Artist Renee Lammers

     This is the little church in Sugar Hill, at Franconia Notch in New Hampshire.   I took this photo before the sunrose yesterday morning as I arrived here.  What a special little church!  I must paint this someday.  

    Today was day two of Stapleton Kearns's Snow Camp.  We watched him work on yesterday's demo painting after breakfast.  We were all bundled up in huge down coats.  My Cabelas's Alaskan man's jacket is very warm.  It is so warm heat radiates out of the sleeves of my jacket keeping my hands warm enough I don't need gloves!  

     I took some notes while he painted.  Here are some of the things he told us:

*  He uses Zinabar oil alkyd based primer on his boards.  
*  He likes LeFranc Blue instead of Cobalt Blue sometimes.
*  He likes Gamblin's Cobalt Violet best.
* He doesn't put down an underpainting color.  This is because there is not any color he wants under his paint.
*  Wolf Kahn burned Frederick Waugh's paintings after Kahn purchased Waugh's house.  
*  He used Cobalt Violet to draw his design in because it is a subtle color.  He uses this color to delineate the dark areas.  He sometimes uses Burnt Sienna, Ultramarine Blue, Ivory Black, and gray to draw the design initially.
*  When you paint a snowscape, make sure there is a lot of snow area reserved in the painting.  Seascapes need a lot of water area reserved.  One area must dominate. 
*  He leaves the snow area the white of the gesso board until most other areas are worked on like the sky or trees.  Then he comes back to the snow.  
*  If you can't name the color you see outside, it is an innominate color.  This color can then be any color a painter choses.  He can chose a color best suited for the color scheme of the painting.
*  Painters need to create a variety of shapes.  This variety in a painting holds the viewers eye interested longer.
*  Po-tate is a word he made up describing a painter cloning or using repetitve boring shapes in a painting. 
*  All darks should be connected.
*  All whites should be connected.
*  A painter can drop a value in the sky a little to make the snow look lighter.
*  He is not very interested in atmospheric perspective.
*  He told us this:  "Tell then what you are going to tell them, tell them, tell them what you told them."
*  Paint the sky around all of the tree limbs and branches.  The aperature of the tree branches is small and it eats up the light from the sky so it is darker.  
*  Halasion-  A mass in the sky influences the sky and gets darker around the tree.
*  Refraction- is the opposite.  Sky holes are darker.  
*  There are different degrees of values in the sky holes around trees.  The larger the sky hole the lighter the color of sky.
*  Use tuna cans nailed or glued to a small piece of plywood to put as snowshoes for easel's legs.  The easel won't sink down into the snow.  The easel will stand ontop of the snow.
*  He likes to avoid medium painting in snow.  He has a theory the paint adapts to what he has to paint.
*  A painter can apply the medium first, called working into the sauce.
*  Great impressionists in Museums were not painting 5x7 in one shot.  They took the same painting outside for more than one day.  They continued to work on the same painting until they felt it was perfect.  
* Painting a home in the shape of a cape cod home is desirable.  People like the cape cod in a painting.
*  Fenistration is the arrangement of windows.
*  He paints tree branches with very little paint on his brush.  He starts with the end of branch and pulls into the tree.  He uses a dry brushing technique.
*  He has a theory why Willard Metcalf painted many 26x29.  Metcalf's family was a meta spiritual type believing in the after life.  They lived in Searport, Maine near a spiritual center.  They would have seances trying to read dead family members.  He believes Metcalf also might have believed in Numerology.
*  He used medium warm gray for snow on Spruce trees.
*  The punch line of the painting is the area of importance where the painter wants the viewer's eye to rest.  Stape knows if he can get the punch line right then the rest of the painting will be fine.
*  The second day he works on the same painting outdoors he has two choices.  Does he like what he sees today?  If so he changes the painting.  If he doesn't like what he sees on day two, he leaves those areas in the painting.
*  Everytime he can put a dark behind a light he does this.  Everytime he can put a warm color behind a cool color he does this too.  He calls this "Stacking values".

There are many more things but I think I will save this for tomorrow.  Here are a few photos of today.



 


     Here we are at the King's table having dinner.  The book to the left is a scapebook I created showing all of the magazine photos of Winter paintings I have collected.  This was popular.  I think they all enjoyed looking at the variety of styles different painters exhibited painting snow.  Stapleton told us it is a modern trend to use a limited palette.  The old master painters used a full palette.  

     Tonight we told funny stories.  We had a great time.  Each of these painters are wonderful people.  I have really enjoyed talking with each of them.  

     Painting in very cold conditions seems to do something to people.  I know painting 8 hours in 20 degree temperatures is hard on the body.  Even though a person is dressed warmly, there is still something difficult about doing this.  Every once in a while fingers start burning and you have to figure out a way to warm them.  Or your nose will start burning and you pull your neck warmer up for a few moments.  Walking is difficult.  It is fun being challenged.  I was happy to be out painting!  My jacket is working.  I finally feel like I can do this.  Now it will just take many Winters for me to get really great at snow scenes.  I know it will just take a lot of effort.  I am lucky to have learned so much today from Stape.  I am very greatful.

     Have a great night!  Dress warm and get out there and paint snow!!!!   
    

     Here are a few painters in Stapleton Kearns's Snow Camp 2011.  We are all gathered here in Sugar Hill Inn, Franconia Notch, New Hampshire.  Stapleton Kearns is teaching us how to paint snow.  Temperatures today were warmer than last year, 24 degrees.  It was snowing so we chose to stand under the Sugar Hill Inn's back porch overlooking a fogged in Franconia Notch.  

     I didn't get to sleep at the White Mountain Hostel last night because of a lady snorer.  I have never ever heard anything like this.  It was not possible to sleep.  I gave up trying to sleep at 4:00am, took a shower, and started to drive to Franconia Notch.  In two hours driving in the dark with snow falling, I stopped a few times to look at my map.  I cruised into the Sugar Hill Inn's parking lot at 7:00 am.  Perfect time for the painters having breakfast.  We were all excited to see each other.  Plein aire painters who paint in the snow is a small exclusive group.  We seem to know each other from last year's Snow Camp.  Or we have met at other functions.  I met many new painters and had long conversations with each!  We share framing information.  It is a great place to find out about equipment for this activity.  We learn a lot from Stapleton.  He saves us years of time trying to become better painters. 

     First we watched Stapleton Kearns do a demo outside in the snow.  I sat down on a step.  Then I could not get up.  I had to use the staircase banister to try to pull myself up.  Meanwhile a few other painters are giggling watching.  They know my history of being clumsy.  I was down on my knees in the snow helpless.  I didn't have the strength.  Finally I really pulled and stood up again!  Stape had his back turned painting.  I sat down on a chair.  Those Cabelas's Trans-Alaskan III Boots have a 5 inch platform.  They do keep your feet warm. 

     Stape did an amazing painting of Sugar hill's houses on the hill.  He told us about all kinds of things.  I wrote these things down.  I will tell you a few things he said tomorrow while he was demoing.  I wrote them down but this is downstairs.  I have got to get some sleep!  Tonight should be no problem!



This is the hotel we are at in Sugar Hill Inn!





"On Sugar Hill" 6x6 Oil on copper.  Sold.  

   This is the painting I worked on all day outside in 24 degrees!  It is always more difficult to work in these cold conditions.  My new coat kept me extra warm!  I was so pleased about this! 

      Stape taught me many things.  He said you should be able to take off your wedding ring, drag it over your snow area, and pick up many different colors of light snow color.  I hope I said this correctly.  He said I was using too much reds in my snow, to work with more cobalt blue colors and other warm light snow colors.  He said to keep the snow looking lighter, put darks under the houses and connect them.  He darkened areas about the roof lines to make them pop out.  Now they look like a sting of pearls along the middle ground.

       I think he liked my warm tones.  I heard him tell someone to make sure to have some warm tones or your snow painting will look cold and miserable.  He said we humans like warm.  Warm is alive!  Cool is not alive.  

     The smoke coming from the fireplace is 100% Stapleton.  It is good isn't it?  I liked it. 

     He told me to make curved shapes of snow with my flat brush.  He put a bright spot of red under the eve of the house.  It was fun watching him paint on such a small 6x6 panel.  He had such amazing brush control for a small painting.  He always paints huge paintings. 

     One thing I had not noticed while painting with him, when he reaches for a paint color, he may have many on the brush.  He doesn't blend them on a palette, but he places them all in one brush stroke.  One stroke may have four or more colors abstractly placed haphazardly.  This create something very interesting to look at.  These colors are always complementary. 

    Goodnight!  I hope you sleep very well!  Get out and paint!

Here is a really nice snow scene by John Joseph Enneking. 



Here is a painting by Frank Benson. 

