The Southport Memorial  Library resumes its Artist of the Month program May 1 with a two woman show featuring the works of photographer Melanie Howe/Coastal Reflections Photography and artist/author Cheryl Blaydon.

An artist for 20-plus years, Cheryl Blaydon’s portfolio has expanded to include five novels: “The Memory Keepers” and “Island Odyssey,” both of which include photos of her paintings. “The Heart of Stone,” “Beyond the Ledge,” and most recently, “Dancing at the Colony,” complete the list.

Whether painting or writing, her subjects often reflect her ancestral ties and her passion for the sea. Hailing from upstate New York, she has worked in big business, journeyed the Caribbean, on both sail and motor boats, and traveled through many European countries.

After many years on St. Croix, Cheryl attended art classes in Florida and plein air workshops in Maine. And, working from her East Boothbay studio, turned many of her experiences into a series of oils on canvas.

Over the years, Cheryl’s paintings have been exhibited seasonally at the Harlow Gallery, Maine Art Gallery, Lincoln Arts Festival, Southport Yacht Club, The First Bank, Boothbay Region Art Foundation, and Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. Fore Street Gallery in Portland and Boothbay Harbor Framers Gallery represented her work year-round.  She has had solo exhibits at Savory Maine Restaurant in Damariscotta, and Domestic Blend Fine Art Gallery in Rockland.

Melanie Howe is East Boothbay-based. She is retired and “relishing life in the slow lane.” Howe’s goal for each photo is to capture the beauty of Maine, freezing a moment in time. Her subjects range from a lighthouse lit at dusk, a lone apple hanging on a branch, summer flowers, the rocky coastline ...

“These types of scenes all speak to me,” said Howe, a self-taught photographer.  “They say grab this moment before it slips away, hold it for a lifetime and share it with others.”

Certainly her favorite past-times of  hiking and road trips provide Howe with plenty of photo opps; as do her family, friends, and felines.

Melanie Howe has exhibited at the Boothbay Region Art Foundation, the former Boatbuilder’s Festival,  the Damariscotta River Grille, Studio 53 Fine Art, Kefauver Gallery, The First Bank, Key Bank, Turner Center for the Arts, and the River Arts gallery.

The Southport Memorial Library is at 1032 Hendricks Hill Road on Southport Island, and is open by reservation only at this time. If you wish to see the show, call 633-2741 to reserve a time to visit. The library is open Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through June. Don’t forget those masks! Thank you.