The Gallery on Chase Hill in Kennebunk Lower Village (www.maine-art.com) will exhibit a rare show of paintings by Edward Gordon, one of the top American contemporary realists. The show runs from Saturday, August 11, through Monday, September 3. Gordon will be at the reception on the opening night, from 5 to 7 P.M.

The show will feature about 22 of Gordon's paintings, including several on loan from collectors. Gordon creates only a few of his richly detailed paintings each year due to the length of time it takes for him to paint each piece of art.

Images shown in article: "9 A.M." "Approaching Storm" "May" "March 21"

Gallery owners John and Francesca Spain enthusiastically point out that this will be a rare opportunity to see so many of Gordon's pieces in one place and time.

"Edward Gordon's original alkyd paintings will be featured in this unprecedented show," says John Spain. "This is an extraordinary opportunity to view many of Edward's seldom-seen original paintings."

Using alkyd, a fast-drying oil paint that allows an artist to work in luminous layers, Gordon painstakingly creates realistic scenes that feature beautiful interiors looking out on breathtaking scenery. There are no figures of people in is paintings because, he says, they would distract the viewer's eye and disrupt the harmony of the space.

Gordon says, "My goal is to make paintings so realistic, that viewers are drawn into the imaginary space and share in the peaceful feeling that I try and incorporate into each work. I relish the subtleties of light reflection combined with architectural details that falls somewhere between realism and surrealism."

But Gordon's art goes far beyond reproducing architectural elements, stairways, windows and empty rooms with a view. With sunbeams streaming across rich pine floors, warm light caressing fine furnishings and subtle colors pooling in reflections, every painting invites the viewer into the scene.

"There is something mystical yet serene in the quiet light found in interior spaces presented in harmony with the luminescent effect in the sky," says Gordon.

Gordon's paintings may be confined to a picture frame, but they draw the observer right into the scene. In "9 A.M.", which appears on the cover of this week's Tourist News, the warm colors of drapes, lamp and small objects on a small table, lead the eye to a landscape of waves crashing on rocks below. The view from the window, as in many of those depicted in Gordon's paintings, comes from the artist's imagination.

"Approaching Storm" portrays a hallway with a vase of delicate sweet peas sitting on a lace-draped table. A painting by Vermeer is hanging on the wall - one of Gordon's favorite personal touches. In comparison, beyond the tranquil scene, through a window with wind-blown curtains, lies the rough sea.

In "March 21", the warmth of the sun caressing the exterior of a New England house, casting blue shadows on the remains of winter's snow, gives us the promise of spring. It is the light that is the focus of much of Gordon's work.

Gordon, who left behind a successful career as a CPA to become a full-time artist, found inspiration in an exhibit of Andrew Wyeth's paintings back in the 70's.

As a child, he had shown signs of having artistic talent but initially chose to pursue a business career. His change from an amateur to a professional artist came about when he sold several paintings that he created while taking an art course. Since then he has been featured in many art magazines and books as well as on the cover of Yankee Magazine.

Now living in Vermont, Gordon dedicates all his time to his art. Both technically and aesthetically talented at portraying luminous light throughout his art, Gordon has a following of collectors who wait eagerly for him to finish his next painting.

The Gallery on Chase Hill is located at 10 Chase Hill Road, Kennebunk Lower Village and is open daily from 11 A.M. to 5 P.M. For more information call 967-0049 or visit www.maine-art.com. Find out more about Edward Gordon on his Web site at www.gordongallery.com.