2026 Bangor Art Society Open Juried Show

The Bangor Art Society dates back to 1875, and is the first art club formed in the State of Maine. Marsden Hartley presented to The Society at one point in its history. Oh, how I would have loved to have been there that day. Hartley is among my most admired Maine painters.

Art has a unique way of connecting people, sparking conversations, and inspiring creativity. The Bangor Art Society’s current Open Juried Show at the Bangor Library offers a wonderful opportunity to experience this firsthand. The show is available to the public free of charge during the library's regular hours, Monday through Thursday, 10 AM to 8 PM, and Friday and Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM.

Two of my expressionist watercolor paintings are part of this exhibit and are available for purchase. Both represent my signature loose brushwork, which I love about working with watercolor.

Sunset from Caterpillar Hill, in particular, displays a richness of color more typically associated with other painting media. Homer adopted this approach to using these materials, treating watercolor like other media, such as oil, which helped develop a beautiful, unique depth in the color and texture of the watercolor painting. This was a particularly fun painting to work on, and I am pleased to offer it.

My other watercolor, I am honored to say, received Third in the show's Watercolor Category. The Blueberry Barrens depicts movement with a brisk, cold wind swirling around the Blue Hill Peninsula, pushing dark clouds in the distance. Meanwhile, sunlight from behind the viewer lights up the barrens, leaving the distant tree line in shadow as clouds pass overhead. The Peninsula stimulates my painterly imagination in every season, constantly evolving on dramatic days like this. The Peninsula is among my favorite places to paint. On this day, the light highlighted vivid colors as the blueberry leaves displayed their iconic reds, contrasting with ancient boulders and sandy soil. This painting exhibits wet-on-wet, wet-on-dry, and lifting techniques. And I used salt on wet to create an effect of depth, like a dancing shadow among the blueberry plants.

Visitors to the show will find paintings, drawings, sculptures, and mixed media works that reflect a variety of styles and subjects. From realistic landscapes to abstract compositions, the exhibition captures the diverse voices of the local art scene. The society’s commitment to fostering creativity and supporting artists is evident in the quality and variety of the works presented.

Watercolor is a challenging yet rewarding medium. Its transparency and fluidity require artists to work with precision and spontaneity. The watercolor section of this show highlights the skill and creativity of artists who have mastered the technique.

The Bangor Art Society Show includes a large range of works from colorful abstracts to expressive cityscapes. The division’s judges looked for originality, technical skill, and emotional impact when selecting winners.

Receiving third place in the watercolor division is a proud moment for me. It honors not only the time and effort I have invested in developing the work that I have been making since childhood, but also the support of the community of artists in Maine.

Winning an award encourages me to continue exploring watercolor and pushing the boundaries of my creativity. It also motivates me to participate in future exhibitions and connect with other artists who share a passion for creating.

As for watercolor, here are some practical tips:

• Start with quality materials: Good paper and pigments make a noticeable difference in your results.

• Practice layering: Build color gradually to avoid muddying your painting.

• Embrace mistakes: Watercolor can be unpredictable; unexpected effects are an advantage.

• Paint the light and shadow, rather than the scene: doing so brings depth and expression to the work.

• Experiment with techniques: don't be afraid of wet-on-wet, dry brush, and lifting.

  
  

Attending exhibitions like this supports artists and helps keep the local art community vibrant. You can also consider joining the Bangor Art Society. And when we share art on social media or with friends, the world is made a better place, as we spread awareness and appreciation for the arts. For many years now, I have used the hashtag #observebeautyaroundyouandshareit. Beauty is an antidote to the world's troubles.

Participating in this exhibition and receiving recognition has been a rewarding experience. It reminds me that art is not just about the final product but also about the journey of learning and expressing oneself. The Bangor Art Society’s show is a celebration of that journey for many artists, including myself. I encourage anyone interested in art to visit the library, explore the works on display, and perhaps find inspiration to start or continue their own creative path.