WATERFALL JoAnne Houlsen
JoAnne Houlsen, a painting featured in “Found in Translation.”

Waterfall Arts in Belfast will present “Found in Translation,” a mixed-media exhibition featuring Maine artists Deborah Jellison, JoAnne Houlsen and John LeBlanc, from Oct. 23 to Nov. 28. An opening reception will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Oct. 23.

The exhibition brings together three artist friends whose work explores familiar Maine landscapes, objects and experiences through distinct creative perspectives.

WATERFALL DeborahJellison
Deborah Jellison, a mixed-media assemblage featured in “Found in Translation.”

Working across painting, sculpture, assemblage and mixed media, the artists transform shared subjects into unexpected interpretations. The exhibition will feature works ranging from intimate 10-by-10-inch pieces to large-scale compositions measuring up to 6 feet square.

Their materials include acrylic, oil, pastel, gold leaf, metal foil, collage, decorated paper, cardboard, polymer clay and natural and found objects.

WATERFALL John LeBlanc
John LeBlanc, a sculptural work featured in “Found in Translation.”

At the heart of the exhibition is the idea of Maine as both place and home. Landscapes, still lifes and figures become starting points for exploring memory, identity and personal experience.

The artists draw on different influences. Houlsen finds inspiration in Post-Impressionism and contemporary collage, while LeBlanc looks to artists including Elizabeth Murray, Frank Stella, Picasso and Modigliani. Jellison draws inspiration from the dreamlike imagery of Neo-Surrealism.

Jellison said the idea for the exhibition emerged from a conversation about the artists’ shared experiences and different approaches to artmaking. Working with common subjects encouraged them to explore beyond their familiar practices.

“Discipline and trust were an important aspect of the process,” Jellison said.

LeBlanc will also contribute temporary sculptural installations created specifically for the exhibition, exploring relationships among objects, space and the environment.

Houlsen hopes the exhibition will encourage viewers to recognize the many ways people interpret their surroundings, both through art and everyday experiences.

Waterfall Arts is at 256 High St., Belfast. For more information, call 207-338-2222, email katherine@waterfallarts.org or visit waterfallarts.org.