FREEPORT – Sarah Knock of Freeport is among the 34 artists featured in a 25th anniversary exhibition celebration of the Monhegan Artists’ Residency Program at the Thos. Moser Freeport Showroom, on 149 Main St. The ongoing exhibition continues through Oct. 14.

Knock said the Monhegan Artists’ Residency was a “pivotal experience” for her. It supports emerging visual artists by giving them living quarters, studio space and a stipend to live and work on Monhegan Island for six weeks.

Knock lives in Freeport with her husband, and is a full-time artist represented by Greehnut Galleries in Portland since 1990. Knock earned her bachelor of fine arts degree at Boston University in 1988 and was awarded the Monhegan Island residency in 1989.

Shortly after the residency, Knock began kayaking, which, she says, has given her the unique perspective of being close to the water surface. “I am most interested in reflections and what is underneath the surface,” she said. “The gift of time on Monhegan was pivotal to my career and one of the best experiences of my life. I have only returned to Monhegan a few times. Most of my work is inspired by kayaking on the Maine coast. I love to travel and have painted from experiences in Ireland, Venice, Alaska and the Amalfi coast.”

Knock answered questions regarding her art recently for Tri-Town Weekly.

Q: What makes the Thos. Moser Freeport Showroom a good venue to display your art?

A: They graciously agreed to jury and host this special exhibit to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the artist residency program on Monhegan and to raise public awareness for the Monhegan Artists’ Residency Corp., which sponsors these residencies. The Thos. Moser showroom is a beautiful setting for exhibiting a wide range of artists’ styles and motifs.

Q: What makes you want to paint on Monhegan?

A: This extended stay on Monhegan gave me the opportunity to experiment and focus on a direction after having recently graduated. Unlike some residencies, there was no pressure to produce a body of work and/or an exhibit afterward. Being surrounded by water in such a beautiful setting, along with the influence of both historical and contemporary artists of high caliber, was extremely important in the process that led me toward landscape in general and the water specifically.

Q: What is your medium, and why do you favor it?

A: My medium is oil painting, which I began in the late 1970s. I work slowly and enjoy the process of layering oil paint and drawing and re-drawing on the canvas with a brush. Oils dry slowly, which is a plus. I can wipe out an entire day’s work if I need to, let it dry and start over a few days later.

Q: How long have you been painting, and what are your favorite subjects, if any? How did you get started?

A: I started by taking drawing and painting classes in the area. Before that I was very involved in (black-and-white) photography beginning in Michigan while an undergrad. By the time I decided to commute to BU for a degree in painting, I had left (black-and-white) photography and darkroom work behind.

Q: How much time do you spend on a painting?

A: I usually have at least three paintings in process at any given time. Each takes weeks if not months. I also love the smell and intensity of the medium.

Q: Where else is your work on display?

A: I show exclusively at Greenhut Galleries in Portland. I am currently preparing for a solo exhibit there next July. I also apply for important shows like biennials and have been fortunate to be included in two at the Portland Museum of Art and one at the Center for Main Contemporary Art. I also appreciate showing at university and college museums/galleries and other juried exhibitions. I am a recipient of an individual artist fellowship from the Maine Arts Commission.

Freeport artist Sarah Knock with one of her paintings at the Thos. Mosher Freeport Showroom, which is hosting a Monhegan Artists’ Residency Program exhibit.