Near Calais, Maine 1951

John Marin made this watercolor painting in or near Calais, Maine, on a sheet torn from a sketchbook. Look at how the washes pool together, mingling greys, greens, and blues. I can imagine him outside, moving fast to capture the scene. What kind of day was it? Windy, judging by the swirling clouds? I love that we can see the bare bones of the drawing. The lines and colors, so free and energetic, are a visual shorthand for the experience of being there. I picture Marin squinting at the horizon. He’s got his paper and brushes ready, and he's just letting it flow. Painters like Marsden Hartley and Georgia O'Keeffe were drawn to the same part of Maine. Each of them had their own way of seeing, their own rhythm, but they all found something compelling in that landscape. They were on the same wavelength, inspired by the same light and space. What do you see? What does it make you feel? It’s there for you to discover.