The Salt Exchange

As a former television meteorologist in Portland and Boston, Ellen Thayer has been a Maine island adventurer for most of her life.  Living on Casco Bay in South Portland affords frequent boating and kayaking excursions where Ellen finds limitless artistic inspiration and is particularly drawn to the mesmerizing colors of the sea resulting from fluctuations in light, weather, and the environment.  Along with creating oil paintings and driftwood sculptures, Ellen uses other media such as shells, stones, and sea glass to create coastal inspired works of art which are sold through her website: maineislandtreasures.com  Recognizing the significant character of Maine’s islands, Ellen donates ten percent of sales to two organizations where she has been a long-standing member: The Maine Island Trail Association and Island Institute.  Ellen has exhibited in several juried shows including The Ogunquit Museum of American Art’s Invitational, as well as gift shops and galleries in Maine. In recent years, commissions have expanded to include pet and people portraiture, and last fall Ellen collaborated with three interior designers to create paintings for the Portland Symphony Orchestra’s Designer Showhouse. Ellen has been painting in oil for over twenty years and continues her art education through independent study and artist workshops.  

Summer 2009
Jeremy Hartford: “Images of Greece” Photography
http://www.jeremyhartford.com ‣

Fall 2009
Tom Cook: “Architecture Daydream” Oil/Water Color

Winter 2010
Martha Marques: “Threads of Meaning” Textile/Fiber Art
http://marthamarques.com ‣

Spring 2010
Matt Welch

Summer 2010
Don Peterson
http://www.donaldmpeterson.com ‣

Fall 2010
Neill Ewing-Wegmann: “Ruins” Acrylic/Mixed Media
http://www.neillewingwegmann.com ‣