Clown fish in 3D. Christmas tree in 2D. Derriere in 1D. Abstracts, ships, seascapes, landscapes, all with wings … OK, the wings part is an exaggeration. But at the rate the “Art in the Square” (12 by 12-inch canvases) paintings are flying out of the Boothbay Region Art Foundation, they might as well have wings.

This all began with just over 200 pieces completed by 85 artists for the 8th annual Art in the Square show, which opened Nov. 29, created by well-known local, Midcoast region, amateur and child artists. Gallery Manager June Campbell Rose reported 98 paintings had been sold by December 9; 30 of those on the day/night of the opening reception on December 7.

“We are definitely ahead of where we were in sales at this time last year,” Rose said.

The paintings are created in a variety of mediums: acrylics, watercolors, inks, paper painting collages, fiber arts needle felting, photos on canvas, oils, fingernail polish ... yes, fingernail polish. Talk about the unexpected!

Rose confirmed, without hesitation, this was the first time fingernail polish had been used as paint.

Boothbay Harbor resident and creative spirit, Martha Cowdery, was assuredly thinking “outside the box,” the day she ran across that drug store ad for nail polish. The variety of bright colors got her attention (especially the sparkly ones) and then imagination and curiosity took over. How well would they work as paint?

She decided to find out and bought 10 bottles.

So, did Cowdery use a palette? Did she use standard paint brushes?

“I used the application brushes that came with the colors,” Cowdery said. “Sometimes I brushed the polish on the canvas and sometimes I poured it on and then moved it around with the brushes,” Cowdery said.

The response at the Art in the Square show, from artists and art lovers alike, has been just what Cowdery would have wanted.

“I'm pleased everyone got the humor of it and have laughed about it. I still have some left, so right now I'm trying to decide what to do next to use them up!”

Cowdery participates in this event every year. It is her favorite show because of the variety of art in the show and because you don't have to be a professional artist to exhibit.

“This is part of our (BRAF’s) mission,” Rose said. “To make art accessible to all. This show has become so established it has a life of its own. And it generates such good will and good feelings that are worth more than the money.”

Artist and BRAF member Lynne Seitzer said she is continually amazed by the generosity of the artists.

Each artist can submit a maximum of four works, initially. As the show continues and paintings are sold, many artists create new pieces to replace them. The continual influx of “squares” keeps this art show fresh and interesting, adding a bit of holiday mystery and magic.

With the art moving as quickly as it has been, Rose said she was asked to start a waiting list at the opening reception, in case the artists brought in more paintings. Some of those artists include Roger Milinowski, Tony van Hasselt, Nathan Campbell, Maria C. Boord, Daniel Corey (of Rockland) and John Butke.

Butke, who was at the opening reception, said the show was a great way to offer affordable art to art lovers, but it was also good for the artists.

“It's a good time to experiment,” Butke said. “Maybe there's things (technique or medium) you want to do, this size work is perfect for that.”

All of the 12 by 12-inch canvases are $100 each, with one-quarter used to support BRAF's student programming and student art learning in the region.

The Art Foundation is located at 1 Townsend Avenue in Boothbay Harbor. Art in the Square continues weekends through January 5, Fridays and Saturdays 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays: noon to 5. For more information, call BRAF at 207-633-2703.