Temporary Town

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This winter, we spent time on Great Salt Bay in the “temporary town’ created by ice fishing men and women each year. We were driving toward Damariscotta and the bright colors of the fishing shacks across the water caught our eye. Great Salt Bay is not entirely frozen; only the upper reaches freeze solid in the winter and the little temporary town was huddled in this upper cove of the bay.

“Temporary Town”, 11x14 oil by Brad Betts, ASMA

“Temporary Town”, 11x14 oil by Brad Betts, ASMA

The first day we saw the town we pulled over on the side of the road and painted. We didn’t walk down into the village but spoke to some of the fishermen and women as they arrived with buckets or pulled their gear off the ice in large sleds.

“Ice Fishing Shacks” 11x14 oil by Brad Betts, ASMA

“Ice Fishing Shacks” 11x14 oil by Brad Betts, ASMA

“Ice Shacks on the Bay”, 9x12 oil by Danielle Betts

“Ice Shacks on the Bay”, 9x12 oil by Danielle Betts

Several weekends later, we packed our supplies and brought along buckets as seats so we could paint on the ice. It was a gorgeous mid-January day and even though we were sitting in nearly a foot of snow on many inches of ice, we felt warm and inspired by the sun, sky, the outrageously colorful fish shacks and the tracks through the snow that led to each one.

“Ice Fishing on Great Salt Bay”, 8x10 oil by Brad Betts, ASMA

“Ice Fishing on Great Salt Bay”, 8x10 oil by Brad Betts, ASMA

After that weekend, we went through a warm spell and the upper few inches of ice melted into a surface of water. Within weeks, the shacks were removed and the temporary town was gone for another season.

Recipes + Resources

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Many farms across Maine have added alternative ways customers can obtain farm products to accommodate for social distancing in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. See the interactive map to find farm fresh food or seafood near you:

EAST FORTY FARM | 12” x 16” oil | Brad Betts

EAST FORTY FARM | 12” x 16” oil | Brad Betts

Allison Lakin (East Forty Farm and Lakin’s Gorges Cheeses) initiated the Maine Farm Resources network linked above. We stopped by her farm this weekend to pick up frozen meats, a selection of aged cheeses, and handmade ravioli made with cheese and parsley from the farm. We are so thankful for these local farms and makers! And for the dairy cows who hung out with us and of course supplied the milk for the cheese.

For a limited time, the original “East Forty Farm” painting is being offered at 50% off, with full size canvas-wrapped prints available at $250.

Our son Ben and his partner Lindsey are living in California, helping spread the word about Lindsey and her mom Jane’s family farm “Rainbow Water Gardens”. They are currently offering two-day shipping on fresh picked boxes of avocados and citrus. Order by Tuesday and the fruit is picked on Wednesday… our box usually arrives in Maine by Thursday!

Assembled when our son Sam was living in Italy (he is now home and safely beyond quarantine!), we are sharing this collection of recipes from the extended Betts family...enjoy!

ASMA 18th National Exhibition

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“Return of the Fleet” a 9”x12” original oil painting by Brad Betts, has been juried into the American Society of Marine Artists 18th National Exhibition. The tour begins March 2020 at Jamestown Settlement Museum, the kickoff to an 18-month museum tour that will cross the country. The exhibition concludes in September 2021.

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Exhibition Touring Schedule (as of 7/10/19, subject to change):

JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT MUSEUM in Jamestown, Virginia: Mar - April 2020

CHESAPEAKE BAY MARITIME MUSEUM in St. Michael’s, Maryland: May - Sept 2020

GULFQUEST MARITIME MUSEUM in Mobile, Alabama: Sept - Dec 2020

BURROUGHS-CHAPIN MUSEUM OF ART in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina: Jan - April 2021

MINNESOTA MARINE ART MUSEUM in Winona, Minnesota: June - Sept 2021

Gift Ideas

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GIFT IDEAS FOR THE HOLIDAYS:

  1. Fine Art Puzzles

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2. Greeting Cards

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3. Home Wares

Visit Down East Gallery to shop our home wares including Gull Rock Pottery, wooden spoons and kitchen wares from Maggie’s Farm and cutting boards by Steve Doe at Whitten Hill Studio.

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4. Paintings by Brad Betts

Holiday special: select paintings are 20% through December 31, 2019!

 

5. Tapestries

Beautiful handwoven tapestries by Priscilla May Alden.

 

6. Sculptures

 

7. Glassware

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Maine Outdoor Film Festival 2019

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2019:

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Join us for the second annual MAINE OUTDOOR FILM FESTIVAL at Down East Gallery in Edgecomb! We are thrilled to host this outdoor event featuring independent filmmakers from around the globe, including a significant number of filmmakers from Maine itself.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Doors: 7 pm, Films: 7:45 pm

This is a BYOB+P+B event: Bring your own beverages, a picnic and a blanket and enjoy outdoor films overlooking the 35 acres of fields and sunflowers at Down East Gallery.

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In case of rain, the films will be shown indoors on our new stage in the 1904 post and beam barn.

