SOUTHWEST HARBOR — The Salty Dog Gallery is launching a new show that will be up through Saturday, Sept. 10 featuring the works of Chicago artists Betsy Bohmer and gallery owner Phil Steel.

There will be a reception to meet the artists at the gallery beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 1; wine, beer and soft drinks will be served with hors d’oeuvres.

Ms. Bohmer will be showing her “very sensual unique paintings which are reminiscent of works by Georgia O’Keeffe,” said gallery go-owner Joan Steel. Ms. Bohmer said her main source of inspiration is nature, especially flora and fauna. Recently, she has won numerous prizes for her work; best of water media; best of flora, and best of fauna in three consecutive juried shows in Melborne, Fla. One of her pieces is in The National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C. and her work is in numerous other private and public collections.

Mr. Steel will be showing a number of his new watercolors that were recently completed at The Wooden Boat Campus in Brooklin, Maine. His painting of Brooklin’s general store, was recently selected for inclusion in the Florida Watercolor Society’s annual juried show. Also on display will be a  number of his Swans Island series. “Much of Phil’s subject matter reflects his love of the sea, and the people whose lives are affected by it,” said Ms. Steel. “This past year his work has been shown in one-man exhibits at Calvert Marine Museum in Solomons, Md.; at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md.; and the Annapolis Maritime Museum. His work is permanently displayed at a number of museums.

His many national awards include The National George Gray Medal Award.

The Salty Dog Gallery, at 322 Main Street in Southwest Harbor, is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information call 244-5711.

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