Jim Albert, born and raised in Skowhegan, Maine, has been an avid mountaineer for over 30 years. While climbing around the world, he saw how all peoples are attracted to and utilize rocks. We are of the earth, connected to everything . . . everyone uses and enjoys rocks. Stacks of stones or “Cairns” have been guide posts to mark trails on the way home. "Chortens" in Tibet are stacks of rocks to mark holy places. The Inuits call their stone figures “Inookshuks” and have believed for 2000 years that the spirits of the grandfathers inhabit them.
Jim found he had a feel for finding and balancing rocks in unique ways, then began creating fun and useful ways to enjoy the special rocks he finds in the streams and mountains of Western Maine and beyond.

I paint what’s around me, landscapes, objects, food, road scenes, drive-bys, recollections, things that are still here but may not be for long. Mostly I paint with oils, water colors from time to time. I don’t much care for acrylics. I like the feel, the smell and the tradition of oil paint.

Generally I work fast and small. When I can, I paint outside with my nifty Ben Haggett pochade paintbox. Painting for me is an intense, exhilarating and exhausting experience, and I’m never sure when I start how things will end up. The results are mixed. Some good, some maybe, and some tossed in the wood furnace.

I am a lawyer by day which pays the bills. Like many in central Maine, I spend a lot of time canoeing, skiing, gardening, logging, building, driving to and fro and puttering about the house where I have a small studio with a makeshift gallery in the garage. I also have a website at www.johnalsop-painintings.com . Take a look if you like.

While in Florida I learned wax doll making and decided that "it" was for me. Back in Cambridge, Maine I taught classes in wax doll making in my home. It is a very old art form. The remains of wax dolls have been found in Egyptian tombs. Some of my dolls are available at the gallery.

About a year ago I knit my first beaded scarf. It is fun to put the different textured yarns and beads together. Now it is an addiction!

My latest focus is making denim jackets for women from used blue jeans{recycled} The front placket is from a bright print and I use mis-matched buttons down the front. It always makes me happy to create something New..

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At any given moment, due to time and circumstance, Martha Stanford Campbell responds, reacts then creates. She believes the creative process is as fulfilling as the end result. Responding to the intrigue of the natural world she incorporates a strong desire of sustainability with new and varied responses to the materials. This interpretation has resulted in a diverse portfolio.

“It is increasingly difficult to capture an image of nature without the interference of humans to altar that image.” Through interpretation of memories and reaction to nature Martha captures the simplicity and beauty as visualized or interprets and translates this into abstract form. The culmination of design, color and texture allows each original piece to be independently experienced and reinterpreted by the viewer.

Martha is pursuing a degree in Studio Art at the University of Maine. She has studied with Michael Lewis, James Linehan, Majo Keleshian, Kris Engman, Susan Camp and Andrea Mauery. Her work earned a position at the UMO Dean’s Exhibition in 2006, 2007 and 2008. She received an Honorable Mention for her sculptural pottery in 2003 in Muskegon, Michigan.

Martha’s paintings and sculptural pieces are part of individual collections in Virginia, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maine and England. Pregnancy, an oil painting was purchased by Redington Fairview General Hospital in Skowhegan, Maine. She is currently a juried member of River Roads Artisans Gallery in Skowhegan. Martha and her husband live on an organic farm, Wooden Cow, in East Madison that provides them with healthy and delicious food year round and also gives bountiful inspiration for artistic vision.

Richard Callan
Richard is a second generation Industrial Arts teacher and master craftsman.  He has designed and owner-built three homes, two in North Anson and his current residence and shop located in North Belgrade.  He has been crafting furniture and wood products for 35+ years. In addition to his collection of children's furniture the Gallery has selected for display and sale, Richard also specializes in Shaker and colonial furniture reproductions.  His heirloom children's furniture pieces include: play kitchen sets (stove and refrigerator, table and chairs), rocking horses, monogrammed foot/step stools, bookcases, and craft/work benches.  Each piece is of unique design, handcrafted in pine, and features a delicate, natural finish.  Richard made his first rocking horse while in college, adapting the design from a horse given to his younger sister as a Christmas gift from family friends.  Richard gave that first horse to his nephew who now has a young daughter who recently received the first second generation horse.  The kitchen set was adapted from one his father made for Richard's older sister. It has been a favorite of three generations, and is still in use today.  Richard has enjoyed a fulfilling career as a teacher, providing young people the opportunity to learn and grow through handwork, pride, and craftsmanship. Throughout the years, Richard and his wife have spent countless hours with their grandchildren playing "kitchen", "restaurant", and singing cowboy songs.  He hopes that his passion for learning and growth continues to inspire children and their families as they create and play with these heirloom pieces.

