Northshore Magazine

December 2015

Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.

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255 she says, adding that there is a certain attentiveness required of the viewer. Gray winter days she describes as "minor key." When the color spectrum is narrowed, she feels it forces her to see the subtleties within. Describing cold-season scenes as calming, Phaneuf says, "I like what the winter paintings do—they evoke a pensive quality." Gloucester's snow-covered rooftops are particularly captivat- ing for Phaneuf. "It's kind of a mishmash of all color," she notes. "The snow creates patterns—a checkerboard of diminishing and related shapes." It's that abstract character she really values. She also appreciates how the city's hilly topography affords her an elevated view; accentuating the wavy lay of the land, she is able to lull the viewer's eye. "I try to pick things that will composition- ally rhyme with the light," she explains. With muted shades, she depicts scenes that "bring you into the space gently," whereas sunny days are "a little more active." She describes the effect of bright light on snow as scintil- lating, noting that whether it's early morning or sunset, the snow "throws light like confetti." About snow itself, and render- ing it in paint, Phaneuf agrees it is subtle and complex, but for her, it's very easy to see. She compares it to both water and a mirror—in both cases, the colors and reflec- tions are obvious to her trained eye. "To me, it's so there." Bright days, she says, "expand the vibra- tional range," while shadows can look "out-of-the-tube blue." Asked about ideas for paintings she wants to do this winter, Phaneuf muses, "Whatever the environment offers…it's got to call me."

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