Casco Bay Artisans

Russ Cox: New Ways of Living with Art Opening Reception
2022-06-17 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
For Immediate Release
Celebrating 10 Years, Casco Bay Artisans presents
Russ Cox: New Ways of Living with Art.
A Master Abstractionist Muses on the Objects and Scenes of Everyday Life.
June 13th, 2022, Portland, Maine – Casco Bay Artisans is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this summer. Gallery owner Jennifer Swarts wanted to mark the occasion with a passion project that has been in the works for years. Large scale abstract artist Russ Cox was the perfect collaborator.
The centerpieces of this exhibition are a series of unstretched ‘scroll’ works on canvas. Cox’s mastery of gesture, scale and theme collide with contemporary presentation that is both beautiful and practical. The large scale of Cox’s abastrations immerse viewers in a visual field where their world becomes the painting. As ‘scroll’ works, these pieces can be easily moved across the world or just from room to room.
From scrolls, the collaboration moved to textiles. Swarts has always envisioned Cox’s work translating into objects of comfort. For the next project, she paired Cox’s painting with a bench by master woodworker Terry Kelly. Now the works could be an immersive place of solace. Next the direction moved to shoes. Art and footwear have long been companions of each other. It was time for Cox’s pieces to join this subculture. Once again, Swarts tapped into the network of creators in Maine. This time pairing with Rancourt & Co to hand stitch limited editions of three paintings as high and low top sneakers, each to be signed by the artist. Pre-orders will be arranged through the gallery.
The finishing touches on Cox’s show are indelibly works inspired by Maine. From the stunning oceanscapes to the seaweed itself, Vacationland seeps into the very fibers of the canvas with rich blues, the texture of bubbles, and scenes the viewer wants to get lost in.
For More Information
Contact Jen Swarts, Gallery Owner Jen@CascBayArtisans.com 207-400-6159
Or Jess Lauren, Gallery Manager CBArtMarketing@gmail.com 609-306-0793
###
Russ Cox ‘Summer Meadow’ Oil on Canvas Scroll 60”x 74” $4900
Russ Cox ‘Untitled (River)’ Oil on Canvas 48”x60” $6826
Terry Kelly 'Lilliana's Bench' White Ash 42"x 23" x 32" $2800 with Cushion $3200
Russ Cox 'Grafitti' Oil on Canvas 60″x48″ $6825
Shoes Available for Pre Order 6/18/22
Russ Cox ‘Under the Surf’ Oil on Canvas 72”x 48” $7500

