The Art Guide's Featured July 2008 Artist :: William maCCarty

William McCarthy Fine Art
203.230.8235 FAX 203.248.8837
139 Gillies Rd., Hamden, CT
Gallery hours by appointment.

www.williammccarthyfineart.com

I work from memory and imagination, which is to say I do not work outside, and, I do not use photographs in making my paintings. I have tried to work outside and to use photographs, but these techniques do not work for me. I have found the memory of a place and the use of thumbnail sketches are all I need to spark an idea; my imagination, then, kicks in to round out the image. I try to capture atmosphere, like the time of day, the weather conditions and the temperature. My images have a tendency to be familiar, yet not specific, leaving plenty of room for the viewer to make the image their own space.
Lately, I have been very drawn to watery areas, marshes and waterways. These areas are of interest to me because of the absence of the human stamp. Pristine, sacred spaces with water all around and underground. With so much water the sky is constantly reflected and thereby becomes land.

William McCarthy