     I am sitting inside White Mountain Hostel in North Conaway, New Hampshire.  It is a nice warm and inviting place.  The price is 24$ a night including tax!  It is pretty clean.  The TV is on with a few people watching and looking on their lap top.  The conversations are nice. 

     I am waking up at 5:00 am and driving to Franconia Notch, New Hampshire.  I am staying at a beautiful bed and breakfast called Sunset Hill Inn in Sugarhill, New Hampshire.  Stapleton Kearns will be teaching Snow Camp.  I know many other students from last year's Snow Camp.  These student/professional painters are a determined hardworking group of plein aire painters.  They all want to improve their snow painting ability.  It takes a special type of painter to brave the freezing temperatures to paint a painting.  They are all very adventurous! 

     Some people may think it is crazy to paint in freezing temperatures.  People ski, hunt, and hike in freezing temperatures.  They aren't nuts.  Stapleton says if you don't go out and paint snow during the Winter, then you are a part time painter.  You just can't learn to paint snow from a photo. 

      I hope to work really hard tomorrow.  I hope I can learn many new things from Stapleton.  Have a great night!  Get outside and paint!

"Vermont Mountains and Valleys" 6x6 Oil on Copper panel Sold last night  unframed.

      Daisy and Duke had Frosty Paws doggy ice cream last night and this morning!  Here are a few photos.



Here is Daisy.  She sprained her foot yesterday jumping from the driver's seat of the van onto the snow.  She is doing fine.  I gave her a baby aspirin.  The ice cream is taking the pain away!  She is happy about the lastest painting sales!



Here is Duke enjoying his ice cream.  Now they are both sleeping!  Thank you for the painting sales.



"Vermont Sunrise" 4x4 oil on copper panel.  Framed in a gold wood frame and shipped!  sold.



"Moonlight" 4x4 Oil on copper panel.   Framed in light gold wood and shipped for free!  Sold!



"Cedar at Sunrise" 4x4 Oil on copper panel.  250$ framed in gold wood and shipped for free!

     I thought I would show you these paintings again.  I discovered my camera was not in a flower mode but rather in a night landscape mode.  That is why they were looking blurry or spotted. 

     I am driving to New Hampshire Saturday morning to Stapleton Kearns's snow camp!  Then I am headed to a Hostel in Vermont if weather permits.  Have a good night!  Stay warm!

"Cedar at Sunrise" 4x4 Oil on Copper panel.  200$ framed in gold wood and shipped!  

      It was a snowing dreary day!  So I decided to paint this cedar tree!



     I took Daisy and Duke to Sears Island today.  We had cabin fever really bad.  Behind Daisy and Duke is the frozen ocean.  There are ice cakes close to shore.  It is pretty.



     Daisy did the polar bear!  She ran into the ocean even though it was so cold!  The water froze on her fur the moment she got out!  She shook herself to get dry quick!  Duke didn't want to go into the water at all!



Here you can better see the ice cakes along the shore of Sears Island!



Here is a really pretty tree line consisting of oaks and white birch!  I would have painted this!

     Next stop was the grocrey store!  Daisy and Duke are having Frosty Paws doggy ice cream tomorrow morning!

"Moonlight" 4x4 Oil on Copper panel.  200$ Framed in gold wood and shipped for free!

     I used a photo for inspiration for this painting.  I love how everything looks iridescent at night during the Winter.  I tried to capture this quality here.  I am still facinated with smoke from fires!  I think it adds something to any painting.  The contrast between the hot heat of the fire and the icy cold feeling of the snow intrigues me.  

     I am getting cabin fever! 

     Luckily I am traveling to New Hampshire on Friday morning to paint with several painters at Snow Camp.  Snow Camp is led by Stapleton Kearns.  For three days we shall paint outdoors in the snow!   I hope to travel to Vermont to paint a few more scenes after this.  I really like my houses with chimney smoke!  I could do a few more of these! 

     Have a great night!  Daisy and Duke are going to have Frosty Paws Ice Cream tomorrow night!  I will post pictures.  This ice cream treat has been from Mary J's painting sale.  Thank you!

"Vermont Mountains and Valleys" 6x6 Sold!

     It was so cold out Daisy and Duke ran inside this morning!  I wonder what it must have felt like to them?  Maybe their feet or noses burned?  They kept me company today while I painted inside.  I used Robert's computer monitor to see a photo of this scene.  My laptop was burning my left leg for a year.  Finally one day it wouldn't turn on.  It is in the shop!  I don't miss my computer at all.

     I am painting a few more square paintings the next few days.  It is fun designing them.  I look for diagonals.  I couldn't figure out a title for this painting.  I went onto Askart.  This is a great website for artists and art collectors.  With a membership views can see hundreds of paintings by their favorite deceased or living painters.  I liked Walter Launt Palmer's title,  "Mountains and Valleys".  I decided to use this title and add Vermont.  I am spending hours looking at different painters work.  It is so much fun!  I think it will help me become a better painter.

     This scene was in Jeffersonville, Vermont a few feet from our cabin.  It was sunrise.  It was very cold of course.  It was -14 below zero.  It was so cold I took this photo from inside of my car!  I find chimney smoke facinating.  The colors were beautiful.  I liked the sun gleeming onto the snow.  The values were a little lighter than later in the day when I usually paint.  I can see myself trying to get up early just to see these values and colors!  It is spectacular. 



     Here is my husband Robert hugging our two dogs, Daisy and Duke!  They love this.  I thought this would be a cute photo.  I hope you have a great night!  Happy painting!

"Vermont Sunrise" 4x4 Oil on copper panel.  250$ framed in gold wood and shipped for free!

     I saw this seen as I was driving early sunrise in Vermont.  I took this photo driving.  I would not say this is a good idea.  But I do this.  I was following many painters in convoy on the way to paint.  I was half asleep.  It was beautiful.  I think I complained a little the first day about the early morning hour.  Suddenly I got it the third day.  During the Winter, daylight hours are less.  So a painter needs to get up early so he can paint at least 8 hours a day.  It is super beautiful early in the morning.  I discovered the only painful thing is to get out of your bed.  After a sip of coffee your body seems to adjust! 



"Parkman Mountain" 4x4 Oil on Copper panel.  200$ Framed in gold wood and shipped for free!

     This mountain is in Acadia National Park.  I have climbed this mountain a couple of times with Robert.  It is a difficult climb.  There is a waterfall along the way many people do not know about.  It is a large waterfall!  Robert said right now you would not know it was a waterfall.  It is a giant ice cube.  He crosscountry skiied here this morning to check on the waterfall for me.  I would like to paint this waterfall during the Summer some day!



Here are some trees in Acadia National Park.  The mountain range is Dorr Mountain.



Here is Robert walking Daisy and Duke on Park Loop Road.  Beehive mountain is in the distance. 

      I sold "Mary Days" last night to a great painter.  It is being shipped off to Florida soon.  Daisy and Duke will be happy to celebrate Frosty Paws icecream!  They have been howling for ice cream now evenings without results.  I have had to put them in a time out room for a few minutes to get them to be quiet!  I guess they have been watching "Soprano" over my shoulder. 

     Have a great night!  Hope you are painting!

     We had a huge snow storm yesterday throught the night.  Here is my backyard view on the East Penobscot Channel in Bucksport, Maine.  Beautiful! 



     In the morning, Robert and I, Daisy and Duke drove to Mount Desert Island.  We found the Winter entrance to Park Look Road in Acadia National Park.  This scene is after Thunderhole.  Thunderhole is a area tourist where views of waves hititng a cave at high tide can be seen.  This scene in the photo is after Thunderhole.   Many painters have painted this view of  Acadia National Park.  Down on the rocks is a chimney created with rocks. 



     The pink granite rocks are round.  The rocks have been tumbled by the surf.  The chimney is naturally created somehow. 



      I am becoming more fond of my new camera.  My Nikon Coolpix P90 has a 24 x zoom lens.  This crow was very far away.  I think the camera did a great job.   I like the snow on the branches.  Many painters paint these crows.  I wonder if they have any symbolic meaning. 



     Next we found a Winter entrance into Jordon's Pond.  Here are the glacier made "Bubbles" in the distance.  These little twin mountains are decreasing in size each year.  It is amazing how similar in size they are.  The lake in front of these mountains is frozen now.  There were a few fish shacks on the frozen lake today.  I love to paint these fish shacks.  I would love to ice fish.  I wish someone would show me how this is done.  For the last few years I watch from a far while I am painting them.  None of the fishermen come and talk to me.  They just watch me as I am watching them. 



