A Mainer by Heart and Home – Artist Bethany Harper Williams Shares

“I only painted a few paintings a year for the next few years, but all were inspired by summers in Biddeford Pool. It wasn’t until 2011 I decided to have a show,” says Williams. “I knew I wanted to do something in Biddeford Pool, but I didn’t know what. We ended up throwing a cocktail party for all our friends. Many friends had no idea I painted. Needless to say, it was a big success.”  This inspired her to want to go further with her painting and changed her focus from graphic design to painting.

The Composition of Color and Pattern – Artist Insights from Bethany Harper Williams

“When exploring the abstract in nature, first I take a landscape,” shares Bethany. “Then I create an overall sense of calm and energy by layering abstract shapes and patterns, juxtaposing warm and cool tones, and seeing how the colors react.” 

A Walk in the City – Artist Insights from Bethany Harper Williams

“This show, I’ve added some paintings inspired by my new ‘city life’ in New York City. I take the same idea of capturing a moment, abstracting the landscape, which is now buildings instead of beaches. Then I focus on the figure’s mood without the details of representation. More subdued tones replace the colors of the beach. Fun to find textures and patterns on the city streets.” 

Week Seven of Spring Arrivals 2023 – Matthews, Kohler, and Williams

Three Maine Art Hill artists arrive for Week Seven of Spring Arrivals. Below you will see a thumbnail of each piece. Click to make it larger. Works from these three artists are available online and at the main gallery at 14 Western Ave in Kennebunk. Come by or call 207-967-2803. Links to their artist’s pages, where you can see all their work are at the bottom.

Creating in Perfect Time – Artist Insight from Bethany Harper Williams

“People often tell me my work is happy or that it makes them smile. That is truly a reflection of me,” shares Williams. “I am in my happy place when I am painting, especially when I am painting memories of Maine.”

Patterns and Paintings – Artist Insights from Bethany Harper Williams

“I don’t plan where the patterns will go. They are just an expression of what I’m feeling at the moment. I often leave a painting and come back to it to see it from a different perspective and then add to it,” says Williams. “That’s usually when the fun stuff happens!”

Witbeck and Williams, Together Again – Summer Show Season 2022

“We have showcased this talented pair a few times with great success,” shares gallery owner John Spain. “Both Witbeck and Williams revel in Maine’s summer, so saying goodbye to the season with these two artists seems perfect.”

Bethany Harper Williams – Three Views of Maine

“I have always been captivated by lobster boats, and lobster boats are ubiquitous in Maine, providing me with lots of inspiration. There is a charm to the shapes and bright colors that give each boat a unique personality. I should call these collages portraits as I’m trying to portray the character of the individual boats.”

Spring Arrivals 2022 – Bethany Harper Williams

Layers of unexpected shapes, patterns, and colors create a visual composite of energy and calm, taking the viewer away from the reality of the image and triggering a personal memory, a moment in time. A low horizon line or the playful placement of simple figures brings context to the expressive composition of color and texture.

Third Time is the Charm – Bethany Harper Willliams and David Witbeck Summer Show

Below is a little bit about each artist and links to learn more about them and see what works we currently have. The Gallery on 14 Western Ave is open Thursday to Monday from 10-5 during February and check back for more hours as the weather warms up. When in doubt, please call 207-967-2803 or email [email protected] for more information.