I stopped by Artists Alley, originally the brainchild of the late artist Jim Taliana that first hit the street, er, alley (Bridge Street and the By-Way) for the 50th WJD in 2012. The event has grown since then and is now in Whale Park on Commercial Street right here in gorgeous Boothbay Harbor, Maine. I hadn’t been to the event for a few years (as longtime event organizer Janet Brennan reminded me) and the variety of art and media was impressive, to say the least. To say the most … well, as all we “Michener-esque” writers are keen to say, read on ...

I was very taken with Stephanie Crossman of Vinalhaven and her 3D knotted netting sculpture and paintings. Stephanie learned this craft/art form from her husband Matthew Crossman’s great grandmother-in law but didn’t begin making art of it until one day, years later, Stephanie found one of the grandmother’s homemade needles in her antique netting table. Since that day Stephanie has taken the art of net making into an art form. She began making bags and scarves, then after discovering how to make lace-like netting she began designing original, nature-inspired 3D art that she brought to Artists Alley. Sea creatures like jellyfish, octopus; birds, insects, and flora … some are presented under glass domes, some behind frames. The latter often appear in an outdoor scene in which Stephanie adds some watercolor paints. It was, she said, trial and error finding a way to stiffen the subjects of her art.

“I was lucky,” Stephanie said. “My first show was in the 2013 Smithsonian Craft Show. And, I can say that Susan Sarandon bought one of my lightning bugs at a craft show on Vinalhaven. She picked up the jar and looked at it and asked, ‘Why are there holes in the lid?’ I said, “How else is it supposed to breathe?’” Sarandon’s response: “Sold.”

Those of us of a certain age can remember a time when lightning bugs were more commonly seen – and in greater numbers than today. I can still see myself, my sister and cousins in Pennsylvania outside on a summer’s night dancing with the fireflies, catching some in our jars with the holes made in the lid. We let them go after dancing. I think my older cousin had Beatles 45s on the turntable and we’d sing and dance with our bright acquaintances until it was time to set them free … and go to bed. Fond memories like this one are one of the reasons why someone would want to have a Stephanie Crossman Design such as that one. And if I had my card on me … I might have bought one, too … or that pretty framed thistle! Or the “Essence of Seeded Moss” was pretty cool and sci-fi. I hope Stephanie returns to the Windjammer Days event again next year.

Artist Pamela L.B. Shockey’s oil paintings were visually stunning – rich, deep and bright oil paint and the large canvases compelled passersby. One in particular, “Georgetown Dreams,” a scene at Reid State Park, was, well, it was huge! Pamela said she’d done it first as a diptych and triptych and then the 30” x 72” painting at Artists Alley. Reid is a favorite spot. It’s like having two worlds in one: You can have the traditional seashore, hiking trails, rocks jutting up from the water to climb and walk on. In this painting the rock really grabs you; it, in fact, rocks!

Sea Salt & Silver owner Courtney Hutchings had some of her sweet pearl jewelry at the show. It is made with sustainable and natural materials, including recycled sterling silver she gets from a company that collects it and melts it down. Courtney’s jewelry features ethically sourced gemstones, including the AAA grade freshwater pearls, opalized wood, emeralds, tourmaline, aquamarine … Maine beach stones and glass. Lovely jewels are designed and made by this young, talented woman from Gray. I’m still thinking about a few black pearl earrings … good thing Courtney, and all of the others at Artists Alley, have websites!

Eric Darling of Appleton has been painting with the rope and the work is eye-catching. Eric is a self-taught artist who has painted in oils for decades. These art works are the result of his Drift Rope Project (2021-2022), which was partially funded through a grant by the Maine Arts Commission. The Project became an installation sculpture to draw attention and awareness of the potential upcycling the pot warp as art medium. The project pieces were at Merryspring in June. Nature scenes above and below the water are mixed with geometric patterns … very cool work. Drift rope isn’t just for welcome mats anymore! Eric weaves the pot warp into garden sculptures, wall panels … yeah, I hear ya – I want some!

There was a family from Goshen, Indiana at the event on Friday with two little girls who had tried their hands at painting fabric with the folks at TLAR-207, LLC “Paint-Your-Own” out of Lisbon. And what gorgeous, long scarves they painted! Naturally, photos had to be taken! So, accompanying this column, you’ll see them – the scarf with green as the dominant color was done by Marlee, and the blue scarf by younger sister Quincy. Such fun!

Offering a live demo was Vero Beach-based artist Leonard Mizerek (Fellow, American Society of Marine Artists) who was invited to the event by friend and fellow artist Rick Reinert. Turns out though, Leonard had work at Gleason Fine Art, he reckoned some 30 or more years ago when he was into watercolor. He’s been working with oils since and began his painting finished the second day of the event on board the Balmy Days. The painting featured schooners Lewis R. French and Sycamore when the gorgeous ships were in the Harbor on Wednesday. He is particularly fond of the light at Camden Harbor and paints there as often as he can. I’d like to spend more time speaking with him, so perhaps he will return next year. After checking out his website, I see he’s got some stories – and gorgeous work.

Laureen Hylka Wondolowski works with oil and pastels and was another demo artist at the event. Her painting completed that day had been sold to Carol from Nashville, Tennessee. Carol said she just loved the feel of it and the colors. This longtime art collector added that it would fit nicely into her suitcase, too. The painting was a delightfully moody piece – the fog (and there was plenty of that during the week-long festival, not to mention rain) a central “character” filtering the boats it surrounded. Laureen’s website and FB page have some lovely examples of her work, too.

John Seitzer of Joy to the Wind Gallery was also one of the many demo artists at Artists Alley. John has a great sense of humor in addition to being a fabulous artist. John has been at every Artists Alley. He finished one painting and began another so folks could see how he got to the finished product. And, I’ve no doubt John had a great time entertaining everyone both days. In addition to John, demo artists included Charlotte Thibault, Don Demers, Olean Babak, Jackie Jones and Rick Reinert.

In addition to these fascinating creatives, Artists Alley chair/organizer Mary Wawro and Janet Brennan (artist selection) were pleased to have Dianne Horton, Derek Keenan, Denis Leblanc, Susan Lipman, George Mattingly, Natalie Reed, Herenya Wilkey, Ann Schaefer, Nancy Shaul and Chris Cambridge.

If you missed it this year, don’t make that mistake again! See you ’round the waterfront in 2024.