Kathleen Thornton and Linda Healy share the spotlight in a two-person show at the River Room at River Arts in Damariscotta on June 3-23.  The artists are long-time friends, scientists by training and profession, and keen observers of the natural world.

Though there will not be an official opening, you can drop by to meet the artists in the River Room from 1-3 pm on Saturday, June 5.

Thornton works primarily in acrylics and takes inspiration from the Maine environment. Her career in marine science has provided opportunity to venture far from shore for long periods of time and has inspired many of her seascapes. Her paintings capture transient moments; seascapes caught between storm and calm, landscapes caught between day and night, the fleeting beauty of nature and the changing seasons. She seeks to reveal and evoke the spirit of Maine’s wildlife, lands, waters and people.

Thornton grew up in Waldoboro an extended family of artists and musicians and learned to paint in oil as a child watching her mother, uncle and aunts. She has pursued various avenues over the years to prefect her technique and craft. For more information please visitkathleenthornton.net.

Thornton prefers to work in a variety of sizes on a variety of grounds, such as canvas, ash panels and clayboard. She will also have greeting cards available for purchase.

Healy's work is tactile and functional. She is a weaver and her designs are rooted on a grid of warp and weft.  Like many artists, she finds colorways, patterns and inspiration from the natural world, but she also gives a nod to her Swedish heritage and historic Scandinavian weaving techniques.

Healy will show a wide variety of textiles in the River Room: blankets, bookmarks, rugs, wall hangings and kitchen towels. All are finely crafted in natural fibers including cotton, linen, wool and mohair. Those who appreciate the look, feel and function of finely crafted textiles, will appreciate the heirloom quality of her work.

Healy has been honing her craft for over 25 years. She is currently pursuing a Master Weaver Certificate. Additional information about her process and work is available at tidalweaves.com.

River Arts is located at 36 Elm Street in Damariscotta. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and Sunday from 11-3. For more information call 563-6868.

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