On the Waterfront – William B. Hoyt
William B. Hoyt is known for his classic New England life portrayal. The real-life people and places he encounters are often reincarnated in paint. Hoyt brings his world to us in detail and color.
When Hoyt was asked to create a personal reflection of Maine as he saw it, there was a memory to walk him through the process.
"On the Waterfront" began with a story from the small town of Stonington, Maine. My wife and I were up in Brooklin staying with friends while one of them attended a marine canvas sewing workshop at the Wooden Boat School. That left the three of us to creep around and explore during the class. We went by boat down to Stonington, tied up at the town dock, and wandered the streets."
To be able to see through William Hoyt's eyes as he wanders would be a day well spent. Maine is all about the senses, and he uses them all.
"It was a perfect September day, and the sight of laundry run out on a line over a deshabille dock got me," remembers Hoyt. "The former shops served the area back when most goods arrived by boat, before good roads and bridges. Now used by a lobsterman to store paraphernalia, I caught myself reflected in the window with pot warp and buoys."
After taking a moment to look closer, you will find this reflection. One of Hoyt's paintings' many wonders is the tiny facets found each time you stand in front of his work. Time and close inspection bring fantastic discovery.
Those who grew up here know this scene could be one of many Maine coastal towns. Fishing and lobstering are still thriving, but not all tourist destinations are usually depicted in magazines and postcards.
"Stonington still serves an archipelago with goods and services that peak in summer months and subside after Labor Day."
One day to visit Maine just isn't enough. Working a path up the coast could take a traveler weeks or even the whole summer; still, all would not be seen. This is why we welcome you to come and visit Maine Art Hill in Kennebunk, and get a look inside some of the best of Maine, all in one place.
Open from 10 AM to 6 PM daily. FMI visit https://maine-art.com/, call 207-967-2803 or email info@maine-art.com