Art of Tim Sample – Opening Reception

Maine’s “Humorist Laureate” is also an artist and illustrator and on Friday, May 16 we celebrate the artistic career that Tim has created. Reception upstairs in the gallery beginning at 4 pm. Free.

Following his graduation from Boothbay Region High School in 1969 Tim Sample studied art at what is now MECA –The Maine College of Art in Portland.   Over the course of the next decade from 1970-1980 his prolific output as a professional artist and illustrator included, “The Mainers” a bestselling annual Maine humor calendar, several books of down east humor including regional bestsellers “How to Talk Yankee” written by Tim’s former BRHS English teacher Gerald Lewis and “Stories Told in the Kitchen” by Maine storyteller Kendall Morse.  During this decade Tim also created several popular T-shirt designs, corporate logos, advertising art and an original greeting card line -“Veg-O-Grams”, which was sold nationwide, including at Macy’s Department Store in New York City!    With the release of his first album of Maine humor in 1980, Tim’s increasing success as a performing artist inevitably tended to overshadow his art projects. But he never stopped drawing!  In the early 80’s Tim spent almost four months designing and executing a large, (12.5’ X 28’) oil painting, on the dome of the Pittsfield Public Library, in Pittsfield, Maine. The mural entitled “Reading, the Gateway to Imagination continues to attract visitors to Pittsfield.  The artwork and illustrations in this show are mostly from the 1970’s but also include work from the 80’s and beyond, including cover art and illustrations from Tim’s regional bestseller “Saturday Night at Moody’s diner” published in 1985. Gallery open Tuesday-Friday from 10 am – 2 pm, and open for ticket holders during all May and June performances.