Peter Sheppard of Rusty Fly Gallery Comes for a Visit

Featured Artist, Peter Sheppard of Rusty Fly Gallery is coming for a visit to the Pop-Up July 1 to July 13.

Read on to learn more about his inspiration, his process, and his work.

JULY 1 to JULY 13

Peter Sheppard is the owner and operator of Rusty Fly Gallery & Gift. Coastal themes, inspired by Nature, Fishing, and the Sea. Sheppard’s paintings are mainly representational, always done free-hand, using water-based oil paints. Commissions are also welcome– if you have an image that you’d like to immortalize, please inquire.

Artist and former saltwater fishing captain Peter Sheppard takes the leap from part-time artist to career artist.  Sheppard brings his American realist oil paintings to Kennebunkport, Maine.

RUSTY FLY GALLERY & GIFT showcases the paintings of Peter Sheppard as well as selected artisanal products made by Sheppard’s friends and colleagues. Jewelry, textiles, sculptures, and accessories are handmade and unique.

Email Peter

 Call  508-982-5398

For more info about Peter Sheppard and Rusty Fly Gallery check out the following links: 

RUSTY FLY GALLERY

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Happiness in Color on Canvas – A Summer Show at Maine Art Hill

The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination, and brings eternal joy to the soul.- Robert Wyland

June 27 to July 16

Shows on Maine Art Hill is hosting a three-artist show, featuring the works of artists, Ellen Welch Granter, Trip Park, and Bethany Harper Williams. This show begins Saturday, June 27, and runs through July 16 at 10 Chase Hill Road in Kennebunk.

“The broad palette of color and layer upon layer of brush strokes make this show a breath of fresh air in itself,” says John Spain, owner of Maine Art Hill in Kennebunk. “All three artists have captured summer and Maine in paint. Three rooms, three artists. Each artist has a distinct and separate space at the gallery where they are featuring their new works, yet all three culminate into true coastal magic.”

Bethany Harper Williams, an oil painter who splits her time between Toronto, Ontario, and Biddeford Pool, continues to capture the beaches and boats in pink and blue, sunshine and happiness. 

“I continue to abstract the details. I take the viewer away from the specifics of who and where and allow the image to evoke a personal memory. Therefore the painting resonates with each individual viewer,” says Williams. “The large spaces of water and sky are filled with patches of color accented with different textures, patterns, and whimsical marks.”

The waters of New England have also inspired artist Ellen Welch Granter. Both buoys and birds are featured as the centerpieces of Granter’s work this year. 

“I am excited to show this new body of work, which has two distinct strands. The first strand is a series of egrets in the marsh, and the second is a series of mooring buoys,” says Granter. “Living here on the coast, these strands are both parts of the everyday view, so maybe they are not so much distinct, more like a kind of visual social distancing.”

Trip Park, an artist who fell in love with Maine long before he fell in love with paint and canvas, brings joy and color into the gallery at 10 Chase Hill Road, as well. From lobsters to sand dunes, Park captures memories of Maine for both visitors and locals.  

“I love finding that combination of things I’ve done and new things I have not tried. However, I don’t attempt any painting I don’t want to create. I have to love each one, even just the thought of it, going in,” says Park. “I try to change things up with every painting, you could call it free-flowing. Paintings I do that make me happy are the ones that jump out and feel different than what I’ve done before.”

If the coast is your happy place, and you want to experience art that genuinely celebrates this area, this is a show to visit. CDC Guidelines followed. Mask required. Appointments available if needed. 

TO SEE THE SHOW VIRTUALLY CLICK HERE

(available June 24)

Shows on Maine Art Hill welcomes visitors to view this show from June 27 to July 16. Maine Art Hill in Kennebunk is open every day at 10 AM. FMI 207-967-0049 or www.maine-art.com.