"Jeffersonville, Vermont Farm at Sunrise" 8x10 Oil on copper panel.  Framed and shipped for free!  350$

     I was amazed how beautiful the colors are at sunrise during the Winter.  It was seriously cold.  I painted this while sitting inside of my car.  Cows were grazing.  I painted a few cows grazing.  I used a giant size 14 flat kolinsky sable brush to paint the entire painting except the cows.  I used a rigger for the cows.  I think I attempted to paint a few cows with the giant flat brush.  I decided it would be fine to use the rigger.  I like how tranquil this painting feels.  This barn was only a few block from our cabin.

     I am painting tomorrow!  I sure hope you will be too!  Painting is so much fun!  Have a great night.  Thanks for reading my blog.  I appreciate your comments.  I always try to answer them!

I am being interviewed for a Fineartstudioonline article going out to 12,000 subscribers.    I thought you might like to see what I wrote!  Lori Woodward Simons is the interviewer asking me questions.   I answered these questions. 



1.  How many hours a week do you generally paint?  I work a 50 hour
week.  The rest of my free time, I study other painters art and write my
blog.



2.  How many hours a week do you spend marketing/selling activities?  I
would consider blogging my main marketing activity.  It takes me 2-3
hours a day to blog.  Outdoor art shows demand ten hour days for three
days.

3.  When did you begin to sell your work?  I sold my first oil painting
for 50$.   I was ten years old.  I sold many paintings at an outdoor
show when I was 16.

       I have always had great marketing and sales ability.  When I was
five years old, my brother Jim who was three, and I were trying to sell
lemonade out front of our house.  We lived on a street with little
traffic. I became frustrated with lack of sales.   After an hour, I
went inside, got my Mom's silver platter,and put dixie cups of lemonade
onto the platter.  Then I carried this platter to my neighbors houses
on the street.  One lady didn't have change for a quarter so I
suggested to her she would have to buy two lemonades. She gave me a 5 cent tip. I sold out and
came home to make more lemonade. I went back out with my silver platter
of lemonade.  I walked around my block to our friend's house, Mrs.
Edmonson.  She was suprised to see me with my silver platter of
lemonade.  She purchased the entire batch.  She offered me cookies and
my lemonade.  I was tired and hungry.  While I was eating, she called
my Mom.  My Mom drove to her house to pick me up.  My Mother was upset
I left my little brother outside by himself. She also seemed a little
amused.   I do not know how I learned how to be a door to door
salesperson.  Maybe my Mother's Mary Kae salesperson inspired me?  I am
really not sure.  I have not used this door to door sales ability with
my paintings yet.

4.  Have you ever worked with galleries?  I prefer to do my own
marketing. My marketing plan is working well.  I am having excellent
results.


5.  Which sales venue has been most productive for you?  I sell
paintings at outdoor art shows (two a year).  I have great success at
plein aire events.  I meet collectors who continue to buy work after
the event.  I have made many sales from my Fineartstudioonline website. 
Most of these website sales are from past collectors.  I have had a
few sales from people who have found my website through searches or
collector's referring their friends. 

 

     
      I own a gallery called Lammers Gallery in Bucksport, Maine.  My gallery is open by appointment only.
     I have made several sales from past collectors and collector's
friends.  I have been pleasantly suprised to find other painters buying
my work.


6.  Do you sell from your website or directly to your collectors
online?  Yes.  I have only had my Fineartstudioonline artist's website
for one year.  I made no website sales before this.  Both new
collectors and past collectors purchase paintings off my website.  Many
people like to purchase by using the "Buy it Now" button under each
painting.  My work is affordable.  I offer a great frame and free
shipping with each painting's price.  Paintings range from 200-1000$.


7.  Are your collectors from year to year mostly new or do you have a
lot of repeat collectors buying your work?  I have many repeat and
multiple sales from past collectors and new collectors.  I sold 140
paintings last year!  My marketing plan is to paint small oil paintings
on copper panels at an affordable price.

8.  What sizes, medium, subject, price ranges sell best for you?  I
sell mostly 5x7 and 8x10's.  I love the freedom to paint what inspires
me.  I price my favorite paintings a little higher.  I paint
landscapes.

      I prefer painting plein aire oil painting on copper panels.  I was
inspired by a oil painting on copper in the Boston Museum of art four
years ago.  I talked to art conservators and read a book called,
"Copper as a Canvas" by the Phoenix Museum.  I learned how these
Medieval painters painted on copper.  Copper has many interesting
properties that make for the most archival substrate out there.  Copper
has the same thermal cohesive expansion as does the oil paint.  When
temperatures change, the copper panel and the oil paint expand and
contract at the same minimal rate.   Most copper paintings will have
little to no cracks even after 600 years.  They have an enamel like
look to them.

9.  Do you feel the economy affects your sales?  No.  My sales have
been good.

      I paint small paintings for many reasons. 

      1.  I knew painting
many paintings and resolving them would make me a better painter
quicker.
                                                                    
    2. I knew the price would be affordable.
                                                                   
    3.  Many collectors have no more wall space and need smaller works to hang.
                                                                    
    4.  Many tourists want small works for their suitcase.  I am happy to
accommodate them!
   


10.  Are you a risk taker?  No I am not a risk taker.  Because I want
to learn I am happy making many small paintings.

11.  Please share any other information you think may be interesting.

      I owned a successful flower business for 23 years until four years
ago.  I closed my flower business in Florida when the recession hit in
2007.  We lost our home and rental properties.  We purchased a new 2007
Airstream International 25 ft trailer.  We sold most our possessions and
moved to Maine. We lived in these airstreams in a campground for over two years. It was a great adventure! We purchased a home and gallery in Bucksport, Maine.



     I had always painted, but I wanted to be a full time
painter living in Maine.  I think my prior success and entrepreneur
ability had helped me to be a successful painter.  I have a drive to be
successful with whatever I do.

       I graduated in 2004 with my pre-med degree in Biology from a
private college called Stetson University in Deland, Florida. I also
studied Fine Art at Stetson Unversity.  I have many Doctors purchase
paintings.  I have seen a few Doctors chuckle when they read my Artist
Biography.  In my Artist Biography I write I elected to not attend
medical school.  I wanted to be a full time plein aire painter.  I
wanted to spend my days outdoors.

      I have over 6000 people a month reading my blog.  I think writing
my blog has allowed many people to get to know me.  Daisy and Duke, my
two golden retrievers each receive "Frosty Paws", a doggy ice cream
treat with every painting purchase.  Collectors love to see Daisy and
Duke reaping the rewards of my painting sales.  I have made a few sales
just to satisfy Daisy and Duke's addiction to this treat!  I post
pictures of my dogs enjoying their ice cream on my blog.



12.  What is the most important thing you did last year to create
painting sales?  I attended a Stapleton Kearns workshop. 

     Here is Stapleton Kearns painting in Acadia National Park. He is a great teacher. I learned
how to paint better.  I will continue to go out of my way to learn through
out my career.  My business model is working.



13.  Pros of self representation:   1.  Freedom to paint what excites me!
                                    2.  My frames do not get damaged.  
                                        I sell about 50% of my paintings unframed.
                                    3.  I get paid immediately.
                                    4.  I get 100% of the proceeds from a sale.
                                    5.  I can make deals with collectors.
                                    6.  I have 100% control over my business. 
                                    7.  I love knowing my art collectors.
                                    8.  I hear direct feedback from my collectors. 
                                        This makes me a better painter.
                                    9.  I hear wonderful complements from collectors.
                                        This motivates me to paint better.


14.   Cons of self representation:      1.  There may be art collectors I
                                                             can not reach.
                                        2.  I do not have magazine advertisement.


15.  Benefits of painting small paintings:  1.  Make many sales.
                                            2.  Produce many paintings.

                                            3.  Designs get stronger.
                                            4.  Easy to frame and handle.
                                            5.  Shipping cost is minimal. 

                                            6.  I can carry 50 paintings
                     in a box.  I can have a constant one man show anywhere I go.


16.  Are you a daily painter?  No I am not.  Some days I feel like
painting many paintings.  Some days I just look at art.

      Thank you Lori for this opportunity to share.  I hope this inspires
painters to represent themselves.  I hope art collectors realize
the benefits to purchasing art directly from the painter!!!



"Sunny Day In Vermont" 8x10 Oil on Copper panel.  1000$ Framed and shipped!

"Sunny Day in Vermont" 8x10 Oil on copper panel.  sold.

     This is one of my favorite paintings.  I painted this painting while sitting in my car in Vermont.  I added two other Cedar trees on the right to balance out the houses on the left.  I simplified the buildings deciding not to paint any windows. I darkened the sky and used vertical brush strokes to guide your eye down into the painting.  I wanted the house to stand out.  I admired the glow of the snow on the roof.  I have learned not to paint each blade of grass but to paint large shapes instead.

