Dottie Leatherwood

Full Artist Statement

“The sea-shore is a sort of neutral ground, a most advantageous point from which to contemplate this world.”
― Henry David Thoreau

For me, the coastal landscape is the best spot to contemplate the world, the place where my world begins and ends. Growing up near the beach, the beauty and wildness of the coast imprinted upon me early and has captured my imagination ever since.

I paint because it is the best way I know to relate to my world. To connect with it. To be a part of it and tell its story. I am drawn to paint what I see; how it makes me feel in an expressive, tangible way. My paintings are conversations with the landscape, and with people.

Part of the adventure of being a landscape painter is curiosity and discovering environments. My ancestors settled on the Cape in the early 1600s. It feels full circle to be painting this landscape of my forebears home. I am inspired by the dramatic dunes to the tumbling sea, marshes, wetlands and ponds, from quaint villages, working docks and fishing boats to beckoning forests.

I am delighted to return to Cape Cod. I am honored to show my work in the Addison Art Gallery and look forward to seeing old friends and making new ones.