In the Footsteps of Masters: Maine’s Eternal Pull on Art
Last week, Maria and I set off for Maine, with a brief stop in Rhode Island. Many of you know that the majority of my landscapes are inspired by Maine, and these annual pilgrimages recharge my creative energy, offering fresh perspectives for next year's show at Artemis Gallery. Every year reveals something new, and this trip was no exception.
Maria Elizabeth and I sitting on the veranda overlooking Ironbound Island
My first trip to Maine was sparked by a landscape commission from a client. Up until then, Maine wasn’t on my radar—I primarily painted the South and the Mid-Atlantic coastlines. Yet Maine, in the lore of painters, is almost a required destination. Dozens of respected friends and fellow artists encouraged me to follow in Homer’s footsteps and make the trek north. I had no idea how powerful a pull this place would have on me, how each visit would reveal more of its magic, or how unique the light truly is compared to anywhere else I’ve been.
Headland Spruce, View of Ironbound Island, oil on board by Don Ripper private collection
I paint primarily in and around Acadia National Park, staying in Winter Harbor, with its breathtaking view of Frenchman’s Bay and Cadillac Mountain. The historic house I stay in, dating back to 1891, instantly connects me to the land and the community’s culture. I often wonder how many artists before me have found inspiration within these walls. To be one of them fills me with a joy that’s hard to express. The greatest artistic gift I’ve ever received—whether from a client or a friend—is the use of this house. Its views, its light, and its history live within me and, in turn, breathe through my Art.
Wolf's View "Ironbound" oil on canvas by Don Ripper private collection
One evening, Maria and I, with glasses of wine in hand, heard eagles chatting above us. (Not kidding see video below) We watched them circle lazily overhead before gliding off toward Ironbound Island. While Maria looked up the spiritual meaning of seeing two eagles, I found myself thinking more deeply about Ironbound Island and the many paintings it has inspired. I started imagining how to find someone with a boat who could take us there.
John Singer Sargent, American, 1856-1925. The Artist Sketching. Watercolor on paper, 1922. This virtuoso portrait is of Dwight Blaney at his easel on the shore at Ironbound Island. Credit: The Downeast Dilettante.
The real surprise came when I discovered that two of my all-time favorite artists, John Singer Sargent and Childe Hassam, both painted on Ironbound Island. To locals, this may be common knowledge, but for me, it was a stunning realization. Even more remarkable, they were guests of Dwight Blaney, the gentleman painter who purchased the island in 1901. Blaney hosted many influential figures—writers, artists, and society elites."I can only imagine the vibrant conversations, the clinking of champagne glasses, and the artistry that animated those gatherings. It's quite possible that some of those same intellectuals stood in the very house I now find so inspiring. In fact, the painting below by Childe Hassam was almost certainly created from this very veranda."
Childe Hassam, American, 1859-1935. Sunset, Ironbound Island, Maine, 1896
No artist creates in isolation. We all learn from and are supported by our communities. Patrons of the arts come in many forms—some through purchases, others through mentorship, and some through sheer generosity. The summers Sargent and Hassam spent on Ironbound Island were undoubtedly fruitful for them, but also for the island itself, as the artists and the land became intertwined in history. The thought that, if time allowed, Sargent and Hassam could be standing across the bay from me, each of us seeking inspiration in the rugged beauty of Maine and the friendships and patrons who make our work possible.
John Singer Sargent. On the Verandah (Ironbound Island, Maine). Watercolor on paper, circa 1920
John Singer Sargent painting aboard the Blaney yacht Irona, off Ironbound, 1922 Credit The Downeast Dilettante.
And a little video from our adventure:
