Whitney Knapp Bowditch ~ Autumn Island – Sea and Sky

The Jessie Edwards Gallery on Block Island is delighted to announce an intimate show over the Thanksgiving period featuring ten new works by Whitney Knapp Bowditch. These oil on paper paintings were completed this fall and are available to view online and in the gallery.

Sublime is the feeling this exhibit evokes. Each of these scenes is the perfect antidote to the weather and climate and darkening days as we move further away from the memories of summer. The artist has perfectly captured the feeling of place in all its serenity and beauty so that each of these pieces feels familiar yet also new. What stands out in this body of work is the autumnal feel to these beloved scenes and landmarks. We know we’re on Block Island because there is a sense of home in each one.

Whitney has captured the balance of color, light and location in these ten framed pieces. Without glass covering each piece, the texture and movement of the paint comes through offering an almost visceral experience up close.

In ‘November, Southwest Point’ the viewer is brought into the scene to carry on walking down this muted color palette path towards the kaleidoscope sky which is familiar to those living on Block Island this time of year. There is nothing quite like a rambling walk along the paths of the island in brisk November weather as the sun moves towards the horizon.

‘Last Light over the Pond’ showcases Whitney’s ability to perfectly capture water, sky and mood. The viewer has stopped by the side of the road, the vegetation acting as a border, to witness the subtle shifts of light and movement as the setting sun showcases a display of reflected hues in the water from a colorful sky as the scene softly unfolds to the west.

In ‘Coastal Atmosphere’ the artist has perfectly captured the play of light and movement, as well as the feel of the ocean and sky, of an autumn day on Block Island. The feeling of solitude is strong in this scene. The days are shorter, and the setting sun adds a last bit of warmth to this otherwise cold and raw day. The viewer truly gets the sense that they are alone in the landscape.

The busyness of summer has fallen away in these paintings, and they have captured what it is like to be here, on the island, in the off season. They embody how the colors change from brilliant greens to rich umbers and the sun transits lower on the horizon, offering stunning sunrises and sunsets against a backdrop of ever-changeable skies.

The Jessie Edwards Gallery is located in Old Harbor, upstairs in the iconic Post Office Building, and is online at JessieEdwardsGallery.com. The gallery is OPEN for the holiday stroll with work by this artist and many others along with selected artful gifts, jewelry, ceramic and glass works.  Our hours for the stroll are Friday and Saturday (11/29 and 11/30) from 10-4pm, and Sunday (12/1) from 10-2pm. We will continue to be open most Friday’s, Saturday’s and Monday’s 12-4pm and Sunday’s 11-2pm but if the flags are out, the doors are open, and we look forward to greeting you!