Seacoast Artist Association readies for Halloween

EXETER — In September, the Seacoast Artist Association in Exeter shows that art is for all ages.  This is the month of their annual Mystery Kits show where all proceeds of sales of the kits and a portion of the sales of the finished art go to their Scholarship fund.  There are always a lot of creative pieces by young people, such as "The Abduction" by 8 year-old Dean Thorp shown here.

The SAA's  ongoing Body of Work program features two of their gallery artists, one whose work is also great for kids.  Zoë Brooke’s show of fabric art, “Whimsy, Wool, and Wonder” came about because of the birth of her new son.  “A few months ago, my husband and I welcomed our son and soon after I set to work at decorating his nursery. What I found through that process is that traditional nursery art is rather boring. Generic, similar takes on themes, none of which I found compelling. Thus, this series was born – an eclectic collection with just the right balance of whimsy & wonder. My aim was to create art that would inspire the imagination and call upon knowledge of classic fables, while offering textural elements for a multi-sensory art experience. I am primarily an acrylic artist, but after having my son, the ability to while away the hours in my studio became nearly nonexistent. Suddenly, I had a random 20 minutes to work on my art instead of the 3-4 hour blocks I was used to. So, my adjustment came with a shift in medium – from brushes and paints to needles and wool. Felting has allowed me to pick up and put down my pieces throughout the day as time allows, without worry of lengthy set-up or clean-up. It also brings with it a textural element that my baby adores, allowing him to be a part of the process.”

Longtime SAA member Anita Freeman's solo show is titled "Playing with Color."  "Painting pictures has always been about capturing an experience. My paintings often have been about places I have been. Back in the studio, my memories of the day and the place flood back and become the energy that fuels the paint on the canvas.  What drew me to paint in later years was the practical reality that I now had the time to devote to  something I had always wanted to do. Every child is an artist and I was too. Late in my career, after my  children were grown, I was fortunate to find an excellent art teacher, Lully Schwartz in Amesbury MA.  I studied with her for about 5 years. Her patient encouragement launched me into a world of color and movement with oil paints. I also did some watercolor but oils were so luscious and vibrant that I have  stayed with them.  Sometimes the landscapes appear on canvas just as I see them. Lately, not only what I see, but  what I hear, and smell and touch is coming through. My paintings seem to be more colorful and less detailed. So the new works are different, a bit sassy."

All artwork is for sale.  Meet all of these artists at their Second Friday reception on Sept. 13, 5-7 p.m., and enjoy music by Portsmouth musician Carol Coronis with wine and refreshments.  The Seacoast Artist Association is located at 130 Water Street in historic downtown Exeter.  See more at seacoastartist.org and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Seacoast Artist Association readies for Halloween