Artist Statement
“In my paintings I try to capture the quiet beauty I see all around me. I want my paintings to be more than just a picture. I want them to rekindle a memory – of a person, a place or a certain day. When my viewer says, ”this reminds me so much of …….”, I know I have been successful.
I am extremely pleased to be chosen as one of the top artists in Waldo County, Maine, by both The Republican Journal’s and The Citizen’s “Best of the Best, People’s Choice Awards Competition.” It is an honor I will always treasure. I sincerely thank all those who made this possible.
And I wish to thank all my students for helping me to grow as an artist. We all worked very hard and my reward was seeing them reach a new and deeper understanding of their art. And in teaching, I continued to learn. It was a great partnership. Thank you all.”
About the Artist
In January 1999, Celene and two other Maine artists established The Working Art Gallery in Belfast, Maine. The name was chosen because the three artists maintained their studios at the gallery. Visitors were encouraged to watch and ask questions. Celene served as manager as well as a participating artist and taught art classes and workshops at the gallery and in her home studio.
When the local newspaper began its “Best of the Best, People’s Choice Awards Competition” in 2007, the gallery was voted the top art gallery in Waldo County, Maine. When the Artist Category was added to the competition the following year, Celene was voted the top artist for 2008 and again in 2010.
The gallery retired in 2013 and Celene is enjoying more time for painting. Her work may be seen in local galleries, on her website and in her Ebay Store.
Celene works in oils in the traditional style. Her landscapes are influenced by her love of Maine – it’s mountains, the land, the sea, her quiet rural life, her family and the people around her. The old world influence of the Chiaroscuro style of painting can be seen in her still life and night paintings – the strong contrasts of bright lights and mysterious, dark shadows.
She is also an avid plein air painter and a member of The Plein Air Painters of Maine.
A retired health care professional, she grew up in a small town in Connecticut. The surrounding farms and rolling hills instilled in her a love of nature and an appreciation of simpler times. A Maine resident for more than 50 years, Celene and her husband reside on their farm in Morrill, Maine and today she’s still painting, teaching and exhibiting.
Her quiet life is reflected in her paintings.
Education
Certificate in Advanced Oil Painting, North Light Art School, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Attended workshops with Barbara Applegate, Stapleton Kearns and David Curtis, among others.
Continuing education and on-line classes and workshops.
Gallery Representations
Allan David Gallery, Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Art Gallery, Stowe, Vermont
Art on the Veranda, McKinney, Texas
Bucks County Gallery of Fine Art, New Hope, Pennsylvania
Magnolia Art Gallery, Greensboro, Georgia
Ocean’s Edge Gallery at The Fireside Inn, Belfast, Maine
Orison’s Gallery of Fine Art, McKinney, Texas
Prescott Gallery, McKinney, Texas
PS Gallery, Litchfield, Connecticut
Red Roof Gallery, Enfield, New Hampshire
St. Augustine Art Association, St. Augustine, Florida
Sea Fine Art Gallery, Calabash, North Carolina
Uptown Gallery, McKinney, Texas
Waldo County General Hospital, Belfast, Maine
Working Art Gallery, Belfast, Maine
Awards
Belfast Republican Journal – “Best of the Best People’s Choice Awards,” first place, artist category, 2008 and 2010.
The Citizen – “Best of the Best People’s Choice Awards,” first place, artist category, 2010.
Best of Show, Matanzas Beach Art Show, Summer Haven, Florida, 2008.
Best of Show, Sea Fine Art Gallery, Calabash, North Carolina, 2007
2nd Place, The Florida Artisans Show, Gainesville, Florida, 2006
Front cover of the Maine Travel Guide, Captain D Downeast, 2003
Front cover of The Belfast, Maine, Chamber of Commerce Guide, 2003
Best of Show, Manchester Fine Art Show, CT, 2001
Memberships
Plein Air Painters of Maine
Maine Arts Commission
The Maine Art Scene
Professional Fine Art Artists Gallery
The Maine Artist Group
The Virtual Paint Out
The Complete Artist
History
Current – Oil painting instructor and active artist.
September 2013 – The Working Art Gallery retires after 15 years.
October 2003 – Implemented the addition of a Visiting Artist’s Gallery on the second floor representing over 30 artists.
September 2003 – Purchased building at 65 Main Street, Belfast, Maine, expanding the gallery to two floors.
2000- 2004 – Co-founder, coordinator and financial manager of The Belfast Art Galleries Association.
January 1999 – Co-founder, co-owner, manager, art instructor, participating artist, The Working Art Gallery, Front Street, Belfast, Maine.
The Working Art Gallery is named one of the best art galleries in Waldo County, Maine, by The Republican Journal’s “Best of the Best People’s Choice Awards.”