Pastel as Process: Mastery of Color
2022-05-08 - 2022-05-31 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Pastel as Process: Mastery of ColorPastel as an artistic medium traces its history to the 15th century. In the 18th century, pastel became a popular medium for portraiture and landscape subjects. Its foothold in America was solidified in 1883 with the founding of the Society of Painters in Pastel by William Merritt Chase, Robert Blum, and others. Possibly the most famous pastel works are those of Edgar Degas depicting ballerinas in the studio and on stage.
Pastel itself is powdered pigment and a binder in stick form. The binder is usually a low hue and saturation which creates a richness to the color, the closest to dry pigment possible. The working techniques of pastels vary from hard to soft and brand to brand. The dryer the pastel, the richer the color with more complications for keeping that pigment adhered to the surface. With this challenge, artists who work with pastel need to develop an expert understanding of how to work with color and layering in an effort to depict the dynamism of the world around them. Some, take this mastery and translate it into other artistic mediums.
In this show, we are featuring our pastel artists who also work in oil and encaustic. We are juxtaposing their pastel work with these other forms to highlight how one technique informs another. The catalog features all available pastel works from our gallery artists.
Full Exhibition CatalogueChristina Davis (Pastel/Oil Painting)Making Art is an illuminating process no matter what your medium is. I’m a painter of landscapes and use oil, pastel and acrylic independently in my paintings. If my reaction is strong to a given scene, I explore a sense of expansion and enjoy using a big canvas. I use my arm to bring in larger shapes with a wide brush. Once exhausted from that, I may do a pastel that focuses on another area of the composition or another view. Most of the time a pastel is a start to a larger pastel, or oil painting but not always. I like to flip things around to keep the painting process fresh and exciting to me.
The paintings displayed here at Casco Bay Artisans started with a pastel of the view from a hotel overlooking Rockland. The warm sunrise was amazing juxtaposed by the coolness of the snow and water. Then came the large oil painting of the same area, but of a different view. I decided to paint at that scale to feel what the street, buildings and sky would look like when allowing the viewer to see the scene as though they were entering it themselves. I loved the way it became both a skyscape and landscape pushing in on each other. I am glad I started with a pastel because I could explore color and mark making to encourage a larger idea.
In my studio I have a bay for oil and a bay for pastel and I feel a physical pull to the bay I will use that day. I never know which one I will be doing until I am standing in front of my supplies. I have to keep well stocked up in both.
Christina Davis ‘4th Floor’ Pastel on Paper 21”x 17” $1760
Christina Davis ‘Downtown’ Oil on Panel 36”x 36” $3780
Suzanne deLesseps (Pastel/Gouache/Oil Painting)I am a landscape painter. I paint both on location (en plein air) and in the studio. My pastel and oil paintings influence each other as I switch between the two mediums.
I love pastels for their immediacy, vibrancy and richness of color. They allow me the freedom to be spontaneous in my color choices and mark making. My marks are varied – from bold and dense to delicate and lacy. I rarely blend the pastel, preferring to see the texture created by many strokes in different directions built upon each other. This creates a depth and luminosity that I find unique to pastel. The clean, saturated color and layers of the pastel add a
certain spark and life to the painting. There is an intimacy with pastel that happens because of such close contact with the painting surface.
I love oils for their juiciness and tactile quality. Like pastel, different brush strokes add texture and visual interest throughout the painting. Each stroke is determined by the type of brush, the amount of paint on the brush and the pressure used in applying the paint to the canvas. Being able to mix an infinite range of hues is an integral part of bringing light and depth to a painting.
Though the techniques are different, I use the same beginning process for both mediums. I start with a very thin under-painting, roughly indicating the large shapes and values. For pastel, I brush alcohol over a thin layer of pastel to create a colored wash. Likewise with oil, I thin the paint with mineral spirits to block in the main elements of the painting. I prefer a warm tone that will often show through subsequent layers of paint or pastel giving a feeling of light and depth. With pastel I apply many layers of pigment, starting out with bigger and bolder strokes and finally using a very light touch for the last delicate marks and highlights. Working in oil I use the same layering process, saving small details and sparks of light for the end. The rich, saturated colors of the pastel sticks remind me to keep my oil colors clean and bright.
By changing mediums from time to time I find I have a renewed interest in each that allows me to keep evolving as an artist. It’s really the journey that intrigues and drives me.
Suzanne deLesseps ‘Tide’s Up’ Pastel on Paper 32”x 26” $1980
Suzanne deLesseps ‘Pemaquid Rocks I’ Oil on Panel 14”x 14” $690
Anastasia Gatto (Pastel/Encaustic)My first attraction to pastel was the luscious velvety texture. It is pure pigment with no medium needed to break it down. Pastel is direct and tactile so there is immediate gratification with this medium.
I was drawn to an ethereal style, and found that effect through JMW Turner and sought to translate his method somewhat into my pastels and encaustics. I also admire Monet, Manet, Degas, Sargent, Velasquez, George Inness, and Renoir to name a few which led me to a path of Impressionism or for the techniques that impressed me.
The process of pastel is very different in many ways from encaustic. Texture for pastel can be achieved in a variety of ways such as adding pumice gels to add grit, rougher sanded paper, or fixative to name a few. The encaustic texture is the building up with paint and medium. (Pure pigment with beeswax and resin) After applied it must be burned in (fused) with either a heat gun or blowtorch.
The common bond that pastel has with encaustic is the layering. Pastel is grazing color on top of color which adds depth or a fixative can be used, whereas encaustic shows multiple layers with each fusing.
My transitioning into encaustic has changed to where seascapes and marshes are my desire, as well as continuing to paint the landscape. My primary subject for pastel was landscape, portraits, animals, and still life.
Presently I am painting solely in encaustic, but still love and will never say goodbye to pastel.
Anastasia Gatto ‘Evening Dazzle II’ Pastel on Paper 20”x20” $2420
Anastasia Gatto ‘Rocky Walk’ Encaustic on Panel 41”x 37” $6106

Summer in the City, Summer by the Sea
2021-06-22 - 2021-09-06 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
As the cool days of spring bow to the warm breezes of summer, Casco Bay Artists celebrates the landscape of the state that has been inspiring artists for generations. Summer in the City, Summer by the Sea brings together work by Maine and New England artists honoring the state slogan: The Way Life Should Be.
Full Exhibition Catalogue

