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"Nor'easter Surf At Washerwoman, Monhegan Island, Maine"

Michael E. Vermette studied this subject for hours before developing it in the studio on Monhegan Island in Maine. It was a part of his routine as a resident artist in 1999 to consult with Ann Hubert, a good friend and patron who knew James Fitzgerald and controlled his estate, and then practice the techniques she suggested. He also used in this painting one of James Fitzgerald's vintage handmade imperial 300b Whitman papers to paint this watercolor on in the studio. His studio at the time was the "Pink" house or what was foundly known as the Carina House studio. In this watercolor he captures the spectacular twisting surf that is so active during a Nor'easter. 
Michael says, "I have painted the Washerwoman more than 25 times, and still I have only begun to see the truth of this amazing rock that stands alone against the rugged North Atlantic seas. In this painting I started with the drawing, then made a tracing paper overlay drawing to simplify it even more. Then I transferred the drawing onto the watercolor rare paper and continued to paint from memory. J. Whatman was the creator of watercolor paper and there is absolutly no comparison in quality with watercolor papers made today. And what a privilege to have painted from James Fitzgerald's very own stock of over 500 sheets at the time I did my residency back in 1999." 
This is an watercolor painted study made on location in Michael's pure and bold style of transparent washes. Michael uses a descriptive stroke that describes lines of power, motion, and shape in describing the character of the Washerwoman in August, yet he paints with a subtlety that captures even the lightest veils of light. He painted this study on vintage handmade Whatman 300 lb watercolor paper and was able to achieve the textural grain that is most prized by painters who have ever painted on this rare paper.
Michael also says, "I am intrigued with the timelessness in change in my paintings. They show a love of color and light with emphasis on the expressive painterly mark and form, which evoke a recognizable feeling, a nostalgic memory, or even emotional qualities such as the smell of salt and balsam in the morning ocean air." 
Carl Little writes in Volume 30 of The Island Journal, " Michael Vermette, who emulates the vision of one of Monhegan island's great painters of the past, James Fitzgerald (1899-1971), adds impasto oomph to iconic views"
Michael E. Vermette double majored in Painting and Printmaking at the Maine College of Art, receiving his B.F.A Painting degree in 1980. He received his Certification in K-12 Art Education in 1986 through the University of Maine at Orono. A full-time artist and part-time art educator, Michael has been painting in oil, watercolor, and pastel for over fifty years and has won numerous awards for his work, including the Marilyn Sabin, Lauran Coleman and the Beverly Awards at the 12th,13th and 14th Biennial North American Open Shows of the New England Watercolor Society where he has been awarded signature membership. Most recently, Has been been awarded the honor of being the 1st Allagash Wilderness waterway artist-in-residency for the summer of 2020 where he expects to paint another 50 small studies. Michael is also the 2018 first place winner of the Castine Plein Air Festival, and a 2015-2017 winner as well. He won Best of Show in the Kennebunk River Club Art Exhibit and Sale for his watercolor, "Sea Dog". Michael leads several oil and watercolor plein air painting workshops in Maine and New Hampshire throughout the year. He is a Monhegan Artists' Residency Fellow and the 2011 Baxter State Park Artist-in-Residence in Maine. He was also an Artist-in-Residence at Acadia National Park twice in 1999 and 2006. His watercolors, oils, and pastels are in private collections throughout the country and internationally. In Maine, his works have been shown at various galleries and is currently represented by the Frame and Art Gallery in Yarmouth, The Lupine Gallery on Monhegan Island, and the Gleason Fine Art Gallery in Boothbay Harbor, all located in Maine. Because of the very high quality of the painting the starting price is set at 1/4 of the painting's worth. Because of this high quality and the confidence with quality custom shipping, I do not allow money back returns at this time.