The paintings of Karen Pettengill will be the featured solo exhibition entitled, “Verdigris,” at River Arts' West Gallery July 3 through July 15. An artist’s reception will be held on Friday, July 11 from 5-7 p.m. and all are welcome.

She lives in Pownal with her husband, Steve, and have traveled extensively throughout New England, the east coast and the southwest. Those road trip experiences, as well as a love of animals, provide the wide variety of subjects chosen for this show.

Pettengill specializes in pastel, but also works in acrylics, casein, oil, watercolor and scratchboard. The distinctions of each medium challenge her to explore new approaches to using color, texture and composition in her paintings. Life experiences, dreams, and environment are also recognized as important factors in her methods and subject matter. This is evident in most paintings in which images are not so much literal translations but ideas and feelings that converge to express something about the beauty and mystery of nature.

The artist has exhibited nationally, including Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, American Academy of Equine Art-International Open Juried Show, International Museum of the Horse, Lexington Kentucky, Pastel Painters of Maine Open Juried National Shows, Union of Maine Visual Artists – Show Chair for Member Exhibition, Skyline Farm and Carriage Museum Invitational National Exhibitions, Edgecomb Potters Galleries in Edgecomb and Portland.

River Arts' West Gallery is located at 241 U.S. Route 1 in Damariscotta. River Arts is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call the gallery at 207-563-1507.

For information about exhibitions, events and art classes, visit www.riverartsme.org.