     I used a size 14 kolinsky flat brush to paint the entire painting except the use of a rigger the last minute!  It was difficult getting the roof lines correct with such a large brush. I decided to allow myself to be relaxed and not try to render exactly what I saw.  I wanted a fresh inventive painting.  Inside the car was 20 degrees.  Outside temperatures were -10 below zero or colder if you include the wind chill factor.  




"Winter Spruce Tree" 8x8   Oil on copper panel. sold.

     This is the first painting I did when arriving in Vermont.   This painting fell upside down into the top of the easel.  There are some interesting authentic snow textures as well.  Stapleton Kearns liked this one.  Lucia stopped me from wiping down or fixing this painting.  I am glad it survived! 



"Vermont Winter Scene" 5x7 Oil on Copper panel.  sold

     This was a quiet Winter scene near our cabin in Jeffersonville.  The sun was rising and there was a warm glow.  The glow didn't last very long.  Soon clouds came and snow began to fall.  Here are a few photos of the painters.



     This is the cabin on Sterling Ridge in Jeffersonville, Vermont we stayed in.  There were many bedrooms.  The lady painters all took one room.  The painters known for their snoring ability took another room upstairs.  The rest of the men painters all communed in another room upstairs.  The accommodations were lovely. 




      Here are painters gathering for dinner.  Each night we dined on the casseroles or chicken soup one of the painters brought already made.   The chicken soup brought by Paul Goodnow was fantastic.  I ate many bowls of this soup.  Lucia brought chicken cooked in a tomato sauce.  Delicous.  Barrett brought two lasagnas. 

      Stape was going to make his renown casserole.  It contained sausage, lots of onions, and other mystery ingredients.  Painters seemed to be worried about this dish.  Last year many painters were left with some side effects I can not mention.  All were relieved except one when the decision was made to eat something else.  I rounded up a few steaks, potatoes, and corn.




     Here are a few painters at sunrise at our cabin area getting ready to take off.  Painting equipment, proper clothing and boot were all organized quickly.  They met Eric Tobin at a gas station at 7:00 am.  You can see a lot of snow on the road here.  It made navigating down the steep hill tricky! 



     I was following T.M. Nicholas and Stapleton Kearns with my painting geer.  They wanted to just check out the scene before they decided to paint.  It was snowing.  They wanted to paint under shelter.  It is difficult to mix paint on a palette when snow falls.  The snow plus oil paint creates a saw dust looking combination.   



     Lucia, Barrett, and Paul Goodnow painted under the gazebo.  It was snowing hard.  They all painted the white church in the distance.  John Caggiano was also painting here.  I loved his painting!  He had used a special combination of a lavender to paint a tree line behind the church.  He also had a cool dark green for a Spruce tree he invented to the left.  I think he left out many dark trees hiding the church.  It was a beauty!  I didn't get to see Lucia, Paul, or Barrett's finished results.  I was sitting in Barrett's car for hours. 



     Here five painters set up in a snowy field on Cemetery Road/ Highway 14.  This is the scene I painted.  I felt like I was looking at a important event!!  I wanted to preserve this moment.



     Stapleton Kearns on the left and T.M. Nicholas on the right.  These paintings were beautiful. Gosh they paint large!   My car is in the distance.  From inside my car I painted these two painters.  I didn't have the proper geer. 



     This is the way Duke welcomed me home!  He likes to be super silly.  Daisy is more dignified with her welcome.  Lots of tail wagging.  I always go out of my way to hug them and give them loud kisses in their ears.  They really love this!!!

     They have been barking loudly trying to get ice cream!  They are using mafia like methods now. 

     I was selected to paint at the Calloway Garden Plein Aire Event in Georgia in April, 2011.  There are many great painters invited!  I will let you know more about this event tomorrow.  Have a great day!  Thank you for reading my blog.  I appreciate all comments.  Get out there and paint!!! 

     "Winter Painters In Vermont" 8x10 Oil on Copper panel.  Private collection 

     We got up really early the day I painted this scene.  We followed Eric Tobin out to the corner of Cemetery Road/Route 14.  It was really cold.  My car gauge read -10 degrees below.  The painters got out of their cars and hiked into this snowy field.  It was a beautiful view.  I sat there watching them.  T.M. Nicholas was the first to explore the field.  He stood there staring at the barn scene.  The others watched him.  Then he brought out his painting geer to set up.  The other painters also set up.  There were seven in the line up here.  I chose these five painters to paint.  I thought they were more interesting than just the barn scene.  After all, as Stapleton Kearns told me, "This is the last generation to paint these scenes."  He thinks the farm fields will close in.  Painters won't be able to see the barns unless they are standing infront of them.  The big views will be gone.  I drew the painters out just to wake up a bit.  I decided to guide the views eye from left to right along the row of painters.  I liked the different postures of the painters.  Stapleton wore a bright orange hat (second on left) so I decided to add a little orange somewhere along the other painters.  I didn't want his orange hat to stick out.  Lucia was the third painter on the left.  T.M. Nicholas was the painter farthest on the right.  I am not sure who is on the left or next to T.M.  Maybe I will find out.  This painting brought smiles to the painting group later at the cabin.  Even T.M. Nicholas liked this one.  I felt pleased with myself.  I had struggled to paint in these freezing temperatures.  These were the most difficult paintings I have ever painted. 



     "T.M Nicholas and Stapleton Kearns" 8x10 oil on copper panel.  Private Collection.

     I painted this the same day.  T.M Nicholas and Stapleton Kearns are my favorite painters in New England.  They are talented and wonderful people.  I wanted to preserve the moment.  I know it is an honor to paint with these two painters.  When I am eighty years old, I would like to see this painting to remember.  Stapleton had a large piece of cardboard behind his canvas so he could see the image without the sun shining through.  I put a little orange here and there also to make his hat blend in.  I like how the colors turned out.  Stape had on a new camoflaged bib.  I had fun adding many neutral colors to create a camo look.  I left large areas of T.M.'s easel free of paint so the copper would shine through.  I left a few other specks of copper just because this is what I like to do.  I pulled up on some of the oil paint to allow a few shimmery copper sparks to shine also.  I always sign the painting with the back of my brush. 



Here is a close up of this painting.  Stapleton is on the right.  T.M. Nicholas is on the left.



     I purchased a Cabela's Alaskan Man's Down Jacket with Coyotte fur trim.  I hope this will enable me to stay warm.  I am heading to New Hampshire soon to paint in Franconia Notch.  Temperatures are below zero with 20 mph winds daily. 

     I have a few more paintings to show you...tomorrow! 

     Here are a few photos I took in Vermont. 



     Here is a covered bridge in Westford, Vermont.  All of the painters drove here to paint on the third day. 

 It was snowing and very cold.  I decided I would paint inside the wooden bridge.

  T.M Nicholas and Stapleton Kearns also set up next to me.  

We could see a creek running under the bridge.  

 Other painters set up 100 feet away in the middle of town under a gazebo. 

 I was working on a 8x10 copper panel on my tiny little easel. 

Working with pros can be a very humbling experience.

  They are so good.  I wiped my painting off.  I thought it was horrible. 

  I was feeling hyperthermic after two hours. 



     I sat inside of Barrett's car for the rest of the day.  I couldn't get warmed up. 

 The view was great.  First there were children skating.  Later men came out to play hockey. 

 I could also see painters working.  Paul came and sat with me for a while. 

 He was sympathetic.  What a kind man.  He carves amazing gold guilded frames.  He is a great painter too.



     The colors of  Vermont are lighters and cooler when it snows.
    



     Here is a photo taken the day we had sun all day.

  I was very suprised at the bright colors.  Barns and mountains are everywhere. 

  I love their cedar trees.  There are many birch trees also. 

     Stapleton Kearns told me for 100 years painters

have painted Winters in Jeffersonville, Vermont. 

 Aldro Hibbard and Emile Gruppe were just a few of these painters. 

They also stayed in a cabin together and painted all day. 

Stapleton believes we are the last generation of  painters

to paint these views in Jeffersonville. 

 He believes the farm land is becoming forests again. 

     One of the fun things I did during my trip was to blog with Stapleton.

He is also a blogger.  I would plug in his computer cord.

  I would ask him how to spell words.

 I used the hotel guest computer and he had his lap top computer.   

 He would give me advice on painting while I we wrote. 

 He was very careful about posting photos. 

 He photo shopped snow!  He would ask me if I thought a particular photo was good enough. 

 I appreciated these light hearted moments after such a difficult day.  

     On the last day, Stapleton realized I had on a ladies dress down coat. 

 He suggested I purchase a snowsuit by Cabelas meant for artic cold temperatures. 

 He told me I was still dressing like a Floridian.

  I felt a little hopeful I might be able to paint in the snow all day like the others. 

 I have purchased five different coats.  They still aren't warm. 

Keeping warm is difficult for a Floridian. 

