EXPLORING MAINE, 2009: MY PICK

ROCKLAND:

For the past fifteen years Rockland has quietly become the "it" town of the mid-coast area. Once considered the ugly-step-sister to Camden, this harbor town with a thriving working waterfront, county seat, bustling Main Street, artist and gallery mecca and the crown jewel, THE FARNSWORTH MUSEUM is the "must visit" town of the season. Make that any season. Presently, The Farnsworth, http://www.farnsworthmuseum.com/ is running three extraordinary exhibits:

JAMIE WYETH: SEVEN DEADLY SINS (Through August 30)

The interpretation of GREED, PRIDE, ENVY, ANGER, SLOTH, GLUTTONY and LUST through the study of scavenging seagulls and their "nasty" habits brings new vision to this age-old tale first penned by St. Thomas Aquinas. Intense, violent, filled with life's realities... the studies are brilliantly disarming.

ROBERT INDIANA AND THE STAR OF HOPE (Through October 25)

EAT, the electric sign that was last displayed during the 1964 World's Fair, takes center stage atop the museum's Main Street building. Also about town and on the Farnsworth grounds are other highly recognizable Indiana sculptures.Within the galleries hang an exhaustive exhibit of his paintings...all adding up to, "The most beautiful show I've ever had is taking place in Rockland." Robert Indiana.

A TRIBUTE TO ANDREW WYETH (Through October 18)

Following the intensity and boldness of the first two exhibits, I found the viewing of this tribute visually and emotionally soothing. Drama can exist in a quiet voice. Andrew Wyeth leaves us an extraordinary body of work.

You'll be hungry after the art. If it's lunch and something beyond a lobster roll is desired, try MARKET ON MAIN or for a really small venue, THE THORNDIKE CREAMY can't be beat for food at recession prices. Save room for ice cream! They scoop fresh made from ROUND TOP ICE CREAM. On Route 1 in Rockport, PRISIM serves a creative lunch and dinner menu in a refined environment adjacent to it's glass gallery. (Reservations are a must!) Two other dinner suggestions in Rockland are CAFE MERANDA and PRIMO. Again....plan ahead and have a reservation.

Still have energy to browse?

ERIC HOPKINS GALLERY. 21 Winter Street, 207.594.1996, gallery@erichopkins.com

Eric is one of Maine's leading contemporary artists with works in a variety of mediums. His gallery is open daily from 10 to 5. Robin Seymour, the gallery director, will make your visit memorable. Call ahead to inquire about Eric's "gallery talks" and other special events.

THE BLACK PARROT. 323 Main Street, 207.594-9161 (no web site.)

Boutique clothing, high design home decor, funky accessories and the best, minimal card selection anywhere. It's all "piled high" so you have to search. Not for the person who requires focused presentation. I do best in this store early, rather then later when my mind is cluttered! Camilla, most recently at the former G.F MacGregor next door, has joined the staff and brings a welcome air of graciousness.

Now that the Pacific North West climate of early summer has gone back to where it belongs, take a day to experience the many treasures of Rockland and Rockport, Maine. You'll want to return for more.

HAPPY TRAILS!

and.....YOU CAN GET THERE FROM HERE.

DISCOVERING JUNE

For fifty-five years June Hopkins has owned The North Haven Gift Shop. Customers know her as the personable proprietor with good taste and a keen business sense. What many underestimated, or never knew, is that June is a noteworthy artist. Her talent captured center stage at the recent Hopkin's Family Exhibit in the North Haven Art Gallery.

In conjunction with the Shop's 55th Anniversary, the Hopkin's family presented an exhibit in the adjacent gallery. Works by son and acclaimed Maine artist, Eric Hopkins were easily identifiable. His distinctive style emerged at an early age with retail signs for the Shop and lobsters. But it was the seven paintings by June Collins Hopkins that caused the buzz and received the red dot indicating "SOLD."

