Maine artist Ryan Kohler shares his thoughts on Ringwood, a new piece for the 9th Annual Choice Art Show on Maine Art Hill in Kennebunk, Maine.
Ryan Kohler – Videos of Stories and Insights.
Ryan Kohler- THE BLOG – Artist Insights and Stories
Maine artist Ryan Kohler shares his thoughts on Half Full, a new piece for the 9th Annual Choice Art Show on Maine Art Hill in Kennebunk, Maine.
Ryan Kohler – Videos of Stories and Insights.
Ryan Kohler- THE BLOG – Artist Insights and Stories
Maine artist Ryan Kohler shares his thoughts on A Joy, a new piece for the 9th Annual Choice Art Show on Maine Art Hill in Kennebunk, Maine.
Ryan Kohler – Videos of Stories and Insights.
Ryan Kohler- THE BLOG – Artist Insights and Stories
Maine artist Ryan Kohler shares his thoughts on By Heart, a new piece for the 9th Annual Choice Art Show on Maine Art Hill in Kennebunk, Maine.
Ryan Kohler – Videos of Stories and Insights.
Ryan Kohler- THE BLOG – Artist Insights and Stories
As the 9th Annual Choice Show gets underway, we are excited to share more video footage from Dina Gardner. She shares her studio and her process for the Choice Show.
Dina Gardner – Videos of Stories and Insights.
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 is back as one of seven featured artists in the 9th Annual Choice Art Show.
Dina Gardner – Videos of Stories and Insights.
This is the ninth year for the Choice Art Show, and, as always, the art that fills this show stays true to the charm and appeal of the area. However, as you all know, times are changing, and we are doing our best to change with them.
We are still opening the Show Gallery at 10 Chase Hill Road in Kennebunk for the summer season with the 9th Annual Choice Art Show. Nine years, we have to keep something the same.
As many of you know, this is the only show of its kind curated in part by a local designer, the artists themselves, and the public. However, the unveiling is to take place in stages. Click the links FMI.
SO NOW THE DETAILS…..
Seven “New to Maine Art Hill” artists are celebrating every aspect of Maine’s life. This state is incredibly diverse, and all of its beauty is well represented. Each of the seven artists submitted six pieces of art for the show. ALL SIX WILL BE IN THE SHOW. However, this is the Choice Show, so choices had to be made.
After careful viewing by many, the titles of People’s Choice, Designers’ Choice, and/or Artist’s Choice have been decided. They will be “crowned” on the website on FRIDAY, MAY 28 and will be easy to find as you look through each piece.
The People’s Choice, with almost seven hundred voters this year, was selected by followers of Maine Art Hill from all over the world. The Designer’s Choice was once again made by local interior designer Louise Hurlbutt of Hurlbutt Designs. The final choice, as always, is the artists’. Occasionally there is a piece that sports two of the “titles,” and rarely there is a piece that is the trifecta of Choice and is chosen by all three. This is rare! As you look through, see if you can find them.
“Keeping tradition is important, but we have to change with these crazy times,” shares owner John Spain. “The Choice Show is something our clients look forward to each year. They are invested in it. With a lot of work and some serious imagination, this event truly still has a wonderful sense of community.”
The 9th Annual Choice Art Show opens virtually on May 30 at 10 AM with a brick and mortar opening on Monday, June 1, at Shows on Maine Art Hill at 10 Chase Hill Road in Kennebunk. The opening reception for the show is also virtual and is to be held on Maine Art Hill’s Facebook page at 5 PM on June 6. All are welcome to watch.
For more information about the show, visit www.maine-art.com, or call Maine Art at 207-967-0049 or email info@maine-art.com
Click any to learn more
Yes, window shopping.
We have a few more weeks until we are able to open our doors on June 1. Until then, we are excited to offer you one more, CDC safe way to “see” the Kathy Ostrander Roberts Solo Spring Show. Window Shopping.
From May 19 to May 31, we are featuring most pieces from Kathy’s show in our floor level windows at The Gallery at our 14 Western Ave location. We welcome you to come “window shopping” at any time of day, following the state guidelines for social distancing. We are also happy to move any pieces you want to “see”, closer to the window if you set up an appointment to come by.
How it works…
We spent Monday, May 18 rehanging Kathy Ostrander Roberts’ artwork in all the windows of The Gallery. Each of these windows can be viewed from your car and many can be approached for a better more detailed view. (there is also one in the back window)
NEXT – Follow us on social media, either Instagram or Facebook. We will be adding insights and artist comments on specific pieces throughout the month.
