Damariscotta River Grill in Damariscotta will host four new artists, Judy Conlan, Patti Corscaden, Sarah Lynn Richards, and Cory Stafford, in an upcoming show running Oct. 22 to Dec. 3. The “Art at the Grill” opening reception, on Wednesday, Oct. 24, will take place from 4-5:30 p.m. One can stop in to meet the artists and learn more about their diverse styles and stories while savoring delicious hors d’oeuvres.
Conlan was a high school art teacher; she moved to Bath upon her retirement. She paints in oil and watercolor and, recently, in acrylics. In her work, Conlan finds beauty in what others would find ugly or mundane. Instead of painting beach roses in bloom, she paints the beach after the season has gone by, and she loves the character of old buildings, corners of rooms, interior doorways, and hallways.
“My process is as important as the end result,” Conlan said. “I feel I am at my best when I reach an unconscious level and the painting takes over. In those moments, all I have learned and experienced unconsciously comes through and I am able to apply that knowledge and inspiration collected over many years. It is a form of meditation for me that removes part of me from where I am, while time seemingly stands still.”
Corscaden, a licensed massage therapist in Newcastle, has been exploring her creative nature through silkscreening and collage for many years, creating unique and beautiful abstract expressions with transparency, depth, and color.
“I am amazed by the process of choosing a screen size, lining up a test paper, applying a few different colors of paint at the top of the screen and then squeegeeing the length of the screen to create as many as four prints with the paint,” Corscaden said. “Each print has a similar, yet uniquely different, appearance. Experimenting with cropping and sections yields results that are more interesting than utilizing the entire print. I have found a freedom of expression by creating art to honor my artist self now, and for the young girl who was not able to find that expression.”
Richards lives in Bristol. Using watercolors, 23-karat gold leaf, and a seemingly limitless imagination, her unique style comes to life through her art. Whether Richards is drawing from her knowledge of the anatomy of the horse, the comical aspects of amphibians, or the graceful beauty of a hummingbird in flight, one will experience the movement and spirit of her subjects.
Stafford is originally from Western Massachusetts and is now living in Whitefield. Stafford is self-taught and inspired by nature. The works are oil on canvas with a profusion of color.
Call 562-2992 for more information or visit the restaurant’s Facebook page. Damariscotta River Grill is located at 155 Main St. in Damariscotta and is open seven days a week for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.