Painting the Maine Coast
A decade of oil painting in Portland, Maine. My work explores the quiet, tactile discipline of the landscape, focusing on light, texture, and the physical act of painting.
Foundations in Portland
"The Maine coast demands a quiet, tactile discipline."
Early years focused on the interplay between light and the rugged Maine shoreline. These works explore the density of oil paint, using cold wax to build surfaces that mirror the weathered textures of the Atlantic coast.
Materiality & The Studio Shift
"Painting is a physical dialogue with the canvas."
A period of intense focus on the raw materials of painting. By stripping back the process, the work began to emphasize the weave of the flax and the depth of pure, unadulterated pigment.
Refining the Maritime Palette
"Color is the memory of the landscape."
Refining the palette to reflect the muted, atmospheric tones of the Maine seasons. These works move toward a more minimalist aesthetic, focusing on the subtle shifts in light across the bay.
Pure Painting Practice
"Painting is my only focus now."
In this current chapter, Katie Fischer Cohen has entered a phase of total immersion in painting. Painting daily, the work continues to explore the quiet, understated beauty of the Maine landscape.
Interested in current works or studio visits?
I am currently accepting inquiries for private commissions and studio viewings in Portland.
Creative Milestones
A chronological overview of the studio's evolution, from its founding in Portland to the current focus on dedicated oil painting.
The formative years establishing Katie Fischer Cohen Studio. A period of intense technical discipline, exploring the interplay between light and maritime subjects that would define the studio's signature aesthetic.
Studio Ambience: Morning Light
0:45 min
Deepening the mastery of traditional oil painting. This era focused on the tactile density of impasto and the subtle glazes required to capture the unique atmosphere of the Maine coastline.
Process Notes: Mixing Pigments
1:15 min
A dedicated focus on the Casco Bay series. These works explored the quiet, luminous quality of northern light, grounding the studio's output in the specific geography of Portland, Maine.
Coastal Soundscape: Casco Bay
0:58 min
Following the transition in 2026, Katie Fischer Cohen shifted focus entirely to the easel. This period marks a return to the core discipline of painting, free from administrative demands.
Studio Silence: The Painter's Flow
1:30 min
View Current Works
Explore the latest oil paintings from the studio, capturing the light and atmosphere of the Maine coast.