In this winter's studio paintings, Brad’s focus is on capturing the energy of the scene, whether it be shimmering light or moving water, rather than on the technical details that are common in maritime realism. Painting fishing schooners and sailing vessels can require pain-staking attention to the details. In Brad's latest maritime paintings, the natural brushstrokes took precedence to the intense rigidity of structure. In addition to capturing movement, the artist considered the overall tone of each setting, limiting color choices to simplify the mood and lay bare the emotion of t ..read more

“Morning on the Marsh”, an 8 x 10 oil painting by Brad Betts, is on tour as part of the Washington / Annapolis Invitational Marine Art Exhibition. The exhibition will be held at The National Press Club in Washington DC and then at The Annapolis Marine Art Gallery beginning April 18, 2024.   ..read more

Down East Gallery was pleased to host our first ever Paint Night! The event was put on by Knickerbocker Group as a social event for their employee-owners. Artist Ted Nelson led the evening paint, providing inspiration images and a live paint demonstration. It was an inspiring and fun-filled evening! View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize ..read more

Brad’s painting “Daylilies at Oak Point Farm” recently sold at Boothbay Region Land Trust’s Art for Acres auction. 100% of the proceeds benefitted the BRLT, which provides over 30 trails of year-round public access, free of charge, for residents and visitors to the Boothbay Region ..read more

Plein air paintings by Brad Betts, ASMA, Santa Barbara, CA Rattlensnake Canyon Rose Garden, Santa Barbara Mission Aloe Flowers above Butterfly Beach Yellow Umbrellas Beach Shacks Bird Lagoon, East Beach Beach Day Sea Foam, East Beach Golden Cliffs Mountains over East Beach Skimmers at Sunset Flowers on Channel Drive, Montecito Green Fishing Boat Hendry's Beach Storm Surf on Leadbetter Beach The Tatoosh, Santa Barbara Yacht Club Morning Deliveries Santa Ana Surf Skimmer Reflections Mission Style, Study Sunrise and Palms Evening Light, Leadbetter Beach Rooftops of Santa Ba ..read more

These works of art were created en plein air, from a grassy bluff overlooking Atlantic breakers crashing on the black lava rocks of the Azorean shoreline of Mosteiros. Mosteiros, acrylics on loose canvas, 12”x12”, brad betts, asma “The churning sea like a glass turquoise bottle tipped with white blooms, waving and rolling in an open field of blue broken by black ledges, twisted and sharp diffusers, round and swirling where the molten memory remains. Warming skin, soft tickle of loose tendrils, quick touchdown of a small fly. The chill of a shadow cast by the crater’s windward clouds. Lumps a ..read more

Down East Gallery is excited to share a new tapestry series from Priscilla May Alden: Powerful Women.    Artist Statement This group of tapestries is about powerful women and where we come from. We are connected to the spirit and strength of our ancestors, including Medicine Women. We are connected to the rhythm of Nature. We are nourished by Mother Earth. We aspire to being strong independent leaders …..voices for change and equal justice.  Ceremonial Dress symbolizes the dancers in ceremonies I saw at different Pueblos. The dancers were so focused and connected to the rhy ..read more

On August 17, 2021, Brad hosted a class for the young sailors from the 2021 Boothbay Sea and Science Center program. The BSSC class toured the gallery, learned about Brad’s inspiration and approach to maritime art, and watched a live painting demonstration while they created their own art with colored pencils. Brad’s painting “Sea and Science”, 11x14 oil painted live for the 2021 class from the Boothbay Sea and Science Center. The painting is based on a photograph by Bob Crink, which he took in East Boothbay of two young sailors enrolled in the BSSC program ..read more

If you’re planning a trip to Maine this summer, check out Danielle’s Insider Tips published in the March 2021 issue of Maine Magazine! Insider Tips for Visiting the Boothbay Peninsula The Boothbay region may be best known for its bustling coastline and Boothbay Harbor’s walkable downtown, but there’s so much more to explore. We caught up with longtime resident Danielle Betts, director at Knickerbocker Group, to find out how she likes to spend her time in the area. Read More… Read the Article ..read more

Brad completed over 45 plein air and studio paintings in the winter of 2020/21 from the beautiful seaside city of Santa Barbara, California. Please contact the gallery if you are interested in purchasing or seeing more of this west coast series. This collection was featured by writer Lisa Kristoff in the Boothbay Register and Wiscasset Newspaper… read the story. View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View fullsize View full ..read more