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Summer is all about being outside, enjoying the warm air, and often the late afternoon sun. The season is short here in the Northeast, and we need to enjoy every moment. This is especially true on the small islands off Maine’s coast, like Monhegan; the place that inspired Abbie Williams’ Summer Chairs.

“This image is so telling of summer on Monhegan Island,” says Williams. “Actually, it is true for almost anywhere along the coast of Maine.” Visiting Monhegan Island is a regular occurrence for many artists, including Abbie.  It is a quiet little island village that celebrates the way life used to be. Artists find the peace and the surroundings a perfect place to work. It is not uncommon to find artists with their easels along the rocky coastline, in the harbor, or even on the wooded trails that weave their way across the island.

For Abbie the “choice” this year was an easy one. The small white house and the adirondack chairs are idyllic. “They just drew me in. Those colors and how they weave together; it is why I paint,” says Williams. “They are so luscious and inviting.” The brilliance of the sun practically sets fire to the sky, and Williams recreates it perfectly in oil. “I love how this piece turned out. The colors just work,” says Williams.  “Besides that, I simply feel good when I look it.”

Abbie has been a part of Maine Art Paintings and Sculpture for almost five years, and has participated in multiple shows at Maine Art Shows. Her work embodies every season of Maine, from the ice shacks of winter to the summer chairs.

Summer Chairs is part of the Choice Art Show, and will be running until June 30 at Maine Art Shows at 10 Chase Hill Rd. in Kennebunk. We are open daily from 11am – 5pm. She also has a collection of work at Maine Art Paintings and Sculpture just down the hill at 14 Western Ave. We welcome you to stop by to visit – please visit our website for directions and hours. www.maine-art.com

If you are interested in reading more about Abbie Williams and her work at Maine Art Paintings and Sculpture, please visit our blog. Maine Art Blog- Abbie Williams. Also, click her Artist Page to view our entire collection of her work online.

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Aldermere Farm is a traditional New England saltwater farm located in Rockport, Maine. It is nestled on the western shore of Penobscot Bay and has been an area landmark for generations thanks to the Maine Coast Heritage Trust. It is also in the home town of one of our artists, Daniel Corey.

“I love the cows. They are very sweet and curious,” says Corey. “I will sometimes hold up my paintings for them when I’m finished. They seem to look them over with interest.”

By January is Corey’s Artist’s Choice piece for the Choice Art Show at Maine Art Shows in Kennebunk.  It is one of three pieces of his work in the show. “This painting represents me and my work to the best of my current ability. Everything I have went into it,” says Corey. “The Belted Galloways are one of my favorite subjects when I’m looking for a challenge. For such big animals they don’t seem to stop moving. This makes it tough when trying to paint them.”

Aldamere Farm is known for its Belted Galloways and is one of the world’s premier breeders. The Maine Coast Heritage Trust maintains Aldermere as a working farm and educational center, helping visitors deepen their appreciation for land conservation and sustainable agriculture. Corey enjoys spending time here with his easel, his camera or his sketch book, or more often all three.

“This painting came together from multiple references and plein air sketches I did while at the farm,” say Corey. “I took so many notes and even photos. I was continually checking my drawing against all these references.”

The title of this piece was Corey’s choice to leave open to interpretation.  Leaving the viewer to wonder exactly what happens ‘by January.’ “I hate to take the wonder away from the wonderers,” says Corey. “I would rather let the viewer feel that sense of inclusion when they think they know. Ideally, they always do.”

To see the beautiful By January, as well as Ice Cream Night and Summer, come into Kennebunk and visit Maine Art Shows from 11am – 5pm any day. The Choice Art Show will run until Thursday, June 30. Maine Art Paintings and Sculpture at 14 Western Ave. also has a collection of Daniel Corey’s work. For summer hours and to view his work online visit our website at www.maine-art.com and Daniel Corey – Artist Page.

You can also read more about Daniel and his work with Maine Art on our blog. Maine Art Blog – Daniel Corey

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Often times specific events happen in our lives to bring us a clearer perspective on our world as a whole. The meaning hiding behind and inside these moments is not always realized immediately, but eventually a ‘why’ is discovered. Artist Philip Frey is in tune with his world. He has a firm grasp on what he believes and who he is. For him, it was one of these moments that brought out this piece of work and a deeper look into this short life and what is most important.

“My dear friend Kiki recently passed away. Changing Light was influenced strongly by her. I had been meaning to paint this space for some time. Now I do it to honor her,” says Frey. “It is not in a sad way, but as a reminder to appreciate what I have. I need to keep things simple, and in some kind of cheerful priority look at what’s most important. I’m looking closer at how to organize and prioritize my painting, which is my work and my life, so they fit well and serve me better.”

