by Suzanne Daub
When I drove out to G.S. Hill’s home studio recently, it was a beautiful June day on Nantucket: warm with a light fog that muted sunshine and softened edges. As I walked across their lawn bordered by blueberry bushes and wild grapes that slopes gently down to a pond filled with fish, frogs, and turtles, I could see how the natural beauty surrounding his home must inspire this Nantucket painter.
Widely known and internationally collected, Gregory Hill has been devoting his time recently to new Nantucket paintings. The day we spoke, he was putting finishing touches on Tranquility II, his largest oil on linen to date at 80 inches wide and 40 inches tall.
The scene is one of Greg’s favorites and depicts a view he enjoys nearly every day from his downtown studio: looking toward Brant Point Lighthouse from Straight Wharf. “I love the scene,” he commented, “it tells so much of the story of Nantucket and the island’s history.” He explained the scene as he painted in touches to a sail and light to a reflection: “it’s morning—the fog is burning off and it’s going to be a beautiful day.”
Greg has been working on the canvas for about a month: once he finishes adding detail and light, depth and richness, he’ll move this new painting to the G.S. Hill Gallery at 40 Straight Wharf. Stop by this week to see Tranquility II finished and framed.
