Kathleen Horst, of Damariscotta, is inspired by the historic architecture of Maine villages. Her painting Stonington reflects that inspiration.
The end of the season is coming up on Monday, Oct. 9 at Pemaquid Art Gallery, located on Pemaquid Loop Road in New Harbor (Bristol). A wide variety of talented artists have shown their work in this 89th year of consecutive gallery seasons. Two of the longest showing artists, Jean Harris — more than 25 years — and Barbara Klein — 12 years — are joined by newcomers William Hallett, in his first year, and Kathleen Horst, in her second year as a guest artist. Trudi Curtis works in clay and has shown for about six years at the gallery.
William Hallett is known in the area for his acrylic paintings of Maine scenes, interpreted in highly saturated, uninhibited colors that were influenced by his youthful years in Mexico. Unlike many Maine artists, Hallett’s landscape or seascape as a geographic location is secondary to the graphic elements of shape and color, which are exciting and unique. His work can also be seen on his website, hallettpaintings.com, and at A Little Mad Gallery in Bar Harbor, Lincolnville Fine Art Gallery, and Gifts at 136 in Damariscotta.
Although her images are generally smaller and a little more restrained than Hallett’s, Klein also enjoys creating Maine scenes that emphasize clear shapes and vibrant color. Her oil paintings are most often framed in wide gold frames, creating the feeling that the viewer is privileged to see into a special private spot in Maine. She said she is “always on the lookout for the moments of time” that cause her to record a visual memory of a day on the Bristol peninsula where she paints.
Klein also shows her work at Gifts at 135 in Damariscotta. Like all Pemaquid Gallery artists, a sample of her work can be seen at pemaquidartgallery.com.
Harris was educated in advertising art and has a background in commercial art. Her often dream-like images frequently feature people as well as landscapes familiar to anyone in Maine. Her paintings are careful constructions, a weaving of imagery that evokes a story or interpretation, lending richness to her beautiful use of watercolor.
Harris has been recognized nationally for her work as a signature member of the prestigious American Watercolor Society and is a member of Watercolor USA and the New England Watercolor Society. She occasionally teaches and her work can also be seen at River Arts in Damariscotta.
Curtis offers pottery pieces at Pemaquid Art Gallery as a counterpoint to the many paintings that hang on the walls. Her work may be functional, such as a vase or bowl, or it may be simply sculptural, such as her animal and bird figures. From such a wide variety of forms and glazes, the gallery visitor can find something for almost any taste and interest.
Curtis attended art school and taught for 35 years. She is currently working on “family groups” while continuing to be inspired by the landscape and ocean environment around her.
Horst also has a background in clay, especially focusing on house portraits on clay tiles, but now works in watercolor on paper. While she continues to offer house portraits on paper (see houseportraitsbykathleen.com), she has transitioned to landscape in her offerings at the gallery. Horst is inspired by the historic architecture of Maine villages and roads, and by gardens such as Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.
Horst’s work is seen in area shows and will be featured at Skidompha Library in 2018. She can be visited at her studio-gallery at 179 Bristol Road, Damariscotta.
Pemaquid Art Gallery artists all reside within the Lincoln County area. The gallery is situated within Lighthouse Park at Pemaquid Point and online at pemaquidartgallery.com. The gallery is open daily through Columbus Day, Oct. 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
