Damariscotta River Grill hosts three new artists, with three distinctly different styles and mediums, to welcome the summer art season at the Grill. The show opens Monday, June 12 and will be on display through July 24. Meet artists Lonie Laffely Ellis, Elaine Fletcher and Diane Noble at the Art at the Grill opening reception, Wednesday, June 14, from 4-5:30 p.m. with hors d’oeuvres.

Lonie Laffely Ellis enjoys working out of her home studio in Topsham with multiple mediums, including ceramics, encaustic painting and fiber arts. Ellis’ art background includes some formal education, though she attributes most of her knowledge to curiosity, exploration and self learning.

“My path through life has often incorporated a creative element. For me, creating is what feeds my spirit and awakens the senses. I believes all things can inspire, teach and ignite the creative spark inside each of us,” Ellis said. “Being curious is part of being an artist and I enjoy the freedom and challenges of expressing what is around me in my art. Nature is the greatest teacher, and I enjoy exploring the outdoors in every season.”

Elaine Fletcher of North Yarmouth utilizes several mediums in her art; watercolor, oils and ink. A retired art teacher, she has painted professionally for many years. A graduate of Maine Orono, she has also studied at USM and Maine College of Art.

“As I put paint to canvas, panel or paper I uncover the way I see the image. The piece develops as time, unnoticed, passes, filled with a growing relationship between myself and the work, layer upon layer.,” shared Fletcher. “At the heart of each piece is a timeless sense of place, personal, yet inviting the viewer to interact with, to share, and to personalize the moment. “

Diane Noble is an artist and recently retired art educator. Since 2005, she has focused on acrylic landscape painting after working in many art mediums. Noble has always preferred wide open spaces to fields with rivers, coves, marshes, tidal pools, and “roads that go on forever.”

“There is something enlightening about staring at a blank canvas with an image in my head and the excitement about what will develop. I begin painting by laying out the composition with a purple drawing,” said Noble of her technique. “I develop an under painting with blue and red violet and yellow ochres, matching the values shape by shape. I proceed to build up the painting layering the colors by value, working on all areas of the composition, adjusting as I go.”

For more information, call the Grill at 207-563-2992. The Damariscotta River Grill is located at 155 Main Street, Damariscotta, and is open seven days for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch.