The walls at the Damariscotta River Grill transform to summer colors and images, exploring a number of themes and capturing the light and beauty of  Maine. Artists Douglas Houle, Susan Tilton Pecora, and Kimberly Skillin Traina capture the essence of summer and life in Maine in three distinct styles and viewpoints, through oil, pastel, egg tempera, and watercolor.

 

“Art at the Grill” opening reception is Tuesday, Aug. 3. Join us for a special Prix Fixe three-course menu with a choice of wine pairings, or choose a selection from the regular menu, from 4 to 8:30 p.m. and celebrate the artists.  A portion of the dinner proceeds will be used to fund a scholarship for a Lincoln Academy student pursuing art education. Please call ahead to make a reservation. Stop in to enjoy beautiful art and delicious savory food offerings. Art is on display Aug. 1 through Sept. 20.  

 

Douglas Houle lives in Jefferson and has been traveling northern New England for the last 25 years. His focus has always been painting New England's buildings and landscapes, creating dramatic images of ordinary buildings using light and color. "Through my painting, I have chosen to highlight the architecture of small-town New England. I am drawn to the charm and nostalgia around old homes and barns, storefronts, and lighthouses. Whether the places are frequently visited or passed by, they surround a town’s people, giving recognition to the historical relevance they have in our communities.

 

“I like to create a mood in my paintings that will remind you of a time gone by, and light and color are crucial for these pieces,” Houle continued. “Working primarily in oils, I leave the underlayer of my painting showing through the planes and edges, which helps to develop a level of interest in the surrounding work. Objects absorb and reflect all sorts of color and how that is manipulated impacts the mood. The light that each color creates is there to invite you. I want you to live in every one of these rooms, within each window, and behind every possible door.”

 

Susan Tilton Pecora was raised in Marblehead, Massachusetts. Susan exhibits and sells her work through galleries and art associations throughout the country and is a signature member of The New England Watercolor Society. In this seashore community, she grew to appreciate the quality of light and the intrinsic beauty of New England, painting the streets and seaports of New England since she was a child. “I have been painting the harbors, farms, and factory towns of New England since childhood.  I have made a living as an artist for over 40 years. I work in watercolor, egg tempera, and oil. My paintings begin with a pencil or ink sketch than a watercolor or underpainting in oil on location.  I finish the piece in my studio. New England is so beautiful and diverse, I hope to be painting it for another 40 years.”

 

Kimberly Skillin Traina is a graphic designer, photographer, and pastel artist living in Edgecomb. Kim creates her pastel paintings utilizing the pure pigments of soft pastels and her fingers to layer many colors on top of an underpainting, creating depth and luminescence.  Her work is a spiritual interpretation of nature, light, and atmosphere through her depiction of skies, clouds, islands, water, and waves. “2021 marks by 10th year creating with pastels. I realized this past year, creating art has taken on a much deeper meaning for me. Along with the isolation of COVID, 2021 brought a year challenged with much loss and significant life-changing events on a personal level.  I found myself drawn to the ocean for grounding; Reid State Park, Ocean Point in East Boothbay and Pemaquid Point. At my easel, painting the ocean brought me a great deal of peace. As I have started to resurface, my work is changing, full of color again. Always, my work is about hope and finding a way back to my peaceful center.”