LITTLETON, Maine — Renowned fine artist, educator and gallery director Frank Sullivan is proud to announce the 20th anniversary of Rainbarrow Studio. To celebrate two decades of artistic practice in northern Maine, Sullivan will host a public open house on Saturday, Oct. 24 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the studio. Community members, art enthusiasts and neighbors are invited to visit the studio, view recent works and celebrate this major milestone.
Sullivan relocated from Massachusetts to Littleton in 2006, transforming an old northern Maine potato barn on his property into a fully functional personal art studio and gallery space. Over the past 20 years, Rainbarrow Studio has served as the creative epicenter for his evocative landscapes, as well as a gathering place for community-focused art workshops and art education.
“I moved to Aroostook County over 20 years ago with little more than a dream and a lot of optimism”, Sullivan said. “The local community has been incredibly supportive and welcoming and the landscape has provided tremendous inspiration for me as an artist.”
Artistic style and regional inspiration
Working primarily in oils, pastels and watercolors, Sullivan’s artwork is heavily inspired by the agricultural and wooded landscape of Southern Aroostook County. Rather than strictly replicating literal geography, his expressionistic and abstract approach captures the essence of memory, shifting light and local atmospheric changes. He treats color theory much like a musical structure, utilizing deliberate harmonies, rhythms and improvisational paint layers to evoke emotional depth. His distinct regional style has earned widespread acclaim, culminating in a prestigious solo exhibition at the Maine State Capitol in 2025.
An enduring commitment to the local arts community
Beyond his independent studio work, Sullivan is deeply embedded in the northern Maine academic and cultural community. He currently serves as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, where he teaches BFA drawing, painting and color theory, while also directing the UMPI Reed Art Gallery and University Art Collection. Previously, he taught drawing and art appreciation courses at Northern Maine Community College for eight years. Dedicated to fostering creativity across all age groups, Sullivan has been a vibrant force in grassroots arts education, teaching public workshops at local schools, the Houlton Recreation Department, the Wintergreen Art Center and various local organizations.
Expanded literary contributions
The anniversary celebration also highlights Sullivan’s growing catalog as a published author. He has released two art books that delve into his creative philosophy. His first book, “Images & Words”, features 31 full-color reproductions of his paintings paired with deeply personal essays detailing his artistic process and the stories behind the canvases. His second and most recent book, “Drawing Is Everything”, was released this past summer. “Drawing Is Everything” features 29 full-color reproductions of his pastel and watercolor drawings paired with essays about his personal philosophy on the importance of drawing practice as a means of personal and artistic development.
Sullivan holds a bachelor of arts in visual arts from the College of the Holy Cross. He later studied printmaking under a Graduate Fellowship at The American University and studied graphic design and illustration at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Before fully committing to fine arts and higher education in rural Maine, he spent his early career working as a professional art director, graphic designer and illustrator, as well as a part-time art teacher. Today, his paintings reside in numerous private collections across the United States and continue to be exhibited throughout New England.
The 20th-anniversary open house is free and open to the public. For more information about Sullivan, his upcoming projects or driving directions to Rainbarrow Studio, please visit the official website at frankpsullivan.com.
