Artist Reception: Steve Moen on ‘Circling Back'
Join us on Wednesday, August 13 , for our artist conversation with Steve Moen, whose exhibit, Circling Back, will be on display in the Sheffer Gallery from August 1 through October 5. There will be a reception from 6 to 7 pm, followed by a conversation between Moen and Miggs Burroughs from 7 to 8 pm.
For artist Steve Moen, painting is a process of returning — both to physical places and emotional landscapes. Inspired by the rhythms of nature and the unique colors of a scene, Moen's Circling Back series began with visits back to Westport, where his childhood memories live in the tidal marshes and the rocks and boulders along the shore. Each piece starts with small studies created on-site — watercolors, quick oils on tin flashing, or digital sketches on an iPhone — then evolves in the studio into larger works. Color perception, memory, and emotion guide the process. Poetry, especially haiku, often plays a quiet role, offering focus and emotional resonance. The handmade pine floater frames, stained with a natural mixture of steel wool and vinegar, are the final touch — simple and thoughtful, like the paintings themselves.
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For more about The Westport Library's art exhibits, visit the Art at the Library page.