     I am recharing my camera battery. My computer cord has a short. 

 I will try to purchase a new cord so I can upload photos! 

  Tomorrow I will take photos of my Vermont paintings for you to see! 

 It is so good to be home!  I was home sick.  It was a great opportunity. 

 I learned so much.  I am very thankful! I think I made a few new painting friends!

     This is a painting done by Edward Seago. 

      Today was a beautiful day here in Jeffersonville, Vermont. 

 I will upload a lot of photos soon when I get home! 

 I have been painting with Stapleton Kearns, T.M. Nicholas, Mike Graves,

John Caggiano, Paul Goodnow, Barbara Lussier, Lucia, Sue,  and Eric Tobin. 

 We have been all communing at a two story cabin on Sterling Ridge in Jeffersonville. 

 It snowed everyday except today!

     We woke up at 5:30 am.

  After coffee we drove to a gas station to meet up with Eric Tobin, a local painter. 

He had us follow him as the sun was rising. 

 It was -10 below zero.  I did purchase a few heat packs for my hands. 

 Eric took us up and down mountains passing many beautiful scenes. 

 There were a few creeks unfrozen a light yellow color from the sun rising. 

 The sky was an orange and gold. 

 It was a special treat to be awake on a Winter morning here in Vermont.

  If I had been alone, I would have slept in till 9:00 am or 10:00 am at least! 

 But then I would have stayed up late painting. 

Instead I listened to them talking, learning new things.

  I learned to mix liquin or linseed oil into each oil paint color with

 a palette knife inside before heading out, even the night before! 

There were many painting books by Aldro Hibbard, Edward Seago, Willard Metcalf, and others! 

 Painters always study and admire these great painters. 

     I knew when we arrived at the location on Route 14/Cemetary Road

 I would be painting from the inside of my car.

  They each lined up in deep snow with their Take it Easy easels. 

Their canvases were enomous!  I could only see T.M. Nicholas's feet.

  I decided to paint five painters lined up with their backs turned. 

 In the background was a red barn and cows, mountains, and of course lots of snow!!! 

 I tried out something new today.  I drank a small bottle of five hour energy in a bottle. 

 It worked.  I completed three 8x10's and went grocrey shopping all before 4 pm!  That is good! 

UPDATE:  I discovered years later I had been suffering with a infected gall bladder for years.

This is why I was not able to get up as early or have the stamina needed.

      After the first painting, I decided to paint another scene from the inside of my car. 

 There were scenes all around me I could paint without even getting out of the car! 

Next I painted a scene with another barn, mountains, and lots of snow! 

This one turned out so good!  I can't wait to show you this one too. 

Then I went grocrey shopping at a town a forty miles away. 

 Luckily she seemed to have a whole side of beef in her freezer.

  I asked for 10 large ribeyes. 

 I found a bag of potatoes, four bags of frozen corn, and two gallons of ice cream! 

 That should make them happy I thought! 

 I took off!  Driving carefully as I am still afraid of Winter driving.

  I came back to where we were painting! 

 I saw a scene with Stapleton Kearns and T.M. Nicholas painting

 with barn and mountains in the distance.  Perfect.  I painted this scene. 

 I love it!  I can't wait to show you all three!  I had a good day.

UPDATE:  I kept the painting.

     At twilight all of the painters followed Eric Tobin back to our Jeffersonville.

  Then I started to cook!  Within an hour steaks, potatos, corn was served. 

Many painters had to leave as there is a bad blizzard coming tomorrow at 1pm! 

 I asked Robert what I should do, he said to stay in Vermont till Wednesday or Thursday even!

  It is suppose to sleet here too.  I will probably stay at a Hostel again in Burlington, Vermont. 

 There is plenty to paint here.  I think I am just getting to understand how to paint snow. 

 I have completed 6 paintings so far here.

     I learned during dinner some of the painters are wearing eight layers. 

 Wow!  I am wearing two under a dress down trench coat. 

 Stapleton told me to get a artic jacket from Cabelas.  I need to wear more layers. 

 I wonder if that is the answer.  It is peaceful painting in my car. 

I don't fall down.  I can concentrate.  I will probably try the snow suit by Cabelas and more layers.

  I am not going to give up! 

     All of these painters are amazing. 

 They created many great large I would say finished paintings! 

 It was a delight to see them all over the cabin.

  I wonder if there will be oil paint all over from the wet paintings.  I hope not! 

      I hope you are inspired to paint snow!  Get out and paint!

     This is a Sydney Laurence painting.   I love his night scenes in particular of Alaska. 

     I am in Jeffersonville, Vermont. 

 Today was a learning experience as most days are plein aire painting. 

Winter plein aire painting is the most difficult I have encountered! 

 Here are a few things I learned today the hard way!!!

1.  Always drive your own vehicle.  If you get sick you can leave.

  If you get cold, you can seek shelter. 

If you don't like the view chosen you can drive to another view you prefer. 

2.  Bring heat packs. 

Your fingers, feet, and other parts of the body can become wet from sweat or nerves.

 These heat packs are the only way to really get warm in these conditions. 

 There are also battery powered socks, jackets, and gloves.  Buy them all!!! Don't hesitate.

3.  Don't wear a cotton long t-shirt.  Wear wool, silk, or polyester.

4.  Bring a lot of food to eat. 

You will burn a lot of calories when you are painting 7 hours in 2 degree temperatures. 

     You might start shaking.  This might not be from cold but bonking from hunger.

5.  Do get up early so you have plenty of time.

6.  Bring water.  You get dehydrated.

7.  If you get nausea or start shaking, you could be hyperthermic. 

8.  When your fingers start to burn, do something right away. 

 Put on more gloves, go sit in your car, or get a heat pack!!! 

The next step to not fixing this problem is numbness which is frost bite. 

 This can disfigure you or make your fingers fall off so you won't be able to paint with your hands!!!

9.  For some reason putting your body through this type of stress can make you emotional. 

 Your painting can become expressive or abstract! 

You feel as if you are hacking at the painting without reason or thought. 

 Maybe with many years of Winter painting this may not happen. 

10.  If you can't handle the cold temperatures, paint sitting inside your car.  

Not everyone can handle really cold conditions. 

One lady painter said her doctor advised her not to paint outside under 30 degrees. 

I don't seem able to handle temperatures below 30 degrees.

  My body literally freaks out.  I guess I am a true Floridian down to the bones.

11.  Don't go outside during the Winter with the same high expectations with creating a masterpiece. 

 Even the pro of pros have to do some refining of these painting in their studio later.

  Paintings can be roughly done. 

 Compositions may need changing.

 Blinding white conditions can trick painters eyes with regards to colors. 

 Everything is more difficult.  Have much respect for Winter plein aire paintings. 

There are a few painters who have bled to make these paintings!

I have seen painters bleeding during this trip. 

 They never know how they got injured.

12.  Make sure to premix your paints with linseed oil

 or liquin or whatever medium you use before you go outside. 

 Use a palette knife, pour some in the paint, mix with palette knife.  

 There are lids that cover these palettes so they do not spill all over. 

 I saw almost all of these pros doing this! 

 They also kept their paint kits in a heated area at night

 so their paints did not freeze up in the car overnight.

13.  Some painters wear plastic gloves first then put on their polar tec or wool gloves.

  One man wore a wool sock, cut a hole in the sock, stuck his paint brush out of the hole,

and allowed his fingers to hold his brush. 

 He had great dexterity and could handle his brush better. 

 His fingers were warmer.  Wool is the best. 

 Mittens seem to be the best over gloves.  

 My polartec two layers of gloves  became wet from the inside. 

 My North Face down gloves were cold and didn't work. 

14.  The best Winter boots for Winter painting are by far Cabela's Trans-Alaskan III Boots. 

 They rock!!  They put you five inches off any ice or snow

.  No words can describe them.  Every painter who Winter paints eventually buys these.

But don't drive wearing them and be prepared to fall down cause walking is difficult.


      Today was my worst painting day so far of my life!  I guess I did many things wrong. 

 I was severly sleep deprived over a three day period. 

One lady continued to wake up screaming many times a night.  Poor thing!

She eventually slept outside in her car!  She said she will not do that again.

She checked out that basement the first day. 

Now that all makes sense!

 I was in very cold conditions without my own car. 

I didn't eat much or drink much before I left. 

 My fingers became wet with turpenoid when I decided to wipe off a painting. 

 I was walking in Cabela's boots and fell down infront of all of the plein aire painters twice in a row.

   One of these painters started to photograph my fall. 

He told me he would put these photos on facebook.

 That was pretty funny.   I was covered with snow. 

 Another painter helped me up.  They were kind. 

 I sat under a gazebo for three hours shaking from the cold or trauma. 

 I finally sat in a painter's truck for another three hours shaking from the cold. 

