Worth Examining: Paintings of Maine by Dan Daly

Worth Examining presents a compelling collection of contemporary Maine paintings by Dan Daly, a Camden-based artist known for his observational oil paintings of New England landscapes, coastal life, rural architecture, and everyday moments. Drawn from scenes across Maine—including lakes, rivers, camps, shorelines, farms, and small towns—the works capture the region’s distinctive light, seasonal atmosphere, and enduring sense of place. From expansive oil-on-linen landscapes to intimate studies and watercolors, Daly’s paintings reflect a deep commitment to draftsmanship, realism, and plein air tradition, while remaining grounded in a modern, painterly sensibility. The exhibition highlights iconic Maine subjects such as Moosehead Lake, the Penobscot River, autumn forests, working waterfronts, and quiet domestic interiors.

Rooted in decades of daily drawing and direct observation, Daly’s work balances technical skill with emotional sincerity, offering paintings that reward repeated viewing. His approach—described as “doing a common thing uncommonly well”—aligns him with traditions of American realism, contemporary landscape painting, and narrative figurative art. Whether depicting a gusty day on the coast, a sunset over inland waters, or a figure absorbed in reading at camp, Daly records moments that feel both personal and universal. Worth Examining celebrates the enduring appeal of Maine art, representational painting, and thoughtfully crafted images that honor light, place, and lived experience—making this exhibition especially resonant for collectors of contemporary realism, New England landscape painting, and Maine fine art.