Three artists capture the essence of summer in Maine in three distinctly different styles and viewpoints, through pastel, oil, acrylic and watercolor. 

An “Art at the Grill” opening reception for Kimberly Skillin Traina, Susan Tilton Pecora and Susan Zimmerman will be Wednesday, June 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. Stop in, meet the artists and enjoy beautiful art while savoring light summer hors d’oeuvres. Art is on display June 8 through July 26. 

Skillin Traina is a graphic designer, photographer and pastel artist living in Edgecomb.

“Capturing the quality of light, the essence of a feeling, a place, a moment connects me,” she said. “Sometimes it’s a passionate burst of creativity I feel called to capture without conscious thought. I grab my camera and get lost in the moment. Sometimes that is enough. Other times, when I study the images, I am called to explore it deeper, there is more of a story to be told.

“Many times, I will paint outdoors. I choose to use soft pastels for the intensity of color I can achieve with pure pigment. Many layers of color later, the magic of the moment is revealed. My creativity is my expression of my passion for life, for nature and of deep gratitude for this incredible place I live in. Passion is contagious. As an artist, it is my hope to ignite a spark in others and open their eyes to a new way of seeing.” 

“In winter I paint looking out over the ice floes in the cove, and snow covered evergreens; summer is prime time for painting ‘en plein aire’ around Georgetown Island. My work explores a variety of themes including working harbors, summer fields, rocky coastlines, estuaries, lily ponds, beaches and country fairs; and the folks and animals that live, work and play in these environs.

“My goal is to have people feel the experience, to imagine the stories, to connect to what makes living in Maine so incredible.”

Call the Damariscotta River Grill, located at 155 Main Street in Damariscotta, for more information at 207-562-2992, or visit its Facebook page.