Maine Art Gallery’s annual member show, features more than 100 works of art across two floors of the historic Old Academy building in Wiscasset. The exhibition is on view through Oct. 18. Sara Stites of Thomaston, a new member, is showing at the gallery for the first time. Her oil painting […]
High Peaks Artisan Guild in Kingfield features Western Maine watercolor artist Karen Jordan Paul throughout September. Paul draws inspiration from wildlife found throughout Maine, particularly wild birds and fish. The guild celebrated Paul as its featured artist of the month during the Sept. 4 Kingfield Art Walk. High Peaks Artisan Guild is at 245 Main […]
Turtle Gallery in Deer Isle presents “Material Storytelling,” a three-artist exhibition featuring new work by Sheep Jones, Michele Ratté Delphin and Barbara Sullivan, through Oct. 11. The three artists use distinct materials and techniques to explore narrative, light and the quiet poetry of everyday objects. Jones brings her signature combination of oil and cold wax […]
Photographer Melonie Bennett will discuss her exhibition and debut monograph, “Holy Cow!,” from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts in Portland. The event will include an interview, reading and book signing. Photographer and writer Robert Diamante, a friend and fellow photographer, will interview Bennett. “Holy Cow!” presents an […]
Centre Street Arts Gallery in downtown Bath will open its fall show during the Bath Art Walk from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 18. The gallery represents 20 local artists and will feature new work in its fall exhibition. Visitors can meet the artists, explore the show and enjoy refreshments during the reception. Centre Street […]
Maine artist Daryne Rockett will present “Restoring Liberty,” an exhibition of monotypes and mixed-media work, from Oct. 2 to Nov. 24 at the McDade Gallery at Bangor Public Library. The exhibition brings together two interconnected bodies of work examining freedom, democracy, justice and hope. In a series of layered monotypes, the Statue of Liberty appears […]
Maine Craft Weekend, an annual statewide celebration of craft, community and creativity, will return Oct. 3 and 4. The free, self-guided tour invites visitors to discover the people, places and stories behind Maine’s craft communities. Hundreds of participating artists and locations will host open studios, workshops, pop-up markets, exhibitions, fairs, artist talks, special events and […]