Damariscotta painter Will Kefauver currently has a solo exhibit on the walls of the cafe at Rising Tide Co-op. That is a bit of a big deal as Kefauver, who owns and operates Kefauver Studio & Gallery in Damariscotta and is the president of the Pemaquid Art Gallery Board of Directors, normally exhibits his work alongside that of other artists. Currently, for instance, his work hangs on the walls of his eponymous gallery in the venue’s “Monhegan and the Islands” show, which includes pieces by such popular area artists as Dale Dapkins, Hannah Ineson, Kim Traina, and DiTa Ondek.
It is a treat to view Kefauver’s Rising Tide show, which comprises 12 paintings – the rather large “Evening Home,” a contemplative oil-on-linen piece featuring a boat at rest on the water, and 11 smaller pieces (two are actually inkjet prints of Kefauver paintings).
Most of Kefauver’s work in this show – most of his work in general – focuses on scenes containing water. It is clear from viewing the work of this New York transplant that he has fallen in love with the “roiling waves of the Midcoast” and “the reflections playing on Maine’s water,” as he describes it in his accompanying artist statement. There is no one around, in fact, that can paint a wave with as much detail and light and life as Kefauver.
“Cresting I Sketch” is more than a sketch – it is a meticulously painted portrait in oil of a cresting wave, perfectly depicted mid-motion in its inviting sea-green translucence and white foaminess.
“Dinghy” and “Red Float II,” the inkjet pieces, beautifully capture the peacefulness of empty boats on the water. The bright red of the round float in the latter pops nicely against the gray-green surface of the water. Both pieces, like “Evening Home,” show off Kefauver’s enviable ability to paint the reflections of boats on the surface of water.
Kefauver offers a few “waterless” pieces in his show. “Afternoon Meeting” is an almost-whimsical capturing in oil paint of two sea gulls standing on a roof next to a red-brick chimney, the long shadows of the chimney and the birds indicating the time of day. “Volunteer” zeroes in on a lone pink flower growing through weathered wooden lattice. “Almost Autumn” is a lovely asymmetrically framed view of two trees standing by the roadside, their green leaves beginning to turn to orange, red, and yellow.
Kefauver’s show is well worth perusing, perhaps while sitting at a table in Rising Tide’s cafe. His satisfying artwork makes for a nice accompaniment to a good meal.
Kefauver’s solo show runs through Saturday, Sept. 28. Rising Tide Co-op is located at 323 Main St., Damariscotta.
“Monhegan and the Islands” runs through Sunday, Oct. 6. Kefauver Studio & Gallery is located at 144 Bristol Road, Damariscotta, and is online at kefauverstudio.com.
