 |
|
Contributed photo |
HOULTON — The Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project’s October featured artist show at the Blue Moon Gallery is “Candy Goes Coastal,” showcasing the paintings of Candace McKellar.
The show will run through Oct. 29. Many of McKellar’s paintings, in addition to the coastal works that are the focus of her show, are on display in the gallery, located at 66 Main St.
“We hope that you will get the chance to come in and see this very special collection of Candace McKellar’s beautiful paintings, as well as the work of our other Visions artists,” said Karin Cohen, spokesperson for the gallery. “These paintings by Candace McKellar that are currently on display, are ones she has created herself of scenes from the coast of Maine and as far south as Martha’s Vineyard, which come from time spent in locations like Schoodic Point, Monhegan Island, Pemaquid Point, Boothbay Harbor area in Maine painting over several years; and just recently in Massachusetts…where she has been painting on Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard.”
In her own words, McKellar describes her connection to this area as an artist, as well as what inspired her to paint these incredibly beautiful coastal works.
“Having grown up in southern New England it seems natural to move north to the woods and waters of Maine,” McKellar said. “What a wonderful choice. After over 40 years here in southern Aroostook County my family and I still have not tired of the mountains, hills and coast that are Maine.
“Painting Mt. Katahdin has always been my love, but since we go to the coast every summer and paint there, it seemed a good idea to show how an artist from the interior, potato country and deep woods, would portray the shores and rocky cliffs of Maine. Thus was born the plan for an art show featuring the coast, waves, cottages and light houses of New England. From Schoodic Point, a National Park to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, these are my paintings about the sense of place and of the life on the shores of the North Atlantic.”
Drawing and painting have been a large part of McKellar’s life since the third grade. “I had no opportunity to take art in high school so my formal art education began in college at the University of Connecticut in the mid 1960’s and then Art Education at the University of Maine, Orono,” she said. “I like to draw, doodle, sketch and use colored pencils, charcoal as well as painting in oils and acrylics. My favorite subject is Mt. Katahdin, which I can see from my home, however, getting outside to paint it is my favorite way of rendering it fresh in every painting.
“Northern Maine landscapes are the major subject matter of my work, but coastal scenes in the midcoast area figure into my paintings as well. Many of my paintings are on display at Visions, the Southern Aroostook Cultural Arts Project Gallery in Houlton, the Northlight Gallery, owned and operated by Marsha Donahue in Millinocket; and at Pemaquid Co-operative Gallery in Round Pond/Pemaquid Point area, Maine.”
The new fall/winter hours at the gallery are Wednesdays through Fridays, noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call 532-9119.
