June 1, 2025 - June 28, 2025

The Blue Hill Public Library will host an exhibit, “Mixing Swirling Marbled Paintings,” by Midcoast artist Jon Byrer in the Blue Hill Public Library’s Britton Gallery and Howard Room for the month of June.

Byrer refers to his paintings as “poured puddle paintings,” created by laying the canvas flat and pouring on the enamel oil paint from above without using a paintbrush or touching the canvas. In this innovative process, the puddles of mixing, swirling, liquid paint join together to become a cohesive Maine landscape, vase of flowers, or even a portrait.

The process is done from start to finish with wet on wet paint over 8-12 hours. The entire surface is slowly covered with puddles of paint into one smooth cohesive layer that dries like glass. The mixing marbled colors are frozen in place when dried but maintain their swirling sense of movement. The puddles of paint emerge as familiar scenes of Maine’s magic and the splendor of the everyday.

According to Byrer, “Part of my art practice is getting the work out to the world through public libraries. Libraries are for everyone; for people who are seeking new ideas.  Art is for open minded people who are looking for beauty.  Libraries provide me an art venue within the community where everyone can look at the work and take my vision across the state.  This is why I have concentrated on creating my own library art tour across Maine.  By visiting public libraries and showing my paintings, I can bring my version of beauty to many different people who are seeking knowledge.”

Jon Byrer graduated from the Maine College of Art where he received a degree in photography and studied the fine arts. Jon creates oil paintings, experimental photography, and watercolor illustrations. He has been living and working in the mid-coast area for the past 20 years.

Learn more about this technique and Jon’s process on his website www.jonbyrer.com and YouTube channel  https://www.youtube.com/@jonbyrerart. The exhibition will be available for viewing during library hours through June 28, with access to paintings in the Howard Room subject to the meeting schedule.