“Shore Roses,” by Janis Sanders.

Camden Falls Gallery welcomes the summer season with its new show “Light, Color, Summer,” featuring the artwork of Jennifer Van Cor and Janis Sanders.

The show opened June 24 and celebrates the color, light and beauty of coastal Maine.   

The vibrant and colorful paintings by Van Cor and Sanders emphasize the visual quality of light. These two artists push the boundaries with their bold use of colors, shapes and textures to create their own unique interpretation of the places that inspire and motivate them.

“Island Outlook,” by Jennifer Van Cor.

Massachusetts artist Janis Sanders is known for his simple compositions and distinct color palette that captures the brilliance of Maine’s coastal light. Like many landscape painters, Sanders enjoys painting out-of-doors and often renders his work en plein air. He begins each painting by blocking in the sky, noting that the “sky is the key to determining the entire atmosphere of the painting, and visually provides the backdrop for the other objects in view. Salt air, late day sunlight on a shoreline cottage, an old house at the water’s edge … these elements draw me outdoors,” says Sanders. 

Much like Sanders, New Hampshire artist Jennifer Van Cor is constantly captivated by the unique beauty and ever-changing colors of the coastal Maine landscape. She creates active, vibrant compositions in which she strives to “express the energy and spirit of a place.” When painting, she says, “each stroke and dip of the brush pushes my senses onto the surface … and if I am listening closely and truly, the life of a landscape fills the painting.”

Van Cor renders land, sea and sky in multi-faceted bursts of color that seem to dance across the canvas. Applying layer upon layer of color in small, bold swatches, Van Cor creates mosaic-like works composed of angular, almost geometric brushstrokes that capture the bright island light and diverse landforms of coastal Maine.

Gallery owner Howard Gallagher is excited and hopeful for the season ahead.

Camden Falls Gallery is at 5 Public Landing in Camden. The gallery is now open from 10 a.m. to 5 p;.m. daily. In compliance with state regulations, fully vaccinated guests are not required to wear masks. Call 207-470-7027, email info@camdenfallsgallery.com, or go to www.camdenfallsgallery.com for details.