Sarah Coleman is a self- taught basket maker from Jackman, Maine. She has been making antler baskets since 1991. Each basket is unique in its shape and antler origin. The antlers are obtained from yard sales, shops, hunters and friends. Antlers are naturally shed each year and are plentiful in Maine. An animal is never sacrificed for the sake of its antlers in the making of these baskets. These antlers come from Maine's white-tailed deer, mule deer from the West, and Alaskan Caribou. Enjoy one of these unique sculptural baskets as a family heirloom!

Raymond is a Athens Native who now lives with his wife, Karen, and their children Austin and Kayla, in their house on Foxhill Rd. He joined the army after high school for 4 years and now works for Lucas Tree as a foreman. Ray enjoys woodworking for a hobby. He is self taught and learned as he went, starting about 6 years ago while assisting his house builder to build his house. He started with 8X10 frames and has done pretty much any size now, including custom sizes. He also makes trivets, cutting boards and has taught his son Austin to make kitchen utensils which he sells also.

I am as they call it up in these parts a “true Maine native”. I was born and raised in this great state as were my parents and grandparents before me. I reside in the town of Industry, about six miles from the place of my birth.

I take great patience and care capturing the varied and unique subject matter, while exploring God’s creation here in the state of Maine. This same passion is conveyed all the way through from processing, printing and presentation of each individual print. With the advancements in digital technology the photographer now has more control over the entire process. I use these tools to recreate the sense and interpretation of the subject matter at time of capture. My preferred style is realism and the image is processed only using basic sharpening, contrast, color adjustments, layering, dust removal, etc.

The inks and photo paper I use have excellent archival longevity. All mat, backing board, foam board, and artist tape are made from acid free, conservation-grade material to ensure the longevity of the print as well.

When exploring with my camera I strive not only to help people see what I have captured in my wanderings, but help them feel and experience it as well. The better I do at that the better others can appreciate the creation in general, and the state of Maine in particular, where I do most of my photographing. If you are a “true Maine native” you probably already know and for those of you who are not I hope to convince you that  MAINE is a STATE of MIND! When time allows I also write about my wanderings, mishaps and other subject matter that reflect my worldview. You can explore with me on my website at www.maineisastateofmind.com
Enjoy it!
Thayden

While growing up in Fairfield, Maine my grandparents encouraged and paid for me to take art lessons at an early age. Throughout my school years I created many oil paintings, dabbled in watercolors and tried pastels. Although college took me in a different direction, I always had paper handy to doodle on.
When my children were born I became a stay-at-home mom. During this time I took pen & ink illustrations classes with area author/artist, J.A. Pollard. She offered the knowledge and techniques of an old-fashioned art form that I craved. After creating gifts for family and friends, I have been urged by them to venture out of my comfort zone and sell my artwork.

My subjects vary in range from the whimsical to the detailed. Vintage images inspire me and I love anything that has to do with nature…but with a twist.

http://www.pamelasprints.etsy.com

Having begun drawing and painting as a child, Susan had the opportunity to study at the Rhode Island School of Design’s children’s summer art program. During her college career she enrolled in drawing classes at the Rhode Island School of Design and graduated with a minor in Art from Rhode Island College. While at Rhode Island College, Susan studied sculpture and drawing with Enrico Pinardi and drawing with Rhode Island artist, John DeMelim. More recently, she has studied color and light with Bill Griffiths at the Worcester Art Museum’s school. Her uncle, Philip G. Nickerson, a Cape Cod artist known for his atmospheric paintings of scenes from Cape Cod and interior Maine, is her mentor. When together, they enjoy discussing composition and design.

Individual collectors in Florida, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and North Carolina hold Susan’s paintings.

While Susan’s representational works are primarily in watercolor, she has dabbled in pen-and-ink and watercolor as well as acrylic and oils. By experimenting with different techniques and materials, she is continually redefining her approach and her results.

