Although this work is more abstract than representational, Walker drew upon a particular memory and a specific setting for the composition. Find pictures of the Maine coast and compare them with Walker’s painting. How did the artist transform the actualities of the Maine landscape into an abstract scene? List some of his techniques.
Focus on the geometric shapes and linear divisions that separate the canvas. What do these various shapes represent?
Surface texture and application of paint is important in this work. Walker applies thick and quick strokes of paint to the canvas. Do you agree that his expressive brushstrokes reveal the cyclical rhythms—the ebb and flow—of nature? Why or why not? Discuss the reasons for your answers.
John Walker was inspired by his surroundings on the coast of Maine. Locate the state of Maine on a map. Look at its location, specifically its proximity to bodies of water. How would this rugged coastline affect life there? How would people make their living? What kinds of challenges would be posed by this terrain?
What is a tidal pool? Research tidal pools, how they are formed, where they are found.
Imagine that you are on the Maine Coast in the summer. Write about what it would be like. How would it be different from being there in the winter? Investigate the climate of Maine for your story.
October Low Tide, Maine is a landscape painting. Write a short story or poem about a coastal landscape and setting.