Joseph Haroutunian
Fascinating how a small image can capture the overwhelming power, presence, light of the sea so perfectly. The colors are subtle, lush, inviting and Schoodic itself is all there, in shorthand. The Power of the Mark. ~BN
click smaller images for larger views
Following our Haroutunian purchase, still a little in shock that I owned this beautiful painting, Peter and I drove towards Corea. En route, we decided to visit Schoodic Park again, not having been there for 18 years. Driving in towards the first ocean view, the scenery opened up as never before, displaying colors and textures from the very painting I had just purchased. There they were—the sinewy seaweeds draped over boulders, the mossy greens, earthy red rock, stained from the sea, and the distinct firs above, with blue-gray sky and water blackened from the clouds. That was all in my painting! And neither the scenery nor the painting had ever been so clearly depicted as in those moments, as if a complete discovery was in the making. It was the most incredible moment, as I kept declaring to my husband, “look there— and over there! This is what Joe was conveying through his own language!” It was so exciting and not easy to describe in words, but we know it’s not even necessary.
Because Schoodic is right in my home with me now. PS
"Ancient Earth" oil on canvas 42" x 48"
"Green Above Naples" oil on canvas 34" x 24"
"Rust Over Gray" oil on canvas 24" x 18"
"All Blue" oil on gessoed paper 30" x 22"
"Oasis" oil on gessoed paper* 30" x 22"
"Yellow Over Green" oil on gessoed paper* 30" x 22"
"Seasonal" oil on canvas 22" x 30"
"Blue Horizon" oil on gessoed paper * 30" x 22"
"Moving Earth" oil on canvas 20 x 16
"Green River" oil on canvas 24" x 12"
"Western Layers" oil on gessoed paper sold
"Tikal" oil on canvas 30" x 20"
"Red Over Sand" oil on gessoed paper* 30" x 22"
"Ultramarine Blue" oil on canvas 56" x 46"
"Schoodic Rust" oil on museum board 40" x 30" sold
January 2021
*Gesso is the primer. It helps paint keep on with any surface, including paper, cloth or board. It prevents paint from soaking into the paper as well as strengthening it, enabling the painter to apply layers of collage and heavier elaborations. The above gessoed paintings are framed.
Haroutunian is an impressively abstract painter, and his savvy vision is a great reminder that Maine's gritty inspiration isn't limited to scenic appeal.
Dan Kany, Maine Sunday Telegram
Dan Kany, Maine Sunday Telegram