My first trip to Maine was around 2008. I went to trace the footsteps of Winslow Homer — to see his home and studio on the coast, to understand what drew him there. In doing so, I ended up traveling much of the Maine coastline, including Monhegan Island, where many artists I love had painted in the 19th century.

It is a very simple farmhouse, built sometime in the 1930s, and survived the famous flood in the 40s, and more recently escaped disaster by only a few inches during Helene. I’ve done some work on it: a new roof, adding an upstairs studio, rebuilt the porch, new windows, and reworked the spring & pumphouse.

This piece is called 'Awakening', it was inspired by a dream I had shortly after I stopped drinking in the 90s. I was surprised it came out of me. It was so unlike other work I'd done. It represents me and the awakening I had when I got sober. I remember going through what they call the 'pink cloud' in AA: waking up early enough on Saturday mornings to see the sunrise and know what it feels like to not have a hangover.