Shows and Events
May 2019 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
September 2018 -“Great American Paint Out”, Oil Painters of America, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
May 2018 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
September 2017 -“Great American Paint Out”, Oil Painters of America, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
May 2017 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
September 2016 -“Great American Paint Out”, Oil Painters of America, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
May 2016 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
September 2015 -“Great American Paint Out”, Oil Painters of America, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
May 2015 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
September 2014 -“Great American Paint Out”, Oil Painters of America, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
August 2014 – HVOWC Juried Art Show, Belfast, Maine
May 2014 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
December 2013 – Holiday Show, Art on the Veranda, McKinney, Texas.
November 2013 – Benefit Show, Prescott Gallery, McKinney, Texas.
September 2013 – “Great American Paint Out”, Oil Painters of America, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
June 2013 – Featured Artist, Prescott Gallery, McKinney, Texas.
May 2013 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
March 2013 – Florida Seaside Art Show, Summer Haven, Florida.
December 2012 – “Dickens Holiday Show”, Prescott Gallery, McKinney, Texas.
October 2012 – Featured Artist, Orison’s Gallery of Fine Art, McKinney, Texas.
September 2012 – “Great American Paint Out”, Oil Painters of America, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
June 2012 – Featured Artist, Prescott Gallery, McKinney, Texas.
May 2012 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
October 2011 – Featured Artist, Orison’s Gallery of Fine Art, McKinney, Texas.
September 2011 – “Great American Paint Out”, Oil Painters of America, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
July 2011 – Featured artist, Allen David Gallery, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
May 2011 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
October 2010 – Featured Artist, Uptown Gallery, McKinney, Texas.
September 2010 – Plein Air Painters of Maine Show, Allen David Gallery, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
September 2010 – “Great American Paint Out”, Oil Painters of America, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
August 2010 – “Summer Show”, Art Gallery, Stowe, Vermont.
July 2010 – “Friendship Day’s Paint Out and Art Auction”, Friendship, Maine.
May 2010 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
October 2009 – First Annual Art Show & Auction, Penobscot Marine Museum, Searsport, Maine
September 2009 – “Great American Paint Out”, Oil Painters of America, Boothbay Harbor, Maine.
May 2009 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
May 2008 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
March 2008 – Matanzas Beach Art Show, Summer Haven, Florida.
September 2007 – Juried Art Show, P.S. Gallery, Litchfield, Connecticut.
August 2007 – Aldermere Farm Art Show, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Rockport, Maine.
May 2007 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
April 2007 – 32nd Annual Juried Art Show, Anderson Art Center, Anderson, South Carolina.
March 2007 – Matanzas Beach Art Show, Summer Haven, Florida.
August 2006 – Aldermere Farm Art Show, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Rockport, Maine..
May 2006 – 26th Annual Juried Art Show, Bangor Art Society, Bangor Maine.
May 2006 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
March 2006 – The Florida Artisans Show, Gainesville, Florida.
August 2005 – Aldermere Farm Art Show, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Rockport, Maine.
May 2005 – Juried Art Show, St. Augustine Art Association, Florida.
May 2005 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
March 2005 – Juried Art Show, St. Augustine Art Association, Florida..
November 2004 – Passy-Greenway Art Show, Coastal Mountains Land Trust, Belfast, Maine,.
August 2004 – Aldermere Farm Art Show, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Rockport, Maine.
May 2004 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
September 2003 – Art at the Boathouse, Belfast, Maine.
August 2003 – Aldermere Farm Art Show, Maine Coast Heritage Trust, Rockport, Maine.
June 2003 – Belfast Paint-Off, Belfast Sesquicentennial Council, Belfast, Maine,
May 2003 – Senior College Festival of Art, University of Maine, Hutchinson Center, Belfast, Maine.
August 2002 – Summer With the Arts, Topsfield, Massachusetts.
July 2002 – Art Show by the Sea, Charleston, South Carolina.
July 2001 – Beautiful Walls Art Show, Waldo County General Hospital, Belfast, Maine,
July 2001 – Art at the Farm Paint-Off, Kelmscott Rare Breeds Farm, Lincolnville, Maine.
September 2000 – Art in the Mountains, Conway, New Hampshire.
August 2000 – Oil painting instructor at The Summer Alpha Omega Program, Belfast, Maine.
July 2000 – Oil painting instructor at The Summer Alpha Omega Program, Belfast, Maine.
July 2000 – Manchester Art Show, Manchester, New Hampshire.
September 1999 – College of The Atlantic Art Show, Bar Harbor, Maine.
August 1999 – Art at the Beach, Lincolnville, Maine.
July 1999 – Arts in the Park, Belfast, Maine.
June 1999 – Art Show, Marsh River Theatre, Brooks, Maine.
March 1999 – State of Maine Sportsman Show, Augusta, Maine.
December 1998 – Art Show and Sale, Harbor Hill, Belfast, Maine.
August 1998- Art Show, Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
August 1997 – Juried Art Show, Maine Center for Contemporary Art, Rockport, Maine.
July 1996 – Juried Art Show, Maine Center for Contemporary Art, Rockport, Maine.