Susan is currently a member of Maine’s Kennebec Valley Art Association, the Waterville Area Art Society, River Roads Artisans Gallery and the Creative Arts Center in Chatham, MA.

http://www.sjfowlerwatercolors.com/

Candace Hill is a product of her times that include junior high school home-economic sewing and knitting classes, a mother who helped her stitch prom dresses, dirndl skirts and A-line dresses, and Yankee thrift that motivates her to never pay full retail price. This passion for fiber, and cold Maine winters has manifested itself into creating wearable art and accessories from recycled, wool, cashmere and angora sweaters.
candace.ruth.hill@gmail.com

I began my study of ceramics with Alex Combs at the Univ. of Alaska in 1970. I have established my own Pottery Studio in Skowhegan Maine. I have further developed my craft by attending many workshops throughout the country. Last summer I attended the Odyssey Center for Ceramic Arts, in Asheville, N.C. where I began developing new work featuring my photographic images, using silk screening methods of printing on clay.

My pots are made with high fire Stoneware and Porcelain clays. They are fired in a gas kiln to 2300 degrees in a reduction atmosphere. I often use traditional Japanese and Chinese glazes.

http://www.jerveydesign.com/index4.shtml

Heather Kerner

I have learned over the years that there is a meditative quality to a repetitive craft which can be nourishing to the spirit and be deeply relaxing. As a pediatric occupational therapist, I often spend my professional time helping to nurture the uniqueness, creativity, and independence in children with developmental challenges as they learn to play, go to school, and care for themselves. One of the tenants of my profession is the importance of creating balance between work, self-care, and leisure. While I have the unique opportunity to discuss this concept with the families with whom I work, I am deeply committed to achieving a healthy balance of activities in my own life. Craft has always been replenishing for me.

My love of handicrafts was cultivated growing up among the artist culture on the coast of Maine. I have dabbled in traditional and unique basketry, beading, pottery, knitting, figure drawing, and quilting; always excited to discover a new medium! When I learned to felt, in an attempt to create a vessel with structural integrity, it seemed only natural to find a way to incorporate my favorite elements from other media. The functional potential in using a natural and renewable resource such as wool excites me! It is a material that offers an appreciation of Nature, centuries of functional and primitive uses, and the opportunity for unique design. The mountain peoples of Mongolia who fashion their yurt homes and syrmak carpets from wool, as well as the Turkish traditions of multi-color knitting designs are an inspiration!

Most recently, I have been exploring the joy of color! I am addicted to experimenting with different vibrant color combinations and it’s effect on my emotion, especially with the changing of the seasons. I am attracted to forms that resemble pottery, and detail that draws the eye in for a second look. My goal is to use the strength in felted wool to make a durable, yet beautiful container for frequently used or treasured objects. “As you begin your life in the world, intertwining the past and weaving one future, may your fabric be especially strong. May your pattern be unusually beautiful.

http://www.spiralworksfelt.com

Rebecca Norling grew up on a farm in Norridgewock, Maine and currently works as a teacher in Portland. Her interest in photography began at Skowhegan Area High School with a borrowed 35 mm camera and the school's since-disbanded darkroom.
Rebecca studied photography for a year at the Maine College of Art before transferring to the University of Southern Maine to study writing and education. An avid gardener and animal lover, Rebecca's work is most often inspired by her fascination with nature. She owes her eye to a long line of familial artists, including her father, sculptor Barry Norling.

I have been making pots for more than forty years.  Most of my pottery is functional and is created for everyday use.  I also enjoy doing a few raku firings in the summer and early fall.  The somewhat unpredictable results make for an exciting day of firing in an outdoor kiln.

In January I teach a one-month pottery course at Colby College.  The remainder of the school year, I am an adviser for the pottery club.

MAGGIE'S BAGGIES AND QUILTS

Creations with Special Attention to Color and Design

My mother taught me to sew when I was in the sixth grade. Thirty years ago I made my first quilt to welcome my newborn son, Seamus. Two years later, I made one for my second son, Eammon.
When Seamus was in kindergarten, I gave his teacher one of my first small creations, which he promptly named a "Maggie's Baggie". Ever since then, I have been making quilts and bags of many sizes with a variety of designs and colors. My baggies and quilts have travelled around the world as friends bought them to give as gifts to their AFS students and teachers, family and friends. Quilting is one of my greatest passions.
Let me create a quilt or baggie especially for you.
Please contact me at mmckinney1@roadrunner.com.

I am working to capture the vanishing Maine landscape through my pastels. The open fields of hay, corn and other crops with just a hint of human occupation in the distance remind me of my childhood in central Maine. I look to capture the light reflecting off the trees, hay bales, distant metal roofs, and blades of grass.
I love the vibrant red blueberry fields in October, marshes and bogs and other somewhat hidden and under explored places. I look for the blues and lavenders in the snow in winter; the gold’s and the greens in summer.
My pastels paintings are bright. My style is impressionistic. I don’t strive to capture every little detail. Instead, I am looking to capture the essence of a place, a time of year or a time of day.

http://www.kperelka.com

I have had a long time interest in wood turning. I flirted with this
about 25 years ago, for a brief time. Life and family cut that episode
short, but the interest remained. Several years into retirement I took
up wood turning again. I joined the Maine Wood Turners and The Western
Mountain Wood Turners to learn what I could, meet other turners and see
what sort of things were being turned.

