“Feel the work; handle each piece so you know how you feel about it,” suggests Laura Freeman, an artist whose work is on display at the Stable Gallery in Damariscotta this month.

It may be rare that an artist wants customers to pick up their work, but that is exactly what Laura is encouraging - and customers are doing when they see Freeman's figures and shapes in clay and bronze.

Many are shaped and sized to fit into your palm, and all the works share a sensual presence, whether they are pears, humans, or rabbits.

“I balance on the precarious edge between leaving untouched what I see in the clay and my desire to change the clay. It’s a balance between intention and revelation,” said Freeman. “My work tells me what to do and I don’t fight it. The This Rockport artist is one of the seven featured Maine artists at the Stable Gallery in July. The art media featured this month includes jewelry, wood, watercolors, oils, ceramics, charcoal, and acrylics. There are four rooms of non-featured works from artists who will each be featured at least once during the season.

Stable gallery produces a new show of featured works every month and holds a public reception with the artists every second Friday from 5-7 p.m.

The gallery, located at 26 Water Street, is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but is open until 7 p.m. the third Friday of each month for the Damariscotta Art Walk.

For more information visit stablegallerymaine.com.