Save the Date – Summer of 2021 Schedule for Maine Art Hill

This year’s show schedule is set, and we couldn’t wait to share the excitement with all of you. We know how quickly summer calendars fill up, so be sure to pencil us in.

In 2021, we are thrilled to start the season with our 6th Annual Spring Show featuring artist Janis H. Sanders.  Sanders’ work can be found on the first floor of The Gallery on Maine Art Hill on 14 Western Avenue from May 8 through May 27.  Sanders has been with Maine Art Hill since 2010 and is well known for his love of the perfect blue in the company of a splash of yellow., but there are always a few additional pleasant surprises. With this show and each painting he paints, he gives his best effort to interact with the scene’s atmosphere.

On May 29, Shows on Maine Art Hill at 5 Chase Hill Road opens for the summer with the 10th Annual Choice Art Show, the only show curated by you. This is our tenth year. WOW!  Twelve Artists. Thirty-six works. We always love seeing your choices.  Remember, voting begins on May 1! Be on the lookout on social media and in your inbox for details.

Beginning June 12, R. Scott Baltz, Charles Bluett, and Erika Manning form a fabulous trio at Shows on Maine Art Hill.  Their show will run for three weeks, closing on July 1.  All three of these talented artists are thrilled to be jump-starting the summer with us. This is sure to be a must-visit show this summer.

On July 3, our show gallery at 10 Chase Hill hosts the much loved and respected work of three of our most colorful artists.  This show features all-new work from artists Ryan Kohler, Claire Bigbee, and Karen Bruson and runs until July 22. This is the first time these three have shown together, and we can’t wait!

The next show is an encore presentation of one of our favorite dynamic duos artists David Witbeck and  Bethany Harper Williams.  The way these two share space and celebrate all that is coastal is fresh and fabulous. This show begins on July 24 and runs through August 12.

In the spirit of dynamic duos, we have put together another stunning pair for all of the “scapes,” a person can dream of. Landscapes, seascapes, marsh scapes, cityscapes, and the most important scape of all, escapes. Who better to wander through these beautiful places with than Craig Mooney and Margaret Gerding. August 14 to September 2 at Shows on Maine Art Hill.

 

The gallery at the top of Chase Hill wraps its season up with an incredible finale of four artists, four names you know and love:   Kathy Ostrander Roberts, a woman who makes a blowtorch look like a magic wand, William B. Hoyt, a man who paints with such incredible detail one needs to step closer to take it all in, local lovely Jill Matthews, who always brings her hometown of Kennebunkport to life with her sweeping brush strokes, and last, but certainly not least  Ellen Welsh Granter,  the grand dame of boats, buoys, and birds and who knows what else she is planning to surprise us with.  Opening September 4, Labor Day Weekend, and running to September 23, this show is a splendid way to end the summer.

By September 25, we are ready for a change in scenery, and our fall show opens at the main gallery on 14 Western Avenue. If anyone knows how to celebrate Maine with all of the leaf peepers, it is Liz Hoag. Her forests and trees wrap us in a different side of Maine, and she never fails to include a few coastal pieces for those who can’t live without them.

Phew.…

With all of that said, please keep us in mind while deciding which weeks to visit us here in Kennebunk. Of course, we would love to have you with us all summer, but we know that’s not possible for some of you. We do our best to keep you up to date on all the goings-on, but there are a few things you can do to make sure you stay connected. Please add your name to our email list for reminders if you don’t get them already. We keep your information private and will not inundate your inbox unless you ask us to. Also, follow us on social media, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest, and of course, keep an eye on our Calendar on our website.

The Gallery at 14 Western Ave and Studios at 5 Chase Hill Road are open all year round with limited winter hours. Check the website for details.

Stories and Insights from each of these artists can be found on our blog.

Click the links below to read more.

