Artist's Statement
“I am happiest when my work progresses from the almost realistic to the almost possible …”
A fascination with the natural world and the creative process has been central to a lifetime of art and adventures. During a career in education, I have been a wildlife photographer, documentary filmmaker, sculptor, woodworker, writer and painter. I am presently a full-time, home-schooled artist whose efforts have evolved over years of observation, experimentation and hard work. I use wood, metal and paint in a variety of styles, techniques and media to record life on an island on the outer edge of Penobscot Bay in the Gulf of Maine, with occasional forays into the worlds of freshwater birds and fish.
Twenty years of being part of a small island community has profoundly influenced my art, focusing it on what is close and observable - the fragility of coastal and island environments, the importance of clean water and the need to preserve unspoiled places. If you commit to a locale, closely observe it and learn what questions to ask, there is much a place can teach. For years I observed, asked questions and painted Matinicus Island during the warmer months and the watershed of the Delaware River in the winter. I continue to work in my island studio May through October, but since 2016 have spent the winters beside the St. George River in mid-coast Maine. Much of my work has supported environmental and educational groups communicate their message, increase awareness of critical needs and raise funds for special projects. Through gallery shows and specific works my art has supported the Island Institute, OceansWide, the Matinicus Island School, the Tinicum Conservancy, Friends of the Upper Delaware River, the Georges River Land Trust and the Maine Seacoast Mission.
I can be found working in HighWater Studio on the southern end of beautiful Matinicus Island most summer days and above Hyler Cove on the western bank of the St. George River during the winter. I welcome comments and questions through my website.
Exhibition Highlights
- 2022 - Harbor Square Gallery - “Flight Risk - The Fine Art of Birds “ - group show benefitting Maine Audubon at Harbor Square Gallery in Rockland, Maine - June-October, 2022. 2022 - Artemis Gallery - Northeast Harbor, ME - Group Show - August 4 - 18, 2022 and online - HighWater Studio - Matinicus Island, ME - June - September - New Work - By chance or appointment. 2021 - Artemis Gallery - July, 2021 - Group Show and HighWater Studio - Matinicus Island 2020 - Artemis Gallery - July, 2020 - Group Show and HighWater Studio - Matinicus Island 2019 - Artemis Gallery - August, 2019 - Group Show and HighWater Studio - Matinicus Island 2018 - “Sticks and Stones” - Cushing, ME - Solo Show and HighWater Studio - Matinicus Island 2016 - “Untitled” - SFA Gallery , Frenchtown, New Jersey and HighWater Studio - Matinicus Island 2015 - "CONDON COVE - New Work” - HighWater Studio - Matinicus Island, ME 2014 - “WATERSHED” - SFA Gallery, Frenchtown, New Jersey - Solo Show and HighWater Studio - Matinicus Island 2013 - “LOCALS - Island Artists Group Show” - HighWater Studio/Gallery - Matinicus, ME 2012 - “EDGES” – New Maine Work - Archipelago Fine Arts Gallery, Rockland, ME -July-Sept - 2012 - Solo Show 2011 - “Untitled" - Bucks County Commerce Center, Doylestown, PA - Solo Show and HighWater Studio - Matinicus Island 2010 - “New Work” - Archipelago Fine Arts Gallery, Rockland, ME - Group Show 2009 - “Change of Directions” - Center Bridge, PA - Solo Show, - Stover Mill Gallery, Erwinna, PA - Group Show - "Environmental Art" - Graphic Imagining Gallery, Plumstead, PA - Group Show 2007 - “New Work” - Mixed Media Gallery - Doylestown, Pennsylvania - Group Show 2006 - River Run Gallery, Lambertville, New Jersey - Group Show - Mixed Media Gallery - Doylestown, Pennsylvania - Group Show 2005 - Tinicum Arts Festival - Erwinna, Bucks County, PA - Honors for pastel - Group Show - Stover Mill Gallery, Erwinna, Pennsylvania - Group Show - Phillips Mill Fall Exhibition - New Hope, Pennsylvania -Group Show
Publications
2022
"To The Light / We Gathered As A Community” will be included in the book “Paintings of Penobscot Bay” by Carl Little and David Little to be published December, 2022.2020
MaineBoats.com The Website of the Coast - August, 2020 - One Island Library on a Mission
Maine Home and Design - Art Maine Issue - February, 2020 page 60
2019
Maine Home and Design - Art Maine Issue Annual Guide to Maine's Most Notable/Collectible Artists
Where the Magic Happens: Cushing Artists Open Their Studios - The Free Press
Cushing Artists Open Studio Weekend - Penobscot Bay Pilot
2018
Knox Village Soup - July 6, 2018
The Free Press
2017
Laura Bohn - Ways of Seeing - Pointed Leaf Press - 2017 - ISBN: 978-1-938461-401
New York Times - “What You Get for 2.2 Million - Bohn-Fiore Bucks County Property" - July 5, 2017
2015
Interior Design Home - Fall, 2015
Maine Home+Design - May, 2015 - “The Canvas”
2012
Island Journal - “David Sears: A Matinicus Artist Charts His Course", Carl Little - Island Institute
2009 - 2020
Island Reader- Anthology of Island Writing and Art - Maine Seacoast Mission