Water Mill - Continuing with our artist profiles of artists both living and working in the Hamptons, our next artist is Sally R. Breen, who lives in Water Mill.

"Winter Dune" - oil on board.

Artist Sally Breen received a BFA from Syracuse University, however, she took her first traditional oil painting classes at New York Academy of Art in the early 1980s. She and her family moved to Falls Church, VA for several years, then to Rye, NY, where her sons finished high school. Sally took classes along the way in painting, print making and computer graphics. After coming to the East End the "softness" in her work appeared.

Breen states "It has always been difficult for me to relay an 'artist statement' because I know I have a vision of what I want to portray but how to explain that? Why do I do this, painting, anyway? I just have this attraction to paint and paint with oils. I do enjoy drawing, but the curiosity of paint is closer to, if not, an obsession. Colors, textures and translucencies abound."

"The first oil painting of size was painted in an elective class in college. From the beginning, the need to accomplish the re-creation of the still life was secondary to the peace of mind I felt as I stood in front of the canvas, mushing and spreading this gooey stuff.

So there I said it 'peace of mind' - peace of mind and enjoying the process of painting with the objective of trying to capture what I see as the emotions in life through the colors of a landscape."

Commenting on other things she enjoys, Breen revealed "I enjoy, with varied degrees of skill, skiing (skiing as fast as my nerve will let me), yoga (though I am inconsistent and have tightened up quite a bit) and scuba diving, (peacefully drifting through these environments so foreign to my eyes). Obviously, yoga and painting are the two things I can do on my own and everyday, the others, luxury events that I cherish. These things, plus my family and people I hold dear, are some of the things that make me who I am and also feed into the push, pull, aggression, observation, creation and peace that run through me while I paint."

"End of Summer" - oil on canvas.

Further, "As a stay at home Mom (years ago) I felt guilty pushing these kids out the door to accomplish and excel as I went in and had a cup of coffee. Why do I retreat from putting myself on the line? I just do, until challenged. I spent many of those mornings after coffee and before the afternoon events, painting. Living a solitary life for a few hours a day. Eventually I was told to complete my art, I should show my work in public and get feedback. I was being pushed out of the nest! I really don't know if that is a necessary eventuality for every artist but I must say it tweaked my ambition and made me confront myself and my intentions which I believe made me grow both as a person and an artist."

Breen, along with artist Daniel Schoenheimer founded The Local Art Rag, currently in its fourth year. As she explains, "Working at a gallery for a few years I realized how expensive it is to advertise and met so many gifted people who sell art in 'alternative' spaces or even out of their homes. On every bulletin board there are tear sheets with musicians displaying their information. Daniel also saw the need, and that's how The Local Art Rag started. The 'Rag' is intended to be a local directory with a mission to keep the prices as low as possible, and deliver colorful issues filled with artists, musicians, and any other art information across the entire East End. One comment I hear often is we should have articles. However, for the time being, paying for 'content' doesn't fit. I love hearing what artists are up to and what they are thinking behind their motivations. We were honored to have Pat Rogers start a blog for us a few years back. Though not being taken full advantage of at this time, this concept is closer to the The Local Art Rag mission we wish to develop.

"Justin At Four" - oil on canvas.

As of now we are a 'hard copy' directory showing links to websites and blogs. Commentary is more current and inexpensively dispersed online, leaving the directory to be a resource - not a magazine - where we try to incorporate all the groups, associations, galleries, museums, music venues and individuals advertising under one umbrella. This is a directory for the use of our guests (tourists) to be informed and for the benefit of those of us who create in their own spaces or through the seasonal galleries and venues.

When did you start making art and what medium(s) do you consider to be your roots in art?

Sally Breen: I don't ever remember not 'making' something. I have memories of sitting with my grandfather with a large box of Crayolas and drawing sketches of 'happy' horses and 'grouchy' pumpkins. Art teachers and classes were always my favorite. My Mom is an accomplished 'folk art painter' and we were always painting, drawing, building or sewing. I didn't try oils until college - and briefly at that point - but the seeds of curiosity were sowed. After joining local artists associations, co-op and group shows, and apprenticing in a gallery in Sag Harbor, I am enjoying the cumulative knowledge!

"Red Tree Dots" - oil on canvas.

What is it about the Hamptons that brought you here and enticed you to stay, work, and pursue your art here as opposed to some place else?

SB: My husband's family had a summer house on Shore Road in North Sea and his aunt and grandmother lived in Southampton. So, he brought me here. The gift of spending some of my life on the East End has been invaluable for me. I have been able to let loose, make bad art, as well as some that I am very happy with. My understanding of the media has grown to the point I feel competent to portray what it is that I feel a need to get out. My mood sways with the changing environment and paintings have grown because of the freedom of that experience.

How do you support yourself as an artist?

SB: I must say I am fortunate my husband pays the mortgage. I have sold paintings through local cooperative galleries and shows, as well as out of my house.

Why live and work in the Hamptons as opposed to elsewhere?

SB: The East End of Long Island is one of the most gorgeous places I have ever been. We have family on both Forks. I have spent 30 years visiting somewhere out here and have had our home since 1998. Just don't know where else I'd rather be.

"Gatherings: August at the Cut" - oil on board.

What local environmental or historical aspects of the Hamptons do you relate to that may be reflected in your medium?

SB: Very stereotypically the light, there is something in the soft vibration of how colors meet. I live near the water with the wonderful reflections, colors, changing, and shifting shapes. Some shapes are flat and reflective, some eternal and so deep your eyes water just trying to take it all in! Most of my education was based on linseed oil, dammar varnish and the like. Recently I have been using more alkyds. It was not easy to shift methods, learning technical stuff, trial and error for the most part. Recreating the atmosphere inherent in the 'light' here is an obsessive challenge.

What artists do you feel have influenced you and your work?

SB: The first time I saw an original Monet I felt covered in his colors. Then, years later, I saw a show of Rothko's - made me weak in the knees. The vibrations and undulations just shot straight to my soul.

What advice would you give an emerging artist?

SB: Learn the business and set aside periods of total absorption. I believe I paint my best when I let the rest of my life just fall by the wayside and paint all day for as long as my life will let me. I mean, drinking coffee and painting days on end to exhaustion - I LOVE it. I am blessed to have a husband who doesn't vocalize his frustration for living in the middle of all this mess as I find myself happiest painting in the living room.

"Storm Colors" - oil on canvas.

What gives you an edge (if any)?

SB: At this point, age. My comfort with this didn't come as a 20 year old.

What are you working on now, and are you involved in any upcoming shows or exhibitions?

SB: I am not showing this season. Currently, I am working on a new series. I have gesso primed boards all lined up and am painting without a show or deadline in mind. Painting on boards or hard surfaces suits my combative strokes. Challenging the technical applications of paint and mediums to create undulating flows of color depicting the shining, reflective, layered depths of our lives in the form of a landscape. That is where I keep finding myself, the vision I keep in my mind's eye.

To see more of Sally Breen's work go to www.sallyrbreen.com.

For more information on the Local Art Rag click here.