SOUTH THOMASTON — The Kelpie Gallery in South Thomaston will exhibit four new works by Rockland artist, Jill Valliere through December 3.

Painted in her distinctive style, this series of four works of local landscapes in mixed media on panel is titled Lifting Spirits 1-4. The works incorporate plaster, acrylic glazes and copper leafing, which give the paintings an inner glow and changeable quality as the viewer moves around them.

The scenery is based on the Weskeag Marsh and other local rural waterways.

After studying decorative painting at the Rhode Island School of Design, Valliere opened her own decorative painting business, Valliere Design Studios. Primarily alone, but occasionally collaboratively with other artists, she created murals and decorative finishes in both homes and commercial spaces.

After 11 years, she left the commercial world of decorative painting behind to pursue her career in fine art. Valliere has incorporated some of the decorative painting techniques in her easel paintings to create landscapes with atmosphere and dimension. In her words:

"I have always been drawn to the vibrancy and texture of art, and this translates to my process of layering, adding and subtracting elements in my works. This additive and subtractive process creates textural surface and tension which ultimately brings forth the nuances of color, depth, and shadow. My use of metal leaf as a medium creates effulgent, transitional passages which serve as the basis for the conceptual origin of my work. "

Valliere's work has recently garnered international attention. Earlier this year, a curator from the U. S. Department of State's Art in Embassies program contacted Valliere at the request of the current Ambassador to Kuwait, who admires her work. Silver Lining on Somes Sound is now on loan and hanging in the ambassadorial residence in Kuwait.

The Art in Embassies program was first envisioned by the Museum of Modern Art, NY, in 1953 and formally instated ten years later by President John F. Kennedy to promote cross-cultural relationships through visual arts and artist exchange.

In the words of Secretary of State Kerry, "Art in Embassies cultivates relationships that transcend boundaries, building trust, mutual respect and understanding among peoples. It is a fulcrum of America's global leadership as we continue to work for freedom, human rights and peace around the world."

The Kelpie Gallery is located at 81 Elm St. in the Weskeag Village of South Thomaston in the red barn at Pepper Hill Farm. Fall hours are Mon, Tues, Thu-Sat 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Sunday and Wednesday.