Brown’s work featured during Art Walk
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The artistic images of Lydia Jane Brown will be featured at Wintergreen Arts Center as part of September’s First Friday Art Walk.
LYDIA JANE BROWN, a Presque Isle native, will be the featured artist at Wintergreen Arts Center, as part of the First Friday Art Walk on Sept. 7. 
Here, Brown is shown in a self-portrait, entitled “Self,” done in oil pastels.
“Wintergreen Arts Center is excited to host an opening reception for artist Lydia Jane Brown on Friday, Sept. 7, from 6-8 p.m. as part of the First Friday Downtown Art Walk,” said Wendy Gilman-Zubrick, director of the center.
A native of Presque Isle, Brown is taking a break from studies to return to her hometown for the event.
“Born and raised in Presque Isle and living in the ‘big city’ of Portland, I am one year away from graduating with a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Southern Maine. My art is an incredibly large part of who I am and going to college for art simply seemed like the logical path to take,” said Brown.
When asked to describe her art, Brown said, “I find myself at a loss for words.”
“To me, it’s everything. And everything is a lot. I love to create and my creation efforts are solely limited by my tools and materials,” she said. “Naturally, then, I’m drawn to the readily accessible mediums of drawing and painting.”
Brown said her interest in art dates back to her childhood.
“My passion for art really took off with my interest in portraits at a young age. But as my interests have expanded, I’ve started to see art as the enticing playground of visual perception and interpretation – where anything goes,” said Brown.
For Brown, art is instinctive, rather than intentional.
“Often when I draw I have no real conscious intention. What I create is simply what I create. I’m always surprised and excited to find a depth of meaning behind what originally made no sense at all,” said Brown.
Brown said hearing other people’s interpretations is equally fascinating.
“That is why nothing brings me greater satisfaction than to share my art with others,” said Brown.
Musical fare for the evening is compliments of Mark and Jordyn Shaw.
“The father-daughter duo shares a love of great music. They both enjoy strapping on a guitar and bringing an old song to life or interpreting a new song in their own voice. They may do it with a splash of folk, blues, jazz or pop but always with a generous helping of soul,” said Gilman-Zubrick.
“Mark infuses folk and gospel in his original songs. Jordyn pours her heart into each musical phrase to energize the room,” said Gilman-Zubrick. “They hope you have as much fun listening as they do in creating the music.”
This event is free and open to the public. All are welcome. Light refreshments will be served.
