On the blog

• July 18, 2024 A Look Into the Gallery, Featuring: Marty Elkin
  

  Hello everyone! My name is Ava Birchfield, and I am extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to work at Harvest Gold this summer. I am an incoming junior at Virginia Tech, studying Human Development and Disability Studies. My family has been coming to Lovell for almost 15 years and it has become one of my favorite places on earth. Harvest Gold truly captures and illustrates the beauty of Maine, showcasing every aspect of this incredible state. 

  

  "Birches"

  One of the first things I noticed when touring the gallery was the use of various materials and textures. For example, the wonderful, Marty Elkin, creates her artwork using original needle felted wool. I was especially drawn to her piece titled, "Sheep in the Field." Her artistry with wool not only highlights her technical skills but also deepens the connection between sheep and their wool. Sheep, through their natural cycles, provide the very material Elkin transforms into her art. This process showcases the relationship between the artist and the subject of the piece, emphasizing sustainability and the beauty inherent in raw materials found in nature. Elkins piece not only illustrates the physicality of sheep but also the bond between animals, humans, and the natural resources we share.

  

  "Sheep in the Field"

  Although not all of her pieces include images of animals, there is an undeniable connection between the different aspects of nature. Her pieces are not only beautiful to look at, they are also uniquely thought provoking, with each piece telling it's own story. 

  

  "The Kettle and the Cup"

  I highly recommend checking out Marty Elkins art work when visiting the gallery in-person or online. Thank you all for taking time to read my thoughts and I hope you all have an amazing summer! 
  
• July 18, 2024 Jean Swan Gordon In Full Bloom

  Happy Day, all! I'm Emma McDonald, and I am thrilled to be helping out as a summer employee at Harvest Gold for the next few months. I've spent the last 2 years as an undergrad, pre-med major at Virginia Tech and have been given the most amazing opportunity to enjoy all of the beauty that is here in Lovell as well as on Kezar Lake! It is truly a peaceful oasis, and I've never seen any place quite like it.

  

  "Sleepy Poppies"

  When walking into the gallery for the first time, I couldn't help but feel drawn to the larger than life floral pieces by Jean Swan Gordon. The late artist vacationed in Boothbay Maine which is where her love of flower bouquet painting developed! She began by just simply using pencil and pen, and then transitioned to layered watercolor. The juxtaposition between the soft watercoloring and the ink outlining along each petal and edge of the vase creates a very delicate look that is easy on the eyes. Each piece sits centered on a white background which further accentuates the details and beautiful color schemes! Although summer is only just beginning, my personal favorite piece is titled "End of Summer", which reflects the somewhat dried nature of the flowers placed sporadically in the vase, while still retaining their vibrant warm and cool tones. The vases themselves also create contrast within every piece, with each having distinct shapes, designs and colors. 

  

  "End of Summer"

  Make sure to stop by Harvest Gold or check out our site to see more elaborate works by Jean Swan Gordon. I'm looking forward to learning about all of the talented artists that make this gallery so incredibly special, and I hope you all have a wonderful summer!

• July 18, 2024 Finding Joy in the Little Things
  Hello everyone! It's Ava, from the last edition and I'm here to share my favorite aspects of the gallery once again! As you all know, Harvest Gold is filled with beautiful paintings, sculptures, and jewelry but it's also full of unique home decor that brings color and comfort to your living space. Here, we celebrate the charm of those subtle details and sometimes overlooked pieces that transform everyday spaces into extraordinary environments. From silly animal salt & pepper shakers to handmade textiles, Harvest Gold has everything you need to elevate your home and find joy in the little things.

   

  Not only is everything pleasing to the eye, shopping for homemade items is a sustainable way to fill your home. By choosing homemade decor, you're not only investing in unique, handcrafted pieces, but also contributing to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. 

  

  
  I highly recommend walking through the gallery and seeing how Lynda and Bill have tastefully displayed everything beyond just the paintings. Their pieces bring a unique Maine ambiance into the space which evoke the same serenity and charm we feel throughout the state.

  

  I feel extremely fortunate to work in such an incredible environment that ignites my creativity and feels comfortable no matter where I am in the gallery.
• July 18, 2024 Teapots, Vases, Bowls, Oh My!

  Hey everyone, it’s Emma! I am unfortunately nearing the end of my journey here at Harvest Gold soon, and I just wanted to thank you all for following along this summer. It has been so wonderful to work at such a charming, special place and it has also been lovely to meet all of you in the gallery! I will undoubtedly miss Lovell as well as Kezar Lake, however I am certainly hoping to return in the future!  

  

   For this blog post, I wanted to highlight the work of the incredible Lacey Pots! Lacey is an artist from the Portland, Maine area, and her work caught my eye the day I began working here. The various vases, bowls, teapots and cups of all different sizes are available for purchase and are perfect for summer entertaining. Below you can see the plethora of colorful designs and styles this artist uses, my favorite being the red floral teapot.

  

   Another one of my favorite pieces by Lacey is this lovely cream, medium-sized bird vase. This is such an adorable design, and I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it before- what a treasure!

  

  The next time you stop into the gallery, you will see her mini vases scattered throughout each room, each with its own unique design and color scheme, among all of the other beautiful pieces. I think these vases are perfect for a small bedside table flower arrangement, or for a bathroom sink! Again, it was such a joy to be a part of such a wonderful community for the summer, and I hope each of you make time to come into Harvest Gold very soon to see all of the treasures!