William R. Davis FISHERMEN AT SUNSET Oil on panel
Susan O’Brien McLean SWANS IN NORTH BAY Oil on canvas
Opening a Cape Cod art gallery in the depths of winter isn’t as foolhardy as one might think: For one thing, it’s allowing us ample time to get everything up to speed before the summer rush. And we’re delighted by those of you who’ve already stopped by, sometimes in the rain or snow. Not hoards, by any means, but a pretty steady trickle of folks curious about the Cape’s newest art gallery. We’ve been so pleased to meet all of you and hear your reactions. You told us you love the space: the old wide-board floors, the good lighting, the casual atmosphere. And we’ve heard so many glowing comments about our selection of artists. We had to laugh when one visitor said, “It’s a real art gallery!” But we took it for what it was: a lovely comment on the level of talent.
We also confess to being excited about making our first sale last week (at least the first since the gallery opened for business in mid-January). This very nice gentleman had been coming in fairly regularly, always gravitating to “Fishermen at Sunset,” a marine sunset by William R. Davis with a strikingly high horizon line. Then, last week, he spent a long time pondering a group of paintings by Susan O’Brien McLean, the artist most recently added to our roster. He was particularly taken with “Swans in North Bay.” Long story short, Scotty Chapman helped him decide where to hang the paintings in his home, and he purchased them both. Maybe this is how people at the MSPCA feel when a dog or cat goes to a good home! In any case, we hope the paintings bring our friend a great deal of enjoyment.
“Painting is a mystery to me.
Not only do I not understand it,
I’m not convinced I am supposed to.”
KENNETH LAYMAN
Nantucket artist and gallery visitor