When you get this chilled nothing will warm you up at this point but a hot shower. 

 I felt like a failure.  I didn't produce a painting! 

 Everyone else did.  Tomorrow is another day. 

 I learned a lot as usual.  Luckily I don't get too embarrassed. 

 I don't seem to get too upset for very long.  I strive for an easier productive day. 

  

      Have a great night!  Get out and paint but be careful! 

     This is another Anthony Thieme painting. 

 I will download all my Vermont photos and painting photos when I get back. 

     Today they got up at 5:30 am, had breakfast, and went out to paint!

I didn't sleep all night.  One lady woke up screaming off and on all night!

How unusual and unnerving and completely unexpected!

  I stayed in for another two hours.  When the light came up. 

 I left with another lady painter in separate cars to go paint on our own. 

 It was 4 degrees out.  I don't get up too often early. 

 I was amazed at the beautiful orange and lavender colors. 

We drove around Jeffersonville. 

 We went down a steep winding snow covered road. 

Our cars each swirved a few times.  I was holding my breath.

  I still don't think I should be allowed to drive in snowy cond-

itions as I am from Florida.  I might endanger others. 

 Nothing happened today.  We decided not to paint the bridge.

  We did agree upon a farm scene complete with cows eating hay surrounded by snow. 

 Mountains were in the distance. 

The sky was orange and the snow was lavender in the shadows. 

     My painter friend got out and painted. 

 I sat in my car and painted.   In my car it was warm and safe. 

 My view was great.  I didn't need to use a medium. 

 I had my paint brushes scattered all over my car dashboard.

  My paints were on my passenger seat. 

I painted a 8x10 of this farm scene complete with cows! 

 Didn't fall down today!

     Then I painted another scene looking the other way. 

 Houses and barns layered on a hill with white birch trees in the foreground. 

 It was a monocromatic view with mostly plumb colors.  Snow began to fall. 

 We went back to the cabin for lunch.  I felt great to have two paintings done.

  I really liked my painting friend's work that day too! 

     The other painters came in much later. 

They were really red in the face from cold air.  Their skin looked burn. 

 You could tell the cold weather had intensified their day. 

 Giant paintings were carried in.

  Amazing scenes of a frozen creek with green blue icy water lined with birch trees

with mountains in the distance. 

 I couldn't believe how great and large of a painting someone could knock out in five hours. 

 Each painter had similar compositions but their unique style. 

    Two people started to make our dinner.

  There were many snacks to eat before dinner. 

 It was fun listening to their stories.

     Tomorrow morning I am getting up at 5:30 am. 

 I am eating breakfast and drinking coffee. 

Then we are all driving our own cars on a caravan to our painting spot. 

 A local painter will be our guide today.  There will be ten of us. 

 I am looking forwards to tomorrow.  I will tell you how it went tomorrow!  Good night!

     This is a painting by Anthony Thieme.

       I am sitting in the hotel office in Vermont.  It is really cold and beautiful here.

  I arrived here in Vermont two days ago.  I stayed in a Hostel in Burlington. 

 I have never ever stayed in a Hostel before.

  It was clean, large, empty, and cheap! 

 I found a few nearly new wool sweaters at a second hand store! 

 I have never ever shopped at a second hand store. 

I think I can handle wearing someone elses sweater.

  They were an amazing find. 12$ each!!!  

     I arrived in Jeffersonville, Vermont yesterday.

  I was with another lady painter at our two story cabin for three hours.

We were the only painters there.  No other painters came until it became dark. 

They were out painting.  I finally did go outside and paint.  It was 10 degrees. 

I admired a Spruce Tree that was laden with snow.  There were mountains in the background. 

 There was two foot of snow on the ground.

  I had to stomp around on the ground for a few minutes to have an area to stand to paint.

     Guerrilla tape I use to hold my copper panel to the lid

of my easel didn't work below 20 degrees.  I set up to paint anyway. 

 The copper panel flipped off my easel and disappeared somewhere. 

 I looked for the copper panel. 

I used my umbrella as a golf puck searching in the snow for the copper panel.  

     Luckily there were no other painters around to see this. 

 I was pleased.  I had to go back to my car, cut a new warmer piece of guerrilla tape. 

 I found a new copper panel.  This worked.  I painted in the snow without thinking much. 

 Hours flew by.  I had to use liquin a medium. 

 This complicates the already tricky process of painting on copper to begin with!!!

 Painting on copper is really hard.  I became queasy. 

 I was trembling from the cold.  I was freezing cold!  I stopped painting.

  I threw my brushes and palette in the bag. 

I thought I had lifted my leg far enough over a small pile of snow.

Wrong.  Fell down pretty bad.  Glad no one was there.

I hiked back through the deep snow.

  Luckily I had on my Cabela's Trans-Alaskan III boots on. 

My feet were warm at least.  I had on a light blue lamb's wool ski face mask. 

 I didn't want to get face frost bite!  I was walking quickly.

All I had to do is step over a snow bank.  One leg made it over.

  The other leg didn't make it over the snow bank. 

 I was spralled out on the icey driveway. (I have no experience walking on ice or snow as I am a Floridian!)

   Luckily my painting was inside of the easel still. 

My hand hurt a little.  I got over this too.  I did have hypothermia.  

    Inside the house I looked at my finished painting

.  Unfortunately the painting dislodged from the easel and fell onto the painting platform. 

 I don't like when this happens.  I tried to fix it with my finger. 

Later people said they liked it anyway.

     All of the painters are pro in this group.  

There are a few painters who are just starting out.

  They have been mentored by some teacher in the group.

  They are all nice.  It is amazing to see all of their new paintings completed each day.

  All of these paintings are large leaning against the walls of the cabins. 

 Amazing.  I have never seen anything like it.  No one critics these paintings. 

 They are all perfect.   

    Dinner is great.  Each person has brought a casserole, salad, dessert, wine. 

 I listen to all of the stories.  Here is one I liked.

      Two painters at one of these Vermont Winter painting trips years ago

decided to pick out five paint colors for the other painter to use that day. 

 They each chose strange and unusual colors.  One guy had no blue but did get a green. 

 A painter present at this current trip said he saw both paintings they completed that day. 

 He said both were amazing.  He bought one.  He promises to email me the color chosen for each painter.  

     Have a great day!  I will tell you more tomorrow! 


    

"Winter In Vermont" 6x6 oil on copper sold.  Thanks.

 I am negotiating the price on two paintings!  Exciting and rewarding. 

     I am driving to Burlington, Vermont tomorrow morning. 

 I will meet a painter friend, Lucia and stay at a Hostel. 

 I have never stayed in a Hostel before. The price is right! 30$! 

 I didn't want to drive 7 hours to Vermont and then paint all the rest of the day on Friday. 

 So we both decided to drive down Thursday, get settled into the Hostel. 

 Then Friday we will both travel to another town to paint with ten other fabulous painters. 

 We won't have to drive too far and we will be fresh ready to paint ten hours! 

     My car is loaded with all of the copper panels I possess.

  I am bringing over 50 small copper panels.

  I think this may be too many.

  I am bringing a giant bag of potato chips and four pounds of chocolate brownies to share!

  

     I sure hope I can download photos onto the computer and get internet access there! 

 If I can't I will write all about it when I return!  I promise! 

 I am so excited I bet I won't sleep much at all! 

     Have a great night!

 "Hibbard Study" 4x4 Oil on Copper.  sold.

     I decided I needed to study an Aldro Hibbard painting. 

 I will be doing small works in Vermont.

  Many of these painters I will be painting with will be painting in the style of Aldro Hibbard. 

 I know it might seem strange to want to paint exactly like Aldro Hibbard. 

You might ask..."Why don't they paint in their own style?" 

 I am not sure why they do this.  Maybe I will find out. 

 It does seem as if many New England painters try to emulate Hibbard.

  Hibbard was a very successful plein aire painter until his death in 1972. 

 It seems as if painters here in New England learn how to plein aire paint first well. 

 Then they learn how Hibbard or Metcalf or another painter who

 lived and worked in New England.

 All I can say is these painters painting sales are very high. 

I think trying to mirror a very successful painter is a great idea! 

 I am sure their success rate would be higher?

     Hibbard painted with a lot of bright colors.

  His paintings were high key.  There is a happy feeling about Hibbard's paintings.

  "The Art Mentor" told me Hibbard was a transcendentalist painter. 

 I had to look up this word in the dictionary.

  I think it means to find value of the spiritual instead of the material. 
 
     I discovered Hibbard outlined  in black or a very dark color after he finished his painting.

  I wonder why he did this?  There are not many softened areas in his paintings if any. 

 There are many little patches of different colors.

  His work reminds me of a tapestry. 

