Two of the talented artists showing this season at the Pemaquid Art Gallery have unique, highly stylized painting techniques. They both paint in water media; Bill Hallett in acrylic, and Paul Sherman in watercolor. Although they paint several subjects, they are drawn to coastal scenery and the places “where sky, land and water meet,” as Hallett describes it.

Bill Hallett’s paintings show the influence of his childhood in Mexico. The bright colors and contemporary graphic style have a strong impact on the viewer, delivering an element of surprise. His works are especially appreciated for their graphic quality. One can almost see them on a white wall, brightening a simple living space. The effect is definitely happy!

Although Hallett’s paintings often feature the buildings and scenes of harbor towns, the subject matter is almost incidental to the colorful compositions. He also paints equally graphic and colorful florals, which can be viewed on his website at www.hallettpaintings.com. His work may be seen in galleries in Portland, Damariscotta, Yarmouth, Bar Harbor, and Lincolnville, see his website for more details.

Paul Sherman’s watercolors also have a graphic quality and although the color is quite different from Hallett’s choices, the pinks, blues, greens - sometimes enhanced with black - are also unique to the artist’s vision rather than photographic reproductions of the subject.

Sherman is drawn to water, and his fascination with reflections and waves is seen in most of his paintings. His water images are almost sensual as they break up in flowing bands of color. While they show a great attention to detail, they would not be mistaken for photographs due to his unique patterned style, which approaches surrealism, as in the title of one of his works, “Buoy Surreal II.” His work can also be seen at Lincolnville Fine Art Gallery and online at www.homedetective.com.

Visit the Pemaquid Gallery of Art this season to see the work of the following member artists: Barbara Applegate, Debra Arter, Bruce Babb, Julie Babb, Stephen Busch, Midge Coleman, Trudi Curtis, William Curtis, Dianne Dolan, Peggy Farrell, Sarah Fisher, Bill Hallett, Claire Hancock, Kay Sawyer Hannah, Kathleen Horst, Hannah Ineson, Will Kefauver, Jan Kilburn, Barbara Klein, Patti Leavitt, Sally Loughridge, Marlene Loznicka, Nancy MacKinnon, Judy Nixon, Paul Sherman, Cindy Spencer, Liliana Thelander, Ernest Thompson, Bob Vaughan, Steve Viega, Bev Walker, and guest artist Jane Bowman.

Artists all reside within the Lincoln County area. The Gallery is situated within Lighthouse Park at Pemaquid Point, Bristol and online at www.pemaquidartgallery.com. The gallery is open daily through Colunbus Day, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.