I’m a wash ashore.
I first visited Cape Cod 27 years ago.
I was drawn to this elbow of land that stretched out to sea, it permeated my innermost self, and
I knew immediately, that one day, I would call this incredible place home.
12 years ago I purchased a run down cottage on the salt marsh banks of Scorton Creek, in scenic East Sandwich.
I relocated here, surrounded by views of Scorton as my back yard. Shortly afterwards, I was fortunate to acquire the historic “Bird Barn” also on the banks of Scorton, as my working studio.
A short kayak from my cottage.
I was unfamiliar with this unique marsh terrain.
It was very odd, and far different from any landscape I had past experienced.
The broad flatness with it’s sculpted dripping wet peat banks, the grassy vegetation, odd smells and gurgling sounds, it was wonderfully strange and all too sublime.
Scorton Creek is a twisting tidal river with many tributaries that connects a large salt marsh system with the Cape Cod Bay.
“Scauton”, called by the English “Scorton”, is an ancient Indian name, derived from “squalk”, the Indian name of an aquatic
bird, and “o-tan” meaning town or village. Scorton, along with all of Cape Cod’s marshes are one of the last natural ecosystems in the Northeast.
Beyond a visual treat, the unspoiled wetlands of Scorton marsh are a nature lovers paradise.
An abundance of wildlife calls home to this vast prairie of marsh.
This vibrant estuary is continually renewed everyday with an ebb and flow of each rising tide.
The briny earthen aroma of this renewal is indicative only to a salt marsh and it peculiarly intoxicates me.
The marsh can be both invigorating and peaceful, mysterious and magnificent, placid yet teaming with energy and life.
This juxtaposition fascinates me.
Its a special place of spectacular splendor, where I can slow down, breathe the air, meditate on the peace and quiet of nature, and create.
The interaction of color, shape, pattern and the rhythm of lights and darks drive my marsh inspired paintings.
The color mood of a scene completely compels me. This sensory experience is heightened by an underlying current of energy, captured in nature at extreme and fleeting moments.
I’m obsessed with color and light.
I get goosebumps when I can place one color next to another and can make it vibrate, or equally to make it push back or pull forward.
All this has lead me to become more and more of a process painter.
Building up marks and layers upon layers of paint to create depth.
Adding paint and taking off paint.
The painting process is as important to me as the outcome.
I am constantly walking the Marsh for inspiration. Spending hours upon hours observing/recording; via sketches, color studies and photography. Taking it all back to the studio to dissect and rearrange into pleasing compositions. From there it’s anyone’s guess where the painting will go!
I jokingly liken my marsh journey and experience, to the first man landing on the moon!
The marsh has been my exploration in space and place!
I live and work on the marsh .
I am surrounded by it, it is my life.
I paint what I know, and what has become familiar to me.
This endlessly complex and fascinating place has my entire attention.
It's an extremely intimate and personal relationship that has awakened my soul, and I am forever grateful.
I am so honored and thrilled to have “Man on the Marsh”, my first solo museum exhibition, at Cape Cod Museum of Art.
Ed Chesnovitch
2020
I first visited Cape Cod 27 years ago.
I was drawn to this elbow of land that stretched out to sea, it permeated my innermost self, and
I knew immediately, that one day, I would call this incredible place home.
12 years ago I purchased a run down cottage on the salt marsh banks of Scorton Creek, in scenic East Sandwich.
I relocated here, surrounded by views of Scorton as my back yard. Shortly afterwards, I was fortunate to acquire the historic “Bird Barn” also on the banks of Scorton, as my working studio.
A short kayak from my cottage.
I was unfamiliar with this unique marsh terrain.
It was very odd, and far different from any landscape I had past experienced.
The broad flatness with it’s sculpted dripping wet peat banks, the grassy vegetation, odd smells and gurgling sounds, it was wonderfully strange and all too sublime.
Scorton Creek is a twisting tidal river with many tributaries that connects a large salt marsh system with the Cape Cod Bay.
“Scauton”, called by the English “Scorton”, is an ancient Indian name, derived from “squalk”, the Indian name of an aquatic
bird, and “o-tan” meaning town or village. Scorton, along with all of Cape Cod’s marshes are one of the last natural ecosystems in the Northeast.
Beyond a visual treat, the unspoiled wetlands of Scorton marsh are a nature lovers paradise.
An abundance of wildlife calls home to this vast prairie of marsh.
This vibrant estuary is continually renewed everyday with an ebb and flow of each rising tide.
The briny earthen aroma of this renewal is indicative only to a salt marsh and it peculiarly intoxicates me.
The marsh can be both invigorating and peaceful, mysterious and magnificent, placid yet teaming with energy and life.
This juxtaposition fascinates me.
Its a special place of spectacular splendor, where I can slow down, breathe the air, meditate on the peace and quiet of nature, and create.
The interaction of color, shape, pattern and the rhythm of lights and darks drive my marsh inspired paintings.
The color mood of a scene completely compels me. This sensory experience is heightened by an underlying current of energy, captured in nature at extreme and fleeting moments.
I’m obsessed with color and light.
I get goosebumps when I can place one color next to another and can make it vibrate, or equally to make it push back or pull forward.
All this has lead me to become more and more of a process painter.
Building up marks and layers upon layers of paint to create depth.
Adding paint and taking off paint.
The painting process is as important to me as the outcome.
I am constantly walking the Marsh for inspiration. Spending hours upon hours observing/recording; via sketches, color studies and photography. Taking it all back to the studio to dissect and rearrange into pleasing compositions. From there it’s anyone’s guess where the painting will go!
I jokingly liken my marsh journey and experience, to the first man landing on the moon!
The marsh has been my exploration in space and place!
I live and work on the marsh .
I am surrounded by it, it is my life.
I paint what I know, and what has become familiar to me.
This endlessly complex and fascinating place has my entire attention.
It's an extremely intimate and personal relationship that has awakened my soul, and I am forever grateful.
I am so honored and thrilled to have “Man on the Marsh”, my first solo museum exhibition, at Cape Cod Museum of Art.
Ed Chesnovitch
2020
