Each year, an artist member at the Copley Society of Art is chosen to be the artist-in-residence at Cape Ann. Established by the Charles Family Foundation in 2014, in collaboration with the Cape Ann Museum and the Copley Society of Art, the residency gives Copley artists the opportunity to have a month-long stay on the North Shore to work on their craft.
Laureen Hylka (middle) with Ted and Jan Charles (left and right) in front of Hylka’s painting at the Charles Fine Arts Gallery
This year, Laureen Hylka was the recipient of the Cape Ann Residency. During the month of September, Hylka traveled to Gloucester, Rockport, and other areas on the North Shore to find new inspirations for her “plein air” artwork.
This rocky scene painted by Laureen Hylka shows her experimentation with color tones
Laureen Hylka frequently painted Bass Rocks (above) during her residency
On October 4th, Hylka hosted a gallery talk at the Cape Ann Museum to discuss her residency. The talk took place at the museum’s newest exhibition, “Rock Bound,” which shows paintings of the “American scene” as exemplified on Cape Ann and the North Shore. Laureen Hylka also has a solo exhibition at the Charles Fine Arts gallery which features some of her earlier works alongside paintings from her residency.
Visitors view paintings in Laureen Hylka’s solo exhibition at the Charles Fine Arts gallery
Laureen Hylka’s seascapes on display at the Charles Fine Arts gallery
While exploring the North Shore, Laureen Hylka was drawn to the rock formations along shore. The color tones and light were mesmerizing. “It’s like a magic show,” she explained. “You can sit there just five minutes and the colors will change. It’s a magical place.”
Laureen Hylka plays with gray tones in this depiction of Bass Rocks
An untitled soft pastel Laureen Hylka created during her residency on Cape Ann
The changing colors, especially amongst Bass Rocks, intrigued Hylka. Driven to portray the ever-changing color tones and palettes believably, Hylka consulted art books and paintings by other artists such as Childe Hassam, John Carlson, and Gifford Beal. Aldro Hibbard’s Rockport Quarry (shown below) was especially helpful to Hylka on how to best paint the lighting and color notes on rock formations.
Aldro Hibbard’s Rockport Quarry (hanging) inspired Laureen Hylka’s work during her residency. One of Laureen’s studies can be seen on her easel
Laureen Hylka poses for a picture as she paints rough waves en plein air
Laureen Hylka’s large Bass Rocks painting on display at the Charles Fine Arts gallery
Hylka’s solo show is on exhibition at the Charles Fine Arts gallery through October 10th.