Matt James, Casco Bay Artisans current Artist-in-Residence, is the owner of Portland’s famous Standard Baking Company and an oil painter in the style of the old masters. Utilizing an observational technique, working from life or a photograph, James takes time to ‘tune out’ and truly look at objects. Receiving his B.A. from Mass Art, his influences include: George Nick, Edwin Dickinson, Walter Murch, Mary Cassatt, & John Singer Sargent. On Thursday, December 6th beginning 5PM-8PM, Casco Bay Artisans (68 Commercial Street, The Maine Wharf) will host the opening reception for his exhibition featuring new paintings based on still lives of his baked goods in conjunction with the fine breads and pastries themselves. It will be the most delectable art event of the season!

Casco Bay Artisans’ Art is Food & Food is Art Artist-in-Residence program offers an artist in the food industry 24 hour access to the gallery to focus on their fine art work, culminating in a show opening the First Thursday in December and during the December First Friday Art Walk. Artists are encouraged to show their culinary work side by side with their art. This program is an effort to cross pollinate and showcase creatives working in two of Portland’s most visible industries: art and food.