By Emma Bouthillette 

Staff Writer

Rain did not stop a group of local artists from painting the ‘Port this year.

Sunday was the fifth annual Paint the ‘Port, followed by an auction to benefit Heartwood College of Art. Heartwood President Berri Kramer said 42 artists braved the rain, mist and cold temperatures.

“Most people did it under cover,” Kramer said. “Artists are hardy souls.” 

Huddled in the back of her minivan, Christine Mathieu was working on watercolor sketches near St. Anne’s Episcopal Church on Ocean Avenue. 

“Water color is not too good in rain, it just washes away,” Mathieu said. 

She had been working on a larger painting of the Colony Beach and rocky coastline, but had to stop because the colors were running and the paper was buckling from the moisture. 

Down the street, near Chick’s Marina, Madeleine Hopkins was working with acrylic paint and using a photograph of the dinghies tied up to the dock area. She said she usually works in watercolor, but shifted to acrylic, anticipating the wet weather. 

“I’m looking through misty lenses,” Hopkins said. “It’s kind of impressionistic.”

Despite the weather and small crowd for the auction, Kramer said they raised more than $5,000 from the paintings that sold. 

“We were down a little for the audience. I think that’s part weather and part the economy, but we still did OK,” Kramer said. 

In past years, Heartwood College of Art has split the proceeds with the Kennebunkport Historical Society. This year, she said the college sponsored Paint the ‘Port alone. She said the profits enabled Heartwood College of Art to reach its fundraising goals.

Kramer said the college will continue to host Paint the Port, and is already hoping for sunshine next year.

Staff writer Emma Bouthillette can be reached at 282-4337 ext. 237.