‘Hopeful offering to a world in pain’

“Purple Neighborhood Decoration’’ (oil on panel), by Nick Benfey, in his show “Neighborhood,’’ at Moss Galleries, Falmouth, Maine, through April 11.

The artist says:

“Before I could drive a car, when I was about 13 or 14, I’d often walk from my friend’s house across our small town back to mine. Instead of going inside, I’d walk behind our house and stand by the garage. About 8 p.m., the sky deep blue or black depending on the season, my parents would be inside, maybe with friends over, talking. I’d stand there in the dirt next to the garage for a while, looking at the orange windows, breathing and not talking, a feeling of peace overtaking me. It was my secret that I’d do this, every time I walked home at night.

“Eventually I’d go inside and things would resume, the feeling wouldn’t last, I’d have to talk, I’d feel insecure and embarrassed again.

“That feeling is tied to these paintings, and I’m still unsure how to think about it, how to write about it, without feeling in some way guilty about relishing those memories of happiness. I hear another voice, With all the suffering in the world, you’re thinking about these trivial nostalgic… etc. It’s true, these are not paintings of the world’s sufferings. These are about joy, and peace, and quiet beauty, my inner world at the best moments of my life, a hopeful offering for a world in pain."

–Nick Benfey