This is the view of Andrew Wyeth’s studio at “Eight Bells” overlooking the St. George River in Port Clyde, Maine. I was so immersed in my painting that I didn’t immediately notice when just about over my head two osprey were diving and shrieking at a bald eagle who was attempting to steal their nest. It took a minute for their racket to break through my concentration, but when it did it sent shivers through my body as I looked around and tried to really appreciate the beauty of this incredible moment.
I was incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to paint at Eight Bells, the summer home of the Wyeth family, and current summer residence of Helga Testorf, Andrew’s model for many years. N.C. Wyeth bought the island home in 1920 and named it after one of the best-known paintings by another Mainer and an artist much admired by Wyeth, Winslow Homer. The phrase “eight bells” refers to a ship’s watch-keeping system, in which a bell is rung every half hour to track time at sea. For the next century, N.C., then Andrew, then Jamie summered here and found inspiration for some of their most famous works.
