“Capturing the Nantucket of the South.”
– Candace LovelyBefore diving into deeper layers of this collection, one might mistakenly liken Lovely’s Lowcountry imagery to “capturing the Nantucket of the South.” While Lovely acknowledges a strong New England influence across the body of her work (“Even when I’m not painting Nantucket, I’m thinking of Nantucket.”), those familiar with the tidal waters, barrier islands, and lowland landscapes of costal South Carolina will recognize the unmistakable images and hues that blanket this collection.
Consisting almost exclusively of landscapes and figures painted plein air, Lowcountry paintings still offer a surprising range of visuals and themes. Lovely highlights some of the most recognizable regional landmarks including the Harbour Town Lighthouse on Hilton Head Island and the family-owned U Pik It Daffodil Field in Bluffton, SC. Balancing with simplicity, Lovely weaves in nostalgic, small-town staples like the Bluffton Oyster Factory’s annual oyster roast and the peach and produce stand that has for decades bid farewell to summer travelers heading to the interstate.
Most recognizable are the Lowcountry landscapes built on the vibrant blues and electric yellow-greens of Carolina’s sprawling marshlands and waterways. This traditional scenery that is the calling card of a lush and teeming countryside, stands on its own with a vivid palette and picturesque settings, though Lovely occasionally incorporates figures representative of the history, culture, and ecology of the area – from fishers to farmers to her famous “fair women.”
Before diving into deeper layers of this collection, one might mistakenly liken Lovely’s Lowcountry imagery to “capturing the Nantucket of the South.” While Lovely acknowledges a strong New England influence across the body of her work (“Even when I’m not painting Nantucket, I’m thinking of Nantucket.”), those familiar with the tidal waters, barrier islands, and lowland landscapes of costal South Carolina will recognize the unmistakable images and hues that blanket this collection.
Consisting almost exclusively of landscapes and figures painted plein air, Lowcountry paintings still offer a surprising range of visuals and themes. Lovely highlights some of the most recognizable regional landmarks including the Harbour Town Lighthouse on Hilton Head Island and the family-owned U Pik It Daffodil Field in Bluffton, SC. Balancing with simplicity, Lovely weaves in nostalgic, small-town staples like the Bluffton Oyster Factory’s annual oyster roast and the peach and produce stand that has for decades bid farewell to summer travelers heading to the interstate.
Most recognizable are the Lowcountry landscapes built on the vibrant blues and electric yellow-greens of Carolina’s sprawling marshlands and waterways. This traditional scenery that is the calling card of a lush and teeming countryside, stands on its own with a vivid palette and picturesque settings, though Lovely occasionally incorporates figures representative of the history, culture, and ecology of the area – from fishers to farmers to her famous “fair women.”
