Self Portrait - Sunset Passing
Photoshop manipulated photos
by Lynn Cote
About lynn m cote
lynn m cote is a student at the University of Maine at Presque Isle. She is studying in the Fine Art program. She states that, “It (the art and going to school) is a kind of tribute to my dad and a promise to myself to do what makes me happy.” She emphasizes that her family and friends are very supportive of her desire to go back to school and to do her artwork. “They keep encouraging me and telling me how proud they are,” she says, “and that keeps me on track.” One source of inspiration for her artwork is nature. In particular, she turns her attention to the things that she gathers from the woods. These include bark, mushrooms, leaves and flowers. Lynn’s major ideas come from emotional responses to nature, personal and world issues and her reaction to past and present experiences and feelings. Subjects include flower pencil drawings, paintings of bark and abstract subjects related to emotional issues. She finds that her more abstract paintings stem from the deepest emotional responses. She says, “They are about the feelings you can’t quite put into words.”
Currently (2006-2008), Lynn is working on painting series of somewhat abstract qualities with hints of realism. The paintings put together her ideas that nature is both concrete/realistic, yet emotional/beautiful/abstract. The fact that we see and interact with nature on a regular basis is sometimes taken for granted. It is hoped that in viewing these series of nature paintings, one will come away with a new appreciation and a different view of the things we take for granted everyday. The subjects are painted as if looking through a macro lens of a camera to inspire one to "take a closer look"
Lynn intends to earn her Bachelor of Fine Art from the University of Maine at Presque Isle around 2010. When she graduates, she would like to paint and sell artwork, as well as help people in some way through art. She says that “Art is whatever you need it to be. The realization of self through art is an empowering tool. Whether it is creating or viewing the creation, art can be beneficial to everyone.” Lynn also wants to continue to develop her own style throughout her career. She enjoys painting, drawing and ceramics.