Lobsters, buoys and boats, water reflections and door knobs are easily recognizable by Paul Sherman’s unique watercolor style that combines abstract elements into a strong, representational statement. The Damariscotta artist’s exhibit at Savory Maine is on display now through May 22. The public is invited to a reception to meet the artist on Friday, April 21 from 3 to 5 p.m. Savory Maine will provide delectable sweet and savory finger foods, and wine and beer will be available.

Over the years Sherman’s painting has evolved toward a bolder, crisper style, and recently his emphasis is on “more from less.”  This involves simplifying the composition and design as well as the palette. 

He has always employed the paper as the “white’ and is now making more use of “black” to accentuate boundaries between colors and values.  To continue this musical analogy, Sherman’s paintings “play well” from a distance, but also offer some mysterious harmonious organic detail close-up. Like a bridge, by design Paul’s paintings have length, breadth, and depth in the spatial, value, and color spectra.  More particularly, Paul sees black as the “basis” or “bass” of his works because it is the framework that supports everything else in the upper registers of space, color, and value. After a lot of experimentation, Paul believes he may have finally found a “voice” or even an “orchestration” and is looking forward to speaking and performing through the watercolor medium. 

Being self-employed, Paul has worked in carpentry, electrical power system maintenance, oceanography, shipbuilding, plumbing, and building inspection. He is currently involved in residential rental, designing unique horn-loaded loudspeaker systems, playing electric bass in the “Horseshoe Crabs Band”, and building renovations. For more on Paul Sherman, visit www.homedetective.com.

 "I believe that all of this work in various careers has and continues to sharpen my powers of observation,” Sherman said. “Now that I am able to concentrate more fully on painting, I am looking forward to turning out more work."

Paul’s paintings are displayed at Lincolnville Fine Art Gallery and, during the summer season, at Pemaquid Art Gallery.

Savory Maine is located at 11 Water Street, Damariscotta and is open Thursday through Monday,  11 a.m.- 8 p.m., serving lunch & dinner.  Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  The restaurant sources most of its food from Maine, and essentially all of it is organically grown, wild harvested. For more information call 207-563-2111 or visit www.savorymainedining.com.