Coastal Inspiration
Harbor Homes, oil on canvas
This month in the Gallery Annex, the Harrison Center is pleased to present new work by painter, Jeannine Allen. We asked Allen to tell us about the inspiration for this new body of work. Here's what she had to say:
I was born and raised in Portland, Maine—a coastal city surrounded by the ocean on three sides. Growing up, the ocean was literally right there so it was my playground, my backyard, a place where I would go to find solace when I needed it. It's ingrained in me and it inspires my work. I've lived in Indiana for almost 20 years, but the ocean and nature in general still inspire my art.
This body of work is a combination of different styles that I've explored over the past few years—some are abstract and others are impressionistic. I've added texture to some to create movement and energy. By limiting the color palette to mostly grays and blues, I wanted to evoke a kind of moodiness to the work. Although my paintings are inspired by Maine, most of them are nonspecific water scenes that I am hoping will resonate with many—to someone who has lived in Indiana their whole life, my paintings could remind them of a body of water somewhere here or maybe from a special vacation they took to the seashore. I'm hoping that people will interpret them in a personal way and make their own connection to them.
Cold Harbor, oil on canvas
Journey's End, oil on canvas
The opening reception is Friday, August 5 from 6 to 9pm. The work hangs through August 26.