Nantucket Art

Artist

Carrying the baby, Ocean beach, 1993 (from Bartley’s video), 2008. 36×48 inches.

The Pink Sunsuit, 1967 (from Mom’s film), 2008 . 36×48 inches.

On the Ferry, 2008. 36×36 inches.

Wauwinet House 1984, 2008. 36×48 inches.

Wauwinet Road, 2008 . 36×48 inches.

Ocean Beach 1, 2007 . 24×36 inches.

Your Name
Maud Bryt

Website
http://www.maudbryt.com

How or when did you first “discover” Art?
When I was about ten, I made a clay sculpture of a boy holding a stick. As I worked on it, it was like magic to me how it came to life.

Name one of your greatest creative influences and why?
Manet is probably my greatest influence at the moment– his subject matter, his references to art history, his use of paint and concern with frontality and engagement with the viewer. I’m reading a great book about him by Michael Fried.

What made you decide to become an Artist?
I didn’t decide to become an artist but rather I found myself continually studying light, composition, and form, practicing what I learned whenever I could. I started out as a photographer but turned to painting for what I saw as more control.

What are you currently working on?
I have a few series of paintings which I add to as time goes by, one of which is NANTUCKET. Also, right now, I am working on studies for a large painting of a backyard BBQ scene which I’m very excited about.

What is the most rewarding thing about being an Artist?
For me, when a painting finally “works” I get that same feeling I had when I was ten.

What is the hardest thing about being an Artist?
For me, the hardest thing about painting seriously is also the most necessary thing– being alone for many hours.

Briefly describe your studio.
My studio looks pretty much like the inside of the painting part of my head. I clear it out when I’m about to start something new, and when I’m thinking about 5 paintings at once, there are 5 wet paintings leaning against walls around me. Otherwise, it’s plain white, including the floor, with supplies on a simple table, a drying rack, and lots of light.

What is in your CD player when you work?
I listen to my ipod with speakers in my studio and I ask friends to send me music. Rickie Lee Jones, Jeff Buckley, Belle and Sebastian, Damien Rice, Tom Waits, Amie Mann, Bruce Springsteen, The Frames; also Chopin, Bach, Beethoven. I’m always looking for new music.

What is the last exhibition you saw?
Courbet at the Metropolitan Museum, which blew me away.

How does Nantucket inspire your work?
Nantucket inspires my work directly. For me, Nantucket is very physical– all about air and light and texture, which are qualities that are important in my paintings. For my NANTUCKET paintings also of course the subject matter is Nantucket.

How do you relax when not working?
Since I work alone, when I’m not working I like to be with people, mostly my husband and our two teenage daughters. I’m also an avid karate student and I have fun with my friends and teachers at the karate school.

Maud Byrt is currently exhibiting:
“BACK TO NANTUCKET”
Hoorn-Ashby Gallery
10 Federal Street, Nantucket MA
June-August 2008
For information please call the gallery at 508-228-9314

All work copyright Maud Bryt