To Read More About Each Artist Click Below

 

Ellen Welch Granter – Artist Insights

Trip Park – Artist Insights

Bethany Harper Williams – Artist Insights

To See All of Each Artists Collections Click Below

Ellen Welch Granter – Artist Page

Trip Park – Artist Page

Bethany Harper Williams – Artist Page

Embracing Change -Insights from Artist Ellen Welch Granter

When an artist opens her email with “What a long strange trip it’s been,” you know she has been to her fair share of Grateful Dead shows. You also know she has a lovely sense of humor and the ability to handle just about anything life throws at her.

With that said, artist Ellen Welch Granter has had one heck of a year. Since her summer show last year, she and her husband made a big move.

“We left our house and my studio near Boston, where we lived and worked for twenty-nine years. It is a welcome change to be living a very different life,” Granter explains. “Less Fenway Park noise and student keg parties at night, and more crickets chirping and owls hooting!”

This change has brought a sense of peace and light into this year’s works. 

“I have been working diligently in my wonderful new studio space. COVID-19 restrictions have not altered the long hours alone in the studio for this artist,” shares Granter. “I am excited to show this new body of work, which celebrates two distinct strands, birds and buoys.” 

The first series is of egrets in the marsh. This stunning bird gathers in “skewers,” which is the collective noun for a grouping of egrets. Who knew? 

“I love their pure white forms against the grasses and pools,” says Granter. “I also am transfixed by their leggy, slow, elegant motions as they hunt in the tidal shallows. Their beauty is a constant attraction and a joy to behold.”

The buoys are more complicated. Their straight-up simple shape requires a more abstract mentality, and a bit more zen to contemplate. 

“These neon-bright moorings provide such a cool contrast to the foggy coastal air and seas. I love how they glow,” explains Granter. “They are as close to putting down roots as a lot of ocean-going people get. The mooring is home, a safe harbor, a lovely idea during tumultuous times.”

Living here on the coast, these strands are both parts of the everyday view, so maybe they are not so much distinct, more like a kind of visual social distancing. 

Click the links below to learn more

ELLEN GRANTER, BETHANY HARPER WILLIAMS AND TRIP PARK – A SUMMER SHOW 2020

ELLEN GRANTER – ARTIST PAGE

ELLEN GRANTER – STORIES AND INSIGHTS

Near and Far – Insights from Artist Bethany Harper Williams

Bethany Harper Williams is excited to show her new series she calls“Near and Far.”

“I can’t seem to get away from the beach or the water,” shares Bethany. “These are truly what inspires me.”

In this series, she is experimenting with composition and perspective, placing a cropped-in section of a bold element in the foreground – very near. 

“For the beach scenes, the ‘near’ is either an umbrella, a beach chair, or even the side of a house,” she explains. “Not only do I like the graphic element that is introduced, but I like how it changes the perspective of the viewer.”

   

Suddenly, we feel like we are right there, looking out to the beach in the distance. Similarly, with some of the sailing scenes, the viewer has to look past the large section of sail in the foreground to see the boats beyond.

“As in the past, I continue to abstract the details. It takes the viewer away from the specifics of who and where and allows the image to evoke a personal memory. Therefore the painting resonates with each individual viewer,” Bethany shares. “The large spaces of water and sky are filled with patches of color and accented with different textures, patterns, and whimsical marks. I never know or plan where these marks and patterns will be placed, I just follow where my hand leads me.”

These abstractions take the viewer away from the reality of the painting and allow them to keep exploring beyond their first impression.

“During these unprecedented times, I have had a lot of time to focus on my painting and to reflect. I am grateful to be able to continue doing what I love, and I am so appreciative of the support and interest in my work,” says Bethany. “It brings me great pleasure, knowing that my paintings bring a bit of color and joy into people’s homes.”

Click the links below to learn more

ELLEN GRANTER, BETHANY HARPER WILLIAMS AND TRIP PARK – A SUMMER SHOW 2020

BETHANY HARPER WILLIAMS – ARTIST PAGE

BETHANY HARPER WILLIAMS – STORIES AND INSIGHTS

This Artist was Not Born. He was Created. – Artist Insights from Trip Park

Many of our artists much prefer to have their art speak for them rather than putting words to an art that favors sight rather than sound. Trip Park is one of those artists.

