According to the calendar, spring /Ostara /the vernal equinox was March 20, but here in Maine we know this season is never ruled by the calendar! 

If you yearn for signs of spring right now, head for Gleason Fine Art where a celebration of spring is well underway. Artists whose colorful work is being featured by the Gleasons are: Andrea Peters, Michael Vermette, Maurice Freedman, Jean Swan Gordon, Phil Barter, Charles Reid, Cecile Belle, Carl W. Peters, Philip Little and Peter Rudolph.

It is no surprise Andrea Peters' work is in this show. Peters' colorful work revolves around the flora and fauna and how they change each season. Spending some time in one of her paintings will certainly bring hope and joy back into your heart and feed your weary post-winter spirit. Peters' "Oceanfront Garden" is a perfect example of her color magic. 

Phil Barter's "Lilacs in Deco Pot" with its deep purple lilacs in a deep red vase on a table at first glance has a mild presence; but check out the vibrations pulsing from those lilacs against a blue wall! 

The tulips in Cecile Belle's "Still Life with Tulips" appear to be stretching toward the edges of the canvas to share their light scent with viewers. And that's really part of the tulip's enchantment: Its stems slowly lean this way and that so very gracefully.

And Peter Rudolph's "Lily Garden" is a colorful abstract depicting not only lilies, but the emotion of the viewer that begins as visual pleasure that segues into boundless joy! 

Until the real thing finally arrives, get your spring on at Gleason Fine Art at 31 Townsend Ave. The gallery is open Tuesday- Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.gleasonfineart.com