The Lincoln Home hosts special guest artist Ruth Monsell in its living room, Friday, Oct. 21, 4-7 p.m. during the last Twin Villages ARTWALK. Water is the theme of Ruth’s work for this show. Sample delicious hors d’oeuvres and meet Ruth during the artist reception in her honor.

“I hope my paintings convey the fascination I have with my subjects.  I strive to reflect the beauty I see in our coastal landscape, as well as in the human form. I particularly enjoy painting subjects outdoors.  The impressionists have always been my inspiration,” said Monsell. “Like them, I find the effects of light all important, both dramatic and moving.  I love painting people bathed in natural light, whether at work or play or captured in a quiet moment.  Additionally, painting the frenzied movement of our local alewives as they en masse churn up the waters has become a passion of mine.” 

Monsell has been a silhouette artist for 37 years and considers it to be a privilege to be keeping an historic, and nearly lost art form alive.  “I’m rewarded by the delight so many people express when encountering me wielding my scissors. It seems to connect many adults with their childhoods, when they first had their silhouettes cut. It’s also fun fulfilling orders for people all over the country from photographs, and being hired to travel for weddings and corporate events nationwide and in Canada. I’m particularly excited when called on to cut for events such as historical societies and museums.” 

The day after the ArtWalk, Monsell will be in Lewiston cutting profiles of students, their families and faculty in the Colby College Museum of Art. “I will relish seeing their exhibit of historic silhouettes on their walls, and knowing I’m a part of that tradition.” Monsell also paints portraits of children, adults and pets in charcoal, pastel and oil on commission, a pursuit which predates her cutting of miniature portraits. Ruth Monsell has offered to donate 25 percent of the proceeds of any exhibited work to Lincoln Home Resident Financial Assistance Fund. The Lincoln Home, a non-profit, takes no state monies of any kind but endeavors to provide assistance to those who need help.

Look for the yellow flag at The Lincoln Home, 22 River Road, Newcastle, stop 1 on the ARTWALK map. There is plenty of parking at The Lincoln Home.

For more information about the artists exhibiting at The Lincoln Home or the ARTWALK, please contact Kim Skillin Traina, Jumpstart Creative, 207-882-9870.