Local Artist Featured at Wintergreen Art Gallery
Wintergreen Arts Center is featuring a solo show of the artwork of Presque Isle native Lorie Bonville Smith during the month of August.
The opening reception will be held on August 4, 2017, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm during the First Friday Downtown Art Walk.
As a child of 10, Lorie’s passion for art was recognized by her parents, who enabled her to foster as a protégé of the late Verna Hedrick. For seven years during after-school lessons with Mrs. Hedrick, Lorie not only learned the techniques of oil medium painting but was instilled with joie de vivre—joy of living—through art. To this day, Lorie’s motto is “Paint Happy!” She believes that being at peace with herself and the world around her is the key to creating her best art.
“Use the talents and resources you are blessed with,” has been a very meaningful life mantra to live by for Lorie. Born in Presque Isle and married Canadian, Lorie owns and operates Mustard Seed Art Studio and Gallery located at 402 Greenfield Road, Greenfield, New Brunswick.
In 2016, after 21 years of working in the healthcare industry, Lorie followed her heart and opened Mustard Seed Art Studio and Gallery in Greenfield. In her first year, Lorie painted 165 paintings. Her art varies in styles from realism, impressionistic, modern, and abstract. Lorie has recently begun working in a new medium, acrylic with a lacquer finish.
Lorie describes herself “like a tree” planted on the Canadian and United States border with roots and branches reaching into both countries—equally loved. Her art sales are split about equally between Canadian and American customers.
One recent, Canadian highlight was when the town of Florenceville-Bristol purchased a painting from Lorie to gift to New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant during his visit to the area on July 15, 2017. Nine of Lorie’s paintings also decorated the Shogomoc Train Museum while the Premier and other dignitaries were hosted.