I still remember the first time I saw one of Sandra Chase Morrissey’s paintings. I was at one of Boothbay Region Art Foundation’s annual shows maybe five years ago? What initially attracted me to this painting was the movement, energy, whatever you wish to call it, contained within its frame. And that goes for all of her work being shown at BRAF.

Take this year’s ART in the Square show; Sandra’s “Sailing Delight” features outer harbor waters on what I interpret as a rather windy day. The small boats resembling One Design sailboats (and the water) are experiencing a strong wind. The varying shades of blue water created by the sun and wind … and the color! I imagine the eyes of viewers taking in her work, develop a bit of shine, perhaps even a twinkle as they dive right in. Did I mention her work is only on public view at BRAF?

“I love the Boothbay Region Art Foundation,” Sandra said. “I got a lot of support and talked with Sarah Wilde there. It has been really great; I really like the people. I love the location — and my work is selling there!”

Well, that’s always cause for celebration, yes?

Here’s another one to check out: It’s called “Beautiful Day on the Maine Coast.” This large painting is chock full of action and color. I still recall the day I saw it; the impact of the colors, that signature arresting energy … it was stunning with a hold that didn’t let go until I had explored it end to end, up and down … Wow. Just w-o-w.

At first you’re drawn in by the sheer fun and energy coming from the water and the boats and buoys on it. It’s a windy day – the waves frothing up, buoys bobbing to the beat of the natural rhythms built in. The rocky shoreline on either side anchors the piece. Beyond it houses and businesses tell us this is a community. Meanwhile, gulls fly above, hover, really, for a chance at bait or fish (courtesy of the boats below). This piece is so fun.

But how does she do it? Every artist has their own style fueled by their passion for drawing, color and composition. Painting style, use of color, technique(s), medium/media; is there a story (of course there is), but what pulls us, attracts us, and keeps us standing in front of one painting, and only glancing an another? LOL … that question would take a long time to answer and I’m already long-winded as it is!

For me, this artist’s work has what it takes to capture a viewer’s attention – and hold it. And Sandra is a self-taught artist. She worked at it for many years. Action is what she desires to instill in her art, and she succeeds. I wonder if having raised triplets has anything to do with that action, women who have had children know the amount of energy daily life has with one child! But women’s bodies and minds hold the memory of those years, so, why wouldn’t her mind and body memory add to the action she conveys with her brushes?

Process! I find it so fascinating to hear an artist talk about how they work. Sandra starts out roughly penciling in the major subjects of a new piece — water, sky, shore, islands, lighthouses, sailboats and/or lobster boats of various sizes, etc. Then she’ll cover the entire canvas – and yes that includes the sides – with blues and aquas for water, light blue or grays for the sky, greens or browns for the shore … 

“I splatter paint on the canvas and begin roughing in all the subjects in the painting … boats, houses, lighthouse, trees, rocks, etc.,” said Sandra. “Then it’s time to fill in all the details. Final steps are adding wisps of wind and waves. And then stepping back to see if everything looks great from a distance. If not I make the adjustments!” This is done to a backdrop of music that moves the artist moving the brush. “It (music) has to have a lively beat,” she said.

Sometimes it’s the subject(s) in a painting that just make you feel good – for many of us, one of those subjects is the birch tree. I’ve zeroed in on this variety because I’m actually planning on planting one in my yard this spring because I love ‘em.

I can’t remember how many times I’ve been at Boothbay Region Art Foundation, for example, when back in the day, June Rose would see me lingering in front of a painting of a birch and comment on how popular they were – particularly in winter scenes, she’d say. And I do believe Sarah Wilde told me the same thing at one time or other. And, frankly, what’s not to like? Its gorgeous white trunk and branches all magical and papery …

Recently I came across some birch trees painted by Sandra Chase Morrissey against a powdery blue sky and after a minute or two realized the serene-like feeling I get from birch trees was happening in her piece.

Sandra Chase Morrissey began seeing and thinking about herself as an artist in 2013. She’s got a website and Facebook page to check out – lots of paintings there. Right now she’s still tweaking a piece entitled, “Celebrating Maine’s Coast.” This one highlights much of what our Vacation State is composed of – water, islands, lobstermen/lobstering, boating, and more.

Her brushwork and vibrant color choices and painting style create undeniable energy, and it is that energy which compels me, and her other fans, to spend some time inside the paintings this self-taught artist brings to life.

Check out her work at: Boothbay Region Art Foundation, https://www.sandrachaseartist.com/ and on her Facebook page.