Strange Maine, It's all in a name

This is Gallery Talk WMPG radio's window into the Portland, Maine world of Art

Do you remember your dreams, your nightmares?
Are they in Color or Black and White?
Do you understand what the terms VHS & BETA mean to movies?
What was the first scary movie you can remember?

For me there were two the 1st was the old black and white thriller "Invisible Invaders" (the original body snatchers movie) and the 2nd a similar vintage B&W film titled "THEM".
That's the one with the giant ants they were exposed to nuclear radiation and mutated into the size of houses.  Nothing can stop themmmmmmm! 

What about GOD- ZILLA!

Godzilla vs Gigan
Godzilla vs Mothera
Godzilla vs Megalon
Godzilla vs Zero
Son of Godzilla
Curse of Frankenstein
House of Frankenstein
Frankenstein & Me Staring Burt Reynolds (really no kidding Burt Reynolds stars in a Frank Stein Movie)
What about Hulk vs Wolfman, or
Wolfman vs Thor,
or the Captain, Wolfey vs Capt America.
These titles and more available at...
STRANGE MAINE located at the intersection of Forest and Congress street is the 
VHS vs Beta max  horror monster movie specialty house, Eclectic vinyl record store, Hoarders paradise for Scifi memorabilia. Honestly perusing the movie selections is like traveling in time machine
the cover art on the VHS boxes is trick & a treat all in one.  

Hey If you need a VHS player they will sell one of those to you too!


What does this have to do with Art  Galleries?


Strange Maine also has an Art Gallery
Once inside the store of many weird things,
look behind and above the door.
Yeah up there,  those 8 paintings that's the Art gallery!
This month featuring the works of painter Michael Connor
Vivid Colors & freak show like scenes ,
Michael's nightmares & dreams are for sure in color
with painting themes perfect for viewing this Halloween week , the week where freaks, Zombies and the ghoulishly strange rule.  My Fav is the "Subterranean Shaman" a 10" X 10" format bold ghoul image in a subway passage.  A $40.00 price tag makes this weirdly affordable art. 

Strange Maine lives up to is name, some stuff is down right weird, don't stop in here if your in a rush, take some time to get into the eccentricity of weirdness and the incredible collection of horror-creature feature VHS & Betamax Movies, and don't forget to check up and behind the door for the Art Gallery and works of Michael Connor. 

Why go to Strange Maine ?

Because Your good mind needs a dose of pre-Halloween weirdness and good art! 

 The Gallery Talk is made possible by the University of Southern Maine and the generosity of you the WMPG community of listener-supporters.  The Gallery Talk blog is the text version of the art rant heard every Thursday at 7am , 5 & 9:30pm  On WMPG Radio 90.9 FM , 104.1 FM and streaming 24/7 at http://www.wmpg.org/

Addison Woolley Gallery Surprises Me again

This is Gallery Talk WMPG radio's window into the Portland, Maine world of Art

Do you know Susan Porter? Dan Dow or Andrea Van Voorst Van Beest,
I don't know about you but I love saying Van Voorst Van Beest!

Susan is the founder and curator of the Addison Woolley Gallery on  132 Washington Street .
Susan is cool.

Susan Loves art, but more than that she has passion.
You can't teach passion

Passion leads you down a path, it never follows
Passion picks you up if you are down
Bouys you if you are sinking.
It charts your course.
Susan has Passion

Susan has curated the current Exhibit with works of a Photographer and a Painter.
Susan is herself a Photographer, so she knows good composition and content when she sees it!
Dan Dow is a Photographer his works of the Irish Landscape are beholden, they reek of time, conveying a tale of an age long ago...
Sometimes Photos bore me,  Dan's Photos surprised me, I liked them more than I thought. My favorite is of the Glendalough Church and Cross, they were built a long long time ago and it shows...  Dan captured that.

Now the Painter,  VanVoorst Van Beest,  Susan Says she's got a touch of Gauguin in her painting.   I'm no Post-impressionist expert but I think she's right.  Gauguin's technique was good and he could convey through a painted picture a story.  VanVoorst Van Beest has that grounding and solid technique with a believable, likable quality,  her works tell a story.  You could rail on and on for hours with out really describing it any better than saying "I get it" .  

The Current Exhibit of New Works has got the ability to tell a story , explain a time gone by and perhaps provide a surprise.

Why go see the art of Dan Dow & Andrea Van Voorst Van Beest at the Addison Woolley Gallery?

Because Your good mind needs good art! 

 The Gallery Talk is made possible by the University of Southern Maine and the generosity of you the WMPG community of listener-supporters.  The Gallery Talk blog is the text version of the art rant heard every Thursday at 7am , 5 & 9:30pm  On WMPG Radio 90.9 FM , 104.1 FM and streaming 24/7 at http://www.wmpg.org/

Majestry of Trees , a tribute to the mighty Herbie 1793-2010 & friends

This is gallery Talk WMPG's Window into the Portland Maine world of Art with your host Lars

North of the city of Portland there are several smaller communities, None suffered more of a loss this year than the town of Yarmouth .  The Mighty Herbie , The Mighty Elm , the largest Elm in New England , estimated to have been a we sapling in the 1790's, over 200years old with height of over 125' & a crown close to 200' across,  Herbie was one impressive tree.   After a fifty year battle with Dutch Elm disease Herbie was cut down , you could say Euthanize.  Now the love of trees grows deep (sorry about pun) in Yarmouth and a new Gallery show has opened in the Yarmouth Town Library Galleries, yes galleries as in 2 galleries. The Main Gallery hosts a Group exhibit dedicated to celebrating trees.  Works in print, paint (Oils, acrylics & watercolors),graphite, collage, fabric and book show case the talents of over 30 artists.   What I like about group shows is the diversity of medium and ideas,  this show does not disappoint as it celebrates the life, form and being of trees in more ways than one could imagine.

In the New Gallery 2, the library has been transformed with an installation art piece that takes you inside into the canopy of the elm tree and shares information about the little know reproductive structures of the Elm "The pods".  Strings of pods and a huge block print canopy of branches make this gallery space a 3 dimensional wonder that beckons you to enter in and mingle. Once in the vibe is calming & almost meditative. Project Director Mardie Weldon  coordinated the talents of artist Sue Hammerland, Lars Lindgren, school students and the towns senior citizens to construct over 400 elm seed pods and print 600 yards of fabric.  The exhibit is inspiring in many ways; First the organization of the towns people is an art many politicians would envy, secondly the installation art piece for me is what art is about ! It's a 360 degree visual display that provides the opportunity to enter into a seldom seen or experienced wonderland.   

To view a video of the exhibit click here

Why Go to Yarmouth's Merrill Library to see the Group show & the installation art piece the Majesty of Trees?

Because Your good mind needs good art! 

 The Gallery Talk is made possible by the University of Southern Maine and the generosity of you the WMPG community of listener-supporters.  The Gallery Talk blog is the text version of the art rant heard every Thursday at 7am , 5 & 8:30pm  On WMPG Radio 90.9 FM , 104.1 FM and streaming 24/7 at http://www.wmpg.org/