Luminous “Emotional Landscapes” by Maine Artist Lynne Seitzer

Luminous and poetic, “ Emotional Landscapes” are a series of alla prima oil paintings by artist Lynne Seitzer. The scenes are familiar, like rhythms held in ones memory they strike a harmonious chord in the viewer. These paintings are more about the feeling of place and less about a realistic recording of the visual information or details of a specific site. For Seitzer each painting has it’s own distinct mood, color and meaning. An example of this might be explained in the painting titled “The Place Where Earth Meets Sky”. Here the horizon represents our visual impression of where we “connect’ to the universe. The warm yellow orchres and browns evolve from deep to pale tones. These soothing colors might convey a sense of oneness with the earth, sky and humanity. “Expansiveness, Awakening the Intuitive” is a field of layered greens and glowing yellows set beneath a large silvery sky. In many of the works there are trees in groups of two or three on thehorizon. Some of her other painting are titled “Sea of Dreams”, “Family” and “Sentinels.” As a series these works echo a similar voice. They all speak to the viewer in soothing tones and colors. Another common aspect is that each painting has an illuminated, sky countered by subterranean layers of earth or water. The paint is always applied in thick layers which are then pulled and scraped and moved into place. This creates the sense of luminosity. By choosing a very high or very low horizon the artist creates a sense of greater scale. Lynne Seitzer said “It is my intention to convey the feeling or “emotion” of a place. When I paint I am exploring my conscious and unconscious impressions. For me, the exaggerated scale of earth to sky suggests potential. By mixing the color directly on the canvas and using large painting knives (instead of brushes) to apply the paint, my process is more direct, active and free flowing. I believe this allows more of my heart and less of my structured mind to come through.” Seitzer has been painting and illustrating professionally since 1980 when she began working as a fashion illustrator. She obtained her Liberal arts and Associate of Arts degrees in Minnesota at South Central College and Minnesota State University at Mankato. She worked as an Advertising Art Director where she earned several national and international Design Awards. In 1992 she moved into greeting card design and illustration for an international stationery corporation which is headquartered in the Midwest. It was 1999 when she and her artist husband John Seitzer, who was teaching art and operating their gallery, relocated to Boothbay Harbor, Maine . Joy To The Wind Gallery and Studio is a vibrant mix of styles ranging from realistic portraiture to non representational abstract paintings. The subject matter includes Maine Waterscapes and Landscapes, Southwestern Imagery, Sacred Geometry, Visionary and Italian Scenes in oils, pastels or watercolors.