Work by Mainely Painters artists on display at UNE Campus Center through Dec. 1
An exhibit of works by the Mainely Painter artist group will be held at the University of New England Campus Center on the Biddeford Campus from Nov. 3 through Dec. 1.
Founded in 2008, the Mainely Painters have gathered weekly to practice plein air painting while working in the company of fellow artists throughout the year.
The group of southern Maine artists seek to capture Maine’s diverse landscapes, from quaint towns and historic brick buildings, to wooded parks, gardens and stunning coastlines, according to an artists’ statement.
“Plein air painting is a style that forces the artist to act quickly before the light changes or the wind moves the subject,” the group’s artist statement said. “The world is ever changing. Sometimes our paintings are just starts, to be finished back at the studio. Sometimes they are just a learning experience. Sometimes the final results are fresh, free, spontaneous works of art.”
The artists included in the November exhibit are Cynthia Crossley, Pat Dateo, Marilyn Eimon, Carol Kane Leonhard, Susan Levenson, Jane Zeeb McDonnell, and Karen McManus.
Mainely Painters started after a core group of artists met at an art workshop and decided they wanted to continue to meet to paint plein air together. Some show every week without fail; others take breaks but always return, the group said.
“We are a loose collection of artists with various levels of skill and accomplishment. While some of us paint plein air exclusively, others create in the studio as well … What we all have in common is the love of painting plein air. While the main objective of the group is to paint, there are often lively discussions about supplies, techniques, and other art-related subjects. There are informal critiques and lots of support,” the artists explained in their statement.
The UNE Campus Center is located at 11 Hills Beach Road in Biddeford. The hours during the academic year are 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday, and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the weekends.