This is a family-friendly event. A donation at the door will go directly to Teens to Trails, a Brunswick-based nonprofit that supports Maine high school outing clubs with cash grants, organizational support and programming. All are welcome!

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The Don Campbell Band at Down East Gallery

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An evening in our 1904 post and beam barn, filled with outstanding music, fun people, great conversations and lots of dancing! A private invitation event for supporters of the Boothbay Region YMCA with music from the Don Campbell Band.

Photography by Sam Betts

Opening reception: Tapestry | THE NEW WAVE

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The opening reception for Tapestry | THE NEW WAVE was a great success! Over 150 people joined us to celebrate the opening of the largest tapestry exhibition ever held in the state of Maine. We were pleased to have 10 of the 11 weavers in attendance at the opening.

The exhibition runs until August 31. Open Tues-Sat, 11 am to 4 pm.

Photography by Sam Betts

Commemorative Poster: Linekin Bay Resort 100 Years

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For Linekin Bay Resort’s 100-Year Anniversary, Brad created a painting especially for their celebration. His goal with this painting was to capture the spirit of this classic Maine family resort: summer days playing games on the lawn, swimming in the pool, sailing in the bay or simply relaxing on the deck. Linekin Bay Resort has welcomed families for 100 years and still embodies the historic charm of old. If you have not visited, we highly recommend a “Linekin Crush” cocktail and lunch at the Deck Bar & Grill!

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Maine Stone Symposium

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There is still time to visit the Maine Stone Symposium and see sculptors in action!

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The Maine Stone Symposium is being held outdoors on the public Boothbay Common in Boothbay, Maine.  With 3 of Down East Gallery's sculptors participating this year, we are pleased to be sponsors of this event.  

The Maine Stone Symposium is a 9-day public live carving demonstration by 9 notable Maine stone sculptors and international guests from Japan and Canada.  Public visiting hours are 10 to 4 daily and the symposium is free and open to all ages.  If you have not been to a symposium before, this is a must-see event... in just over one week, the sculptors craft beautiful forms of art from pieces of raw stone, it is truly fascinating to watch these sculptures come to life! 

Works of art created at the Symposium will be sold at the Boothbay Region Land Trust's Points of View Art Auction at Oak Point Farm on August 8. Tickets for the quadrennial art auction can be purchased from the Boothbay Region Land Trust at bbrlt.org.

Best wishes to Down East Gallery sculptors Andreas von Huene, Dick Alden and Dan Ucci and to all participating artists - we look forward to seeing your sculptures!

Boothbay Region Land Trust

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“Quiet Cove off Oak Point”, an 11x14 painting by Brad Betts, will be available for purchase at the Points of View Art Auction to benefit the Boothbay Region Land Trust on August 8, 2019 from 5-9 pm. The auction will be held at the beautiful Oak Point Farm in Boothbay Harbor and this year’s line-up of art is one of the best - hope to see you there!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/points-of-view-art-auction-tickets-59176076237

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Painted especially for this event, "Quiet Cove off Oak Point" is intended to evoke the moment of peace you find on Maine's waters, coves and inlets, when the boats are still on their moorings and there is no sound other than the water lapping on the shore, the sound of leaves blowing in the breeze and the occasional bird call. It celebrates Maine's natural beauty while recognizing our place within it.

When Brad and Danielle decided to relocate to the Boothbay Region over 12 years ago, the trails and preserves of the Boothbay Region Land Trust were an important part of that decision. They have supported all of the quadrennial art auctions with a painting donation since moving to the region, and are always pleased to support the Boothbay Region Land Trust.

tapestry | the new wave

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We are very excited to have received the juried tapestry selections by curators Priscilla May Alden and Barbara Burns. Featuring 30+ tapestries by New England’s finest weavers, this invitational event will kick-off on August 6 with an opening reception on Friday August 9 from 5 to 7 pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the artists and learn more about the ancient, traditional and contemporary methods of weaving.

The tapestries will be displayed against the warm backdrop of Down East Gallery’s 1904 post and beam barn. To purchase a tapestry, please visit or contact the gallery.

Italy: Tuscany

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After 3 days in Rome, we headed north for a week in Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage site in southern Tuscany.

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San Quirico d’Orcia, as viewed from one of the many hiking paths leading out from the town to the neighboring villages.

San Quirico d’Orcia, as viewed from one of the many hiking paths leading out from the town to the neighboring villages.

We stayed in a circa 700 stone house just outside the walls of the village of San Quirico d’Orcia.

Our Holiday Home for the week.

Our Holiday Home for the week.

Flowers were blooming everywhere!

Flowers were blooming everywhere!

A walk through the narrow winding streets of San Quirico d’Orcia.

A walk through the narrow winding streets of San Quirico d’Orcia.

From San Quirico, you can easily drive to many well-known towns in the Val d’Orcia, including Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Pienza. One of favorite days was spent hiking from town to town, starting in San Quirico and taking paths through the rolling grain fields, past long-abandoned stone structures, to finally hike up to the hill town of Pienza.