R. Scott Baltz ~ Claire Bigbee ~ Charles Bluett ~ Karen Bruson 

Margaret Gerding ~ Ellen Welch Granter ~ Liz Hoag

William B. Hoyt ~ Ryan Kohler ~ Erika Manning ~ Jill Matthews 

Craig Mooney ~ Kathy Ostrander Roberts ~ Janis H. Sanders

Bethany Harper Williams ~ David Witbeck 

 

2021 Show Schedule with Links to Artist Pages

Janis Sanders at The Gallery from May 8 to 27

Choice Show from May 29 to June 10

R. Scott Baltz, Charles Bluett, and Erika Manning at Maine Art Shows from June 12 to July 1

Ryan Kohler, Claire Bigbee, and Karen Bruson at Maine Art Shows from July 3 to July 22

Bethany Harper Williams and David Witbeck at Maine Art Shows from July 24 to Aug. 12

Craig Mooney and Margaret Gerding at Maine Art Gallery from Aug. 14 to Sept. 2

Kathy O. Roberts, William B. Hoyt, Jill Matthews, and Ellen W. Granter from Sept. 4 to 23

Liz Hoag at The Gallery from September 25 to October 7

 

White House Blue Roof – Bethany Harper Williams Fall Favorite on Maine Art Hill

Bethany Harper Williams | White House Blue Roof | Oil on Canvas | 38″ X 48″ | $3900
“Part of the new series I’ve been exploring, Near and Far,  is where I crop off something large and usually graphic in the foreground, then have some detail that pulls the eye to the background,” explains artist Bethany Harper Williams. “I love the contrast of the bold, architectural, graphic, simplistic feel of the house with the serene, calm feel of the water and the activity of the kids on the beach.”
Harper knows this house is simplistic yet still representative of many beach houses, especially here in Maine.
“The shadows on the building add to the sense of light of the sunny day. It feels like you are right there on the beach,” shares Williams. “The monochromatic feel of the color palette creates a calmness, but the viewer is drawn into the kids’ playfulness and their colorful bathing suits.”
As with Bethany’s works, one can almost hear the laughter as the waves roll on the beach!
To see all available work from Bethany Harper Williams, click the link below.
To read more insights from Bethany Harper Williams, click the link below.

Prelude Pop Up with Cartoonist Ron Campbell

Cartoonist RON CAMPBELL

BEATLES YELLOW SUBMARINE ANIMATOR

 BEATLES SATURDAY MORNING TV CARTOON SERIES DIRECTOR

EXHIBITING & TALKING CARTOONS

 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 – SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13

The legendary animator will be exhibiting Beatles cartoon pop artwork as well as other beloved cartoon characters that encompass his 50-year career in Children’s Television, such as Scooby-Doo, the Smurfs, Rugrats, Winnie the Pooh, Flintstones, Jetsons, Yogi Bear & more.

ALL WORKS ARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE.

In 1964 the Beatles invaded the United States, performing for 73 million people on the Ed Sullivan Show and dominating the US pop charts for years. Now over five decades later, the Fab Four continues to be the most celebrated musical group in Rock history.

Ron Campbell, director of the 1960’s Saturday Morning Cartoon series and one of the animators of the Beatles film Yellow Submarine, will make a rare personal appearance at Studios on Maine Art Hill, 5 Chase Hill Rd, Kennebunk, ME, Friday, December 11th – Sunday, December 13th. Campbell will showcase his original Beatles cartoon paintings created since his retirement from his 50-year career in cartoons. The exhibit will also feature

Paintings from other cartoons that Campbell was involved with throughout the Golden Age of Saturday Morning Television, including Scooby-Doo, Rugrats, Smurfs, Flintstones, Jetsons, and more. The exhibit is free, and all works are available for purchase. As a special bonus, Campbell will also paint original remarques on-site featuring any one of his cartoon characters for customers who purchase any of his artwork.

Ron Campbell will be offering for sale original cartoon paintings of the Beatles both in their Saturday Morning Cartoon and Yellow Submarine roles and various other works from his 50-year career in animation, including Scooby-Doo, Smurfs, Rugrats, and more.

Friday, December 11th – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Saturday, December 12th – 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Sunday, December 13th – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

The Saturday Morning Beatles Cartoon series received monstrous ratings in its time slot….a 67 shares! The cartoon series debuted on ABC on September 25th, 1965. It continually fueled new music to America’s young kids as they followed the bouncing drumstick to each Beatles tune. Campbell also wrote the forward to the definitive book on the Beatles cartoon series “Beatletoons.”

