Summer is Back and so is Thea!

Hi everyone, it's Thea! This is my second summer working at Harvest Gold Gallery for Bill and Lynda, and I’m excited to be getting back into the swing of things. Around this time of year we get to do the fun stuff around the gallery like rearranging artwork and redecorating, and as an art student it’s certainly my favorite part. Hanging artwork, I’ve found, is like a jigsaw puzzle, except you don’t have a picture of the finished product to help you along. The goal of this puzzle is to fit the pieces of art together in such a way that complements, supports, and augments the individual aspects of each piece, while still looking cohesive on a wall. As an artist myself, it would be comforting to know that my pieces are being carefully considered in their placement in a gallery, and so I try to give that attention to all of our artists. Its fun to try and take the strengths that I see in each artwork and translate that to our customers. I love sprucing up the gallery and creating a finished product for all of our customers to enjoy and appreciate as much as I do. 

"From A Distance", acrylic on canvas 8"x8", hanging in Harvest Gold

While I was away at my first year of college at Alfred University, I was actually able to use what I had learned during my first summer at Harvest Gold Gallery in my classes. In my art courses we had to hang several small shows of our work throughout the year, and my knowledge from working in a gallery really benefitted me. The most important thing I’ve learned since starting to work for Bill and Lynda has been that being a professional artist also means being a professional businessperson. Thanks to that knowledge I really have a leg up on my peers without gallery experience even within my first year of art school. 

"After the Windstorm" in marker, done during my first year at Alfred University

As an artist in training, my work and subject matter often differ from the beautiful more traditional artwork that Harvest Gold Gallery tends to hang on their walls, but I am beyond lucky to have some of my paintings and drawings hanging among such prolific and recognized artists. If you’re interested in seeing my work, visit my website, thea-hart.squarespace.com. I hope to be participating in the annual Plein Air event that Harvest Gold hosts later on during the summer where we bring some our favorite local artists to paint our view of Kezar lake. Another event I’m excited for that will be coming up soon is the annual Open House on Friday, July 10th from 4pm to 6pm where we get to show off our lovely artists, crafters, and authors and their work to our community of customers. I’m especially excited to eat some of Bill’s homemade hors d’oeuvres, and to see what everyone thinks of our redecorating, because we’ve already made quite a few big changes! They’re both great events and we hope to see you there.

My most recent addition to Harvest Gold, "The Window Sill", acrylic on canvas 8.5"x8.5"

Tom Merriam, Lovell Artist

Harvest Gold Gallery Proudly Presents 

The paintings of Thomas Merriam

Merriam is a self-taught artist whose paintings reflect his roots as a Maine native. White growing up in the woodlands of North Berwick and along the shorelines of York Harbor, he developed a keen appreciation for the wonders of nature and wildlife and a heartfelt sense of American history.

As an apprentice to George Carpenter, the last surviving member of the Whiskey Water Color Association, Merriam received a unique grounding in a technique which he continues to build on even now. He was trained to use whiskey in the winter as a wash so his brushes would not freeze, allowing him to paint outside in almost any weather. Merriam also learned to work fast to catch the nuances of light in a scene and other atmospheric conditions before it changed or faded. Intricate details in his paintings offer a visual experience that tells a story, evokes memories and stores feelings in the viewer.

Harvest Gold Gallery displays a wide collection of Thomas Merriam's framed oil and watercolor paintings.  For more information about the artist and his work, as well as that of the more than 200 other American artists and craftspeople represented at Harvest Gold Gallery, please call 207-925-6502, visit us online at www.harvestgoldgallery.com, or better yet, stop by in person. We're open daily and located on Route 5 in Center Lovell, Maine overlooking beautiful Kezar Lake.

“If in this place we can find 
inspiration and true love, 
our passion becomes an 
effort and achievement of 
astounding proportions, 
with an energy worth 
causing pause, notice and 
admiration. With this great 
passion and talent, it is 
the goal to create that 
which others want and to 
an artist’s gratitude you 
shall possess a humble 
portion of us. I am so 
pleased that you have 
stopped here to look upon 
the world within me that I 
have created to share with 
you. May God bless you.” 
– Thomas Merriam

A fun day was had by all at our watching Tom work his magic in just a few hours!

Our Annual Holiday Open House

Join us for our

Annual Holiday Open House

Saturday November 30th, 2013

12 pm - 6 pm

1082 Main Street, Route 5

Center Lovell, Maine

(207)925-6502

Join us for wine, refreshments, book signings, 

art, and joy, with:

Thomas Merriam

Diane Scott

Robin Chiarello

We look forward to seeing you there!

Diane Scott's beautiful art at Crema and Arabica in Portland

We invite you to visit Arabica and Crema Coffee shops in Portland Maine to see a beautiful display of art by Diane Scott- A New England Plein Air artist and a favorite of ours at Harvest Gold Gallery.  Diane's art will be available for viewing and purchase at the shops through Christmas.

Crema Coffee Shop is located at 9 Commercial Street and Arabica Coffee Co. is located at 2 Free Street.  

