Christopher Reed

As a landscape painter living in Portland, Maine, I continuously develop a greater awareness and connection to the natural environment. My objective in painting is to capture a feeling of a particular place through various lighting conditions, whether it be along the ocean, on a wooded trail, or from a mountaintop.

I find inspiration through American Tonalism, the paintings of J.M.W Turner, Charles Francios Daubigny, and Claude Monet, to name a few. Their work is conceived in the moment, in nature, but simultaneously interpreted in their own way. I want others to be inspired by the play of light upon a given landscape, finding meaning as one chooses. Ultimately, I strive to generate a new way of perceiving the natural landscape, to feel more connected to it while experiencing a greater sense of ease, just as these great painters have done before me.

My greatest education beyond college has largely been nature. By connecting to nature through close observation, I have gained tremendous insight into value, color, form, texture, and the overall energy of the landscape.

Cultivating awareness has been my other teacher, allowing me to experience a particular place with all senses more fully. Cultivating this awareness has been a pers...

Bowdoin College