2018 marked the 50th anniversary of the release of the Beatles classic animated film, Yellow Submarine. Since its release, Yellow Submarine has become a permanent fixture in pop culture, defining the psychedelic 60s for generations to come. In his book, Up Periscope, Yellow Submarine Producer Al Brodax gives Ron Campbell a great deal of credit for saving the movie and tying it all together at the last minute.

Campbell has also been involved with some of the most beloved cartoons including, Scooby-Doo, Winnie The Pooh, Krazy Kat, George of the Jungle, The Jetsons, The Flintstones, the Smurfs, Goof Troop, Sesame Street, Captain Caveman, Rugrats, Ed, Edd n’Eddy, Yogi Bear and dozens more. Campbell’s former studio was awarded a Peabody and an Emmy for his work in children’s television. Since retiring after a 50-year career, he has been painting subjects always based on the animated cartoons he has helped bring to the screen. With an emphasis on The Beatles, he shows his Cartoon Pop Art in galleries worldwide. More information on Ron Campbell can be found at www.BeatlesCartoonArtShow.com.

See more at www.BeatlesCartoonArtShow.com.

To read the full press release cick the link below

Beatles Cartoon Art Show Kennebunk 2020 (1)

The Ron Campbell exhibition is open to the public. Masks and social distancing are required.

Off the Trail – Liz Hoag’s Fall Favorite on Maine Art Hill

Liz Hoag | Off the Trail #2 | Acrylic on Canvas | 24″ X 24″ | $1600

Liz Hoag | Off the Trail #1 | Acrylic on Canvas | 18″ X 18″ | $1000

Off the Trail is my favorite piece in the gallery right now,” shares artist Liz Hoag.  “It really reminds me of a summer evening walking in a favorite place.”

Hoag loved this idea so much she created two pieces with the same composition and color pallet. One just a bit smaller than the other.  Because it would be just too hard to choose, we let her choose both.

“In both pieces, the colors change to cool tones as the sun goes down,” explains Hoag.  “I like how, especially, the brown bark of trees turns to a warm lavender color at dusk.”
Note: Off the Trail #1 is the smaller 18×18. Off the Trail #2 is the larger 24×24.
To see all available work from Liz Hoag, click the link below.
To read more insights from Liz Hoag, click the link below.

Channel Drift – Craig Mooney’s Fall Favorite on Maine Art Hill

Craig Mooney | Channel Drift | Oil on Canvas | 24″ X 48″ | $5000
“One of my favorite themes is embodied in Channel Drift,” says artist Craig Mooney. “The image of a solitary boat moving slowly toward breaking clouds.”

For Mooney, it’s a classic theme, but a timely one.

“Where there is dark, there is always some light. This is a hopeful painting that reflects what we have collectively experienced in the last year.”

To see all available work from Craig Mooney, click the link below.
To read more insights from Craig Mooney, click the link below.

Every Place I Go, There I Am – Ryan Kohler’s Fall Favorite on Maine Art Hill

Ryan Kohler | Every Place I Go, There I Am | Acrylic on Canvas | 48″ X 36″ | $1850
“To maintain some ambiguity, my titles usually have more to do with what is going on in my life during the painting’s creative process rather than the actual image itself,” explains artist Ryan Kohler. “For instance, song lyrics from music played in the studio, snippets of text from bedtime readings, even fortune cookies.”
In this case, Every Place I Go, There I Am was something Kohler jotted down from a television show he was watching during the time of this particular piece.
“Although the phrase was originally uttered in a completely different context during the show, I thought it was an interesting quote.  I knew right away what it meant to me and my paintings,” shares Kohler.  “It seems like no matter what subject matter I tackle, what medium I use, or where I am painting, and why, it is unmistakably mine.  And I love that.”
A year ago, Kohler had never painted a deer in his life.  Now, here he is, several deer paintings deep, and still loves them so much.
“I had previously hinted at the spots of a deer leaping right off its body, but I embraced that idea with this painting,” shares Kohler. “Energetic swoops of red and orange paint slide easily off her backside, and her white spots intuitively transform into fun paint splatters that dazzle the eye in a confetti-like fashion.  Bits of solid, traditional painting mixed with fun and tasteful abstraction is always what I’m striving for, and this one, to me, is right on the money.”
To see all available work from Ryan Kohler, click the link below.
To read more insights from Ryan Kohler, click the link below.