Diane  is also a featured artist who will be at our Open House at Harvest Gold Gallery on November 30th from 12-6pm.  

About Diane Scott

Diane Scott was born in Canada and graduated from the Hertfordshire College of Art and Design in England.  As a multiple award winning artist she shows and sells from four galleries in New England and has her work in corporate and private collections in Canada, England, France, Russia and the United States.

"How to combine accurate drawing with a varied and sensual surface quality whilst capturing the essence of place and time... that is my obsession!" - Diane Scott

All new original art available from artist Thomas Merriam

Stop in to Harvest Gold Gallery to see 16 new watercolors, oils and acrylics available by Lovell artist Thomas Merriam. 

Tom is a self taught artist whose paintings, carvings and murals reflect his roots as a Maine native.  His work is filled with Maine mystique and is reminiscent of the natural beauty and venerable traditions of New England.
Tom will also be attending our Annual Open House on November 30th, 2013 from 12:00-6:00 here at the gallery.  Stop in for wine and refreshments and to meet this astounding artist!

Melissa Harris

Below we are sharing a biography of Melissa Harris, a wonderful and very talented artist here at Harvest Gold Gallery. This Biography was written by Melissa Harris herself.

"Painting is my medicine…Through these decades of a sometimes erratic and ever-evolving life, painting had been the one constant. Relationships and homes have come and gone, but my paint box is always with me.”

My passion for life is continually renewed by the joy & magic I experience as a result of my intention to open to the Goddess & Spirit. A connection to Mother Earth fuels my being & inspires imagery. My relationship to others also teaches me to keep my heart open to all I come in contact with. These connections and relationships are a catalyst for much of my recent artwork.”

EVER SINCE I CAN REMEMBER MY MOTHER WAS TELLING ME “YOU’RE TOO SENSITIVE” . I have had clairvoyant experiences all my life. When we were young we’d be riding along on a trip somewhere new and I would shout out that I had seen the scenery the night before in my dreams. I couldn’t understand why others didn’t “know” the same things that I automatically did. I began to feel different than others.  I was also always drawing and painting. My parents fed me a constant supply of paints, crayons and paper to keep me quiet.

My parents urged me to go to college for something I could make money at. In my first year of college I was most passionate about my art class, but discouraged by my parents. I decided to major in fashion design but every time the elevator went by the 3rd floor and I smelled the oil paint, I felt drawn. I got a BFA from Syracuse University in Painting and an MFA in painting from Queens College in the New York City area. During my years as a graduate student I was put on probation by the all male graduate committee. I was having a spiritual awakening and trying to paint the images that were coming through in my visions and dreams. 

The graduate faculty committee was unhappy with my constant change of format and thought the images “hokey or corny”. The only one who understood was a woman on the faculty that was a practicing astrologer. We decided that I had to do what I had to do to graduate. I knew I could paint a portrait that would knock them out so I did. Problem was that I was really yearning to experiment more with “unknown” territory but that would have to be put on hold. I had blown away the faculty at the school Ii had attended before that with a life-size portrait of a friend so I did it again and finished grad school with a body of life size portraits. When I did the portraits I went into trance-like states and channeled the subject’s essence. The results were very powerful life size expressive portraits.

I had applied for a Fulbright grant to Paris and got my grant to go and paint in 1985. Right before I left I had an experience that was about to change my life forever. In about 1980 I had begun to learn to meditate and that had become part of my life as well as some astrological studies. The rest you can read about in my book.  (The experience of getting the grant and the events around it are another magical story… To sum it up, I was able to manifest very quickly places to live. I was supposed to have a person or school that I was affiliated with to study painting in Paris but I didn’t . I know that my grant was a “cosmic gift” and that it , like most things was divinely guided. Only 2 painters received Fulbright scholarships in Painting for Paris that year and I was lucky enough to be one of them. It was an awesome experience for me to sit at a reception table at the American Embassy in Paris as part of a select group of Fulbright Scholars in all areas of expertise.

When I got to Paris I was anxious to take up where I left off . I was living in a sort of dorm like situation on a floor with other musicians and artist with grants. In 1990 I birthed my publishing company, CREATRIX.  It has been a long road with a lot of learning curves and without going into depth on my personal issues, I can see clearly how many aspects of myself have needed to learn from this entity I have created. The business has brought everything together for me and taught me good business skills. It is extremely fulfilling to listen to folks’ feedback on how the images or and writings have touched their lives.

I also teach classes that combine painting with meditation. Basically, we focus on learning to access one’s own personal visions and find a language in which to express them. I taught at the Open Center in New York City, Omega Institute in Upstate New York and privately. I love sharing in my students processes. I live in gratitude each day for the wonders of my life.

On a personal level, I share my home with my fab four feline friends on 9 acres in the Catskill mountains of New York. Our land has wonderful meadows and a magical forest that back up to a reservoir. My former partner built my dream studio complete with a French door overlooking the meadow and forest as well as huge windows and skylights. I had a dream of a large light-filled studio for many years and it feels like a miracle to have manifested it after years of paying my dues in some very dark, dank and even toxic spaces.  I feel it is an absolute MUST to know what our dreams are so that we can manifest them (as I say on my card “Spinning Your Dreams”).

