"You use a glass mirror to see your face,

you use works of art to see your soul."  G.B. Shaw

Kate Nordstrom, artist

A painter and gardening enthusiast, Kate lives in Alna, Maine.  Her work is inspired by nature, architecture, and color.  

While Kate has been known in the region for her iconic paintings of historic and interesting buildings, her latest collection is a dramatic departure.  According to the artist, she's allowing her creative vision to flow wherever it chooses: abstracted landscapes, boldly colorful images, and fantastical interpretations of the built and natural environment around her.

To see more of Kate’s work: www.knpaintings.com     

John Fazzino, ceramic artist

John uses a high fire stoneware body with a variety of hand-building techniques to achieve tactile and sensual effects: coiling, slab, press mold, pinching, carving, scraping. His larger pieces are meant to nest in a garden setting while the smaller pieces can be brought into the home to evoke the outdoors. Each piece is hand-built and one-of-a-kind. www.johnfazzino.com

 

Hilary Olson, Forge in the Ferns

In her shop in Bowdoinham, Maine, Hilary creates authentic pieces - some solely artistic, some artistic and functional, and some custom forged. She is a welder, a blacksmith, and a visual artist. Hilary is always inspired by nature and by what’s around her. This season, she has created Peony Cages, floating butterflies, and stainless flower clusters that glow in the garden! Hilary’s parents are both artists and always encouraged her to create; and now, she loves rust and metal, and getting her hands dirty in the process of making! www.forgeintheferns.com

Leon Droby, photographer

CARDS AND PRINTS

Raymond Mathis / Tutto Metal Design

BIRDBATHS

Midcoast Maine craftsman Raymond Mathis honed his craft at the International Teaching Center for Metal Design in Aachen, Germany, and researching the iron craftsmanship of Europe while traveling through Germany, Belgium, France and Italy. His projects range from commissioned sculpture, interior and garden furniture, lighting, and hardware to commercial signage, gates, railings, and liturgical metalwork. Working in a variety of materials such as steel, copper, bronze, stainless steel, stone, and hand-blown glass, Raymond collaborates with private clients, interior designers, architects, landscape professionals, and public art committees. In addition to receiving multiple awards in juried exhibitions and for historic preservation, his work has been featured in many national and regional publications. www.tuttometaldesign.com

Ammi Bai Chung, artist

Ammi’s palette offers contemporary, bold, expressionist paintings of Maine landscapes and in her recent work she connects deeply with Henri Matisse’s paintings by reinventing and reinterpreting Matisse’s actual paintings. After researching the artist, she’s discovered a deep connection to Matisse and his profound influence on contemporary art as we know it. “It’s as if I’ve found a long-lost friend and muse; it’s a timeless connection that I will cherish for the rest of my painting life.” 

Ammi Bai Chung is proprietor of “The Sea Salt Boutique Cottages”a boutique cottage style bed and breakfast in Wiscasset's historic district, and is a graduate of Maine College of Art ('97).  www.ammibaichung.com

Wood Sculptures, Masks, and other Objects

Our sensory and emotional connections with wood are deep and long: trees, shelter, habitat, even food. The CHG collection of objects made from wood includes fanciful and decorative pieces  representing various eras and cultures. Step into the fertile imagination of Aaron Weissblum, sculptor, furniture designer, builder, and game designer from Alna, Maine. The carved saints, or 'Santos,' from Guatemala bring good luck to the home. Imagine a grandfather carving a rocking pig for a beloved child, or the majestic Foo Lions welcoming guests into your home. The simple but engaging Bamileke mask, hand-carved in Cameroon - is that a friendly grin or a fearsome snarl?