Saturday, June 10, Maine Art Shows starts their summer season and, continuing with tradition, opens with The 6th Annual Choice Art Show. This is the sixth year for the Choice Art Show and, as always, the art stays true to the charm and appeal of the area. Twelve artists have submitted works celebrating every aspect of Maine life. This state is incredibly diverse and all of its beauty is well represented.
Tag: Past Choice Shows
Choice Art Show, 2017 – Let the Voting Begin
For the last five years Maine Art Painting and Sculpture has opened their summer season with the Choice Art Show. This year is no different. The opening reception for the 6th Annual Choice Art Show will be on Saturday, June 10th at Maine Art Shows and will help to culminate the Kennebunkport Festival week. However, we all know the Choice Show really begins May 1st.
Abbie Williams on Summer Chairs – An Artist’s Choice
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.”
Daniel Corey on By January – An Artist’s Choice
By January is Corey’s Artist 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 Gateways 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.”
Liz Hoag and Eagle Lake – An Artist’s Choice
Once again, one of our artists has found inspiration in Acadia National Park. The only National Park in Maine, Acadia boasts beautiful ocean views, cliffs that tower over rocky coasts and even their own Sand Beach. Yet, for Liz Hoag, it is the freshwater of the park that lures her in. At 436 acres, Eagle Lake is the largest fresh water lake in Acadia National Park. Whether traveling the carriage roads or exploring the trails that encircle it, it is nearly impossible not to let the magic of this place slip into your soul.
Ellen Welch Granter on Begin and End- A Choice Show Piece
“There is an excitement while watching birds in the wild,” says Granter. “My paintings are an expression of my desire to create beautiful and pure images of my favorite subjects.” When viewing her works that same excitement comes through.
Jill Valliere on Wanderlust – An Artist’s Choice
“I had decided to take a drive on a slightly foggy day last fall. I was in search of inspiration,” says Valliere. “I drove around to my favorite haunts for a few hours, but I didn’t find anything that made my ‘painting fingers’ twitch.” After giving up for the day, she headed toward home and began to daydream. Of course this led to a wrong turn, not an uncommon turn of events for Valliere. “When I tuned back into my surroundings I found myself in Lincolnville. In front of me was the scene that later became Wanderlust.”
Janis H. Sanders on Headlight and Shadows – An Artist’s Choice
Monhegan Light is an inspiration as a symbol, as well as a physical structure from many views and perspectives. As visitors, we often come by day to view the lighthouse and the stunning coast surrounding it. Rarely does the iconic place have guests in the evening. Except maybe for one of our artists, Janis Sanders. Head Light and Shadows is the result of one of these visits.
Susan Wahlrab on Sanctuary – An Artist’s Choice
“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.”
William B. Hoyt on Sunset at Cuttyhunk – An Artist’s Choice
Hoyt is a wanderer and an adventurer. He has more stories to tell than most, and he remembers in details as vibrant as his canvases. It is rare to find him without a camera around his neck snapping these moments that just cannot be forgotten. An artist sees the world through different eyes, and Hoyt has trouble not stopping to capture each scene he may someday commit to paint. “Images are everywhere,” says Hoyt with a grin. As an outsider, it is difficult not to wonder if his need to stop and snap ever gets in the way. However, Hoyt laughs when asked about it. “It never gets in the way,” he says perplexed. “It is the way.”