Many moods of Maine: The art of Jamie Wyeth

(NECN: Amy Sinclair, Tenants Harbor, Maine) - Members of the Wyeth family have captured the many moods of Maine on canvas for more than a century. Famed illustrator N.C. Wyeth came first, followed by his son, realist painter Andrew Wyeth. Now, his son, Jamie Wyeth carries on the work with a new show at the Farnsworth museum in Rockland, Maine. In tonight's cover story, NECN’s Amy Sinclair visits Jamie Wyeth on his island retreat to talk about savage sea gulls and the seven deadly sins. Jamie Wyeth spent decades painting out on Monhegan Island, but when that artist retreat got too crowded, Wyeth moved here to southern island at the mouth of Tenants Harbor. While this glorious blue-sky morning in June is picture perfect, Wyeth’s artistic relationship with Maine is much more than a summer romance. Wyeth: "Maine..it's really of no fault of Maine, but it has produced more bad art than any state in the union. Maine is very emblematic. But what interests me is to go deeper to go beyond cuteness and prettiness to get to the angst of which there is a lot in Maine. " That angst is now on full display in a new show at the Farnsworth museum's Wyeth center in Rockland, Maine. While other artists have explored the seven deadly sins, Wyeth reinterprets the biblical vices using gulls. Wyeth: "My interest in gulls is their savagery and their meanness. People make them out like white pigeons if you study them they're mean and intense. In the hands of a lesser artist, this study in feathered sin might be almost comical, but Wyeth’s birds revel in their bad behavior screaming right into the gates of hell. The show's largest work is a variation on the gull theme called “Inferno” depicting a now taboo slice of island life...burning trash out on Monhegan. Wyeth: I was down among garbage other artists were shooting the surf here I was covered with garbage saying thank god they don't see this you know.." To capture Maine’s darker side, Wyeth stays in every season, much of the time alone with only the sea, the gulls, and the nearby bell buoy for company. Wyeth: "I have to isolate myself to work, concentrate and focus and life on the island does that." And while Maine is often his muse while in residence, a brief visit into his studio reminds us that Jamie Wyeth is also a renowned portrait artist. “Actually there is something I just finished an odd thing of Thomas J. Believe it or not" It's a painting of a young Jefferson, laboring over drafts of the Declaration of Independence--Wyeth did it simply because he's fascinated by this founding father. Wyeth: "when you think writing the declaration and it still applies! What an amazing document! The subject of famous fathers made me wonder whether the Wyeth artistic dynasty ever weighs heavily on this famous son, but he laughed it off. Wyeth: "To me we're like the flying wilendas of paint, no it has no bearing on work." Still, there has been a sea change in the Wyeth lineage. Father Andrew died in January at 91, leaving son Jamie to grieve the loss of a father and trusted colleague. Wyeth: "Aside from losing a father he was the only true critique of my work and me his because we had nothing to gain by impressing one another." As for current projects, Wyeth gives his trademark reply. Wyeth: "Oh god I never talk about what I'm painting it takes the magic away I can say I’m terribly excited about it.” It's no use wondering what aspect of island life has Wyeth’s attention now, because his great talent is revealing something new in the familiar, something we won't see until the paint begins to fly.