The Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library announces June Elderkin as its October Artist of the Month.  June, a Boothbay Harbor native, chose to make her home  on Southport Island — and she’s been there for going on 55 years. Or, as she’s said it,  “I never looked back after I crossed the bridge!’ 

For 23 of her Southport years, June had an open studio and met so many folks who dared to stray off the beaten path — and enjoyed it. Now she paints every day in her studio, wholly focused on her painting, using her primary mediums, pastels and oils. “Pastels are so addictive,” June said in a video filmed by Peter Southwick in 2015. “And the colors just drive you crazy!” 

But, June’s been exploring the equally colorful, yet distinctive world of acrylics. There will be some of these in the show.

For June, to be able to paint her favorite scenes — right outside her front door — and in different mediums and styles makes for daily adventure. “Maine is a special mix of color, textures, essences and personal feelings. To adapt that mix to paper or canvas is exciting and challenging. Hour by hour, season by season, it is never the same. I like to find out where I’m going with each painting.”

June’s lived most of her life on or near the Maine coastline and as a child she believed there was no other place like it - and she still does. 

“The sights, sounds and smells of where I live, feed one’s soul and creativity. From the smell of the wind over the mudflats or the phlox in the garden; to the excitement at seeing the first snowfall, I want to convey that in color and have fun doing it.”

See June Elderkin’s joyous and richly colored works in the Community Room, upstairs in the Library from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The library is located at 4 Oak Street in Boothbay Harbor.

For more on the artist, visit www.elderkinstudios.com or give her a cyber shout: elderkin@gwi.net