A new show opens at Damariscotta River Grill April 28, featuring three talented Maine women artists, Marijke Felix Damrell, Cassie Doyon and Elaine Hranich. Celebrate the artists while enjoying  a delicious dinner at the “Art at the Grill” opening evening, Wednesday, April 30.

join us for a special Prix Fixe three course menu that will be offered for $29, with a choice of wine pairings for $10, or choose a selection from the regular menu, from 4 - 8:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended.  Art is on display April 28-June 23.

Marijke Felix Damrell is a Dutch-American artist living on Georgetown Island in midcoast Maine. She grew up in the Netherlands, where she studied at the Universiteit van Amsterdam. Marijke moved to Maine 35 years ago with her husband and two daughters. “I have always been drawn to art, having experimented with different mediums and taken multiple workshops through the years. Since the 1990’s I have been creating with pastels and in the past five years with acrylics and watercolors. The fluid yet rugged landscapes of Maine inspire my art. I feel lucky to live in a place where public access to waterfront and nature preserves is valued. Many of my paintings are inspired by walks on the beach, through the saltwater marsh and woods in the state park nearby. I enjoy painting plein-air, weather permitting.”

Cassie Doyon’s interest in mosaics was originally sparked by the fasination of the coming together of disparate elements.  She uses a wide variety of materials including natural, foraged and found items such as sea glass, bone, driftwood and stone.  Her use of color is widely variable, from muted and earth toned to vivid hues. “Where mosaic work tends to be structured and planned, I try to incorporate spontaneity and serendipity within my pieces. I am particularly focused on surface design and pushing the boundaries of sculpture with unconventional and re-purposed materials. Much of my artwork is abstract in style and form, reflecting my lifelong interest in tribal art and artifacts from around the world. I was born and raised in a seaside town, and the ocean has been a powerful, repetitive theme through most every piece of art I have made.  In addition, I like to create “color and texture memories” of places I’ve visited over the years, and to explore macro and micro-environments in nature.”

Elaine Hranich was born and raised in a small coastal town in New Jersey and raised her family in the central farmland area of the state before moving to Maine over twenty years ago. Living in Maine, she is inspired to capture the beauty of the natural surroundings and special moments. She enjoys painting plein air in the warmer months. In winter, she paints from her home studio in oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastels. Elaine’s first painting workshop was in California in the late 70’s. Since moving to Maine she has taken multiple workshops from established painters throughout New England and also continues to enjoy experimenting on her own. She loves to work on wood and with her palette knives to give her paintings more texture and substance. This last year she is expanding her skill set to include wood carving. An active member of Pastel Society of Maine and Vermont Watercolor Society and ACFE, Elaine is grateful for the art community in New England.

Congratulations to Lincoln Academy art student, David Winchenbach who will be receiving a scholarship from the Damariscotta River Grill Art Program at 6 p.m. A portion of the dinner proceeds from our Prix Fixe Artist dinners have been used to fund these scholarships for students pursuing an art education or career. 

David will be attending Alfred University to major in ceramics. David shares, “Clay is just glorified mud, which can make vases, bowls, and mugs out of just lumps of soggy dirt, but that's not what the pieces tell us. We see excitement, joy, and maybe even pain because these lumps of soggy dirt were made to express emotions, which is okay.

"With my art, I want people to notice that emotions are being expressed loudly and clearly, in the hope that they will realize that it is normal. It is normal to feel angry to the point of shouting, it is normal to be sad to the point of depression, and it is completely normal to be uncomfortable to the point you have to get out.”

The Grill, located at 155 Main St., Damariscotta, is now open seven nights for dinner; Happy Hour begins at 3 p.m. For more information about the Grill: www.damariscottarivergrill.com