ROCKPORT —  The exhibition season kicks off at the re-launched Michael Good Gallery with a solo show by New York painter Beverly Shipko. You CAN Have Your Cake and Eat It, Too: Paintings by Beverly Shipko opens at 325 Commercial Street (Route 1) in Rockport on June 12. The Grand Re-Opening Reception is July 8, from noon to 5 p.m.

The exhibition is free and open to the public Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. from June 12 through Aug. 1, 2017. Several special events are planned.

"We're so excited that our first big show in our newly renovated original location on Route 1 in Rockport will feature deliciously rich works by widely acclaimed painter Beverly Shipko," said Avi Good, gallery manager at Michael Good. "This is the first time Beverly has had a solo show in Maine. Her decadent paintings of irresistible desserts and other tempting treats are as rich as the subjects they feature, thickly painted and oozing with appeal. Her long time obsession with the subject matter is quite a story, which she will tell us about during her Artist's Talk in July."

The exhibition will feature dozens of Shipko's works in oil on canvas, as well as prints and original drawings: from petite 5-inch by 7-inch panels to jumbo 36-inch by 48-inch canvases.

Shipko is an American artist best known for her oil paintings of partially consumed classic desserts. Shipko said in a press release: "I believe that on some level all people are attracted to things they are not supposed to have. I am no exception." Her "slice of life" approach has resulted in unforgettable images of Oreo cookies and ice cream sandwiches "bitten", plus cakes, pies, and fruit tarts in states of human consumption. More recently, she has been exploring packaged desserts, bakery displays, and vending machine treats.

Michael Good Gallery plans a unique Artist Reception for Beverly Shipko on Saturday, July 8, from noon to 5 p.m. Festive and fun refreshments reflecting Shipko's artistic themes will be served.

The following Sunday, July 9, at 10 a.m., Shipko will explain her confection obsession during an Artist's Talk, entitled "Sweet Revenge of the Dentist's Daughter... how a daughter deprived of candy, cookies and ice cream used a paintbrush to taste them all."

FMI: visit michaelgood.com or call 207-236-9623.