Mercedes Gastonguay

About the Artist

A Maine native and Franco-American artist, Mercedes does original artwork on commission in all subjects and media. She is noted for her pen and ink renderings and paintings of homes and businesses. Her talent and versatility have led to many challenging projects including Maine seascapes and landscapes, rustic still lifes, portraits, florals, religious subjects, and scenes depicting her Franco-American heritage. Her works are represented in private collections and she has been invited to exhibit in Maine galleries including the Nettie Ricker Art Gallery in the Maine State Building at Poland Spring, juried art exhibits including the Tri-County Area Artists exhibits at USM's L-A College and at the State House in Augusta. Mercedes and her students were also invited annually to exhibit a variety of subjects and media in USM's Atrium Gallery at L-A College. In addition, her Bates College campus prints are available at the Bates College bookstore in Chase Hall.

Mercedes is recognized as a Franco-American artist with her historical 46'' x 54'' tableau entitled ''A la memoire de nos ancetres'' (In Memory of Our Ancestors). It will be on exhibit in various galleries and it was displayed in the Senate Office at the State House in Augusta. A 32" x 37" framed giclee print may be viewed at Museum L-A and private collections. Mercedes is the featured visual artist along with her oil canvas, ''A la memoire de nos ancetres'', in a new publication, ''Voyages: A Maine Franco-American Reader'' through The Franco-American Collection at USM's L-A College.

Mercedes has retired from thirty years of teaching art to children and adults in her Apple Sass Hill Studio. She continues to create her own works that are available by appointment or through gallery exhibits. A self-taught artist, she also credits outstanding workshop instructors for much of her education.