Abell to Art: Impressionist Paintings

For several months, I worked on a series of landscape paintings I refer to as my Jekyll Island series. Early on, when I had decided to give my full artwork focus to landscape painting, I knew that capturing the varied topography of Georgia's regions would be paramount. In my former life as an elementary educator, one of my favorite units of study emphasized the regions of Georgia. It was often amazing for students to learn that Georgia not only is home to a thriving coastline, complete with barrier islands, but also has mountains, flat plain areas, and a Piedmont region. Surprisingly, as I often discovered, many students had not had the opportunity to explore these regions. I saw this as a golden opportunity to not only engage and educate my students in as many ways as possible, but to also inspire them. Similarly, I wanted to create a series of paintings to engage viewers, educate, motivate and inspire my viewers. By alternating between the mediums of acrylic and watercolor, I could more readily convey my sense of Jekyll Island and evoke a similar response in a potential viewer.
I was inspired on this particular trip to create a visual travelogue of a very familiar place in order to capture the essence of the island and perhaps evoke pleasant memories for others. From family vacations to extended field trips with my former students, Jekyll Island holds many pleasant memories tied to the coastal experience. My husband and I took this reunion trip of sorts to relive some of what only Georgia's coast offers and maybe find new experiences along the way. Join me on this journey to the coast of Georgia.
Jekyll Island on the coast of Georgia is a barrier island bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. While the smallest of the group of islands known as the Golden Isles, Jekyll is known for its diverse history, reaching back to Georgia's earliest days.The unique wildlife experiences and outdoor reality seem to still beckon others like me. The island's centerpoint, the historic Jekyll Island Club Hotel, a 19th-century winter retreat for the wealthy, is still a major attraction as it was for such notables as the Rockefeller, Goodyear, and Vanderbilt families. It seems many others since have developed an affinity for this special place as well.
Although it had been several years since I had visited the island, upon crossing the bridge to the island, I was immediately flooded with memories. Salty sea air, seagulls calling overhead, waves gently lapping against the shore, and Spanish moss gently swaying from the live oak trees are just few of the sights and sounds that I was met with upon once again entering this island retreat. Named for Georgia poet Sidney Lanier, the Sidney Lanier Bridge, a suspension bridge, provided a clear vantage point to the stunning surrounding marshes, made famous by Lanier's poem, Marshes of Glynn. From slipping and sliding through the muddy marsh with my students, examining the slimy collections in our buckets, bike riding with my family, exploring the maritime forest, or observing a rescued sea turtle, the "Jekyll Island experience" cemented rich memories and an appreciation for this preserved jewel of Georgia. During our stay on the island, we explored the beach, rode bikes around the island, and took in some amazing scenery, while enjoying our stay at the famed Jekyll Island Club Hotel and its surroundings. Jekyll certainly did not disappoint on this trip!
If I had to pick a favorite scene, I would likely choose the marsh. I had observed and photographed the marsh in varying times of day and found the light and contrasting colors most compelling. Although the photos I took often had to be edited to adjust the color saturation, it was exciting to recreate the scenery and transform a blank canvas. Many times adjustments needed to be considered when painting the water reflections as well. Some scenes seem to require watercolor to achieve a softer,impressionism effect, while others were better suited to acrylic applied with a palette knife and multiple layers. As any painter knows, this type of setting can only provide opportunities for inspiration when your senses are awakened. I hope you have either made some connections here or feel compelled to create your own. What is your most inspiring place?