Rural beauty in Waldoboro show: There is a nice little art exhibit up at the Waldoboro Public Library through the end of September, featuring the pastel, oil, and acrylic work of Waldoboro artist George Hayes. Hayes is a former technical illustrator and graphic designer who studied painting and drawing at New York’s Wallkill River School of Art.

The revived art of the painted photograph: In early August, as readers know, I visited Monhegan to take in the wealth of art offerings on that lovely little island. I happily focused much of my time on the current exhibit at the Monhegan Museum of Art & History, “A Life Made in Art: Maud Briggs Knowlton,” which I reviewed for the LCN.

Elderkin the great: Last week I had the distinct pleasure of spending a morning in Boothbay Harbor with Southport artist June Elderkin. We met at the art gallery (upstairs) at The Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, where Elderkin currently has a wonderful show of her paintings.

Art imitates life imitates art: On Aug. 2, a gorgeously sunny Friday, I traveled by Hardy Boat from the Bristol village of New Harbor out to Monhegan Island, a 50-minute journey that is worth it just for the ride across beautiful Muscongus Bay, let alone what awaits on the sweetly scenic island itself.

Art of empowerment: Last Friday, Aug. 2, was an interesting, art-filled day for me. I spent the day on Monhegan Island taking in, among other arts-related things, the exhibit currently on the walls of the Monhegan Museum of Art & History, “A Life Made in Art: Maud Briggs Knowlton” (more on that fine show in next week’s paper).

Eagerly awaiting next year: I had the very good fortune of being able to attend the sold-out opening-night reception and screening of two films at the inaugural MidCoast Film Fest at Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta on the evening of Friday, July 26. I also checked out the three-day film festival’s Maine-focused short-film program on the afternoon of Sunday, July 28.

Something for everyone: Last Thursday, July 18, was a rather hot day in Newcastle, a perfect day to drive from the LCN office down the Pemaquid peninsula, where it was a little cooler, to visit Saltwater Artists Gallery and take in the work of the 25 well-known area artists showing there.

History in watercolors: There is a charming art exhibit up on the walls of the community room at Sheepscot General in Whitefield by Whitefield historian and watercolorist Lucy Martin. As she told me recently, the show is largely based on “old-time black-and-white or sepia postcards,” and features watercolors of historical locations in Whitefield, framed in local-pine frames made by her husband, Herb Hartman.