Tranquility
37 x 60 Oil on Canvas
Tranquility 37 x 60 Oil on Canvas
Some artists spend their careers refining a single subject. Margaret Gerding has spent hers continually asking what comes next.
With decades of painting behind her, Gerding still approaches each new collection with curiosity, looking for fresh subjects, new compositions, and different ways to interpret the landscape she knows so well. Her newest collection for Maine Art Hill's Summer Spotlight Series reflects that spirit of exploration, bringing together an eclectic group of paintings inspired by the coast of Maine.
"I try to push myself to explore different subject matters and ways of approaching them," Gerding says. "This showcase represents a slightly eclectic group of paintings."
Last Light at Timber Point
36 x 36 Oil on Panel
Distant Dunes
40 x 40 Oil on Canvas
Morning Walk
30 x 30 Oil on Canvas
The collection travels the length of Maine's shoreline, from the towering pines and rocky ledges of Owl's Head to the quiet marshes and reflective waters of Wells. While each painting depicts a different location, they are united by something more important than geography. They capture the fleeting moments that make a place unforgettable.
Rather than painting broad panoramic views, Gerding focuses on the instant that catches her eye. A particular quality of light. The atmosphere before the sun burns away the morning mist. The rhythm of rocks leads the eye toward the sea. The stillness of water reflects the surrounding landscape.
Reflections-Maine Coast
48 x 36 Oil on Canvas
Sun on My Shoulders 30x30 Oil on Canvas
Her painting Reflections – Maine Coast grew from one of those familiar experiences shared by anyone who has spent time exploring Maine's coastal roads.
"You feel the ocean near," she explains. "The cool early morning haze veils the trees, and the smell of pine and salt mixes in the air."
The painting is less about documenting a location than recreating a feeling. The soft reflections and muted colors invite viewers into the quiet calm of an early coastal morning, where atmosphere becomes the true subject.
Morning Walk
30 x 30 Oil on Canvas
Sunflower Hill
30 x 30 Oil on Canvas
Another featured work, Midcoast View, was inspired by a visit to Owl's Head. Unlike the gentler shoreline of southern Maine, this stretch of coast rises dramatically from the ocean in steep granite ledges crowned with towering pines. Gerding chose a tall, vertical canvas to emphasize that dramatic sense of height.
"The rocky coastline and tall pines depict a very different scene from southern Maine," she says. "I enjoyed using this vertical canvas to accentuate the power and height of the rock edge."
Painting a landscape dominated by stone presents its own creative challenge. For Gerding, arranging the composition becomes an exercise in problem solving.
"Putting together a composition with mainly rocks is similar to puzzle work for me," she says. "Connecting, finding a path, and joining the color shapes."
That thoughtful approach can be seen throughout the collection. Every rock, reflection, and stand of trees works together to guide the viewer through the painting while preserving the spontaneity of the original moment.
Whether depicting the rugged beauty of Maine's midcoast or the quiet serenity of southern marshes, Margaret Gerding reminds us that extraordinary beauty often reveals itself in the smallest observations. Her paintings encourage us to slow down, notice the changing light, breathe the salt air, and appreciate the moments that might otherwise pass unnoticed.
Meet the Artist
Margaret Gerding's Summer Spotlight exhibition will be on view at Maine Art Hill's Spotlight Gallery, 5 Chase Hill Road in Kennebunk. Join us throughout the week to experience this collection celebrating the atmosphere, light, and enduring beauty of Maine's coastline.
Saturday Schedule
10:00 a.m. Meet & Greet with Margaret Gerding
1:00–2:00 p.m. Live Conversation with Margaret Gerding and John Spain
3:00–4:00 p.m. Q&A with the artist, who shares her inspiration and creative process.