Come Aug. 30 a new show opens at Studio 53 in Boothbay Harbor, “David Estey: A 65-Year Retrospective,' with artist receptions on Friday, Sept. 2 and Saturday, Sept. 3 from 5-8 p.m. The exhibition will run through Oct. 9.

Nearly 60 drawings and paintings chronicle the development of Belfast artist David Estey from a self-taught student of realism in Aroostook County, Maine to abstraction at Rhode Island School of Design and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts; study in Rome, Italy; illustration for the U.S. Army; public affairs for Internal Revenue Service; exhibiting in Mid-Atlantic region and Charlotte, NC; and now total improvisation back in Maine.

Estey is an award-winning painter who has exhibited widely in the Mid-Atlantic States, North Carolina and Maine. He has work in private and public collections in 19 states and seven countries. He has a lifetime of formidable credentials wrought from self-taught ability, an exemplary education, wide-ranging exploration and unusual experiences in two careers.

His mature work reflects a unique gravitas that comes only from exquisite draftsmanship, a keen sense of color and design, an extraordinary intellect, a personal interest in history, an off-beat sense of humor, and a free form creativity.

According to Studio 53 owners, Terry Seaman and Heidi Seidelhuber, “David’s remarkable output in range, quality and quantity sets him apart from his peers. We are pleased and proud to offer this major retrospective of his life’s work.”

A related, 84-page book with 217 examples and a narrative explanation of Estey’s life and work will be available at the Gallery. For more information, visit www.davidestey.com.

Studio 53 Fine Art Gallery, 53 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor, is open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free off-street parking. Telephone: 207-633-2755. www.studio53fineart.com.