Over the course of the twenty-day show, ten of our artists have decided to take the opportunity to spend some intimate time with those who love their work. Often times during a show openings or artist receptions, the crowd can be overwhelming and only minutes are available to chat with each visitor. We are hoping these opportunities will give you a chance to have a lovely conversation and ask a few questions.
This weekend we have invited Lyman Whitaker and Whitaker Studios to visit. We are celebrating ten years with them. Lyman will be here Friday the 28th for a coffee talk, but don’t miss the party on Saturday night.
“It all begins on July 22 with the biggest opening reception party Maine Art has ever thrown,” says Spain. “There will be music, food, and of course, art.” The reception will be from 5-7 PM. Additional events are posted on Maine Art’s online calendar. “We have a great deal to be thankful for here. Our goal is to truly celebrate our artists, our customers, and our community every day for these twenty days.”
We kick this weekend off with Craig Mooney. He will be back again, after his fabulous solo show in July. He will be in the gallery all day Saturday. Stop by for a visit. Also be on the look out for Shakespeare amongst the Sculpture on Tuesday evening. Our local Shakespeare group will be performing in and around Lyman Whitakers sculptures. It is sure to be a treat.
Mooney says, “In this time and age we are entering, people are looking for an escape. This new series of work offers that. My recent works are more romantic motifs. I want to give people a place to go for a bit of peace. Its that feeling found when spending time with a painting, then suddenly it captures you. It holds on, and you are there, even if only for a while. Its more than just seeing it, it is feeling it. The work has to be sincere.”
“Stand of Trees is a view from a country road. I don’t even know what town I was in,” Hoag laughs. “The beautiful snowy field was visible through the trees lining the road, and I remember being out on an adventure with my family on a sunny winter day.” A common occurrence for Hoag. “I love the simplicity of the idea that we can find calm and beauty right along the road almost anywhere in Maine.”
“My new favorite place is Schoodic Point, a part of Acadia National Park. A dear friend of mine let me know that if I am there at dead low tide, there is an island just off the coast I can walk to and explore,” Susan explains. Many of her new pieces come from, what she describes as, one amazingly magical morning.
“I began painting boats because I love the way they evoke a sense of peace and calmness,” says Granter. “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.”
Sheepscot Meadow, her choice for the show, is the perfect example of this. The colors are brilliant and woven together in a stunning tapestry of Mother Nature’s finest work. A semi-abstract piece that blends the colors of New Mexico with the flora of Maine.
For Jennifer Clement, paintings are difficult to put into words. They are more about emotion, and the desire to share these emotions. Clement says, “I don’t seem to have the correct language. I guess that is mostly because my works have less to do with words and more to do with feeling. They are a… Read more »