That weekend we sold half the work he delivered and had we been open since that weekend, I know the other half would be discovered and purchased too. So in the meantime, while we wait this second wave out at a distance and the store returns to appointment and curbside pickups for the time being, I invite you to get to know Kent Maxwell a little better virtually. There are some beautifully executed and custom framed pieces I hope find their forever homes too and if you like, be sure to make an in person or virtual appointment or explore the work here. I think you will find as much to love about the paintings and be inspired by the artist as I am. Here are my Ten Questions with Kent Maxwell. 

ONE WHERE DO YOU LIVE AND WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO NEWPORT? 

I currently work and reside in Portsmouth, NH. I have family in Rhode Island and often stop in Newport on my trips. I love the feel of small seaside cities and the sense of home they conjure inside you. 

TWO WHAT ARE THREE THINGS YOU CANNOT TRAVEL WITHOUT? 
My sketchbook, slip-on Sanuks and earbuds. 

 

THREE WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT THIS YEAR? 
I was commissioned to build a huge maple floater frame over the summer. It was the largest piece I've ever attempted, about seven foot by four foot, and I really enjoyed the challenge of constructing such a large frame and working through the obstacles that popped up along the way.

FOUR TELL ME SOMETHING PEOPLE WOULD BE SURPRISED TO HEAR ABOUT YOU? 
I have a blind dog (canine apprentice) named Banksy.

FIVE WHAT IS IT THAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST INSPIRATION?

I love visiting the ocean and drawing inspiration from the salty air and rhythmic sound of crashing waves. Spending time there, mentally it has the kind of effect of a long exposure, imprints of landscapes that I take with me.

SIX WHAT IS Something positive that came out of Covid lockdown for you as a creative?

While it might sound obvious, lockdown has given me the ability to be in the studio a lot more. Typically, I travel up and down the East Coast for art exhibitions and festivals over several months of the year, and that can limit the amount of studio time I can put in. These days, I've been able to spend that time in the studio without feeling the pressure of having to make every minute count.

 

SEVEN WHAT'S THE PROJECT YOU ARE WORKING ON NOW THAT YOU ARE MOST EXCITED ABOUT?
I am currently working on a series of large scale paintings entitled “Dinosaurs”. They are mixed media paintings of icebergs aimed to capture their once enormous size and sense of wonder.

EIGHT WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO Do OR WHERE IS A PLACE YOU WANT TO VISIT Post Covid times? 
I have always wanted to visit Reykjavik and journey around Iceland on the Ring Road.

NINE IS THERE SOMETHING YOU WANT TO PROMOTE?
I would like to promote the Great Bay Stewards—this non-profit organization is critical in protecting the Great Bay Estuary. The preservation of New Hampshire’s raw beauty and natural landscape is important to me and the Great Bay Stewards help educate the public and safeguard that beauty.

TEN WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF CAREER ADVICE? 

“Just keep painting.” The process of being an artist really is about putting in the work. I love the Thomas Edison quote about failure--finding 10,000 ways that a lightbulb doesn't work. I've spent countless hours in the studio only to feel that it hasn’t been productive, or that the artwork has taken steps backwards away from completion, but in truth I spent those hours figuring out how to not paint what I want, and that's how you get to where you want to be as an artist. It's a grind, a journey. Just keep painting.

See more of Kent's work here 

Photos: Kent Maxwell

Instagram: @kmaxwellart

contact: kent@kentmaxwellart.com