For many years June has been painting botanicals, animals and landscapes. This past winter, under the tutelage of son Eric, June learned to find the focus in photos she had taken, crop the image and re-produce in watercolor using a loose-hand technique. From the onset, she responded to the subjects and style. Diligently painting every day, refining and refining and incorporating Eric's suggestions, a vast body of work was produced. Everyone privy to early glimpses responded accordingly, "Have you seen June's paintings!"

Party attendees and gallery patrons reinforced the affirmation. Now her latest works hang in private collections along side her son's.

Brisk sales of her art and the enduring success of The North Haven Gift Shop has June providing a life example to be emulated. Each act is significant but it just might be that Act III and a long ovation deliver the sweetest years.

The exhibit has been dismantled but a few of June's paintings are still on display in the gift shop. No web site, cash and checks only, M-Sat, 9:30 to 5. Ferry schedule available from the Maine DOT.

A VERY PLEASANT STREET

Just west of Portland's Old Port District and north of Commercial Street is a brief , little recognized and acknowledged street in the heart of the Studio District. Pleasant Street provides for the urbanite a most pleasing venue. Anchored by two very popular restaurants, HIGH BOMBAY on the east and AMBROSIA on the west, visitors will also find in a one block stretch three stores featuring singular treasures ,original jewelry and custom couture.

DESIGNS by CC has been a mainstay on Pleasant Street for seventeen years. Originally trained at Bailey, Banks and Biddle in Philadelphia, Cheryl Cook provides custom design jewelry, diamonds, precious and semi-precious stones, stringing and repair work and a vast selection of rocks and minerals to a very loyal clientele. Designs can be yours, hers or a combination. There is always one given. The craftsmanship will be executed to perfection and the piece will attract recognition. ttp://www.designsbycc.net/ (207.761.9697.) On a recent visit to Designs by CC, I also discovered two new boutiques in the neighborhood: COREY & CO. and CHELLISWILSON.

Barbara Corey Rosencranz opened COREY & CO in 2009. A recognized artist and sculpture, Barbara brings her passion for three dimensional,functional art to the creation of COREY couture, one of a kind garments that are wearable works of art. Simple designs making a statement with textiles and/or finishing elements. Of equal significance are her offerings of jewelry, scarves, espadrilles, belts and inspired home decor. A night-lite "light book" shares shelf space with antique inspired sleeping gowns. Metal Pointas-Paris jewelry made from re-claimed tea pot and flatware mixed metals present in tandem to Peter Erickson's old world silversmith signet rings and cuff bracelets. COREY & CO personifies, "Less is more." Everything is appealing. Daily blog postings coming soon. (207.761.4200)

Newly opened and still merchandising is CHELLISWILSON, a minimalist, design inspired,very European boutique. Barbara(yes another,) features artisan constructed garments and furnishings from both coasts. Anxiously awaiting for more offerings culled with her designers eye! www.chelliswilson.com (207.518.9018)

Pleasant Street provides a shopping alternative for the person who seeks the unique, yet functional item to enhance their wardrobe and/or home. When you're exhausted from exploring the creative... grab a bite at one of the restaurants. Maybe you'll have energy for more browsing.

Seeking something new? Get out of the Port and off the Hill. Make way to Pleasant Street where the newest and freshest will be found. Most establishments open M-Sat. and by appointment.

THE LOST JUNE of 2009

June 2009. The month the Atlantic Northeast became the Pacific Northwest. Gloom, gray, rain- forest down pours and flat-lined temperatures with a range of 10 degrees. We New Englander's just aren't used to so many days without sunshine and blue skies. We've begun to celebrate "blue sky sightings!"

Where as a year ago I wrote about the sight and scent of walking the footpath and breathing deep the aroma of linden blossoms and honeysuckle, this year the torrential down pours flushed the linden blossoms to the ground , never having one bright, warm, sunny day where the air is filled with their intoxicating fragrance. Woe is me.....and many other regulars on the footpath.

