Marsh A Marsh A Marsh A

Not just another marshscape

Since moving to the low country I have been struck with a familiar motif that I have been grumbling may be a tad over done. I don't know, whose to say how many are too many landscapes, or cityscapes or seascapes or even marshscapes for that matter?

A snippet of lovely marsh paintings

There are quite a few. When a theme is painted so prolifically, a painter must ask themselves, am I contributing something new and creative? Let's face it, we can't all be Martin Johnson Heade and we shouldn't want to.

Painting: “Two Fishermen in the marsh, at sunset” by Martin Johnson Heade cira NJ 1876ish

I've never been a landscape painter, so I am a little biased (maybe I know personally, I have nothing to offer that God and a thousands of other painters haven't done a million times better). Of course, with that attitude,there would be no painting ever. I guess it's just not where my passion is.

Although, marsh paintings are starting to grow on me. Last night my super sweet hubby took me out to celebrate our 29th anniversary. He surprised me with a sunset dinner cruise starting at Patriot’s Point and traveling past the historic shoreline of Charleston and partway up the Ashley River.

We saw beautiful marshes of all sorts complete with luxurious boats and a playful dolphin.

With so much beautiful scenery and fun company a painting still caught my eye and garnered my appreciation.

(Randy is a bit blurry as he tries to get out of the shot. I was trying to capture both of them. This painting is by Donna Williams)

Even with the picturesque view out the window and the handsome date across from me, this marsh painting kept capturing my eye. At first, I simply appreciated the dynamic sky and the fluid composition and depth of color. Then as the evening progressed and the light changed, I couldn't help noticing that with each changing of the light the painting would change completely. Subtle variations would appear and new areas of the scene would be illuminated. It was lovely. I was now a fan of the marsh painting. I tried to look up information about the artist, but didn't have much luck. All I know is Donna Williams painted lovely scenes of Charleston marshes and towns.

And like my husband, the more I look at them, the more I appreciate them.