Martin Lamont 

Vicarious Dreams 

As a person who has struggled on and off throughout my life with Agoraphobia and Anxiety, the idea of traveling to other countries again is reduced to hopes and wishes. To see again those places and those birds within my paintings that are only seen in the UK and Europe, is just a dream now. My paintings are a vicarious endeavor to “experience” them again, escapism from my disabling reality while “jailed” in my home, and therefore, the theme of my show is “Vicarious Dreams”.

I’m a self-taught artist inspired mainly by the works of the Impressionists.  All my life, I was a follower of the visual arts, admiring the great works in museums and galleries around the world, during personal and business travels.  As a retired Mechanical Engineer from England, the career long pursuit of perfection and accuracy within my Engineering work seems so ingrained that I find myself trying too hard in my painting to achieve a sense of realism. I therefore would describe myself as either a realist impressionist or an impressionist realist. 

Until I retired, I had always wanted to give oil painting a try but was always too busy with life. Now, since attempting my first oil painting in July 2021, I haven’t looked back and find myself addicted to the creative process, spending many hours every week at my easels.

Angela Branon                                 

Coastal Memories

My family immigrated to the US when I was five years old. I became intrigued with
exploring family history through my art while looking at old family photos.
One of my fondest memories was the long drive from my central Massachusetts home
to the coast of New Hampshire to spend a day at the beach.
The draw of the beach continues to be one of life’s pleasures to this day. I have
explored coasts from the US, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa with family
and close friends. There is just something about the tidal rhythms and the sound of
lapping waves that never fails to calm and relax. It’s no surprise I chose to retire to the
New Hampshire coast.
These paintings represent memories of family, friends and moments of serenity that is
unique to time spent on the beach. But the ocean can also represent a powerful force
of nature as seen after a nor’easter crashes through in all her majesty.

“We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”

TS Eliot

 Natasha Dikarena    

Wishing You Blue Sky

As I submerge in the stories and struggles currently unfolding from my motherland Ukraine, I feel determined to create sculptures that serve as symbols of hope, resilience, and unity. Each piece embodies a longing for a peaceful scene, where the clouds of war disperse, revealing a serene and boundless blue sky. Hands serve as symbols of healing from the wounds of war, both physical and emotional. Birds remind us that even in the face of disaster, there is always the possibility of renewal and the arrival of good tidings. The all-seeing eyes incorporated into hands and birds watch over us, representing wisdom and protection. These eyes remind us that we are never alone in our pursuit of healing, as they guide us towards a brighter future. This exhibition is an homage to the incredible resilience of my fellow Ukrainians and a tribute to the power of compassion during difficult times. Through my art, I hope to not only shed light on the ongoing war in Ukraine but also to highlight the strength and beauty that persist amidst the turmoil. I hope that one day, our collective dreams for a peaceful future will be realized, and we will bask under the embrace of a radiant blue sky.

Janice Leahy                                  

In Somnis Veritas:  In Dreams There is Truth

I wanted to be different, a bit of a non-conformist.  I like edgy art; I’m not attached to any one
particular theme. Therefore, my work is a mixed bag of this and that. I’m attracted to bold
colors, working with profiles or abandoned buildings; interior and exterior. There is something
that makes one look deeper at those images.  I consider this my darker contemporary phase. 
I’ve been drawing and painting since I was a child.  I studied business in college for economic
purposes (though I was accepted at two art colleges).  I did take the one-off class for art in
addition to business class but never completed any art degree.
​My work has been shown at NE Galleries.  I am a member of the Seacoast Art Association in
Exeter, NH, the Nashua Art Association in Nashua, NH and the Salem Art Association in Salem,
MA.  My work was published in the Apero Fine Art Catalogue (Oct. 2018).
Grief took over when I lost my spouse in 2019 and son in 2020.  I switched my primary medium
from Oil to Acrylic. Both losses have been difficult but also inspirational to me through my faith.
I am thankful for every day I breathe.  I believe my works reflect that.