Check out the artists' painting demonstrations that were done today at the Lodge at Pleasant Point! Here is Kristen Dill and Sandra Bell, two of the gallery's own artists. It was from 9am-12pm on the beach.

Here is Sandra Bell's finished painting!

Robin Taylor Chiarello, internationally recognized children's author, has a new book at the gallery called Ella Sue and the Burlap Sack. Ella Sue is the true story of perserverace, faith, family, and prayer. Robin Chiarello says "I am so happy to bring the story of Ella Sue to children everywhere. It has wonderful values of another time in our nation, when families ate together, worked together, and prayed together. Knowing Ella Sue has been a blessing to me!"

Ella Sue Hartgrove was born in Shelby, North Carolina. She "enjoys recounting stories of her youth and family." Ella Sue loves to visit the Shelby area as an adult and see her relatives and friends, as well as worshipping at her old church. She believes that faith, family, and prayer are the most important factors to a good life.

Ella Sue is illustrated by Steven Lester, a successful artist for more than 4 decades. This is his second collaboration with Robin, his first being award winning, Limbo book. He says "My hope is to illustrate the delightfully true story of Ella Sue, preserving it for future generations and diverse cultures."

Robin Taylor Chiarello has been given a Gold Medal from Mom's Choice Award for her book, Limbo. Her other books have received numerous awards worldwide as well. 

Clint Jones, a skilled boat and car mechanic by trade and a metal sculptor, fisherman, and boating enthusiast on the side. He can be found on Chebeague Island, working on “island cars”, cars rarely going very far or very fast.

Jones sees his metal art as time capsules that will last hundreds of years, each piece telling a story.  Jones likes the strength of metal and enjoys working with a medium with such longevity. He feels people have taken notice to the durability of his pieces.

Its been a busy summer here at Harvest Gold! Despite the hard times, we have been lucky to have some amazing plein air Saturday's. We try to feature an artist every Saturday during the summer months. So far, we have had Tom Merriam, Sandra Bell, Kristin Dill. This upcoming Saturday, August 15 we have painter Sandy Crowell! 

In the last couple weeks we have moved beyond the garden area and have started doing pop-up plein airs around the town of Lovell. From the sandy beach of Lake Kezar, to the breathtaking view from the Harriman barn, and most recently a private property of an eastern shore landowner! The amazing artists make it a treat for all. Keep an eye out for our next pop-up plein air, usually taking place on Wednesdays.

Last Saturday, Harvest Gold hosted artists for a beautiful day of plein air painting. Featured artists Varvara Harmon and Sandra Josephine Bell joined us in the gardens and created stunning work before our eyes.

It's amazing to see the progression of a piece over a short period of time. Here is the beginning of Sandra's painting compared to a few hours later.

Varvara Harmon set up her workspace and was happy to explain her artistic process to visitors.

Varvara described her technique of masking to bystanders. This is a process of using a liquid rubber to protect sections of the paper from paint. Once everything is dried and the masking is rubbed off, the artist is left with sections of untouched paper. In this piece, Varvara used many layers of masking to create the desired effect.

Come join us this Saturday for another plein air demonstration by Sandra Josephine Bell!

On Saturday, August 1st, Harvest Gold Featured artist Sandy Bell will be doing a plein air painting event. Sandra is a representational painter whose studio is in Center Lovell, Maine. Working in oils primarily, she is inspired by whatever holds her attention. Her works include a broad spectrum of North Country subjects….often little known or off the beaten track.

She begins with her own photography and creates paintings of regional landscapes, coastal subjects, interiors and beautiful lake scenes in a variety of painting styles with a feeling of spontaneity.

She also arranges unique tableaux that when painted become a whimsical or allegorical still life.

Sandra attended college and then art school for a period of time, all the while paying close attention to 20th century America. She involved herself in historic preservation (architectural), collected and traded in antiques (dump picking too), restored old houses, provided interior design and decorating services, hiked in the mountains, sold suburban residential and country real estate, designed gardens and watched them grow, ran a private non-transitional facility for young adult patients, all the while forming a world view.

The plein air will be from 10 am to 2 pm. Dont forget to swing by!

Here are some photo's from last weeks plein air, featuring Varvara Harmon and other artists, including Sandy Bell:

Recently, Harvest Gold Gallery's Bill Housley emailed us with some good news about his wood bowls he is famous for making. Here is his message:

As you know I have my wood turnings for sale in various galleries in Maine and New Hampshire. At the Full Circle Gallery in Cornish, Maine there is a customer who has been coming to the gallery frequently over the past several years. Turns out that he is from Chicago and has a place near Cornish. Every time he comes to the gallery he buys one of my bowls so the other day the gallery owner said “you must have quite a collection of Bill’s bowls”. To which he replied that he gives the bowls away as rewards/awards instead of buying plaques and such at gift stores. He is a physician. He is also involved in the COVID-19 thing going on in Washington. When he gives away my bowls he includes my business card. So yesterday the gallery sold one of my bowls to Dr Fauci also of COVID-19 fame.




THIS BOWL WAS PURCHASED BY DR FAUCI OF COVID-19 FAME

Just sayin’…………….
Bill

Congrats Bill on the success!

One of Harvest Gold's featured artists is Roland Simard. Roland creates are using a very unique medium: pigmented pulp. 

You may ask, what on earth does that mean? Bill often describes Roland's work as more of a sculpture than a painting. Each piece is constructed, or cast, by hand.

"Oakhill Farm"

As described by the artist himself: "I process natural fibers such as cotton, flax and abaca into a pulp.  The pulp is colored using pure, non-fading pigments and I use these processed, pigmented fibers to build or ‘cast’ a single sheet of paper.  As part of the sheet-forming process, I introduce the pigmented pulp directly into the sheet being cast, thereby forming an image and creating an impressionistic interplay of colors and fibers."

"Independence Day"

Roland received a degree in Fine Art and Art Education from Plymouth State University. He has been teaching at Berlin High School for 33 years. Roland jokingly tells his students that his pigmented pulp pieces are "spitball art". To see more of his work, please stop by the Gallery!