THOMASTON — In its current show Focal Points, The Kelpie Gallery is featuring the work of Allen Bunker and Pamela Hetherly, two artists depicting Maine landscapes in oil on canvas, but with very different results.

Allen Bunker creates atmospheric layers of land and sea, hinting at islands, water, clouds, without being too definitive. He had a career as a carpenter prior to finding his calling as a fine artist.

In describing his work Bunker says, “I try to paint the feeling I get from a particular scene. People vacation not just for the good weather and spectacular landscape but to 'Get Away' or 'Get back to nature.' These are feelings or emotions. My paintings are based on the landscape but if I am successful they go much further. I call them Landscape Allusions. My goal as an artist is to bring the viewer back to that feeling or emotion.”

As part of its Artist Series of wines, Lincolnville based Cellardoor Winery was recently inspired by Bunker’s work. They created a vintage red, the Cielos. The name, which is also the Spanish word for sky or a kind of cloud formation, was inspired by his painting chosen for the label.

Pamela Hetherly brings her unique viewpoint and color palette to landscapes, figures and still life paintings. She is constantly exploring new techniques and spent three weeks last summer in Italy in an intensive painting workshop with renowned artist, Connie Hayes.

Hetherly describes her reasons for painting, “I paint because the act of painting simply brims with pleasure. I love the evolution a painting undergoes from concept to completion. Always working on getting better, realizing that the truth is there is no end to this, painting gives my life a focus that is more fun than anything I’ve dedicated time to before. I am continually discovering a new way of proclaiming my place in this world.”

Focal Points will be on view through September. For more information please visit our website at thekelpiegallery.com