Damariscotta's Savory Maine Dining & Provisions is happy to present the unique artwork of Boothbay artist Hilary Bartlett in an exhibit entitled “Playing with Color and Texture.” The exhibition will run from September 3 to October 15.

The Bartlett exhibit is in Savory Maine’s main dining room. The public is invited to attend an opening reception for Bartlett on Friday, September 13 from 3 to 5 p.m. Beer, wine and delectable finger foods will be served.

Bartlett was born in Liverpool, England and her early artistic endeavors were encouraged by her uncle, an art teacher. She obtained a doctorate degree in phytoplankton physiology and biochemistry and emigrated to work at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences in Boothbay Harbor, eventually leaving to pursue her life long interest in art. Her approach to both photosynthetic research and art is similar, since both combine experimentation with the relationships among natural subjects and light.

Over the ensuing years, Bartlett has attended numerous workshops in watercolors, oriental brush painting and inks, also delving into the techniques involved in mono-printing. “I like to paint with water-based media as I love the fluid spontaneity,” Bartlett said enthusiastically.

Sometimes the composition and values are predetermined, but she also loves to work intuitively. Most of her ink paintings are produced by pouring colored washes under resistant materials such as waxed paper, leaves or cheesecloth, which create a highly textured printed surface from which positive or negative images can be developed. Also she sometimes uses kosher salt with watercolors to produce texture. While the resulting pieces are derived from her imagination, they often reflect the mood of places she has visited and her passion for underwater life.

Bartlett’s work has been exhibited in numerous shows at Maine galleries and art centers, and some of her ink paintings have won awards. Her work is currently represented by Fore Street Gallery in Portland. Paintings and prints can also be viewed year round at her studio, West Harbor Studio, in Boothbay Harbor by appointment.

Savory Maine is located at 11 Water Street, and is open seven days a week, serving lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday.