Bethany Harper Williams is a well-loved artist at Maine Art Hill in Kennebunk, Maine. Between her home and studio in New York and her beach house in nearby Biddeford Pool, she finds her inspiration for her cityscapes, beachscapes, and boats, to name a few. However, her inspiration has recently taken on a new life, the kind with four legs and fur. 

“I’ve been working on several dog commissions lately,” shares Williams. “They started almost two years ago when I was trying to figure out a gift for a friend’s ‘big’ birthday.”

What do you get for a friend who had a young German Shepherd that was his baby? She decided to create a painting of Marlo. 

"I had so much fun painting her, and he was so touched by the gift," says Williams. "I decided to try more. It's fun capturing the character of different dogs, especially fun - and challenging- and capturing the motion of a wet dog. And, of course, there are dogs and beaches."

"Recently, I was asked to do a commission through Maine Art Hill of a beautiful white lab named Stella. This was to be a surprise gift for the woman's husband. After she inquired if I did studio visits, we arranged a date for them to visit my studio in NYC where I would unveil the painting," tells Williams. 

This past weekend, they flew from Louisville, Kentucky, to NYC. Her husband didn't find out where they were going until the morning of the flight.

"They were thrilled with the painting of Stella, and we had a fun visit at my studio. It turns out they have a wall with paintings of Stella from when she was a puppy," says Williams." This will join the other paintings on Stella Halla."

 

The gallery at 14 Western Ave in Kennebunk has a lovely collection of Bethany Harper Williams' work. Please stop by to see it in person or check out her artist page online. Also, save the date for her summer show with David Witbeck from July 5 - 23. Note that the Artist Reception: will be held on Saturday, July 12, from 5-7 p.m., the weekend following the opening, to ensure both artists will be there to chat.

Save the Date for William's 2025 Summer Show

Artist Reception Saturday, July 5, 5-7 PM