 I wonder if the Vermont landscapes will look like Hibbard paintings? 

Maybe Hibbard painted his feelings of Vermont.  

  

     This is Daisy.  She was a little naughty yesterday. 

 She found a stuffed loon Robert had bought me when we first moved to Maine. 

 We always had to hide this little loon from Daisy and Duke when we lived in the Airstream. 

 Sometimes it was funny when the loon fell out of the compartment. 

Robert would snatch up the loon and put it in a safe place. 

 Yesterday Daisy walked up to me showing me she had the loon! 

She had been playing with the loon with Duke for a long time (this was obvious). 

 The loon was not ripped or torn yet.  The loon was all wet.

  I grabbed the loon and put it very high on the bookcase.  This made me smile.  

     An hour later though Daisy was barking inside the house at a squirrel

 eating out of the bird feeder.  She barked so loud she was hurting Duke's ears. 

 Duke was shaking his head after she barked. 

 She was standing right next to us!

  She barked for an hour before I put her in the art gallery. 

 She had to sit in the art gallery by herself for ten minutes. 

This photo is taken after she was released.  She has this hurt look on her face. 

Goldens show great emotion.  I love this about them.

 

 Daisy and Duke playing tug of war.

     Daisy finally decided to take a nap in her new bed. 

 She and Duke were wound up today!  I hope you have a wonderful evening. 

 We are expecting a storm or nor'easterner.  Exciting!  


    

 This is a painting by an artist named Anthony Thiemes.

  I was looking at Thiemes's work on Askart.

  Askart is an interesting website for art collectors. 

 I can put any artist's last name in a search.

  There were 624 examples of Anthony Thiemes's work. 

 I loved the compositions and colors of his work. 

     Last year I was wondering the work schedules of most professional painters. 

 Do they sleep in?  Do they get up early and work all day? 

 This year I have gotten to know a few successful painters.

  I was wondering if most painter work 9 to 5?  I don't think so.

  I think most painters work 11 to 7 pm.

       I myself stay up till 11-12pm. 

 I look at paintings on the web most of the time while I watch American Pickers or Sopranos. 

 Sometimes I am painting on work I started outside. 

I like for any painting to be done by the time I go to sleep.  I like closure. 

  I wake up when I feel like it.  I usually wake up at 9 am. 

 Sometimes in the Winter I wake up at 11am! 

 When I paint long hours I sleep longer. 

 I don't paint everyday.  I paint when I feel inspired. 

 When I am inspired, I do paint long hours.  I might paint for ten hours straight. 

 I eat before and after my work day usually. 

 I don't seem to be one of those painters who can take breaks

 and come back the next day to work on a painting. 

 I worked on large watercolors for years. 

 I would spend ten hour days for 6 days on one painting. 

 I think this is why I prefer to paint in shorter spurts on smaller works. 

 I prefer the freshness of these works.   

     One of my painter friends works all day and night till 2 am each day. 

 He might be the more successful painter I know.  

He studies other deceased painter's work. 

 He also paints long hours.  He knows everything about painters and paintings.

He seems very knowledgeable about most things.  He has a great attitude.   

    Another of my painter friends is like I am. 

He might not paint everyday.  He paints when he is inspired. 

 He stays up very late and sleeps in till 11am. 

It takes him a while in the afternoon to get going.   

When he is outside working, he works very hard all day till there is no light out! 

 He is known for standing in the dark painting on a painting he started that afternoon.  

    This Vermont painting trip will allow me to see how other painters are. 

 I bet a few will be up at 5 am and paint till the sun goes down. 

 I have been known to change up my sleeping schedule on a painting trip.

  I have wanted to paint a snowy sunrise.  Who knows?   I am going to drive to Vermont on Thursday!  Exciting! 

     Robert wanted to eat at the Olive Garden as he had a gift certificate from a patient for Christmas. 

 I asked him if we could stop by Leonard's Mill near Bangor. 

 Today they were having horse driven sleigh rides. 

I like to take photos of this activity more than I do enjoy the actual sleigh ride. 

 The horses names were Ben and Bill.  They seemed to like each other's company.

 Here is a working wood mill along this river.  They have also built a wood bridge.

  I would like to paint plein aire here someday! 



     Inside of the wooden bridge is a great view of the river.  Very beautiful!





     I hope you are outside painting!  I know it is cold!

  Just bundle up with many layers and paint small! 

     I am getting ready to drive to Vermont!  

 I am  meeting up with 8 or so plein aire painters.

  We are going to paint in the snow all day. 

We are all communing in a large cabin. 

 Each of us will cook up a dinner for one evening.

  As the "Art Mentor" told me tonight, "It is a once in a life time opportunity for me". 

 I am very pleased to be painting with such a great group of painters!  

 Have a great night! 

 "Winter Balsa Fir" 8x8 Oil on Copper Panel.  Not Finished yet!

     It was snowing today so I stayed home to paint.

  The van is not very good on the road while it is snowing. 

 I used a photo from yesterday on my computer monitor to paint.

  I will show you the photo I painted this painting from.  



     As you can tell I simplified the shapes of the photo.

  I used warm light colors in the sunlight areas of the snow. 

I used lavenders and blues in the shadows of the snow. 

The photo doesn't show these colors.  It looks very monocromatic. 

 Good thing I have been painting outside to know what the real colors are!

 

"Winter Sunset" 6x6 Oil on Copper panel.  cropped and later sold.

     I smoothed out some areas with my kolinsky brush.  I did add more light warm colors. 

 I decided to keep the cattails simple.  I wanted to avoid a lot of lines there.

  I wanted more shapes and lights and darks. 

 I may go back to the same location at sunset to do a value sketch. 

 I could also write down the colors I see.  The sunset happens quickly.

  Within fifteen minutes the sun drops.  That means a painter can paint all day until sunset. 

 Then when the sun starts to fall, a painter can paint the colors quickly! 

 After the sun is down it can be difficult to pack up in the dark! 

 I always keep a small book light in my easel! 

 

     Robert, Daisy, and Duke were so funny today!  Robert asked me to take this photo! 

 His sister in Holland likes to read this blog. 

Here she will be able to see him trying to eat his lunch. 

Daisy and Duke have very little manners. 

 They were never taught to not beg. 

 Duke had his head on Robert shoulder!

  Daisy stared at Robert too. 

 I cooked Robert a filet Mignon. 

He deserves a treat too for framing all of these paintings! 

He really enjoyed his steak. 

 I was suprised he gave each dog a little piece of steak! 

  Yes, the dogs are spoiled! 



     I saw this scene in our backyard.  I thought you would like to see! 

 Daisy and Duke are still very playful!

     I just received a short note from a teacher who used this blog

 to show her 6th grade students my snow paintings.

They are very inspired to paint Winter scenes!  How nice! 

 Thank you for letting me know!

     Have a good night!  Keep warm! 

 I am getting out to paint tomorrow!  Maybe Port Clyde? 

 "Sweet Daphney" 5x7 Oil on Copper Sold Today! 

     I found a really good owner for this nice little dog painting! 

 She fell in love with Daphney!  So now Daphney is flying all the way to Pennsylvannia. 

 Daisy and Duke are besides themselves with joy!  Ice cream!  More ice cream!

 

"Cadillac View of Otter's Cove"  5x7 Oil on Copper Sold at the Skyline Farm show a few weeks back.

  I try to show all of the paintings sold. 

"Winter Sunset" 6x6 Oil on Copper.  This one is not quite finished yet!

I cut the bottom part off this painting.  It was a "fence".  Then I sold it! 

     I headed to Camden and drove around looking for something to paint. 

 This is the fun part.  I found a beautiful creek half frozen surrounded by trees. 

 I did find a good parking spot. 

 I didn't know who to ask permission to set up near this creek.

  So I took off in pursuit of the perfect Winter scene to paint! 

  
  
     Here is a photo of me painting today on this frozen lake. 

 It was pretty cold, about 25 degrees.  I didn't have to wear a face mask. 

 When the temperatures are below 20, then a face mask is a necessary thing! 

 I can get away with wearing one layer of North Face polartec gloves above 20 degrees  for two hours. 
 


     It was a pretty day today!  I am glad I got out and painted. 

 It was really beautiful out there!  I am going to work more on this painting! 

 I will use this photo of the lake.   I need to improve the craftmanship.

  I need to work on the cattails on the bottom.

I didn't know how to handle those!  What a mess!  Have a great night!

     Here is Daisy enjoying her birthday present, a dog bed.  Daisy is 11 years old today!  She has had a rich and exciting life with Duke.  I picked Daisy up near Titusville, Florida when she was 6 weeks old.  She was with eight of her other brothers and sisters in a big backyard.  She was never allowed to come inside of the house.  There was no dog house.  During a storm, Daisy would put her head into a cement block for shelter from the rain.  To this day, Daisy is frightened of thunder and lightening.  She will come to find me when there is a storm.  I always take time to reassure her. 



