Chris Moses & Alicia Hammatt
“Local Color”
Impressions of the familiar in our small Maine Coastal town.
Chris Moses - ARTIST STATEMENT / BIOGRAPHY
As a child spending summers on the coast of Maine, I absorbed my surroundings and was absorbed by them. The intensity of the bright light and deep shadows, the quiet sparkle of the morning sea, the deep greens, reds and gold of the marsh, the sounds and smell of the surf and the afternoon clouds reflected in the water are among the experiences that drew me to painting. It has continued to be my goal to draw the viewer into the sense of wonder that I feel on this planet that is spinning through space with all of us going on a grand journey.
For 35 years, I was a sculptor of whimsical clay creations known as the Raku Zoo. My work was sold in contemporary craft galleries across the country, to individual collectors, as well as being part of corporate collections. The whimsical and colorful animal imagery included animal whistles, Noah's Arks, nativities and large animals that were hand built and raku fired. I retired from this work 5 years ago and have been to pursuing my interest in painting.
I began painting watercolors as a child. Ten years ago, I began my work in oils by studying with a number of artists whose work I admired. I find that the total absorption of the act of painting to be unlike any other experience I have had. The mind and heart are working together, solving problems and making choices. Technical skills, knowledge of the medium, principles of art and design, are essential. Beyond these skills is that of drawing the viewer in and communicating an emotion, a thought, a moment in time, a simple pleasure. I strive to let the intuitive side hold the brush.
I paint both in the studio and en plein air. I find the latter is essential to sense and feel what is around me. I am primarily a landscape painter and, recently, began doing what I call "interior landscapes" which are intimate spaces which reflect the people who inhabit them.
As a painter, I am drawn to the coast. Maine has been the place I have gone every summer since childhood, and continue to draw inspiration from the rugged coastal landscape. At the opposite end of the East Coast is the tiny island of Key West. I love to paint the soft tropical light and bright colors. In between these two is Asheville, where my husband and I have lived since the year 2000.
Find out more about Chris Moses at chrismosesfineart.com
Adele Hammatt - ARTIST STATEMENT / BIOGRAPHY
Artist Alicia Hammatt first became interested in art as a student at High Mowing School, a Waldorf secondary school in Wilton, New Hampshire. Alicia's studies continued as an Art History major at Mount Ida College followed by a year at the Portland School of Art. Immediately following college Alicia worked in the re-touching studio of Boston based portrait photographer Bacharach where she learned the artistic skills of airbrushing.
In 1971 Alicia and her family moved to Orleans, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod. She soon became dedicated to her painting. An impressionist painter in oils, Alicia takes art very seriously while simultaneously enjoying the journey. Above all she paints for herself. Alicia's paintings reflect her love of color and shape and she relies on the beauty of Coastal Maine and Cape Cod to provide inspiration for her paintings.
On the Cape and in Maine she continued her studies in workshops conducted by Mary Moquin, Rosalie Nadeau, Cynthia Packard, Jim Peters, Paul Schulenburg and Colin Page.
Alicia and her husband, Bruce Hammatt, have been permanent residents of Tenants Harbor since 2010. Here she has continued her artistic journey in another beautiful place.