There’s always bright colors youdon’t see unless youstop and really look , ” said Marlborough artist Carole Jeffries , as she explained her use of vibrant colors in her watercolor paintings . Her work includes an image of hundreds of bright blue hydrangeas she painted at St . Clemens on Route 66 in Portland .

Jeffries , co-chair of the East Hampton Art Association 31 st annual Fine Art Show on Saturday , June 7 , was one of more than 30 artists who set up displays of their original artwork at the First Congregational Church on a sweltering day in the midst of the season’s first heat wave . The setting for the show was conducive to pleasant conversations between patrons and the artists themselves .

That is the advantage of the “ art show , ” as opposed to viewing art in a gallery or museum . The viewer gets the chance to talk with the artists and ask the inevitable questions : “ How did youdo that ? ” – “ What is the meaning of this one ? ” – “ What inspires youto paint something ?”

Co-chair of the show , Rita Gibbons of East Hampton , won the Friends of the Library Purchase Award in last year’sArt Show . Gibbons explains the special Friends Purchase Award as a wonderful way to share the artist’s work with the community : “ The Friends purchase the painting from the artist , it’s included in the Public Library’s permanent collection , and youcan ‘ take it out’ just like a book and put it on yourwall for a month . ” Her winning painting last yearwas “ a seascape with a seagull , ” she said .

This year’sArt Show included the usual oils and watercolors , along with some interesting innovations , such as digital photographic manipulation by artist Bill Evertson and the use of gold enhancement effects by one artist . All of the artists were from different parts of Connecticut , with the exception of Denis LeBlanc from Auburn , Maine .

The artists compete for monetary prizes and ribbons , as well as the Friends of the Library Purchase Award and the Mantikas Purchase Award ( named for Dr . George Mantikas of East Hampton ) , which are awarded every year.

Barbara Maiser of Old Lyme did the judging , walking among all the art display booths and discussing the pieces of art with each artist . Maiser , accomplished in watercolor and oil painting herself for more than 20 years, is an elected member of the Salmagundi Club in New York City , the Connecticut Watercolor Society , the Lyme Art Association and the Mystic Arts Center . Maiser said the variety in types of art and style make judging a challenge . “ But all of them boil down to good design , ” she said . “ It should have a certain unity , a certain balance , a certain color harmony – irregardless of what the subject matter is , even abstract . ”

A new art form in the show this yearwas presented by artist Bill Evertson of East Hampton , who works in the photographic media of digital collage . “ A favorite of mine , called ‘ Emerge , ’ has several different photos combined to make one - the sky , the hills , diving-bell helmet , floating flower , so it eventually looks like one photo of all of these things , ” he said . Evertson also works with some Japanese wood-block art forms . The winners of the show included : First Place : Denis LeBlanc of Auburn , Maine , for “ Red Sail” ( watercolor ) . Second Place : Carole Jeffries of Marlborough for “ Monhegan Island” ( oil ) . Third Place : Bill Evertson of East Hampton for “ Meltdown” ( oil ) Honorable Mention : Susan Santillo of Hebron for “ Haddam Falls” ( oil ) Rosebuds Flower Shop Special Award : Ruth Sayles of East Hampton for “ Pewter Pitcher and Grapes” ( oil ) . Creations Framing and Gallery Special Award : Katherine Berlin of East Hampton for “ The Mill House in Winter” ( watercolor ) . Special Mention : Maureen Girard , Portland , for “ Messenger” ( mixed media ) . Rachel Michaud , East Hampton , for “ Logan Falls” ( oil ) . Joyce Senesac , East Haddam , for “ Barn” ( watercolor ) . The Friends of the Library Purchase Award went to : Ruth Sayles of East Hampton , for “ Kachina Doll . ” The Dr . Mantikas Purchase Award went to Lenore Bear of East Hampton , for “ Harkness Park memorial . ”