Paul J. Luise

Paul Joseph Luise was finally freed on February 23, 2026, and he left his worn-out shell of a body behind. It was a great relief to him. He will forever hold the love of his beloved wife, Janet Eastman, within him. For 30 years they were together. Finding Janet was a miracle story he loved to tell. He also left behind many true beloved friends. Self-images he liked were poet, artist in the medium of photography, writer, editor, outlaw, hero, generous friend and lover. Of course, other, less flattering images were applied by some. His favorite quote for years was by art critic Sadakichi Hartman who said, 'Better the important and meaningful, with mistakes and failures, than perfect mediocrity.'

Indeed, Paul lived a life that was far from mediocre. Born and raised in Lynn, Mass. He attended boarding schools there and later entered St. Francis College in Biddeford. As an aspiring poet, he became involved in photography to complete his poetic and literary writings. Later, he transferred to Rochester Institute of Technology to further pursue his gift with the camera, greatly inspired by attending workshops with Minor White, whom he considered his venerable teacher. He was one of the first in the area to artfully combine separate images in one shot, using only black and white to further his vision. He was fortunate to have many of his confreres, male and female, who loved being his models and inspirations.

In 1972, as a student at the University of Maine in Portland, Paul was invited to an art show downtown and was later invited to the studio of two of the resident artists in what was then the derelict Old Port area. He recalls that there were no streetlights, just boarded up buildings and unsavory smells in the darkened corners. He just followed their voices in the gloom. In time, Paul and two other artists shared the third-floor space in the old Mariners Church. Rent was $50.00 a month. There, by scavenging through the surrounding ruins, they found materials to build beautiful studios. Often, due to lack of heat, those three, and others already ensconced in the neighborhood since the 60's, would trek down to the newly opened Old Port Tavern. There, in warmth and like company, they all would gather, putting tables together and enjoying the music and good company. It was a halcyon time, their weeks filled with what they loved most, their art, their friends, their town.

As part of his desire to extend his world view, Paul took an extended trip out west to Santa Fe and Central Mexico. His travels included a fateful journey to New Orleans. It was there that his playful Desperado and Outlaw alter egos met with tragic reality. It was 1979, and Paul, along with his travel companions, were taking photos in a New Orleans Cemetery when they were accosted by thieves who robbed, then shot Paul in the abdomen. Though he did recover to lead a full and rewarding life, the latent and trailing impact of the injury came back to grievously haunt him later in life. Despite this burden, he was always an interesting, intelligent and wryly humorous companion to all his dear friends and a devoted husband to Janet.

For 53 years Paul lived on a magical site overlooking the confluence of the Saco and Little Ossipee Rivers in Limington. He nurtured the property from an abandoned building with an indoor chicken coop and two-seater outhouse. His boundless imagination found further outlets in creating beautiful flower beds and artful landscapes and gateways. In time it became part of his heart and soul, a place for his spirit to find its home. It was here that he opened Pueblo Pottery Maine, an elegant gallery from which he bought and sold authentic and beautiful native American pottery, jewelry and artifacts gleaned from further trips to the west. He prided himself in purchasing directly from the artisans themselves and over the years made many lifelong friends in the various communities he travelled.

This narrative could not be complete without mention of the many "Festivals of Righteous Insanity" which were an annual gathering of his many friends and fellow artisans in the gardens and on the stunning hills and fields overlooking the rivers. Days long, filled with music, wine, and camaraderie, these events were treasured by all who attended. A rogue's gallery of faces through the years is one of his legacies.

Paul leaves behind his beloved wife, Janet, many nieces and nephews and a veritable host of friends who are all honored to have known this unusual, talented and loyal man. From his self-scribed obituary, he wrote:

"At his funeral they played Take it to the Limit by the Eagles. Among those present were Friends, ex-enemies, artists, drinkers, writers, poets, masters and novices, teachers and students, angels, devils, brothers and sisters, believers and deceivers and a lone Coyote Angel who drank tequila as he sat in the shade nearby. They played Desperado for old times' sake, "You better let somebody love you" ….and he finally did…"

A memorial gathering will be held at Winslow Farm in Falmouth, ME on May 31at 4PM for one last gathering of shared memories and to bid him a fond farewell.