LEWISTON — Colleen Rioux, an Auburn artist who specializes in oil painting and photography, will be the featured artist for the month of September at She Doesn’t Like Guthries, Middle St., Lewiston. An artist’s reception will be held at Guthries from From 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7. Rioux began taking lessons in 2005 from well-known artist and teacher Mercedes Gastonguay of Lewiston. Her love of art and nature has lead to a new series of bird paintings, including a male cardinal, bluejay, chickadee and her most recent piece “Love Birds,” which features male and female cardinals. 

In addition to painting, Rioux has a passion for photography. Since taking art lessons, she had found a new found appreciation for the little things around her.  This has given way to a new perspective of how she views an object. When she photographs a bird, a flower, or a butterfly, she strives to capture every detail.

Rioux is a long time employee  of Willis of Northern New England, Inc. (formerly The Dunlap Corporation). She and her husband, Bruce, have two children, Christopher and Jennifer.