LEWISTON – The Central Maine Medical Center Rotating Art Gallery is featuring two artists during April: Bonnie Bartlett of Auburn and June Dragoon of Peru.

Bartlett is a landscape artist who paints only with oils. She was encouraged by a friend to take classes and she found that painting was a good source of stress relief.

She worked several years in the shoe industry in Lewiston and Auburn before going to school and graduating with a business degree from Central Maine Technical College.

Bartlett now works at a local retail store as an associate manager, but her true love is oil painting.

Bartlett said she hopes to portray the beauty of nature as she sees it.

Dragon said, “Painting gives me a new way of looking at the world. Color, for me, is the most emotional aspect of painting. It is the reflection of life. I work in a variety of mediums, although the versatility of watercolor to me is magic.”

Dragoon said she enjoys painting New England scenes and florals. “Recently I have been commissioned to do several portraits. It has given me a chance to touch people’s lives,” she said.

“Although I have studied with a number of well-known artists, I am basically self-taught. I am constantly learning and striving to improve my technique. I want the viewer to feel as though they are entering my paintings,” said Dragoon. “I have exhibited in many galleries and have paintings in private collections throughout the world.”

She said, “I enjoy alpine skiing, mountain climbing and camping with my family. I love a challenge. Probably that’s why I am an artist.”

The CMMC gallery is sponsored by the Woman’s Hospital Association. For more information about the association, call the hospital gift shop at 795-2295. To learn more about the art monthly exhibits, call Kathleen Cormier at 346-3462.