Gleason Fine Art opens two new shows at its Boothbay Harbor gallery on Thursday, August 1. New work, playful and powerful maritime oils by the Brooklin, Maine artist William Irvine and boats, Maine work boats in clay by former Vinalhaven resident David Peterson. The public is cordially invited to a reception for both artists on Friday, August 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. The shows will run through August 31.

Maine’s rugged coast suits Irvine’s sensibilities for he has lived on the edge of the Atlantic all of his life. Sailboats, clouds, working boats, sailors, blue skies, tidy white houses peopled by figures in bright shirts—it is all material for Irvine’s decidedly modern artistic vision. His painting technique is unique: eschewing brushes, he uses paper towels, which allows him to build up the many layers he needs to achieve his desired effect.

Peterson’s clay boats are a fairly new direction, one that grew out of a museum commission. The boats, some realistic, some fanciful, are all based on various Maine work boats. Peterson grew up on Vinalhaven, where he was entranced by the island’s working waterscape: “I love making theses boats because it reminds me of the island, being on the water, and life growing up.”

For more information, call the gallery at 207-633-6849, email us at info@gleasonfineart.com, or check out the website at gleasonfineart.com.