|
Volume CXXXII, Number 2 |
 |
Rachel Tannebring paints at the Coastal Studies Center
MAIA-CHRISTINA LEE
ORIENT STAFF
This week, for the first time since the seventh grade, I went to a science fair. Bright white poster boards stood proudly everywhere. Students explained to each other the effects of geological movements on biological processes. There was much talk of microorganisms. There was much talk of many things that I know nothing about.
However, amidst this sea of environmental exploration stood Rachel Tannebring '03 proudly displaying something very unscientific.
Along with a host of young Bowdoin scientists, Tannebring lived in Maine this summer and participated in the Rusack fellowship program for coastal studies. However, instead of developing a scientific study of the Maine coast, Tannebring was here to paint it. For eight weeks she spent the summer painting and repainting landscapes in the Brunswick area.
Most of her work was done outside on location, using an easal and water based oil paints. She worked on Middle Bay Cove primarily, moving occasionally to Orr's Island and Bailey Island as well.
Usually she would begin in the morning, picking a particular location to start painting. Often she would return to the same place and paint a similar landscape from a slightly different angle. "Seascapes differed tremendously depending upon what time of day I was painting them," she said. Tannebring also painted things smaller in scope, such as fences and trees.
Occasionally, Tannebring moved inside to her studio to make corrections or paint from photographs. However, she attempted to work outside most of the time in order to capture the nuances of nature.
"It was difficult to keep painting in the same place because the tides would change on the mud flats," she saud. "Dirt and bugs would get into my paint too." Nevertheless, Tannebring succeeded in completing more than twenty landscapes in a variety of sizes.
Even though the coast of Maine provides ample inspiration for any painter, Tannebring was inspired by several famous artists as well. She spent a lot of time studying the work of Edward Hopper, Rockwell Kent, Fairfield Porter, and the Wyeths.
"I was very interested in minimalist landscapes," she said. "There are so many artists who have painted in Maine and it was fun to look at their work."
Tannebring worked under the guidance of Jim Mullen, her academic advisor from the visual arts department. Every week she met with other participants in the Rusack fellowship program, along with Professor Anne Henshaw of the Anthropology department who is in charge of the Coastal Studies Center. Each week all students were required to give a presentation of their work. Even though Tannebring was the only artist, she insists that the experience was thorougly enjoyable.
If you would like to see some of Rachel's work yourself, she will be having a show in October somewhere on the Bowdoin campus.
If you like to paint do not hesitate to apply for the Rusack fellowship next summer. Tannebring highly recommends it as an excellent way to experience the beauty of Maine while getting paid to paint landscapes. What could be better?