I quickly discovered that I needed to learn a lot. I became acquainted
with the Wood Turning School in Damariscotta through the Maine Wood
Turners. I ended up taking a number of classes and then spending a lot
of time refining the skills I learned.

I love the challenge of learning and trying new techniques as well as
improving what I have done before.

I enjoy the pleasures of the smell and feel of wood. I love to turn
shapes that will bring out the character of the wood. I love to finish
the wood and freeze its pattern and character for a time. I find the
feel of the turned and finished pieces to be evocative of the feeling of
standing in my mother’s kitchen as a child and handling her wooden bowls
and implements

I live in the woods. I love to see all that trees do- grow, change with
the seasons, fall or die. Along their path of life each tree becomes an
individual as much as we do ourselves. I walk along a wooded road most
days. I find that each day the woods are different from the previous
day. There are changes in the leaves, a new bird’s nest in a crotch, a
woodpecker excavating its lunch.

When I turn I look at each piece of wood as being unique. There is the
mystery of what lies within. How does the grain run? How have the marks
of spalting spread in the wood to form magic patterns? What is hidden
inside a burl?

I gather most of my own wood from downed trees. I find that turning a
bowl from an old fallen sugar maple preserves memories and stimulates
thought about the trees life and the pleasure comfort and sustenance it
may have given over several human lifetimes.

My work has been shown at the Common Ground Fair in Unity, Maine, the
Home & Boat Show in Rockland, Maine, and the Center for Maine Craft in
West Gardiner, Maine.

Jan Royall is a native of Maine and has been working in stained glass for over 35 years. She studied in Aspen, Colorado with Steven Horowitz and later in Somerville, Massachusetts with Christi Rufo. “I look upon the creation of stained glass as both art and craft and like the painter make use of color, light and composition.” All of her designs are original, both her commissioned works and autonomous panels are one-of-a-kind. Jan uses some of the finest glass in her pieces, much of it European mouth blown glass. She strives for elegance and clarity in each of her designs. The many nuances and huge color palette of blown glass becomes an important element in every finished piece.

Each work, large or small, starts with a rather nebulous inspiration. “An image from nature may have permeated my awareness, or perhaps something I have read has made a visual imprint. Often I begin with an intuitive idea of how the finished piece should feel; light and airy or rich and saturated with color. These ideas eventually take form on paper and finally in glass.”

Jan feels her work is always evolving. “Initially becoming an excellent craftsman was important and I focused on glass. Later I came to understand that everything I learn has a direct impact upon my work.” Over the past few years Jan has started to incorporate etched and fused elements in her designs. She continues to explore other mediums such as silversmithing, mixed media collage, paper making and encaustic painting.

jsrglass@tds.net

Candi Soll: Jewelry maker... I have been in the Antique business for many years and one of our specialties is Antique Stained Glass Windows. So upon seeing all this glass, all these years, I decided to make jewelry. I make necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and bookmarks. They incorporate all the wonderful colors that I have been looking at daily from turn of the century glass makers.

In my work I use lamp work beads, some jasper and some tourmaline. My lamp work beads are a hand made process with a lampworking torch, melting colored glass rods into beautiful and colorful beads.

I do not make all of my beads, quite a few are from Maine artists, and I do try to use American artists beads. I have also taken several classes by well known glass artists. One was a very interesting hands on class in the making of lamp work beads. It is a very difficult process. I will be continuing my education in this art.

I live in Canaan Maine with my husband, we have 3 children and 3 wonderful grand children. Come visit my things at the River Roads Gallery, or at our Antique shop in Canaan.

http://www.antiquestainedglass.net

Wall Candy Designs features work by painter Chris Sumberg of Cornville, Maine. The pieces presented here have been crafted using acrylic on canvas, her medium of choice and are created by overlapping asymmetrical shapes of color. Whether her abstract work represents the memories of the Coqui frog in Puerto Rico, singing from sunset until dawn or the simplicity and solitude found at the fishing camp she visits every summer with her husband; Chris' work is always inspired by her love of the outdoors, her family, and the sense of adventure and spontaneity she finds in traveling.

http://www.sumbergdesigns.com/