Coast Guard Station, Two Lights, Maine 1927

Edward Hopper made this watercolor of Coast Guard Station, Two Lights, Maine, and you can tell that the painting has come into being through a process of looking, waiting, and trying to see. I imagine Hopper thinking about the buildings, how they are placed in the landscape, and how the light bounces off their surfaces. There's something beautiful about how the paint is kind of thin, washed out in some areas, and then thick in other areas. The texture of the paper is also visible, adding to the painting's depth. I really admire the way he applied the watercolor for the ocean in broad strokes, using a vibrant purple tone. It gives the water a real sense of movement. You can imagine him standing there, painting quickly, trying to capture the moment. Hopper's paintings have this quality. You can see his interest in the relationship between people and their surroundings and his use of light and shadow to create mood and atmosphere. It's a conversation across time, inspiring my own creativity.