Artist:  Heather Stivison

Norton Framing & Gallery welcomes the artwork of Heather Stivison

artist statement

I am a former museum director and emerging interdisciplinary artist, working in watercolor, acrylics, oils, or fiber.  I use watercolor when I want to create an intimate work — one that invites a viewer to come close to the work for a very personal and subtle experience.  My acrylic and oil paintings speak more loudly through their size and color intensity.  My fiber sculptures focus on experimental concepts and textures.  My current work is inspired by nature and the passage of time within the natural world.  An entire landscape changes, not just seasonally or with time of day, but with fleeting patterns of shadows, ocean breezes, or early morning mist.  I want to capture a specific moment more than the particular placement of trees, hills and streams.  Late in his career, George Inness said “Knowledge must bow to spirit.”  I also want to paint the spirit of scene more than its factual representation.

Ocean life is of particular interest to me. Since moving from the New York Metropolitan area in 2014, I have become inspired by the rocky shores and salt marshes of coastal Massachusetts.  The ever changing views of waves and the rhythms of the tides also tell a story of the passage of time and of something eternal.

My shell and “object” paintings are all created in the studio directly from objects I have found on the beach.  My landscapes and seascapes all begin with an outdoor experience, though they are rarely plein air works.  I make quick sketches with notes on-site and take a handful of photographs to use as reference in the studio.

My hope is that, while the subjects of my images may be recognizable, the spirit of a moment captured in paint will be more personal.

“Meditation in Grey”

30″ x 40″ Acrylic on Canvas

“Crosswinds Over Apponagansett”

40″ x 30″ Acrylic on Canvas

“Both Sides Now” SOLD

40″ x 30″  Acrylic on Canvas

“Reflections”

36″ x 36″ Acrylic on Canvas

“Out From Cuttyhunk”

30″ x 40″ Acrylic on Canvas

“Summer Atmosphere”

24″ x 18″ Framed Acrylic on Canvas

“Ribbons of Ripples”

24″ x 18″ Framed Acrylic on Canvas

“Slocum River”

16″ x 20″ Acrylic on Panel

“End of the Storm”

16″ x 20″ Acrylic on Panel

“Rhythms of Sundown”

18″ x 24″ Acrylic on Canvas

“Remembering Wauwinett”

40″ x 16″ Framed Acrylic on Canvas

“Sparkling Water”

43″ x 24″ Oil on Canvas