Shem Creek #216

Shem Creek #216 is an original oil on paper by local artist Retta Dotterer, capturing the quiet, winding waterways and marshy edges of one of the South Carolina Lowcountry’s most recognizable coastal landscapes. Rather than focusing on the busy docks and restaurants of Shem Creek, Retta turns toward its softer side, where water slips through the marsh and the distant shoreline dissolves into hazy color.

Loose, expressive brushwork gives the piece an immediate, almost atmospheric quality. Muted blues and lavenders move through the water, while earthy greens, ochres, and warm rust tones suggest marsh grass and trees along the banks. Unexpected flashes of coral-red peek through the composition and continue around the edges of the paper, giving the otherwise subdued landscape a distinctly contemporary energy.

Painted in oil on paper, Shem Creek #216 feels wonderfully intimate and spontaneous—a fresh interpretation of a familiar Lowcountry place rather than a literal rendering of it. The exposed, hand-painted edges are part of the work itself, emphasizing the texture and character of the paper and Retta’s expressive approach to the landscape.

11"W x 13"H