Martha Greenwell: O'oma Beach, Kona

SCHOLARSHIP AUCTION 2009
Artist: Martha Greenwell
Title: O'oma Beach, Kona
Medium: oil on canvas on masonite
Dimensions: 8-1/4” x 18-1/2”
Date: 2008

We are delighted to offer Martha Greenwell’s view of O’oma Beach, Kona. A wonderful combination of soft atmospheric effects and precise characterization of place, this tranquil beachscape will be a cherished artwork in your collection.

As in the 19th century landscape paintings of Frederick Church and Asher B. Durand, you can walk into the scene and appreciate the transcendent beauty of nature. On O’oma Beach, you will admire the deep ocean hues of teal, grey-blue, and green. (Breaking in the distance are rows of frothy waves cresting in a series. Overhead are the extraordinary clouds with shadows underneath and sunlight above that define the time of day and consistent mood throughout the painting.

On our walk along the shore, we enjoy a closer view of the exotic terrain. Several hau trees captivate us with their yellow blossoms and sleek curvature of trunk and branches moving in the trade winds that over time bowed their form toward the ocean. Where the fingers of lava crept along the sand into the bay, there are a myriad of tide pools formed by algae-covered rock. Martha balanced the composition with perfection. With her clear representation of a memorable site infused by consistent light and atmosphere, Martha Greenwell captures the spirit of Emerson in our own beloved landscapes.

O’oma Beach, Kona is an oil on canvas on masonite and measures 8-1/4” x 18-1/2”.  It is dated 2008.

Gift from Bernard and Mary-Alice ('74) Noguès