Maxwell Wiesen

Artist Statement

As both a poet and artist, water has featured as a primary source of inspiration and subject. The movement of water, in river, lake, pond and even waterfall continues to fascinate, ever changing in color and form, a great challenge for an artist. Water is also the impetus for contemplation, remembrance, loss, the quest for rest and peace, or as an embrace of childish joy.
Capturing the nuance of water has been a continuing challenge for me, and has often been best captured in my use of watercolor medium. Oil portraiture has been greatly enhanced by the interaction of water and subject, the interplay of what is seen and its emotional suggestiveness. Painting on bonded aluminum panels has allowed me to more freely move and blend oil paint, ideal for seizing the image.
With the above noted, I include here a short poem that I wrote many years ago, and which is included in a published collection of my poems entitled As I Turn. I look forward to presenting some of my aquatic themed artwork.
I suppose we turn to dust, or mud
but I prefer to float
In the giant space that is the sea
nose to the horizon line
eyes washed by the salty soft water
body gently loved
slightly pressured, rinsed and held
in the buoyant hand that is the sea
carried to its tides to infinity

I have exhibited in several juried shows sponsored by Greenwich Art Society, Greenwich Arts Council, Old Greenwich Art Society, Stamford Art Association, Silvermine School of Art, and others, and have had two shows of my own at The Bendheim Gallery in Greenwich. Every spring I participate in Arts to The Avenue in Greenwich, and my paintings are on continual exhibit at Lynnens on Greenwich Avenue. Currently, I am in a juried show at The Bendheim Gallery. My paintings are available for viewing at www.MaxWiesen.com