MAY 2018 ISSUE
SPOTLIGHT
At under 50,000 acres total, of which approximately 30,000 acres are on Mount Desert Island, one can be in the midst of an
enchanted birch forest one moment and, a short time later, be standing before majestic Otter Cliff and tasting the salty ocean
air. The artistic stimulation of Acadia is truly incredible!
The physical characteristics of Acadia, while truly beautiful, are not the only reason I am drawn there. There is an intangible
connection between Acadia and myself that transcends time and space. I am referring to the spiritual relationship that I feel
when I am there, and even when I am not there.
enchanted birch forest one moment and, a short time later, be standing before majestic Otter Cliff and tasting the salty ocean
air. The artistic stimulation of Acadia is truly incredible!
The physical characteristics of Acadia, while truly beautiful, are not the only reason I am drawn there. There is an intangible
connection between Acadia and myself that transcends time and space. I am referring to the spiritual relationship that I feel
when I am there, and even when I am not there.
Acadia National Park in Maine is my favorite location away from home. Even though I haven't had the opportunity to visit there as
often as I would have liked to over the years, I feel a strong connection to Acadia. While I have greatly enjoyed my experiences at
many other natural locations throughout our great country, Acadia National Park, like an old friend, keeps calling me back.
The physical reason is simple. Acadia is wonderfully unique, offering the artist varied scenes of mountains, forests, fields, and of
course the rocky Atlantic coast…all of which is packed into a relatively small area that can be easily traveled. While other regions
of our nation may be on a grander scale, I personally find the more intimate experience of Acadia to be more creatively inspiring.
often as I would have liked to over the years, I feel a strong connection to Acadia. While I have greatly enjoyed my experiences at
many other natural locations throughout our great country, Acadia National Park, like an old friend, keeps calling me back.
The physical reason is simple. Acadia is wonderfully unique, offering the artist varied scenes of mountains, forests, fields, and of
course the rocky Atlantic coast…all of which is packed into a relatively small area that can be easily traveled. While other regions
of our nation may be on a grander scale, I personally find the more intimate experience of Acadia to be more creatively inspiring.
Despite the popularity of Acadia National Park, one can still find quiet solitude while within it's boundaries. There is ample
opportunity to listen to the wind moving across a meadow and to hear the call of a seabird. There is the opportunity to walk
in a forest on a frosty morning or watch the tiny ripples in a tranquil pond and, of course, to be immersed in the hypnotic
sight and sound of the Atlantic ocean meeting the rocky coast. This ceaseless confrontation between water and land is a
powerful element of Acadia that I never tire of. When I am in that experience, I feel as if all of my cares and concerns are
being washed away with the surf and, if only for that moment, they are. If that's not a spiritual connection, then I don't know
what else to call it.
opportunity to listen to the wind moving across a meadow and to hear the call of a seabird. There is the opportunity to walk
in a forest on a frosty morning or watch the tiny ripples in a tranquil pond and, of course, to be immersed in the hypnotic
sight and sound of the Atlantic ocean meeting the rocky coast. This ceaseless confrontation between water and land is a
powerful element of Acadia that I never tire of. When I am in that experience, I feel as if all of my cares and concerns are
being washed away with the surf and, if only for that moment, they are. If that's not a spiritual connection, then I don't know
what else to call it.
Native Americans talked much about their spiritual connection to the land, and for good reason. In my opinion, If you don't
feel such a connection…a kinship to the land…then you are only living on it and are not part of it. As an artist, if I am not
part of the land…my subject…I don't see how it is possible to come away with anything more than superficial recordings.
If I am to delve beneath the surface and create something that represents a location, a spiritual connection is necessary.
While I have made this connection at numerous parks and preserves through America, there is an ease to this ability for
me in Acadia.
feel such a connection…a kinship to the land…then you are only living on it and are not part of it. As an artist, if I am not
part of the land…my subject…I don't see how it is possible to come away with anything more than superficial recordings.
If I am to delve beneath the surface and create something that represents a location, a spiritual connection is necessary.
While I have made this connection at numerous parks and preserves through America, there is an ease to this ability for
me in Acadia.
As a visual artist, I know how important light is. As a matter of fact, in my opinion, light is the number one element above
texture, color, form and contrast. Without light, all other elements would cease to exist. Therefore, I would be remiss if I
didn't pay tribute to the almost magical quality of the northern light present in Acadia. Much has been written about this
subject, so I won't bother to cover it in detail in this article. Suffice it to say that the light in Acadia seems to radiate from
within, rather than on the place.
texture, color, form and contrast. Without light, all other elements would cease to exist. Therefore, I would be remiss if I
didn't pay tribute to the almost magical quality of the northern light present in Acadia. Much has been written about this
subject, so I won't bother to cover it in detail in this article. Suffice it to say that the light in Acadia seems to radiate from
within, rather than on the place.
All artwork featured in the SPOTLIGHT © copyright the respective artist. All rights reserved.
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
Text and Photography By Douglas Schwartz
