Holiday Countdown Exhibit: Artist Reception at The Framemakers Gallery
Jim McLear, “The Royal Reaches”
The Frameworks Gallery introduces an exhibit spotlighting the following artists:
Acrylics, Knits, and Sweater Ornaments by Bonnie Hayward;
Weavings by Rachel Marsh-Sachs;
Acrylics by Jim & Gisele McLear;
Watercolors by Pam Dubois;
Photography by Lisa Laverdure;
Photography by Jennifer Hickey;
Also featuring The Waterville Area Art Society Holiday Block Party 2018
Artcards and Ornaments by Ann Rhinehardt and earrings by Greta Joseph are available for purchase throughout the exhibit.
Bonnie Hayward and Rachel Marsh-Sachs (The Winter Sisters) were introduced to each other by Bonnie’s sister a few years ago. Immediately they became fast friends and found they had much in common. They have enjoyed exploring various art activities together and have had great fun in the process! Bonnie lives in Waterville and loves working in a variety of mediums. Her passions are color, design, and naked trees. Her husband, Sumner, deals in antiques. Bonnie is apt to “borrow” some of his little treasures to use in her assemblages. Rachel lives in Sidney, where she runs a wholesale perennial nursery with her husband. She has always enjoyed working with fabric, fiber, and color. When she turned 60, she decided to make an effort to devote more of her time pursuing these passions (mostly in the winter).
Jim McLearis a representational painter and has been a resident of Maine for the past 23 years. He gravitates to depicting all things natural. Rocks, shells, gourds, feathers, bones and birds’ nests have all appeared in his still lifes, which he often refers to as Mandalas for their quiet contemplation. His landscapes have recently expanded from East Coast imagery to the Pacific Northwest after a sailing adventure in British Columbia piqued his interest. Jim still accepts commissioned portraits, but thoroughly enjoy painting family and friends. Jim also has been inspired by a fellow artist to step outside his comfort zone and switch from using oil to acrylic paint. Jim is passionate about painting from life, as it challenges him everyday, and he is very fortunate to be able to call it his profession.
Gisele McLear’s paintings in this show represent changes in her approach to “making art”. While she has generally worked with oils or pastels (preferring the latter for their convenience), she was encouraged by a fellow artist to try acrylics. Her enthusiasm for the medium was both convincing and contagious. At around the same time, a neighbor’s duck and free-range chickens began roaming their yard. She and her husband Jim were entertained them; they fed them and snapped photos. Her first chicken painting was for the 2018 Summer Block Party. She’s had such fun with it, and since pulled out dozens of “critter” reference photos taken in their neighborhood over the years, which led to these paintings. While Gisele still enjoy portraiture and still-lifes, it has been a delight to expand both her subject matter and medium!
Pam Dubois, “Twilight Over the Bay”
Pam Dubois was born in Montana and raised in Deer Isle, ME. For the past eleven years, she and her husband have lived in Winslow, ME. They have one grown daughter who resides in the Portland area. Pam has had an appreciation for art and photography for many years, but it was only after taking a watercolor class in 2014 that she discovered a passion for painting. Pam’s watercolor paintings are often inspired by the beauty of nature and wildlife, including the herd of deer that visit’s the woods behind her home every winter. She enjoys using vibrant colors and experimenting with different techniques as she paints. Two years ago, Pam launched her small business, Pam’s Cam and Watercolors, on Etsy, to sell cards and prints of her photography and watercolor paintings. She also participates in craft fairs throughout the region. Pam hopes that her artwork will inspire others to be creative and take time to appreciate the natural beauty all around us.
Lisa Lavendure is an upcoming photographer from Winslow Maine. She takes in her surroundings of nature and captures them in a moment with her art. This is Lisa’s first show.
Jennifer Hickey, “Day is Done”
Jennifer Hickey is a social worker by vocation; much of her artistic work is a reflection of her life-long work as both a teacher and social worker. She often photographs the worn, overlooked, misunderstood, and tired. It may be everyday flowers most mow over, leaves that have drifted off their tree, the ocean one may step over in trying to take in the scenic view, or the homeless person on the street holding a donation can. Jennifer is seeking to help people gain a new understanding of beauty.”
Gallery runs from November 15th, 2018 to January 12th, 2019.
Meet the artists December 14th, 5:30 to 7:30pm. There will be refreshments provided by Holy Cannoli! and live music by Kennebec Valley Chordmen.