This is why you will find many more videos of Park’s work than stories. Every once in awhile, however, we do manage to get him to share a few words, as well. (see link at bottom to view)

“I actually hate talking about my work too much. It reminds me of those people in advertising  I used to know who went on and on about themselves,” shares Park. “I just prefer to let my work say everything for me.”

That being said… 

“I never wanted to paint. Never intended to be a painter,” Park says in a whisper voice hidden behind a hand, hoping no one hears. “In fact, while I was in advertising, I only ever did little thumbnails here and there. To top it off, I used magic markers, and someone paid me to do that. All was good.”

Later there were a few animation companies who did some commercials for the firm where Park worked.  

“They kept telling me to jump to the creative side and do more commercial artwork. This led me to do children’s books,” explains Park. “From there animation, and then to editorial cartoons. Finally, my wife suggested I try painting.”

Park remembered vividly how messy watercolor was when he first started doing editorial illustration and didn’t want to get messy again.

“At that point in time, I was able to paint on the Mac and then digitally send those files online to the clients and/or publishers. I was pretty happy to not think about getting into the mess of paints ever again,” continues Park. “But then my wife threw down the gauntlet. She challenged me to do just one painting.” 

It sold. He decided to try another. That one sold.

“Now, the real challenge is to just keep challenging myself. I paint things that don’t bore me. That’s why I have so many different subject matters,” laughs Park. “I would hate for someone to say ‘Trip paints X, Y or Z.’ I don’t want to be pinned down with one definable thing or another.”

 This is evident by browsing through Park’s work for his 2020 show.

Follow the clickable links below to see and read more from Trip Park.

Trip Park, Bethany Harper Williams, and Ellen Welch Granter – A 2020 Summer Show

Trip Park Videos

Trip Park Stories and Insights

Trip Park Complete Collection of Available Work

A Video Series for Queen Anne’s Lace from Dina Gardner

Dina Gardner is a wonderful pastel artist who is quickly becoming a regular here at Maine Art Hill. After joining us in the POP-UP Gallery this past summer, she was back as one of seven featured artists in the 9th Annual Choice Art Show, and now again in the POP-UP on Maine Art Hill.

This first video is a hello, a little bit about Dina’s upcoming Pop-Up and then the beginning stages of Queen Anne’s Lace.

Next we move to a time lapse video of the making of Queen Anne’s Lace.

 

Finally, the finished product. Pastel is so incredibly beautiful and captures this delicate flower perfectly.

 

Remember Dina Gardners next show with Maine Art Hill is from  July 28 to August 3 at The Pop Up Gallery at 5 Chase Hill Road in Kennebunk, Maine.

Below are several links to learn more about Gardner and see all of her available works.

 Dina Gardner – Videos of Stories and Insights.

Dina Gardner- THE BLOG – Artist Insights and Stories

Trip Park – Progress on River Guard

 

Click play to see the creation of River Guard both from Trip Park. 

River Guard

Mixed Media on Canvas
30 x 30 in
$3,000.00

WATCH MORE VIDEOS

SEE MORE OF HIS ARTWORK

Trip Park – Progress on Blue Jean Beach and Denim Beach

 

Click play to see the creation of Denim Beach and Blue Jean Beach both from Trip Park. 

Denim Beach and Blue Jean Beach

Both Mixed Media on Canvas
each  – 12 x 12 in$950.00

WATCH MORE VIDEOS

SEE MORE OF HIS ARTWORK

Trip Park – Progress on Rockin’ Lobsta’

 

Click play to see the creation of Rockin’ Lobsta’ from Trip Park

Rockin’ Lobstah

Mixed Media on Canvas
36 x 48 in
$4,800.00

WATCH MORE VIDEOS

SEE MORE OF HIS ARTWORK