Figuratively Speaking
2021-05-09 - 2021-06-09 | ME
Figuratively SpeakingLee Johnson ‘Helios VIII’ Oil on Mat Board 6” x 8” $550
Beth Dacey ‘Three Singers’ Oil on Canvas 36″x36″ $5280⁠

Celebrating the human form and daily life, this show brings together paintings, mixed media, silk screen looking at how our bodies exist with the world around us.
Featured Artists: Beth Dacey & Lee Johnshon
And including works by Paul Brahms, Dana Trattner, David Connor, Jeff Roland, Rabee Kiwan, & Yong-Man Kwon. ⁠
⁠

For inquiries into the works or any other information, please contact:
Jennifer Swarts, Gallery Owner: jen@cascobayartisans.com
Jess Lauren, Gallery Manager: CBArtMarketin@gmail.com

Full Exhibition Catalogue

Fine Print: Featuring Ellen Roberts, Gene Barbera, David Connor, & Joyce Ellen Weinstein
2021-03-26 - 2021-04-25 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Fine Print

Ellen Roberts ‘Lake, Stone, Shore’ Etching, Hand Painted Monoprint 12″X12″ $660

A Celebration of Printmaking, Linocuts, Silkscreens, Etchings, & Woodblocks
Featuring: Ellen Roberts, Gene Barbera, David Connor, & Joyce Ellen Weinstein
For inquiries into the works or any other information, please contact:

Jennifer Swarts
Gallery Owner
jen@cascobayartisans.com
Jess Lauren Lipton
Gallery Manager
CBArtMarketing@gmail.com

Link to Full Catalogue

Farm to Canvas, Endless Harvest: Celebrating the Work of Diane Dahlke
2020-09-18 - 2020-11-30 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

Perception of Form: Jean Wiecha Drawings & Paintings
2020-09-17 11:00 - 2020-11-01 18:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

Robin Swennes: For the Love of the Blues
2020-09-02 08:00 - 2020-10-12 16:00 | ME
Robin Swennes: For the Love of the Blues
Robin Swennes ‘Blue Bloods’ Acrylic on Panel 16”x16” $660
Feature Catalogue

Opening Reception: Celebrating the Women of Casco Bay Artisans
2019-10-10 17:00 - 20:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

Celebrating the Women of Casco Bay Artisans Exhibition
2019-10-10 - 2019-11-17 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

Kim Radochia: Shimms Exhibition
2019-08-13 - 2019-09-30 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States

Fourth Annual Regional High School Art Show
2019-04-05 17:30 - 20:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Casco Bay Artisans 4th Annual Regional High School Art Show opens Friday, April 5th through Wednesday, April 10th. Curated and produced by two Portland High School Interns, Leo Fuller and Lucy Kilbreth, this show features work from 22+ students from over 10 schools.
Portland High School
Thornton Academy
Deering High School
Westbrook High School
Baxter Academy
Brunswick High School
Casco Bay High School
Portland Arts and Technology High School
North Yarmouth Academy
Scarborough High School
Greely High School
Biddeford High School

Artist Reception for Modern Intimacy: Contemporary Dating and Pop Art
2019-02-07 17:00 - 20:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join Casco Bay Artisans as we kick off our 2019 season with a series of Pop Art paintings and interactive games examining how text culture has influenced dating and relationships. Using the color pallet of Good & Plenty candy, artist Jess Lauren brings us into a world of words painted on large panels, immersing the viewer in unwavering Huhs, Hahs, Umms, Okie Dokies, and Whatevers. These expertly hand painted canvases offer a peek into the modern world where communication is being continually mediated by screens, removing the nuances of facial expressions and vocal inflection and highlights the occasional absurdity of miscommunications. Jess Lauren’s style is influenced by iconic artists and social commentators Ed Ruscha, Barbara Kruger, Andy Warhol, and Betsy Tompkins. In addition to pop paintings, this tongue in cheek show includes a selfie booth for participants to create their own miscommunications and a reimagining of a classic game: Modern Intimacy twister. Join us just in time for Valentine’s season.

