Coastal Compass Series: Artist Spotlight
More Than Just Art
What started as a simple summer goal—to step away from the screen and meet two artists whose work had inspired me from afar—turned into something much more meaningful.
I had followed both of these women through social media, admired their work, and felt connected to their creative journeys without ever having met them. This summer, I decided it was time to change that. I wanted to see where they created, hear their stories, learn from them, and experience their art in person.
With one, I sat in her studio and took a watercolor Oyster painting class, surrounded by the very tools and treasures that helped bring her work to life. At Danielle Driscoll's, Finding Silver Pennies Studio located in quaint Cohasset, MA harbor, I left with some of her favorite supplies and, even more importantly, a little more inspiration to carry into my own creative practice. Danielle is so sweet and her instructions on showing us different approaches to painting with watercolors was perfect. We left with a finished watercolor of an Oyster and it was matted and frame ready. I would encourage anyone to give a class a try and have fun learning from an amazing watercolorist!
Finding Silver Pennies Studio, Cohasset, MA
With the other, I stepped into her world through her photography and chose a piece of her work to bring into my new home. I drove to Jill Mason Art ,lovely home Studio in Marshfield, MA and it was wonderful to explore the studio and learn about the process of everything being handmade right there in her lovely barn. Her art will now become part of my everyday surroundings—a reminder of the beauty she noticed and captured in the world around her.
I selected a rowboat with its rich caramel colored dory with serene reflections in the water. It reminded me of all my years growing up rowing all around White Island Pond in Plymouth, MA. Out first boat was all wood and the oars would creek with every pass and that was the charm of the boat. The second rowboat we had was a larger all metal boat that we still have to this day.
So many cherished memories spent rowing around the lake with our children attached to the cleat with a ski line wrapped around their tire inner tubes, floating alongside us as we rowed. We also spent so many summers picking blueberries along the bushes lining the shoreline. So this painting will always remind me of bygone cherished summer memories at our cottage. It is amazing how someone's art can connect us to fond memories of row, row, row your boat gently down the stream...
Jill Mason Art Studio Marshfield, MA
This summer was a summer of gratitude. Grateful to have met these wonderful artists in person and to see them in their element following their own magic. Thank You!
Both experiences reminded me why I love following artists and makers in the first place. Art isn't just about what we create; it's about what we notice, what moves us, and what we inspire in one another.
Sometimes the best part of following your inspiration is finally following it all the way to the source.
This summer, I did just that—and I’m carrying a little piece of each artist, their stories, and their creative spirit home with me.
Peace,
Diane