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We were very fortunate to have a private tour and wine tasting at Altesino, a vineyard and winery in Montalcino that makes, among other incredibly delicious wines, the world-renowned Brunello di Montalcino.

One of several vineyards at Altesino.

One of several vineyards at Altesino.

Oak barrels at the vineyard.

Oak barrels at the vineyard.

We could not visit Tuscany without at least one day on the coast. We spent the afternoon walking the beach and then enjoyed dinner in the hill town of Porto Santo Stefano.

One day, we do hope to return to the vast and far-reaching vistas of the Val d’Orcia!

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Italy: Rome

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We were so fortunate to have the opportunity to travel to Italy this month! We spent 3 days in Rome and fell in love with its exquisite, ancient beauty.

We stayed in Trastevere, a family neighborhood southwest of the Tiber River and the historical center of Rome. We loved this neighborhood, with its daily farmer’s market outside our door. When the market cleared in the afternoons, the local children would flock to the park and begin playing soccer and other outdoor games until evening.

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Our AirBnB apartment was in a square complex with a courtyard in the middle. We would see women hanging their laundry in the evening after work, and often heard Italian voices rising up to our room at night.

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Trastevere has narrow streets and colorful buildings, filled with greenery, ancient churches and landmarks, and numerous restaurants. It is not, however, all tourist-driven and there are many signs of Roman life.

At night, the town streets are filled with walkers and entertainers, and young people drinking and socializing in the streets.

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We walked 8-10 miles a day and saw nearly all of the historic Rome center. On our last day, we bought a bottle of wine and settled down in a park to soak in the birds, green grass and sunshine.

Puzzles!

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At the suggestion of an Instagram follower, we are excited to offer puzzles featuring 8 of our most popular paintings. The puzzles will be available in June 2019 for $30 each. Please send us a note if you are interested in purchasing a puzzle… we would love your feedback on these initial designs!

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Back Barn - coming soon

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We have been busy framing the new back barn, located behind (and attached to) our 1904 post and beam barn. We are rebuilding the barn to the same proportions while shifting the gable to align with the center of the post and beam bents and adding large windows to take in the big sky views. Once complete, we will remove the old barn boards between the two barns so we can finally use back barn as a stage for performances!

Framing in the pouring rain of April.

Framing in the pouring rain of April.

Framing in the big blue sky.

Framing in the big blue sky.

Dorland Mountain Arts Colony

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We had the pleasure of attending an art residency in February 2019 at the Dorland Mountain Arts Colony in Temecula California. Dorland is located on a 340-acre nature preserve in the mountains of Riverside County, 60 miles north of San Diego and 100 miles south of LA.

With blue skies and weather in the 60s, we spent each day traveling to a state park or ecological reserve for hiking and painting en plein air before heading back to our residency cabin to watch the sunset. While much of California is, as expected, sprawling with development, we found an abundance of public lands that preserved the state’s raw and natural beauty.

Wild Horse Peak, 11x14 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts. Painted from Sunset Point at Dorland Mountain Arts Colony.

Wild Horse Peak, 11x14 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts. Painted from Sunset Point at Dorland Mountain Arts Colony.

Santa Rosa Ecological Reserve, 11x14 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts

Santa Rosa Ecological Reserve, 11x14 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts

We enjoyed hiking the 8,300 acres of Santa Rosa so much, we went back a second day to explore the trails leading to the top of Monument Hill, which had panoramic views of grasslands, rolling hills and distant snow-capped mountains as far as the eye …

We enjoyed hiking the 8,300 acres of Santa Rosa so much, we went back a second day to explore the trails leading to the top of Monument Hill, which had panoramic views of grasslands, rolling hills and distant snow-capped mountains as far as the eye could see .

Monument Hill, 11x14 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts

View from Horton Cottage, 8x10 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts

View from Horton Cottage, 8x10 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts

Reading in the Grove, 11x14 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts.

Reading in the Grove, 11x14 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts.

Watercolor study of a mountain range by Brad Betts, painted from the front porch of Horton Cottage at Dorland Mountain Arts Colony.

Watercolor study of a mountain range by Brad Betts, painted from the front porch of Horton Cottage at Dorland Mountain Arts Colony.

Cactus, 6x8 oil painting by Brad Betts. This was a fun study as four artists painted this cactus at the same time, resulting in four unique paintings of one subject in varying and diverse styles.

Cactus, 6x8 oil painting by Brad Betts. This was a fun study as four artists painted this cactus at the same time, resulting in four unique paintings of one subject in varying and diverse styles.

Poppies on Dripping Spring Trail, 11x14 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts

Poppies on Dripping Spring Trail, 11x14 en plein air oil painting by Brad Betts

On our last day, we hiked the trail to Wild Horse Peak in the Agua Tibia Wilderness. At the end of the hike, we rock-hopped across a stream and as we started heading to the car we realized we were being passed by butterflies, dozens at a time. We sat down on the stream bank for over an hour as hundreds of Painted Lady butterflies flew by, on their journey from Mexico to the north. An amazing moment at the end of an incredibly inspiring trip, we hope to return to Dorland in the future for another nature-inspired artistic retreat.