Art is Food | Food is Art II with Matt James of Standard Baking Co.
2018-12-06 17:00 - 20:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Art is Food | Food is Art II
Featuring Matt James of Standard Baking Co
Opening Reception Thursday, December 6th
5-8pm
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.
Matt James
Untitled Still Life
Oil on Canvas
2018
Matt James
Untitled Still Life
Oil on Canvas
2018

Magical Thinking In The Woods
2018-10-18 17:00 - 20:00 | ME

Live Art Weekends at Casco Bay Artisans
2018-08-11 - 2018-08-12 | ME
Join Casco Bay Artisans this August as we celebrate living artists!
For the first two weekends of August we will be hosting live painting events featuring artists inside the gallery.
Saturday August 11th: Christina Davis 11:30am
Paul Brahms 5pm
Sunday August 12th: Paul Brahms 11am

Summer in Maine Art and Artists Exhibition
2018-07-12 17:00 - 20:00 | ME

3rd Annual Regional High School Art Show
2018-04-06 17:00 - 20:00 | ME

"Conversations In Paint" Shared Canvas Art Show - Diane Dahlke and Bonnie Spiegel, Opening Reception - March 1, 2018
2018-03-01 17:00 - 20:00 | ME

OPENING FOR YONG-MAN KWON
2017-10-06 17:00 - 20:00 | ME

EVENT: Come see the latest collection from Lee Johnson
2017-09-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Casco Bay Artisans’ gallery-goers can’t get enough of Lee Johnson’s unique, elegant, gestural figurative oils…so, here we go…opening Friday, Sept., 1st beginning 5PM-8PM…all welcome!

FIBERS ART AND FASHION
2017-05-05 17:00 - 2017-05-10 20:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Join Casco Bay Artisans, an eclectic fine art gallery located in Portland ME for – FIBERS – an Art Show Celebrating Wearable Art; Textile Wall Art; and related Oil Paintings, beginning Friday, May 5, 2017 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM. Fashion Designers will share their couture and collections.

EVENT: 2nd Annual Regional High School Art Show
2017-04-07 17:00 - 2017-04-13 17:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
The artwork of Portland Public Schools students will be among the creative work on display in April at the Second Annual Regional High School Art Show, hosted by Casco Bay Artisans.
The opening reception will take place at our gallery, located at 68 Commercial St., the Maine Wharf, on Friday, April 7, during the city’s First Friday Art Walk. The event will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The show, which runs through April 13, was organized and curated by students for students. Fifteen regional high schools are participating in the show, including Portland High School and the Portland Arts and Technology High School (PATHS)

Jonathan Eiten Event at Casco Bay Artisans
2017-02-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Jonathan Eiten, Contemporary Realist Oil Painter will be at Casco Bay Artisans for Portland’s First Friday Artwalk. The reception will take place from 5-8pm. Jonathan Eiten’s art will be featured at CBA until February 17th.

First Friday Art Walk - December 2016
2016-12-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PDF OF MAP

"ART IS FOOD AND FOOD IS ART"
2016-12-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Casco Bay Artisans, 68 Commercial St, Portland, ME, 04101, United States
Portland, ME-based Watercolorist and Fine Dining Executive Pastry Chef, Susan Gauthier (owner, Buttercream) will showcase, for the first time, her edible watercolor cakes to match her actual watercolor paintings which will be hung on the gallery walls of Casco Bay Artisans. There will be six (6) edible watercolor cakes stationed on (6) six sculpture stands directly below six (6) matching watercolor paintings.
A true Renaissance Woman, Gauthier has teamed up with Casco Bay Artisans, an eclectic fine art gallery, to kick off CBA’s exciting new series – “ART IS FOOD AND FOOD IS ART” in this small American city (Portland, ME) where art and food are truly revered by locals and travelers alike from around the globe.
“Passion is the genesis of genius,” – Galileo Galilei, recalls Gauthier. “My two passions…painting and food finally decided to grow up and get married. What could be more stimulating to the five senses but to enjoy the beauty of your artwork….And lick the chocolate off your fingers afterwards,” says Gauthier, a Maine College of Art graduate. When Gauthier is not painting watercolors or inventing delicious desserts for Portland’s restaurant-goers, she will soon create her watercolor cakes for her company, Buttercream, at the new state of the art Community Kitchen, Fork Food Lab. “Fork Food Lab is an amazing opportunity for local chefs to have a fully furnished, licensed kitchen at their fingertips,” says Gauthier, and she is delighted to have the chance to be one of the first chefs to enjoy it.
On Friday, December 2, 2016, Gauthier’s watercolor paintings and watercolor cakes will be available for show and sale. The paintings will last a lifetime, and the cakes, if frozen, will last through the holiday season.
