For the Love of St. Simon’s Island

For the Love of St. Simon’s Island

Well, I made it back to Rome and wouldn’t you know it, it’s been pretty rainy. Luckily this gives me time to sit down and share a little bit with you about my whirlwind week spent painting on St. Simon’s Island, Georgia a few weeks ago.Lighthouse Trolley, St. Simon’s Island8×10″Oil on Linen Panel© Kelly Medford, 2012Here’s a little painting that I was lucky to have the chance to paint, as this trolley is usually busy scooting around the part of the isalnd known as “The Village”. I had actually gone down to the marina to paint boats but found this little gem parked in the lot and took advantage of the rare occassion. I love the colors and the windows and felt lucky to have had the chance to paint this.Southern Red Cedars on the Marsh6x8″Oil on Panel© Kelly Medford, 2012soldI spent my 5 days there buzzing around the island from one spot to another, following the wonderful maps our host, The Glynn Art Association, had given us. These little cedars of course weren’t on any map, but I found them by my usual relentless stalking. They were beautiful out there on the marsh and I couldn’t help but set up behind someone’s condo and paint them.To tell the truth, there was such a wide variety of things to paint and despite the small size of the island, I felt rushed for time. I learned a lot about myself and what it takes to work under pressure. I had to constantly remind myself that it was okay to take all the time I needed and to find something that I really wanted to paint, something that spoke to me and seemed to capture a feeling about this island that was so unknown to me.Heavenly Colors9x12″Oil on Linen Panel© Kelly Medford, 2012soldThis painting Heavenly Colors one of the more important paintings personally that I did while at St. Simons. It has so much significance to me because it seemed to be one of the many places that really captured and visually described the rich history of this place.While driving around looking for something to jump out at me to paint, I saw this falling down mint green house through the woods and immediately pulled over to paint it. In some ways I thought it might be “risky”, as it sure wasn’t an ideal spot of beauty on the island and may be unpopular, but it spoke to me, with the bottles lined up along the front and the half open front door. This place had a story. Plus, that color just couldn’t be passed up.As always, someone stopped by while I was painting, it was the realtor who is selling the place. He was kind and didn’t mind me painting here. He even took the time to explain to me the reason why this house was painted this wildly bright color, also known as “heavenly colors.” St. Simons was originally an island of 3 major cotton plantations, so the slaves who stayed on the island after emancipation built these small houses and painted them bright colors in order to keep out any evil spirits. Some have only the windowsills and doorways painted these bright colors, while others chose to paint the entire house this way.Naturally this is an oversimplified explination, but to give the idea of what this house represents and why it was so important for me to paint, is the point. This was a summation of a part of the island which we might not see if just visiting for the weekend, with all of the beautiful places to visit, but is an integral part of the island.Which leads me to the final painting (which I already shared in my last blog post)The Old Harrington School House, St. Simons11x14″Oil on Linen Panel© Kelly Medford, 2012soldThis is the only orginal schoolhouse left on the island and was the black school. The house along with its surrounding 8 acres of woodland was recently bought by the St. Simon’s Land Trust and is on track to be fully restored despite its delapidated state. This painting was awarded the Land Trust prize sponsored by Susan Corn Wainright and was then auctioned to raise money for the land trust.I had a marvelous and very intense week painting this island so rich in history and natural beauty. I had the chance to work with and learn from some truly great and talented artists. It was a growing experience for me that I will always value. It gave me some new fuel and confidence for my upcoming exhibition of Roman paintings this fall in Rome. It also hit home for me more than ever the importance that I place personally on telling stories through painting.I’ll just leave you with a picture of myself with judge Andrew Peters and wonderful local artist Peggy Everett at the final awards ceremony and benefit for the Glynn Art Association and St. Simon’s Land Trust.