Brick Store Museum Gunnella Dreamland
“Dreamland” / Draumalandið, Gunnella (1956-), Oil on canvas, 2001, Collection of Bruce McMillan

Bruce McMillan, watercolor painter of Shapleigh, will speak on Icelandic art and noted Icelandic artists in conjunction with The Brickstore Museum and the Art Guild of the Kennebunks at 6 p.m. April 23.

He will have on display original works from his collection of more than 50 Icelandic paintings and sculptures, along with Iceland art books from his collection.

Brick Store Museum Haldor Petursson Mowing Time Copy
“Mowing Time” / Sláttutími, Halldor Petursson (1916-1977), Lithograph, 1944, Collection of Bruce McMillan.

McMillan is a member of the Icelandic Watercolor Society. He had a two-person watercolor show in Reykjavik with his Icelandic watercolor friend, Oskar Thorarensen, titled “Reykjavik and Beyond” in 2022. His 45 children’s books include seven set in Iceland, two of which feature paintings by Icelandic artist Gunnella. Their first one together was a New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the year. He has photo-illustrated and written two books published in Iceland. McMillan has been traveling to and around Iceland for over 30 years. An incoming Iceland passport control officer said when inspecting his passport, “Remember me?” And he did.

McMillan graduated from Kennebunk High School and the University of Maine. After a fortunate career in publishing, producing 45 photo-illustrated children’s books, two adult humor books in the U.S. and two more books in Iceland, he moved on to painting watercolors for the past 12 years. Two of his watercolors are in the Brick Store Museum collection.

Learn more about McMillan at www.theartofbruce.blogspot.com.

The Brick Store Museum is at 117 Main St., Kennebunk. See www.brickstoremuseum.org or call 207-985-4802 for more information.