WILD COLOR: Maine Inland Landscapes
Original Pastel Paintings by Kathleen Perelka | On View June 12 – July 24, 2026 at the Center for Maine Craft
Describing herself first and foremost as a colorist, Perelka approaches every landscape by observing the subtle interplay of reflected light, shadow, and the colors that lie beneath the surface. Working in pastel, she captures not only the appearance of a place, but also its atmosphere, season, and sense of belonging. Her paintings are rooted in real Maine locations, yet viewers often recognize echoes of their own homes and landscapes within her work.
Perelka’s distinctive style blends realism, impressionism, and expressionism, creating paintings that are both deeply observed and emotionally resonant. Using the luminous qualities of pastel, she builds surfaces alive with color and light, inviting viewers to see the world around them with fresh eyes.
“Pastel is my medium. I love its immediacy and vibrancy. I love the way the stick feels in my hand and that there is no brush or pencil or implement of any kind between my hands and the surface I’m working on. I like pushing color around with color. I tell people I paint with dust particles in a stick that feel like little sticks of butter. Pastel has a sparkle that no other medium can compare to; each little particle reflects both color and light giving the painting a life force of its own.”
One of the greatest compliments the artist receives is hearing that her paintings have changed the way people experience their surroundings, helping them notice the pinks and periwinkle blues in winter snow, the violets hidden in tree shadows, or the quiet conversations suggested by a field of hay bales.
“My subject matter is close at hand. I live in the country and I paint landscapes. I am drawn to large expanses of land that remain somewhat wild and as yet undeveloped. I live in Maine where the entire state population is around 1.4 million so open land is still easy to find. The blueberry barrens in downeast Maine cover mile after mile with no buildings in sight. The leaves of the wild plants turn bright red in the fall and in places are shot through with stripes of weeds that are sometimes lime green or bright gold. The farm lands in Aroostook County are like big patchwork quilts, with fields of newly plowed under potato fields, blue green broccoli and gold winter rye. The marshes and heaths in different parts of the state are huge wetlands where birds seek refuge and streams meander and catch light of varying colors at every turn.”
We invite you to visit the Center for Maine Craft and experience Wild Color: Maine Inland Landscapes. Through these vibrant pastel paintings, Kathleen Perelka shares her deep appreciation for Maine’s wild places and the extraordinary colors found within them. We hope this exhibition inspires you to discover new beauty in the landscapes that surround us every day.
Visit the Center for Maine Craft:
288 Lewiston Rd West Gardiner, ME 04345
Open Daily, 9am – 6pm
(207)588-0021
center@shopmainecraft.com