FEBRUARY 2017: ‘Paintings in Oil’ a Group Exhibit of Visual Art

(Portland, ME) Richard Boyd Art Gallery opens the month of February with an exhibition of original paintings in oil featuring works by artists’ Austin Stilphen, Felicity Sidwell, Paul J. Noël, and Rabee Kiwan. While each artist has their own style, technique and approach to the medium, they are joined by a passion – painting with oils.

Paintings in Oil opens Friday, February 3 at 10:00 a.m. The exhibit is on view free of charge between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through February 26, 2017. Additional days and times can be scheduled by appointment.

About the Artists

Austin Stilphen ~ ‘From Sawyer Mountain’ ~ Oil on Canvas 16″ x 20″

Austin Stilphen is a twenty year old art student whose paintings in oil depict his interpretation of rural landscapes untouched by modernization. He has the same vision as many landscape artists before him, to reawaken our love of nature. Inspired by 19th century Hudson River School artists, Stilphen strives to emulate not copy those painters that came before him and shares the same desire to preserve areas of natural beauty. Austin says, “I create these paintings in hopes people will understand and appreciate what we have on this planet. When we wake up tomorrow it could all just vanish. It is a precious gift and we should make it our duty to preserve and protect what we have left of it.”

Felicity Sidwell ~ “Totman Cove #8″ ~ Oil on Canvas 9″ x 12”

Felicity Sidwell‘s artistic journey has been one of constant exploration, study, evolution and growth. Originally working in the 1960’s, in medical microbiology and hematology in the UK, she started painting when she moved from England to Connecticut with her husband in 1971. Felicity lived and painted on the coast of Maine for many years, recently moving to Gettysburg, PA. A long standing member of the Plein Air painters of Maine Felicity says, “Painting out on location, en plein air, is for me the best way to capture the fleeting colors produced by light, specific to that time and place, and my emotional response. The study of changing light, with weather and seasons, and its effects on the mood of a landscape has become a lifelong passion. Painting for me is a two way process, a non-verbal communication between me and the future viewers of my work. I try to express with paint on canvas not only the beauty of the landscape before my eyes, but the atmosphere, the feeling of being there, to share with the viewer a sense of place.”

Paul Noel ~ ‘My Back Yard’ ~ Oil on Canvas 40″ x 30″

Paul J. Noël is a member of the Newburyport Art Association and the Copley Society of Boston and recently retired from a forty year career as an Interior Designer, with a client list spanning the United States. Paul says, “I dabbled in art, here and there, but never had the time or motivation that I have now. I can paint with a passion and carefree attitude, with no distractions. I have taken courses along the way including a four month sojourn to Paris to immerse myself in painting. I left Paris with a new found spirit and ability which I could never have discovered in small doses, in Maine. This was the tipping point to my new life as a fine artist.”

Rabee Kiwan ~ “Pink Fog and Rocks” ~ Oil on Panel 12″ x 16″

Rabee Kiwan is a certified Internal Medicine Specialist practicing in Portland, ME who has created art on and off again for many years. Rabee grew up in Lebanon, where his art was influenced by the sounds, tastes, and diversity of cultures in the area. Kiwan moved to the United States in 2002, moving from Ohio to Maine in 2006. When asked about his love of art Rabee said, “Art is not only an escape mechanism, it is a passion. I see paintings and colors in everthing around me. Even ordinary things make magnificent paintings when you put your feelings into it.”

About the Gallery

Richard Boyd Art Gallery is located on Peaks Island at the corner of Island Avenue and Epps Street, in the first building on the right, on the first floor. The gallery exhibits original works of visual art created by artists with a connection to the state of Maine.

During the months of April through October the gallery is open between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. daily. From November through the end of March the gallery is open between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Additional days and times can be scheduled by appointment.

For more information about the exhibit please contact the gallery by phone at 207-712-1097, via email at info@richardboydartgallery.com or visit http://www.richardboydartgallery.com . Like the gallery on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RichardBoydArtGallery .

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