Step into the world of Anita Loomis, where conversations, connections, and cultural perspectives come alive on canvas. With bold black lines, radiant colors, and a whimsical, almost cartoonish touch, Loomis creates imaginative scenes that feel both playful and profound. Her work transforms everyday human interactions into spaces for reflection, using humor and curiosity to make complex ideas approachable. Rather than offering a single viewpoint, she opens the door to multiple perspectives, inviting viewers to consider how we relate to one another—and to the world—through the lens of differing experiences and cultures.

Leaning Tree Oil on Canvas 20x20 $750

"Leaning Tree grew out of the related consideration of shelter and environment, but I focus on the pine in particular because of its prevalence here in New England. I can't imagine the area without them," shares Loomis. "The pine holds a special place in Eastern cultures as a symbol of spiritual significance, symbolizing longevity, resilience, and hope. Especially now, those qualities are extremely valuable, and I greatly appreciate not only the symbolic qualities, but also the abundance of these beautiful trees in our area. The colors of this painting, celadon with forest green tones, are balanced with pale crimson. I felt these colors spoke to the quiet power of these important trees." 

Flying Oil on Canvas 20x20 $750

"In the oil painting Flying, I was musing about the idea of surveying my home and the town I live in by flying around.  I imagined myself observing changes to our future landscape from above. Time flies, we feel like we are flying at times, and it all goes by so fast that we forget to pause and take a look.  This addition to the collection of landscape paintings I build upon has a bit more of a temporal aspect; change is ever-present. It’s a way of looking at things where I remind myself to appreciate the positive aspects of the present before they are gone, and look forward to the future with optimism.  The geometric shapes that relate to architectural structures, and my treatment of plants and natural elements in the paintings, develop as I consider the ways we co-exist with the natural world. This relationship is constantly shifting over time, space, and place."

"In the painting Tree House, I found myself reminiscing about how I loved to climb trees when I was young. I didn’t actually have a real tree house. Still, something was exciting about climbing high, seeing my little world from a broader perspective, and seeing other creatures that live at this different level, closer to birds and tree animals.  Of course, being a bit of a klutz, I fell out of trees now and then, especially the willow tree branches that I would inevitably get my sneaker caught between, but that didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for, or appreciation of, the strong and sturdy giants that are all around us. In retrospect, as an adult, I think it is still very valuable to view the world from alternate viewpoints. It is a way to get a broader picture of our place in the world, and it fosters empathy."

Remember, all the Fall Favorites are hung as a show in the Show Galleries at 5 Chase Hill Road in Kennebunk. This collection of works is a collaboration of more than a dozen of our artists. All Maine Art Hill galleries open at 10 am daily. For seasonal hours, please check their website.  The gallery encourages you to join their email list to learn about the artists as they are announced! FMI 207-967-2803 or info@maine-art.com.