Ice Fishing at Harvest Gold Gallery

Ice fishing is a favorite winter pastime here in Maine.  At Harvest Gold Gallery it can be experienced out back on frozen Kezar Lake or inside the warm showroom, through the beautiful oil paintings of Dean Mccrillis.  Deans' oil impressions present well defined subjects with  balanced composition.

Dean captures the technicalities perfectly, the auger, the tip-up, the bait bucket, the hole , the cooler, and the catch. The interplay of color and the way he develops the light in his work allows you to feel the chill in the air and the enthusiasm of ice fishing.

 Dean said,"I didn't realize there was so much color in snow."   There are no less than ten different colors  in his snow.  He is an award winning art student at University of Southern Maine where he is a senior working on his BFA.

Many anglers build accommodations to shelter them from the elements.  The buildings are referred to as ice shacks and can be placed in communities or set where ever one likes as long as the ice is thick enough.  Ice fishing can be a social event while catching fish with family and friends.  Wonderful picnics are had with grilled foods, soups, salads and beverages.  All the while keeping an eye on the tip-ups' orange flag to indicate a catch.

The shanty can be as elaborate  as the builder desires. 

Murad Sayen: Painting From The Heart

Murad Sayen at Harvest Gold Gallery

  

Murad Sayen is an oil painter based in Maine whose job has been to tell stories with his brush about what it means to be a human on earth in the 21^st century.  By portraying ordinary people doing mundane things in everyday places, Murad’s hope is that the observer will be aware of the preciousness of every moment in life; for in every moment there is a source of knowledge that can give us a sense of peacefulness.

Murad also paints still life objects that convey the message of the simple power of beauty.  As Murad explains, we intuitively know from early childhood that beauty touches our heart and pulls us into the moment.

Several of Murad’s oil on panel paintings reside at Harvest Gold Gallery, including the still life Bittersweet and The Boat Ride.  Both paintings are framed.  About Bittersweet, the artist says he enjoyed painting the various items and was inspired by the way the bittersweet almost floats across the scene.  The Boatride is a painting about the love of a man and his dog. The artists’ effort was to capture the exchange of glances between them and some sense of how much they trust one another.

                                        

Born in 1945, Murad grew up in New Jersey, the oldest son of a manufacturer.  After spending three years in the U.S. Army Infantry, '64-'67, he attended a major state university where he majored in philosophy of ethics.  Murad has had a lifelong interest in history, particularly that of the Holocaust and aviation in the European theater of WWII.  For many years he was a craftsman of international reputation of one-of-a-kind ‘art knives’.

Besides being a master landscape and nature photographer, Murad is a writer and has published two novels and a photography book. Above and Beyond is a WWII era historical fiction novel and Skana is an ‘eco-thriller.’  The photography book, Maine, the Home Place, was published in 2003 and features ninety-six breathtaking and provocative color images.  These days, Murad’s writings are more along the lines of blogging and essays on art and society, some of which may be viewed at http://muradsayensblog.blogspot.com/.

Sandhill Crane Sighting at Harvest Gold Gallery

Sandhill Crane, Lovell, Maine, photo by Lynda Rasco

Yesterday Lynda and Bill saw the first of the snowbirds return to visit Harvest Gold Gallery when a sandhill crane was spotted behind their gallery. According to an ornithologist friend this species of crane normally prefers a reedy environment, so a sighting in a field is rare. Perhaps this fella is nesting along the nearby Saco River? In any case, it reminded us that nature is often an inspiration for artists in their respective mediums. In honor of Poetry Month we're sharing a poem about sandhill cranes by Mary Austin, as well as images of Harvest Gold Jewelry's inspired by our feathery friends.

The Sand-Hill Crane

WHENEVER the days are cool and clear,

The sand-hill crane goes walking

Across the field by the flashing weir,

Slowly, solemnly stalking.

The little frogs in the tules hear,

And jump for their lives if he comes near;

The fishes scuttle away in fear

When the sand-hill crane goes walking.

The field folk know if he comes that way,

Slowly, solemnly stalking,

There is danger and death in the least delay,

When the sand-hill crane goes walking.

The chipmunks stop in the midst of play;

The gophers hide in their holes away;

And 'Hush, oh, hush!' the field-mice say,

When the sand-hill crane goes walking. 

Mary Austin

Stop by and say Hi when you are passing through beautiful downtown Center Lovell,  overlooking Kezar Lake and the White Mountains.

Can you see it?

The Hummingbird teaches us;

The Impossible is Possible.

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. 

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. 

Gay Freeborn @ Crema!

Local Maine Artist Gay Freeborn 

now has beautiful art up in 

Crema Coffee Shop! 

Come out and enjoy a delicious cup of Crema coffee while surrounded by sweet paintings like the one above, this black Lab's just beggin for you to come see him!

Crema is located on Commercial St. in Portland and is a delicious addition to your day, with fresh roasted coffee beans, homemade food and a glimpse of the talent that Maine holds, with Freeborn's work gracing the walls.  

Sisters Cathy and Lynda work together to create a warm welcoming and nourishing experience that epitomizes our Maine lifestyle.

These three friends wonder if you'll come join them for a cuppa joe?

Looks like this guy could use an expresso,

 make it double!

Can't get all the way to Portland, but want a great cup of coffee?

Fresh roasted Arabica coffee can be found at Harvest Gold Gallery, located on Route 5 in Center Lovell, Maine. Open Daily, so stop by and pick some up!!