Popular Damariscotta watercolor artist Jan Kilburn will exhibit her paintings at Savory Maine Dining and Provisions from June 24 through July 29.

“When Savory Maine graciously offered to exhibit my art, I automatically thought of my paintings of Monhegan Island. One definition of 'savory' is to have a spicy or salty quality without being sweet, and Monhegan Island could be described in that way,” said Kilburn. “This year will mark the 25th consecutive summer I have visited the island, and I have gotten a good feel for its rugged beauty.

“I go to the island for a few weeks each year to conduct intensive painting workshops with students and friends. I have been asked, ‘Why do you keep going to Monhegan year after year? You must have to paint the same thing over and over again.’ Anyone who has been lucky enough to visit Monhegan Island would never ask that question! I do paint some of the same things each year, but on every visit these things, these locations, are different. The day could be foggy, overcast, or bright and sunny; it could be morning, mid-day, or evening, with the light always beautiful, soft, and diffused.

“In a way, Monhegan Island paints along with me. With the ocean on all sides, the moisture in the air keeps my paper damp. This produces ‘softer’ paintings, a quality that is almost impossible to attain ‘off island.’ This is plein air painting, which I was introduced to on Monhegan Island those 25 years ago. And while every visit to the island offers new things to paint, new ways of seeing things, the island also changes so slowly that it appears to never change. I love the old New England way of life, and on Monhegan, I feel like I have stepped back in time, and there it is, all for anyone to paint.”

A native of Maine, Kilburn lives and teaches in Damariscotta and gives teaching workshops in Popham Village, Monhegan Island, Pemaquid Peninsula, Ocean Park and Portsmouth, N.H. Her gallery is on Bristol Road and is open daily all summer, or by chance.

The Kilburn exhibit is in Savory Maine’s main dining room from June 24 through July 29. An opening reception for Jan will be held on Friday, June 27 from 3 to 5 p.m., with delectable finger foods as well as beer and wine available for purchase. The public is invited to see Kilburn’s lovely paintings and to meet the artist.

Savory Maine is located at 11 Water Street, and is open seven days a week, serving lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and brunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday.

For more information, call 207-563-2111, "like" Savory Maine on Facebook, or visit www.savorymainedining.com.