The Lincoln Home hosts special guest artist, Ruth Monsell in our living room, Friday, October 21, 4:00 to 7:00pm during the last Twin Villages ARTWALK. Water is the theme of Ruth’s work for this show. Sample delicious hors d’oeuvres and meet Ruth during the artist reception. Ruth will be cutting silhouettes of people this evening.

 “ I hope my paintings convey the fascination I have with my subjects.  I strive to reflect the beauty I see in our coastal landscape, as well as in the human form. I particularly enjoy painting subjects outdoors.  The impressionists have always been my inspiration.  Like them, I find the effects of light all important, both dramatic and moving.  I love painting people bathed in natural light, whether at work or play or captured in a quiet moment.  Additionally, painting the frenzied movement of our local alewives as they en masse churn up the waters has become a passion of mine.”

 Of her work as a silhouette artist for the past 37 years she has commented, “it’s a privilege to be helping keep alive an historic but nearly lost art form.  I’m rewarded by the delight so many people express when encountering me wielding my scissors.  It seems to connect many adults with their childhoods, when they first had their silhouettes cut. It’s also fun fulfilling orders for people all over the country from photographs, and being hired to travel for weddings and corporate events nationwide and in Canada. I’m particularly excited when called on to cut for events such as historical societies and museums. The day after my ArtWalk appearance I travel to Lewiston to cut profiles of students, faculty and their families in the Colby College Museum of Art.  I will relish seeing their exhibit of historic silhouettes on their walls, and knowing I’m a part of that tradition.”

 Ruth also paints portraits of children, adults and pets in charcoal, pastel and oil on commission, a pursuit which predates her cutting of miniature portraits.

 With any sales of her work, Ruth has offered to donate twenty five percent of the proceeds to Lincoln Home Resident Financial Assistance Fund.  The Lincoln Home, a non-profit, takes no state monies of any kind but  endeavors to provide assistance to those who need help.

Look for the yellow flag at The Lincoln Home, 22 River Road, Newcastle, stop 1 on the ARTWALK map. There is plenty of parking at The Lincoln Home.

For more information about the artists exhibiting at The Lincoln Home or the ARTWALK, please contact Kim Skillin Traina, Jumpstart Creative, 882-9870.