Osprey sitting attentively in their wondrous nests…. robins and cardinals intently looking and calling for mates… herons and egrets negotiating the edges of swollen ponds and rivers…..
The birds are back and provide endless variations of interpretation for many artists at Markings Gallery and an exciting focus for the month of May.
In the words of Abigail Robbins, “Birds are amazing. I watch them endlessly, their shapes, their flight patterns, their living habits. Looking at birds with their gestures and body language, gives me infinite inspiration for sculptural forms.
I find the medium of papier mache versatile. I can shape and reshape until I am satisfied that the sculpture is close to the idea I have in my head.” Abigal’s sculptures capture the essential elements in her birds; the owl, the crow, and the raptor.
Wayne Robbins (no relation to Abigail) is well known for his wood carvings of the birds that inhabit Maine’s woods, fields and marine environment. Working with a diverse variety of woods, such as linden, butternut, and walnut, Wayne carefully selects just the right piece to carve Puffins, Auks, Terns, Screech Owls, Sea Ducks, and Chickadees, to name just a few. Some of his carvings are hand stained to enhance the colorings and markings of each species. Many hours and thoughtful observation go into these sculptures.
Sue Stasiowski brings her unique artistry with needle felting to create marvelous interpretations of a wide range of birds. A little Oriole’s orange coloring has such depth because of the unique way Sue has for combining multiple colors of fiber. That orange is made of a masterful blend of yellows and several shades of orange. The mixing on his wings is a painterly mix of black, white and wisps of orange.
Several other artists at Marking’s Gallery incorporate birds into their repertoire—
Janice Wright with her fierce eyed herons on relief tiles and painted bowls, Kirsty Sandoy’s felted bird ornaments, Carolyn Judson’s expressive clay birds, Nan Kilbourn-Tara’s delightful small tile bird paintings.
Marking’s Gallery, 50 Front St., Bath, Maine
Gallery hours Thursday thru Monday 10am to 5pm (Sunday 10am to 4pm) closed Tuesday and Wednesday.
Dominique Ostuni’s solo exhibition, “Would an Angel Apologize for Spilling Champagne,” is on view through Oct. 3 at Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland. A centerpiece of the exhibition is “Excess Comes Naturally,” an elaborate mirror standing more than 8 feet tall. The work begins with an ordinary functional object, then overwhelms that function with porcelain, […]
Waterfall Arts will invite the public inside more than 40 artist studios during the Lincoln Street Center Fall Open Studios from 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 17 at 24 Lincoln St. in Rockland. During the free event, artists will open their studios and welcome visitors into their creative spaces. Guests can explore Rockland’s historic former […]
“Made in Maine,” the Maine Art Gallery’s annual member show, features more than 100 works of art across two floors of the historic Old Academy building in Wiscasset. The exhibition is on view through Oct. 18. Sara Stites of Thomaston, a new member, is showing at the gallery for the first time. Her oil painting […]
High Peaks Artisan Guild in Kingfield features Western Maine watercolor artist Karen Jordan Paul throughout September. Paul draws inspiration from wildlife found throughout Maine, particularly wild birds and fish. The guild celebrated Paul as its featured artist of the month during the Sept. 4 Kingfield Art Walk. High Peaks Artisan Guild is at 245 Main […]
Turtle Gallery in Deer Isle presents “Material Storytelling,” a three-artist exhibition featuring new work by Sheep Jones, Michele Ratté Delphin and Barbara Sullivan, through Oct. 11. The three artists use distinct materials and techniques to explore narrative, light and the quiet poetry of everyday objects. Jones brings her signature combination of oil and cold wax […]
Photographer Melonie Bennett will discuss her exhibition and debut monograph, “Holy Cow!,” from 5 to 8 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Maine Museum of Photographic Arts in Portland. The event will include an interview, reading and book signing. Photographer and writer Robert Diamante, a friend and fellow photographer, will interview Bennett. “Holy Cow!” presents an […]
Centre Street Arts Gallery in downtown Bath will open its fall show during the Bath Art Walk from 4 to 7 p.m. Sept. 18. The gallery represents 20 local artists and will feature new work in its fall exhibition. Visitors can meet the artists, explore the show and enjoy refreshments during the reception. Centre Street […]
Maine artist Daryne Rockett will present “Restoring Liberty,” an exhibition of monotypes and mixed-media work, from Oct. 2 to Nov. 24 at the McDade Gallery at Bangor Public Library. The exhibition brings together two interconnected bodies of work examining freedom, democracy, justice and hope. In a series of layered monotypes, the Statue of Liberty appears […]
Maine Craft Weekend, an annual statewide celebration of craft, community and creativity, will return Oct. 3 and 4. The free, self-guided tour invites visitors to discover the people, places and stories behind Maine’s craft communities. Hundreds of participating artists and locations will host open studios, workshops, pop-up markets, exhibitions, fairs, artist talks, special events and […]