On Friday, May 8, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the Jackson Memorial Library, in Tenants Harbor, will host an opening for its May show, “Color My World: Paintings by JM Connors.”

According to a Library news release, JM Connors, based in Tenants Harbor, describes the show as an exploration of “bright and vivid colors, the way light bends through humidity at dawn, the fiery saturation of a storm clearing sunsets and the cool tones of a sunrise.”

Working in the tradition of representational realism, Connors utilizes the inherent properties of oil paint, its depth, slow drying time and the capacity for transparent glazing to replicate the atmospheric glow of the “golden hour.” The artist describes the paintings as “studies of light as a physical presence.”

“The sky is the most honest indicator of the mood in nature,” she explains. “When these colors hit the water, the world becomes a closed loop of color. My goal is to capture the split second where the light is so intense it feels as though the landscape itself is breathing.”

JM Connors is a contemporary representational oil painter whose work focuses on the evocative power and beauty of the natural world. She utilizes various techniques to capture the luminous qualities of the coast, marshes, and inland wilderness. Key techniques include à la prima for direct painting, glazing for transparent, layering, and impostor for thick textured strokes. 

Born in Rockland, Massachusetts, the artist’s early life was defined by days spent working and playing in the beautiful towns and country sides of New England. A self-taught artist, her journey to mastering representational oil painting was forged through years of independent study and immersive field work. Her style is characterized by a balance of meticulous detail and expressive loose brushwork.

Light refreshments will be served at the art opening.

The show will be on display at the Jackson Memorial Library in Tenants Harbor through May.