by Morgan Rogers. First published in the Magazine Maine Insights
The inside gallery at Berry’s, 153 Main St, downtown Waterville, features the artwork, Ramona du Houx. Due to popular demand the show, which started in December continues throughout January.Ramona du Houx creates fine art photography that looks like watercolor paintings evoking mystery and a sense of wonder. Some find them nostalgic and some mystical. Many have said the images have a healing nature. See more at http://www.photographybyramonaduhoux.com.
Ramona is currently represented by Gallery Storks of Tokyo, Japan and is also a member of the Maine Artist Collaborative and the Harlow Gallery. She currently has another exhibit until the end of the month at the Constellation Gallery, 511 Congress Street, in Portland, Maine.
“For me art reflects where we live in our communities, as well as where an artist is in their heart, mind and soul,” said Ramona. “In 1979 I began to paint with my camera to depict the interconnectedness of nature. I took the initial results to the Museum of Modern Art in New York, where they recorded them long ago. The continuing results have been unpredictable, intriguing, and thought provoking.”
The photographic watercolor technique is always a challenge.
“I never know exactly what the results will be, that’s the exciting part of the creation,” said du Houx. “I believe every photograph has an audience, someone the work will speak to personally.”
Buying a piece of art is a lifelong investment. To be able to be transported to another place and time or to find peace by viewing at art is a priceless experience.
Often people don’t realize the time and expense artists put into their work.
“How can anyone put a price tag on the time it has taken for any artist to achieve the level of expertise they have obtained to create the work they do?” asked du Houx. “People need art, like food. Art fills the soul in a way nothing else can.”
The matting, framing and production materials are expenses artists make daily and they add up fast. Many Maine artists barely break even and most have other jobs to support their artistic passions.
Du Houx is selling her works displayed at Berry’s at a 30 percent discount. “I’d like them to find homes, here in Central Maine,” she said.
Locations like Berry’s, throughout the state, offer special opportunities to local artists. They fill the void.
“We do what we can,” said Michael Giroux owner of Berry’s. “Waterville has a great community and were honored to be a part of it.”
Berry’s show space offers local artists a friendly venue to exhibit their work and a way to continue to grow Waterville’s creative economy. With Colby College’s new museum, and Common Street Arts, Waterville is gaining momentum and attention as a place to visit for art.
Berry’s is open Monday thru Friday from 9:00am – 5:00pm. And Saturday from 9:00-3.00pm.
Photographic art by Ramona du Houx 