I feel strongly about the lack of respect for the earths’ resources that seems rampant at this time. For myself, I feel an obligation to live as simply as I can with an awareness of how each action is related to the next both in terms of how we can be as waste efficient as possible and also in terms of how we relate to others. It is my continuing practice to try and live fully in each moment, keeping in mind the desire for the best for all concerned.
We invite you to join us at Harvest Gold Gallery to view Melissas artwork and learn more about his adventures at our Gallery location on Rt 5 in Center Lovell, ME. 

Big Fish sighted in Center Lovell

Geoff Herguth Design outdoor art now at Harvest Gold Gallery
A recent addition to our Gallery is the new Sculptures by Geoff Herguth Design. Geoff Herguth and his assistant Jessie Redlon create custom sculptures including mermaids, fish, sharks, crustaceans, dogs, birds, and a three dimensional representation of the Maine State quarter. GHD also fabricates decorative iron work, sculptural signage, furniture, and cabinetry while also operating a commercial marine welding service providing custom boat building, repair and restoration.
Specializing in cast aluminum, stainless steel, copper and bronze, Geoff has been designing, welding and creating with metal for over 30 years. His sculptures and signage can be found as feature decor at restaurants and retail stores along the East Coast, and here at Harvest Gold Gallery.
Geoff uses a method of casting called Lost styrofoam casting. Lost styrofoam casting is a sand casting process where the original pattern is carved in styrofoam. The finished pattern is "rammed" or "packed" in casting sand in a container called a flask. Casting sand is a fine sand mixed with oil to allow it to pack tightly. The molten metal is poured into the flask and the styrofoam is vaporized and displaced. After cooling, the sand is broken away to reveal the cast metal. The Petrobond sand used is fine enough to pick up a finger print. A value added element to lost styrofoam casting is that each pattern is hand carved. Even if the subject is repeated it will be unique as no two patterns can be identically reproduced. The rough cast piece is then finished by a variety of techniques, sand blasting, grinding, polishing and "chasing" (hammering) the surfaces of the piece.
In our Gallery we are fortunate to have 4 of Geoff's origional pieces including the Mako Shark, Mermaid and Moon, Swordfish, and Mermaid. Each piece is original, although he make make a similar one, he creates and molds each one individually so no two structures are exactly the same. 

Mermaid

Swordfish

Mako Shark

Mermaid & Moon

Please feel free to stop by our shop anytime and check out the Biggest fish you're ever seen in Lovell, and our Mermaids! Can't make it to town? Check out our Website at http://harvestgoldgallery.com. 
And don't forget to check out the view! 

Varvara Harmon comes to Harvest Gold Gallery to teach a Plein Air class

Varvara Harmon is a Russian artist who moved to Windham Maine in 2001.  She graduated from art school in Russia over 20 years ago and has been painting since she was a little girl. Her work is all made in different mediums and she creates it in a series of small paintings or drawings that are connected by a common subject or theme. We are proud to have an award winning Maine artist showcased here at Harvest Gold Gallery, and even more proud to have had her teach a Plein Air Class here at the Gallery. 
Plein Air is a French expression which means "in the open air," and is particularly used to describe the act of painting outdoors, which is also called peinture sur le motif ("painting on the ground") in French. 
This past saturday Varvara set up her easel and paints and got straight to work here at the gallery using our beautiful Center Lovell View. 

The beginning of Varvara's Plein Air class, and the paintings are starting out great.

By noon Varvara has already accomplished so much. She is amazing to watch in action!

This photo is after 5 hours of dedicated painting. 

This is the end result! It's absolutely beautiful! We are so proud to say that Varvara Harmon painted the view from Harvest Gold Gallery. 

We just had to share Varvaras pallet and organization! Love these colors, they really express the shades of Maine in the summer.

Feel free to come and see more of Varvaras work and check out the view here at Harvest Gold Gallery in Center Lovell, Maine. 

Steve Pinkham

Maine Woods Enthusiast, Steve Pinkham

 is exhibiting his "Old Tales of the Maine Woods"
 at 

Harvest Gold Gallery!

Steve grew up in Western Maine, hearing old stories of hunting and fishing, and has spent much of his life hiking, paddling and discovering the many wonderful places in the backwoods of Maine. He is quick to tell you his many wonderful "stories within stories" as he sits any passerby down for a (tall) tale.

Having spent the past ten years searching for articles and books, following up on clues, and spending a vast amount of hours in libraries and historical societies, he published his first book, Mountains of Maine in 2009.

Harvest Gold is now featuring "Old Tales of the Maine Woods" 

and at a discounted price! 

regularly 24.99 now only 19.95!

 Selecting from his vast collection for this book, he now spends his time writing and publishing articles and books about the Maine Woods from his home in Quincy, Massachusetts. 

Stop by Harvest Gold Gallery for your copy today, located in the White Mountains in Center Lovell, Maine on Route 5.

Call or click today!

(207) 925-6502

www.harvestgoldgallery.com