Melanie Howe is exhibiting her photographs at the First National Bank, 77 Oak Street, Boothbay Harbor. Boothbay Region Art Foundation  (BRAF)is sponsoring her show, which will run through January and can be viewed during normal bank hours.

Howe’s goal for every image is to try and capture the beauty of Maine while freezing a moment in time. Subjects can be a lone apple hanging from a tree in late autumn, a lighthouse lit at dusk, a bouquet of summer flowers, a gull soaring over the bluffs of Monhegan, a landscape or rocky shoreline.

“They all speak to me. They say grab this moment before it slips away, hold it for a life time and share it with others,” said Howe.

She sold an image to a bank teller within minutes of hanging her show, which speaks volumes about Melanie’s sharp eye even though she is self-taught.

Howe has exhibited at BRAF, Art at Waterfront Park, the former Boat Builder's Festival, Damariscotta River Grill, The First National and Key banks, Turner Center for the Arts, Kefauver Gallery and River Arts Gallery.

Previous lives include positions as a real estate broker, account administrator and securities trader in the Boston area; Maine State Delegate during two presidential races, local town committee member and elections clerk.

The artist lives in East Boothbay and currently relishes life in the “slow lane.”

In addition to photography, she enjoys volunteering as a lighthouse docent and gallery attendant, painting in oils, birding, politics, road trips and spending time with family, friends and her kitties.