In an exhibit titled “Places of the Heart,” East Boothbay artist Cheryl Blaydon explores many places – from the Caribbean to Maine. Her work is infused with remembrances of Italy.

The exhibit will be at Savory Maine, 11 Water St. in Damariscotta, from August 20 through October 2. An opening reception for Blaydon will be held on Friday, Aug. 31, from 3 to 5 p.m. Savory Maine will provide delectable finger food. Beer and wine will be available for purchase.

Blaydon’s art is a love affair with the Maine coast and the sea in general, and her many travels, including years of boating in the Caribbean as well as trips abroad have kept her canvases filled. They especially highlight her Italian sensibilities that coordinate with her first novel “The Memory Keepers,” a fictional memoir, and are a featured part of this exhibit.

“It is important to me to convey the light and color of my memories of the sea and to infuse them with as much atmospheric sense as I can in order to give the viewer the feelings I had while creating them,” Blaydon said.

The bold beauty, movement and smell of salt air that were imprinted into Blaydon’s imagination, along with lessons learned under the tutelage of artist Don Stone on Monhegan Island many years ago, still remain a constant and bring new life to her work to this day.

The cover of her second novel “Island Odyssey,” due out soon, showcases one of her Caribbean paintings to be seen at the exhibit.

Blaydon is past president of the Boothbay Region Art Foundation and exhibits in regional shows throughout Maine. Her work can also be seen year-round at Fore Street Gallery in Portland, at Boothbay Harbor Framers’ Gallery, and at www.mainelyseascapes.com.

A native of New York State, Blaydon is a graduate of Mildred Elley Business School in Albany, and she also studied at the Alizarin Crimson Art School in Florida.
Savory Maine is now open seven days a week, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and brunch and dinner from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 563-2111, visit their website, or like them on Facebook.