Heavenly Sky, Ogunquit River Footbridge – Claire Bigbee’s Fall Favorite on Maine Art Hill

Claire Bigbee | Heavenly Sky, Ogunquit River Footbridge | Oil on Canvas | 24″ X 48″ | $3650 Ogunquit River, Footbridge Beach

“This painting represents what I love most about Ogunquit, which is also where I live,” shares artist Claire Bigbee. “It truly is a heavenly place.”

Bigbee walks along the picturesque Marginal Way all year round in all types of weather.

“This painting represents the natural beauty and feeling of peace I have when I stroll by the marshes and shoreline,” explains Bigbee. “There is  a connection to nature and a sense of freedom.”

For Bigbee, Maine is a healthy place with a high quality of life in times of stress like these days with the Covid 19.

“Everything slows down, and you are in the right place at a perfect moment,” she says. “It is a goal to capture that moment and presence of place. Between the dramatic vast palette of colors in the skies, the sea salt air,  and the waves’ crashing sounds against the rocky coast, I am inspired by the serene and natural beauty.   I infuse each painting with that feeling of awe and wonder. Maine is the way life should be.”

To see all available work from Claire Bigbee, click the link below.
To read more insights from Claire Bigbee, click the link below.

It’s a Nutty Christmas in the Kennebunks

The Nutcrackers from “It’s a Nutty Christmas!” will be on view in the Pop-Up Thanksgiving weekend.

Nutcracker by Danie Connolley
Local artists and photographers are painting six-foot nutcrackers to “stand guard” outside stores, restaurants, and hotels of the Kennebunks for the first two weeks of December. They are sure to lure you in!
“Cracker Jack” Lobsterman Nutcracker by Robin Swennes
Take a picture with all of them and you may just win a prize! There will be more than forty about town.
Nutcracker by Danie Connolly
Mark your calendar to be sure to see the exhibit!

Huge THANK YOU

to Danie Connolly for organizing this fun event.

Carousel – Mark Davis’s Fall Favorite on Maine Art Hill

Carousel | Brass and Aluminum with Steel with Wires, Oil and Acrylic Colors | 13.5″ X 13″ | $900

Mark Davis chose Carousel for his Fall Favorite because of what it means to him and his artistic process.

“I created this piece approximately two years ago, but for many years before that, I had tried to make a standing mobile with two turning points, with no success. The pieces were very overworked, and I never was happy with the results,” explains Davis. “Finally, I created a base that allowed me to make a separate section revolve within the base itself.”

Davis had to keep it very simple to get that to work. In making it simple, Davis came upon a new direction to his work.

“Each piece was mounted on the end of a wire, giving it a somewhat mechanical feel, but together they created a kind of whimsey that felt to me like the playfulness of Paul Klee’s paintings, which I greatly admire,” shares Davis. “The lines, shapes, and colors are disparate but work together in a sort of poetic harmony. It was quite a small but wonderful change for me and my work.”

To see all available work from Mark Davis, click the link below.
To read more insights from Mark Davis, click the link below.

Long Row – David Witbeck’s Fall Favorite on Maine Art Hill

 

David Witbeck | A Long Row | Oil on Panel | 36″ X 36″ | $8200

“My best paintings are the ones where the nominal subject matter is secondary to the design and composition,” explains artist David Witbeck. “Long Row is an example.”

Long Row started with the idea of a big interesting “water” shape defined by silhouettes of surrounding shapes.

“Essentially, it is just two shapes, one dark, one light. Once the basic structure is established, then I can sub-divide the big shapes and have fun creating a little narrative and emotional quality with the pictorial details,” shares Witbeck.

This piece is a lot sparer than much of Witbeck’s other recent works.

“I like it. I should keep a print in my studio to remind myself that a successful painting can be quite simple,” reminds Witbeck. “Sometimes, less really is more.”

To see all available work from David Witbeck, click the link below.
To read more insights from David Witbeck, click the link below.