Description: Hamakua Coast on the Big Island, Hawaii
About Margaret Stanton's prints
Artist's Note: After my first visits to Europe, I was developing a loose, expressive style of impressionism. I had already embraced acrylics by this time, however, "Hamakua Coast" is an oil painting, albeit my last oil. I was still drawn to the rich fluid qualities of oil paints. In this painting I remained true to the actual scene of the coastline, yet was actually concerned with the application of energetic strokes.
The exciting brushwork is evident in the land, the ocean and in the sky, creating the look of all moving as one. The movement was, for me, to be more important that the exact look of the scene. The sketch immediately shows that I abandon the details even in the foreground to bring more attention to the movement of the water, the sky and the blowing hala leaves.
The painting exhibited in the Wailoa Center's Annual juried show and won the People's Choice award. It shows you that a Juror doesn't really know which pieces are loved by others. My friend and wonderful artist, Ken Charon recently won a "Juror's Choice Award", the top award on a painting that had been rejected from two previous exhibitions. So don't let a rejection of any kind keep you from creating art and entering or showing it.