It‘s going to be three for three at Maine Art Shows in Kennebunk. A three-artist show, featuring the works of painters Philip Frey, Margaret Gerding and Ellen Granter, will be on display for three weeks, beginning with an opening reception tomorrow, Saturday, August 12th. The artists will attend the reception, which is 5 to 7 PM.
“All three artists have strong ties to Maine and capture the true essence of the state,” says gallery owner John Spain. “Though each has distinctively different styles and subjects, the show as a whole is a wonderfully cohesive body of work.”
Philip Frey, a Maine native, lives and works near the central coast. He often travels to Acadia National Park, where he finds inspiration in the rugged environment. Primarily an oil painter, Frey’s subjects and styles vary. “I have a need to explore and discover, to stretch my limits so as to become a better painter,” Frey says. “Cityscape, abstract, interior and figurative genres are ways for me to do that.”
At one time Frey considered himself a landscape painter, but that has changed. “I think the variety (of subject and style) influences my landscapes in a positive way. Working with pure abstraction, in particular, helps me break down what good composition and a dynamic palette could be. In turn, my landscape composition has become more dynamic and has allowed me to home in on what is most important in each painting.”
Margaret Gerding has recently moved to Maine after spending many summers here as a child. Her new home and studio in Cape Porpoise give her complete access to the marshes she loves. Gerding says, “Even after having visited Kennebunkport my whole life, I am still surprised every day with new places to paint and explore.”
Margaret’s collection of oil paintings, whether on panel or canvas, were inspired by what is right outside her doorstep. “These paintings are my recording of the quiet moments on the marsh — a touch of light, a pop of color or a connection with the land,” says Gerding.
The solitude and quiet Gerding finds in the marsh, Ellen Welch Granter finds in the harbor. Once known for her bird paintings, Granter is now focusing on boats, from sailboats to schooners to dories. “I began painting boats because I love the way they evoke a sense of peace and calmness,” she says. “Whether they are in the fog, in the sun, or in a busy harbor, their curvy lines and sense of possibility are always an invitation to paint.” Granter’s compositions, peaceful symmetries of boats and their reflections, incorporate Maine’s distinctive and nuanced soft blues and grays.
We open Saturday, August 12th at 11am. Our artists’ reception starts is from 5-7 p.m. Please come by and visit. All three artists will be present and look forward to discussing their work and process.
To see the show online, including a 360 degree virtual tour click here.