Pollywog II 24x24 Oil on Canvas $3900
For Michele Poirier Mozzone, this summer’s Vacationland show at Maine Art Hill marks an exciting new chapter in her creative journey.
“This new body of work has been in the making for over a year,” says Mozzone. “I have pushed myself beyond the comfortable space of simply painting what I see and have incorporated unexpected elements in many of my new compositions.”
One of the first of these explorations was Quench, a painting that set the stage for the playful experimentation that followed. “Quench is a great example of this, and the first painting in which I experimented with these elements,” she shares.
That sense of discovery continues throughout the collection. Peridot, for example, surprised even Mozzone with its vibrant color play. “Peridot has the most unique color combination I have used for this underwater series so far. Even with very little blue in the painting, the geometric shapes of purple and chartreuse support the illusion of underwater.”
Other works invite the viewer to interpret freely. “Crest is like a Rorschach test,” Mozzone explains. “Do you understand it right away? Or does it reveal itself after a few moments of observation? I love that about this piece.”
Peridot 30x30 Oil on Canvas $5900
Quench 36x48 Oil on Canvas $9500
Crest 24x24 Oil on Canvas $3900
Pieces like Chiffon capture the warmth of the season and the spontaneity of her process. “Chiffon gives me all the summer feels! The figure glides slowly, effortlessly through the warm water as the sunlight drapes across her skin. Despite my planning, I never know exactly how a painting will look when it is complete. Chiffon seemed to evolve on its own into a soft, sun-drenched moment of relaxation.”
In contrast, Calypso reveals her willingness to let a painting shift and transform. “Sometimes I like to begin without a plan and see where the painting will take me, as with Calypso,” she explains. “This piece started very abstractly and has taken on dozens of variations and months of readjusting to arrive at what you see. Calypso is a Greek nymph of enchantment, temptation, and beauty. The title seemed appropriate since I intended to portray the figure entering a private escape. It’s a secret garden, a tempting place to find solace from the outside world.”
Several works carry a more personal connection. “Blue Moon has been a calming presence in my studio for months, and I will miss this piece. To me, this painting represents the act of refocusing and centering oneself. It's a lovely moment of clarity.”
Not all the works are serene. Mozzone’s playful side shines through in her Diva series. “My light-hearted Diva ladies were such fun to paint! This party girl is enjoying herself and welcoming guests to join in.”
Chiffon 40x40 Oil on Canvas $9300
Calypso 30x40 Oil on Canvas $7700
Blue Moon 24x24 Oil on Canvas $3900
She also explored beyond the human figure with her Snoot series, inspired by her own dog. “I have always been an animal lover, especially dogs, and this Snoot series was a joy to paint. A nice variation on the water theme for me, the idea came about during a photo shoot at our pool with my daughter and her loveable dog, Buddy. I was filming Meredith, but Buddy popped his head over the edge of the pool, and I managed to get him on camera. The result was too adorable not to capture on canvas.”
Finally, works such as Pollywog II and Whimsy playfully merge patterns and figures. “Pollywog II and Whimsy are similar in that I’ve superimposed the figure over colorful patterns. Pushing the boundaries of what reads as underwater, I incorporated a palette in each painting that I felt exemplifies summer with a nod toward beach towels, madras shirts, and having fun.”
This year’s Vacationland is more than a summer show. It is a celebration of color, movement, and imagination, a true invitation to see the familiar in unexpected ways.
Diva III 12x24 Oil on Canvas $2300
Little Snoot I 12x12 Oil on Canvas $1500
Whimsy20x16 Oil on Cradled Panel $2500
The show Vacationland is on view from August 30 through September 17 at Maine Art Hill, located at 5 Chase Hill Rd in Kennebunk, Maine. The gallery is open daily at 10 AM. For more information, visit maine-art.com, email info@maine-art.com, or call 207-967-2803.