During the 90th season of the Pemaquid Art Gallery, visitors will be pleased to see the return of two accomplished area painters, Liliana Thelander of Bristol and Julie Babb of Damariscotta. Both are interested in closely observed subjects interpreted with precision. While Babb records birds in their environments and botanical studies, Thelander enjoys painting birds and various animals among other subjects.

Liliana Thelander, who describes herself as a contemporary realist painter, has been inspired in part by Maine realist artist John Whalley, and by Australian painter Colley Whisson. Their influence is seen in her skilled paintings of seascapes, boats, birds and pet portraits.

Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Thelander first worked in stained glass, but soon discovered her ability to draw, which led to classes in painting and now a successful career in painting with oils and occasionally acrylics. Although she has been primarily a studio painter, she has begun painting more on location and finds it compelling.

She is represented by Mast Cove Galleries, Kennebunkport, Lincolnville Fine Art and the Landing Gallery, Rockland. Her work also may be seen at Gifts at 136, Damariscotta, and www.lilianathelander.com.

Julie Babb has studied ornithology as well as photographing birds to insure that her bird portraits are accurate as well as beautiful. Like Thelander, her native talent in drawing enables her to finely render the birds as well as the botanical studies that form their natural environment.

Babb utilizes the tools familiar to such famous naturalist artists as Robert Bateman and Raymond Harris Ching to achieve her stunning effects. Opaque watercolor, or gouache, is her primary medium, but she also works with pen and ink, pencil/graphite, and on scratchboard. She is working on a new portrait of a young song sparrow framed by golden ash leaves in winter.

She has been an art instructor, author and illustrator, and has received many awards for her bird portraits and botanical studies. Babb is also a skilled calligrapher. Her work also may be seen at Ducktrap Bay Trading Company in Camden, Bayview Gallery, Brunswick, the River Gallery, Damariscotta, and online at www.covehousestudios.com.

Visit the Pemaquid Gallery of Art this season to see the work of the following member artists: Barbara Applegate, Debra Arter, Bruce Babb, Julie Babb, Stephen Busch, Midge Coleman, Trudi Curtis, William Curtis, Dianne Dolan, Peggy Farrell, Sarah Fisher, Bill Hallett, Claire Hancock, Kay Sawyer Hannah, Kathleen Horst, Hannah Ineson, Will Kefauver, Jan Kilburn, Barbara Klein, Patti Leavitt, Sally Loughridge, Marlene Loznicka, Nancy MacKinnon, Judy Nixon, Paul Sherman, Cindy Spencer, Liliana Thelander, Ernest Thompson, Bob Vaughan, Steve Viega, Bev Walker, and guest artist Jane Bowman.

Artists all reside within the Lincoln County area. The Gallery is situated within Lighthouse Park at Pemaquid Point, Bristol and online at www.pemaquidartgallery.com. The gallery is open daily through Columbus Day, from 10 a.m until 5 p.m.