Ed Nadeau, The Yard, Summer in Maine, oil on canvas, 36 x 40 in., 2023.
The Yard, Summer in Maine is representative of my current work in that it depicts a rather commonplace scene of everyday life here in Maine.
A hot sunny day with contrasting values of light, tools such as the saw sitting, waiting to be used in the garden, and lawn chairs waiting to be sat in after a long day of yard work. In the center mid-ground, atop the hill near the garden shed, sits the compost pile, waiting to be turned and dispensed throughout the yard by the wheelbarrow in the foreground. One can almost smell the air and hear the buzzing of the bees.
Maybe it is high noon, and the family is taking a break inside for lunch, cooling off before continuing working in the garden after. I like to think that this painting offers the viewer a glimpse into the process of gardening and how it plays such an important role in our everyday lives. For me, the garden is also a catalyst for using formal elements that come together to create a strong composition that speaks to the viewer.