When thinking about the structure of a painting, the formal issues of what works and what doesn’t, color relationships and surface and textural qualities are important. “My work begins with a feeling, a connection, to my everyday experiences,” says Frey, “an evocative color, unexpected light or a fleeting gesture.” For Philip, perceptions are the inspiration, but the act of painting is the real juice behind his work. “I do not attempt to capture a moment or a scene, rather I work with the inspiration as a means to experience the present moment.”

The formal elements; deliberate quick or slow brushstrokes, color dynamics, spatial relationships and the surface qualities of the paint, are his stock-in-trade. But when it comes down to the nitty-gritty, Frey feels when a painting is going well. “There is an unexplainable sense of being in the groove – an experience of being present and aware of the process.” He acknowledges that many artists, writers, musicians and athletes experience this state of being. It is where one is not overtly thinking about what came before or what is to come. “Essentially, in those carefree moments, there is ‘no painter’ and ‘no painting’. Yet, wondrously, a painting comes forth,” he says. “In that way, I have no agenda, nothing I want to tell you or make you see, other than the joyful process and its ripened fruit.”

Fairfield Porter, an American painter and art critic, speaks about the connection between art, artist and audience. He believes that as humans we connect ourselves to everything. In this case, not just the painting, but also the process of the painting. The person who looks at a piece of art gets it vicariously. Frey agrees with this philosophy.

“When you put it all together, it becomes clear that I am interested in evoking the essence of appearances and my experiences in an abstract realist manner,” says Frey. “There are definitely specific formal concerns and many artistic influences spanning a lifetime, but I don’t want to say too much about those, lest I spoil the mystery and magic.”

Philip Frey’s mystery and magic is found in every piece of his work. Though his subjects vary, this does not.  Maine Art Paintings and Sculpture has a large collection of Frey’s work in our main gallery on 14 Western Ave. However, Changing Light, along with two others, are part of the Choice Art Show at Maine Art Shows, 10 Chase Hill in Kennebunk. This show will be running until June 30th.

We welcome you to come and visit both galleries and experience Philip’s work first hand. If this is not possible, please check out his Artist Page on our website. We have also posted several insightful pieces about Philip and his work on our blog. Click here to read more.

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As a true introvert, Susan Wahlrab has always found her sanctuary in nature. “It is where I go to be recharged, nourished and inspired,” she says. “However, I purposely choose this place as one that is universal. It could be anywhere. It’s not important to me if anyone knows where Sanctuary  is. Yet, it is my hope it will help in creating someone else’s.”

Susan finds herself particularly drawn to where land and water meet – more specifically, the coast of Maine. Her paintings come from a real place, for who is she, in her own words, “to create something that is already so perfect?” “Nature is so much more creative with variety of shape, color, texture and atmosphere. It is not something to make up. It is something to observe, to reflect and to connect. The pulse of nature has no boundaries. It is interconnected.”

Over the years, Susan has explored many techniques of mark making in an attempt to describe the sensation of her dialogue with nature. “Over time I notice and feel more and more. It’s an ever maddening process of attempting the impossible,” she says in reference to capturing nature. “It’s the artist’s journey to ‘the crazy.’ Sometimes I just cannot stop,” she laughs. “I’m an addict.”

The last year has brought some breakthrough with a process Wahlrab has essentially invented through her own experience and experiments. “I’ve used the information I gained from my MFA in printmaking, my investigating with monoprints and my practice in layered watercolor on paper.”  All this led to the discovery of painting watercolor on clay panels that can be varnished. This is uncharted territory. “Well, lets just say it could fit back it the crazy category,” says Wahlrab. Since she started this adventure about 5 years ago, every day has been a dance between materials and vision. “One day I am in love, the next – well, it’s time to take a walk.”

Fortunately, she has time and place for these walks. In addition, she relies on a yoga and meditation practice to keep her balanced, and family to keep her grounded. Then, of course, there is her sanctuary.

“Sanctuary“ represents one of those days, really months, of the pure bliss of connection. Every step I felt guided and clear,” says Wahlrab.  Not only did this piece come together, the process just let go. “I was in a relationship with how paint describes how nature is our resource to recharge full lives.” This sensation has stayed with Susan with her work even on the challenging days. “I am able to just let go and allow the painting to come in its own time. The whole process has become my Sanctuary.”

Sanctuary is part of the Choice Art Show, and will be on display at Maine Art Shows, 10 Chase Hill Road in Kennebunk, until June 30th. Please stop in any day between 11 am  and 5 pm to see the show in its entirety.  The show is also available to view online by clicking here; Choice Art Show.

If you are interested in reading more Susan Wahlrab and her work at Maine Art Paintings and Sculpture click here. You may also visit her Artist Page to see our entire collection of Susan Wahlrab paintings.