Monthly Muse
August 2026
“August Sunset” by Mike McQuade
As many of you know, Stephanie and I are members of the New Hampshire Lakes Region Art Association, one of the state’s oldest art organizations. Each summer, the Lakes Region Art Gallery hosts its Annual Members Exhibit, inviting members to enter up to three works across ten artistic categories. Each year, we join the friendly competition by submitting pieces we consider among our strongest work from the previous twelve months.
Last year, we were fortunate to bring home three ribbons—two in photography and one in watercolor. This year’s exhibit was roughly 50% larger than usual, with nearly 100 works entered and a number of talented new artists adding to an already competitive field. Stephanie entered one watercolor and two pastels, while Mike submitted two black-and-white photographs and one color image.
Three independent judges evaluated the work on Wednesday, July 29, with ribbons and prizes presented during the well-attended Opening Night Reception on July 31.
This year, we came home with one ribbon—but a special one: First Place in Black & White Photography for Mike’s “Between the Drifts.” The monochrome photograph is printed on Fine Art Velvet paper and presented beneath a white, acid-free mat in a black gallery frame.
But the competition isn’t over yet.
The second part of the 86th Annual Members Exhibit is now in the hands of gallery visitors through the People’s Choice Awards. While the independent judges evaluated the artwork on artistic merit, visitors are invited to vote simply for the works they personally enjoy and appreciate most.
If you are in the area, stop by the Lakes Region Art Gallery, explore this exceptional collection of nearly 100 works, and cast your ballot for your favorites.
People’s Choice voting continues through August 30, with the winners to be announced at the September ArtTalk.
Lakes Region Art Gallery in the Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Rd, Ste #300, Tilton, NH 03246
Open Thursday through Sunday at 10:00am
Between the Drifts Takes First Place at the 86th Annual Members Exhibit
As noted above, the competition in the 2026 Annual Members Exhibit was especially strong. This year’s show drew an impressive 103 submissions from 39 artists, with many categories packed with exceptional work. Several accomplished artists also joined the competition this year, raising the bar even higher.
Stephanie, ever the consummate professional, began preparing her entries months in advance, thoughtfully developing and refining the pieces she would ultimately submit. Mike’s path to the exhibit was considerably different. A variety of “life factors” kept him closer to home for much of the year, and because all entries must have been created within the previous twelve months, his pool of eligible photographs was surprisingly limited.
The July 4th fireworks provided the spark he needed. After creating Fire in the Sky, Mike set out to find two additional images worthy of joining it in the competition. That search brought him back to a February 2nd visit to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. The trip had produced virtually no wildlife photographs—but the windswept dunes, sculpted by snow, sea grass, light, and shadow, had quietly provided something far more unexpected.
Art Submissions in the 86th Annual Members Exhibit at the Lakes Region Art Gallery
Click on an image to learn more
Wild Hearts, Pastel Painting
by Stephanie McQuade
Fire in the Sky, FA Photograph
by Mike McQuade
Splash in a Glass, Watercolor Painting by Stephanie McQuade
Between the Drifts, FA Photograph
by Mike McQuade.
First Place ~ B&W Photography
Old Soul, Pastel Painting
by Stephanie McQuade
The Sleeping Dunes, FA Photograph
by Mike McQuade
The Colors of
High Summer
July brings a richness of color that feels entirely its own. The landscape settles into deep greens, gardens burst with reds, yellows, pinks, and purples, and lakes reflect a broad summer sky. In the distance, hills often soften beneath a veil of heat and humidity, while evening light warms everything it touches.
For Mike, summer color is often shaped by light. A familiar shoreline can change completely as the sun drops lower, turning blue water to silver, gold, or copper. Haze can soften distant mountains, while reflections add color and movement that may last only a few moments.
Stephanie often responds to summer color more freely. A garden, meadow, or woodland scene may inspire stronger contrasts, unexpected color combinations, or a looser interpretation of what is actually there. Rather than recording every detail, she uses color to capture the warmth, energy, and abundance of the season.
Whether seen through a camera or expressed with paint, the colors of high summer remind us to slow down and notice the landscape at its fullest.
What we are working on
What! No Pictures?
July is the month we start seriously focusing on the annual competition for members of the Lakes Region Art Association. Yes, we knew this event was coming since way last year at this time. And the knowledge of the event and the need for planning never escapes us throughout the preceding ten months. But we are "artists" and other priorities tend to step to the forefront during that long window. In July we see the window starting to close and we focus on finishing up the artworks we hope will win the coveted prizes.
We’d show you what’s being entered, but that might influence the impartial judging. So no pictures until the August Monthly Muse comes out.
We are allowed three submissions total for the exhibit each August. Stephanie is in pretty good shape with two contenders completed and framed. Now the pressure of selecting or generating a third artwork is weighing heavily on her mind, and is competing for preparation for her July watercolor class in Meredith at the League of NH Craftsmen . From what I have witnessed, these two tasks are running neck and neck, fighting for priority and brain cells.
My submissions are another story. In past years I have had selections made and framed by July. That is not the story this year. Schedule and personal responsibility issues have kept me estranged from my camera for most of the year. And since one of the requirements for entry into this annual competition requires new works in the previous twelve months, my pickings are quite limited. To date, and I have one color image waiting to be framed, and a potential contender for the black and white photography category.
No matter the number of submissions we bring, this is always a fun event. It is our only "juried" competition and the only annual event with cash prizes. In recent years, we have both done well, taking home one to three ribbons between the two of us. We hope you can find the time to check out this event that runs from July 31st to August 30th. Or better yet, join us at the Opening Reception on Friday, July 31st, starting at 4:00 pm. By then ribbons will have been placed on corresponding artworks, many of the artists will be available to meet and greet and we'll have light refreshments for all to enjoy.
And don't forget to cast your vote in the People's Choice Award. The jurying judges rate artwork on merit and competence. The visiting public is welcome to vote for their favorite based on desire and the feeling the art brings to them.
86th Annual Members Exhibit at the Lakes Region Art Gallery in the Tanger Outlets, 120 Laconia Road, Suite #300, Tilton, NH. More information is available on their website, www.LakesRegionArtGallery.org/events.
Works in Progress
Unnamed Still Life in Pastel
Unnamed Landscape in Watercolor
Unnamed Still Life in Pastel
Unnamed Pastel painting based on a Sherwood Frazier Photograph
In the Frame Shoppe
I have a few things in the frame shoppe but they are for the LRAA Annual competition and can not be shown until after they are hung in the exhibit in early August. But why wait? Stop by the Lakes Region Art Gallery to check out our submissions as well as those we are competing again.
Lakes Region Art Gallery, 120 Laconia Rd [Tanger Outlets], Tilton, NH