Sunrise on June 20 had the majestic Great White Egret, standing in the green marsh grass,back lit with the rising sun. It was a spiritual moment.

And, yes, I do have to admit that after some of the late afternoon storms, the westerly setting sun illuminates the B&M Bean factory across the cove and paints the parting clouds with psychedelic pinks. A vision only nature could create. Until the "real" Maine summer arrives, we'll take what nature serves and look forward to "blue sky sightings!"

ON THE FOOT PATH

A warm breeze blows from the southeast. Trees are tipped in lime green leaves. The marsh grass has turned from brown to green overnight. Each Sunday, a designated "Walk for a Cause," takes to the foot path to raise funds for their organization. I know that the landscape architect, Fredrick Law Olmsted, would be pleased to know that his pedestrian walk-way, designed in the 1860's is used for such worthwhile civic celebrations.

Spring and all the glories that renew and refresh us each year has arrived.

Taking to the foot path for a late afternoon stroll, I feel like I'm visiting a botanical garden in full bloom. Residential gardens are showing their flowering spring finery: Daffodils, tulips, Japanese cherry trees, crab apples and forget-me-nots.Let me capture the image as it may be gone tomorrow.

By the Twin Bridges, a Great White Egret regally stands, snapping bugs from the air. Taking flight at the sensing of a change in motion, she retreats to a more protected inlet across the Boulevard. Feeding continues. The arrival of this Great White so early in the season is another sign of our unusually warm, sunny spring. I'll take it...with pleasure.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK, MAY 2009

The weather was perfection. Sunny and seventy degrees. Could this really be May 1? Don't talk about it. Just enjoy it! So, I did on the First Friday Art Walk in Portland, Maine.

Beginning at AUCOCISCO GALLERY, now re-located to 89 Exchange Street, the place was humming with excitement. Patrons mingled in the light, open space that features contemporary fine art in a historical setting. Featured artist is Mary Hart whose ultra-realistic miniature interpretations of all things common is uncommonly pure in image and presentation. See her work at http://www.aucocisco.com/

Back out on the street, walking through Monument Square to the Arts District on Congress Street, it was feeling more like First Friday Fun Walk! People were out "en masse." A crowd gathered around Whitney Art Works where a sold-out live performance, BLUE HAMMER, was the weekend venue.

Up the street MECA students were selling wares created during their year of study. I'm a sucker for supporting these bohemian kids. A little dipping bowl, t-shirt and photos..I'm on my way.

Between MECA and The Holly Ready Gallery in the State Street Theater building on the corner of High St. and Congress, I was fortunate enough to encounter a May Basket and become the delighted recipient! Check out: http://vintagepointe.blogspot.com/

At the Holly Ready Gallery I was excited to see, up close, her vibrant, luminous, exploding with color, paintings of sky, sea and a few landscapes. http://www.hollyready.com/ Visiting her site is a wonderful journey but you can also watch her at work in the gallery located at 608 Congress Street.

My evening concluded at Restaurant 555. YES. They do have the best burger in town!

See you walking about.

LEAVE IT BETTER THEN YOU FOUND IT

The title is taken from one of the HYDE SCHOOL'S 12 Principles. It was a principle put into practice on April 24 as the employees of GORHAM SAVINGS BANK divided into teams of three and cleaned up all the litter that had accumulated on the grounds surrounding the Back Cove. Working diligently, they filled bag after bag with trash left behind by the many footpath pedestrians who apparently have no awareness of, "leaving it better then you found it."

Kudos and thanks to GORHAM SAVINGS BANK for creating an uncluttered, emerald ring around the crystal blue tidal basin. As I took to the footpath this morning it even smelled clean. Isn't it interesting how cleanliness affects all of our senses.

Maybe that's why a snowy egret has returned to our shores earlier then usual this season.

Let's all of us, "Leave it better then you found it."