THEN – Tap our stories of the day or read our feed for details.
LASTLY – Come on over to peek in our windows and see what you have been missing. Make an appointment if you want to see work closer or moved around.
NOW, WHAT?
Well, there are several choices for the rest of your day…
(CHECK OUT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE “TO GO” page to see all of our local curbside options and a DAILY DISH on the 3 towns, 1 community FB page)
Virtual Show and Virtual Tour ~ Artist Page ~ Blog Insights and Stories ~ Video of Process ~ Interview
For the last few years, Maine Art Hill has opened its summer season with the Choice Art Show. This year is no different. The 9th Annual Choice Art Show will officially open on Saturday, May 30 at Shows on Maine Art Hill. However, we all know the Choice Art Show really begins on May 14th with VOTING!
For those of you new to Choice, and a recap for the veterans, plus this year is a bit different. We begin with forty-two original works from seven artists; six pieces each. All these works you will find on our CHoice Art Show Voting Page. This year we are still looking for three pieces to be carefully “chosen” to be honored during the show. This is where it gets fun.
One piece, The Artist’s Choice, the artist chooses. One, The Designer’s Choice, is chosen by the designer, and local celeb, Louis Hurlbutt of Hurlbutt Design. chooses. And then there is the third and final choice, The People’s Choice. This is where you come in.
The People’s Choice is all up to you. By casting your vote for your favorite piece from each artist, you decide the seven paintings that will display the title of PEOPLE’S CHOICE. Each and every artist represented in the show is one of the very best up and coming artists in the area. You can trust that no matter which piece you choose, many others will be in complete agreement.
Upon clicking, you will be directed to the 9th Annual Choice Art Show page. Here you begin voting. Each screen shows the six paintings each artist has submitted. All you have to do is tell us which one you love most by clicking it and then clicking VOTE. Once you decide, the site will show you what other voters liked and then move you forward to the next artist.
Watch for our Facebook, Instagram, website, and email updates on Friday, May 29th for the announcement of the People’s Choice winners.
As of this moment, no one knows exactly what the show will look like. Which piece did your favorite artist choose? What about Louise Hurlbutt? Do you share opinions on art? Come in and find out. The show is open to the public for viewing on, June 1.
BUT THIS IS THE TIME OF THE VIRTUAL EVERYTHING SO…
On Friday, May 29, the show is virtually live. We will share links soon on how to virtually walk through as well as how to see each piece up close, either on your computer or in person.
Please share this on your own social media by clicking the icons below.
There is no doubt that artist Kathy Ostrander Roberts works in a unique and interesting medium. She has taken a little known, but very old process, and made it her own as she celebrates Maine and the sea.
Encaustic paint is created by combining beeswax, resin, and pigment with heat. This ancient medium has been around since the fifth century with a renaissance of followers in the last decade. “It is unlike any art ever experienced,” shares Kathy. “There are sometimes as many as twenty layers of wax in each painting. I use pottery tools to carve into the surface to lend a 3-D effect. I also try to embed a vintage piece of ephemera, ship captain’s letters, photos, mica, bark, or whatever inspires me into most paintings.”
Kathy is one of our artists that encourages viewers to touch the surface of her work. Each has a texture that begs a touch. Plus, it feels a little naughty to run your hands across the surface, like a small child doing something you probably shouldn’t be doing. With the multitude of layers and the process Kathy uses, it is completely safe.
“Shipwreck is an 8×8 panel that is entirely sculpted. You really get to see the typical depth of my wax process in this piece,” explains Kathy. “I have been focusing on adding more layers, carving the wax for dimension, and trying new techniques with something called ‘XD’ wax, which allows for creating an impasto effect. I also particularly enjoyed making Beneath Each Wave. It is supposed to give viewers a sense of looking down at the ocean from a great height.”
Having worked for years in dry pigment in the form of pastels, Kathy finds using a blow torch, yes a blow torch, very freeing compared to paint. “It is not only rhythmical but can be meditative as well. The outcome is never certain, and the result is always engaging,” she says.
With all the layers of wax and a blowtorch. The seafoam effect happens. This has to be fun! With this process comes a great deal of experimenting. What works? What doesn’t? What catches the eye? What brings the viewer in? See the link at the bottom to watch Kathy work from her studio.
Please call 207-967-2803 and leave a message or email at info@maine-art.com.
To see all of Kathy Ostrander Roberts available works, visit her Artist Page.
To see the show in its entirety and virtually. Follow the link below.