      Daisy and Duke both received Frosty Paws ice cream treat!  Duke ran into the art gallery to have his ice cream in private.  Daisy proudly wore a homemade birthday hat while she munched on her ice cream.

     When Daisy was about three months old, Duke was given to me as a birthday present!  Duke was only six weeks old too.  Daisy loved him at first sight!  She wanted me to put him on the ground so she could inspect him!  She sniffed him over and watched him walk around.  I put a fleece blanket down and she layed down with Duke.  When I turned off the lights, they were both snuggled up to each other on the blanket.  That is how their friendship started.  In the morning Daisy lifted the dog door flap with her teeth until Duke walked out onto the porch.  She walked with him to the edge where the stairs were.  Duke was so small he tumbled down the steps.  They walked around the fenced half an acre backyard together slowly.  Soon I saw them walking around with a large limb of a tree.  Duke was trying to assist in pulling the limb around.  Daisy seemed to bring over some of her dog stuffed animal toys for him to play with.  They really enjoyed each other.



     They ate a lot of dog food!  I remember just feeding them Science Diet puppy dry food three times a day.  The vet told me to add three cans of dog to their diet per day per dog. 

      That is a total of 6 cans per day X 7= 42 can per week at 1.45$ each = $60.90  I am really glad I was not a working artist during these first years!  My goodness!  I remember going to Walmart and trying to find enough cans for the week! 

     They went through 3 cups of dry food 3 times a day per dog.  I remember lugging giant 50 pound bags into the cart at Petsmart each week!  At the time I was going to college at Stetson University.  Somedays I was gone 12 hours.  So I hired a doggy trainer and helper.  His job was to feed Daisy and Duke three times a day.  He also was suppose to train Daisy and Duke tricks.  He taught them how to sit, lay down, and roll over- in unison!  It was great!  Daisy became tired of doing these tricks and refused!  You could see her expression.  She would almost roll her eyes, sigh sometimes, and walk off!  So Duke still did the tricks. 

      Unfortunately we did not think of teaching them more important tricks such as:  how to get out of the car on command,  how to ignore another dog walking nearby, how to not jump on someone, how to sit still at the vet, how to behave while getting nails trimmed.  The list goes on.  I owned small yorkies before Daisy and Duke.  I had no idea of how to train a large dog.



     Daisy and Duke really enjoyed themselves tonight!  They are thankful for two more painting sales!  They say "Yahhoo!  Woof Woof!"  

     I am heading out to paint tomorrow!  Snow has melted in some areas.  We have had a mild Winter so far.  I need to practice more snow painting!  Here are two night scenes I did years ago!

 

"Midnight" 2x3 inch miniature 

 

"Moonlight" 2x3 inch miniature

     Goodnight!

    

 "Winter at Thuya Gardens" 8x8 Oil on Copper Panel. sold.
 
     I went to Mount Desert Island yesterday to paint in Thuya Gardens. 

 I made the mistake of being impulsive.

  I didn't change into my Cabela's Trans-Alaskan III boots. 

 I didn't have my North Face down gloves on. 

 I was pretty cold!  I painted till I was almost frozen!



     This is what my painting of Thuya Gardens looked like yesterday. 

 It was more expressive.  I thought it was great at first. 

It was a celebration of Winter in Thuya. 

 When I looked at it later at home, I decided to wipe it down. 

      I took my kolinsky sable flat brush size 12 and slowly lightly brushed over the painting. 

 The brush smoothed the paint. 

 After I brushed over the painting, each time, I washed out my brush and wiped

 off any excess gamsol (Turpentine substitute). 

 When this was done, I had a ghost image of the painting. 

      I downloaded my images of Thuya Garden, lightened the photos,

 and used a image on my computer monitor to repaint this painting. 

 I liked the results.  I ended up with a more refined painting of Thuya Gardens. 

 I worked until 1 AM. 

 Today I am feeling a little lazy. 

 It is hard to motivate myself each day to paint in 20 and 30 degrees by myself!

  The day is not over though. 

      I am really excited about this new square format! 

 It is so much fun to try new things!  I am enjoying painting outside this Winter. 

 I am learning to take the time to dress properly!  Get out and paint!

"Winter In Thuya Gardens" 8x8 Oil on Copper panel.

  I cut the bottom part off this painting.  Too much foreground with nothing in it!

 Then I sold it.

     Today I headed to Mount Desert Island to paint in the snow! 

 It was cold!  I drove to Eagle Lake. 

 There is a nice looking cedar tree at the edge of Eagle Lake. 

 The wind was at least 20mph. 

 So I jumped back into the van and off I drove! 

      I drove down the Winter entrance, Great Schooner Head Road to Park Loop Road.

  It was later in the day.  The sun was down so much there was not much light on Park Loop Road. 

      So I drove to Thuya Gardens.  Thuya Gardens was blanketed in snow. 

It was beautiful, cold, and peaceful.

  I ran back to get my painting equipment. 

 I set up not far from the main entrance.  I started to paint. 

I hadn't put my Cabela's Trans-Alaskan III Boots on. 

 I had my Ugg boots on.  They were warm enough for two hours.

  This garden is very complex to paint even under snow!

  There are many layer or depths to paint. 

 The Garden is long trailing off into the distance. 

There were pretty cool lavender shadows in the snow. 

The sun created spots of light yellows and oranges. 

The apple tree was purples and oranges depending on whether it was in the sun or shadow. 

 The different trees were all different colors and values. 

 There was a lot of color in the garden without there being a single flower! 

 I painted till I couldn't feel my nose or fingertips. 

I will post the photo of this painting as soon as my camera battery is recharged! 

     Today one of my art collectors and blog reader sent me a drawing. 

 This drawing was done by her son Chris.

  He was inspired by one of the photos I posted on this blog.  

 I am always suggesting to blog readers to feel free to draw or paint any of these photographs I post. 

(Only if you are not a professional artist!"

   Way to go Chris!  Do some more!   Here it is:



     Have a great night!  Get out and paint!

 "Together Again" 11x14 Oil on Copper.  Sold today in my Gallery!

     I love when people call to come to visit my art gallery, Lammers Gallery.

  Of course there is always some last minute cleaning.

 Daisy and Duke use my gallery as a giant playroom. 

 All of their dog stuffed animal toys are scattered around.

  Some of these furry toys have been ripped to shreds. 

 I have had the experience of young children seeing these pieces of fur thinking

 it was a real animal Daisy and Duke dismembered. 

 I always hide these little furry scraps now. 

I don't want any crying children in the art gallery! 

 We quickly purchased a beautiful chocolate cake! 

 I brewed up some Jamacian blue mountain coffee! 

     My guests arrived!  Right away their children spotted the chocolate cake.

  I asked permission for them to have a slice.

  They were very quiet happily eating their cake while I showed their Mom my paintings. 

This worked out very well. 

 Everyone was content. 

 

"The Cherry Tree at Asticou Gardens" 5x7 Oil on Copper.  Sold today in my Gallery!

     Robert was standing nearby to frame anything. 

 We were a good team today again!

  They went home with their new purchases. 

 They were eager to visit again to purchase new works. 

 I let her have two minature oil paintings for her two children's room. 

 What a wonderful day!

 

 "September at Rich's Wharf"  8x10 Oil on Copper.  Sold a few days ago off my website!

     I had a previous art collector see this painting off of my website. 

 My website has sold me so many paintings.

  I am very thankful of Fineartstudioonline's website services.

  Collectors enjoy cruising my website. 

 I sent this new painting out with a little miniature oil painting framed as a present. 

 I think it is fun to stick a little painting in their package as a bonus gift! 

 I like to also send them a watercolor painting with a thank you inside. 

 It adds an extra special feeling to receiving their new painting by mail!

  I really appreciate these sales. 

 

"Henny Penny" 5x7 Oil on Copper.  Sold a few days ago.

  This painting was a commissioned work from the Skyline Farm show in North Yarmouth, Maine.

     I received a call from a man who had seen my white chicken at the Skyline Farm holiday show. 

He wanted me to paint Henny Penny for his wife. 

They had this golden brantum hen with a rooster and many chicks. 

 Unfortunately a fox wiped out this family of chickens. 

 They only had one photo for me to use. 

 I had to do research about golden brantum chickens so I could paint it.

  It was challenging.  They wanted their chicken walking. 

 But the photo of the chicken given to me was looking straight ahead. 

 I used an internet photo of a golden brantum chicken to draw out the painting. 

 Then I used the actual chicken photo to put the right markings on the chicken painting. 

      Skyline Farm was very pleased.  They sent me a thank you note after the show closed. 

 They said they appreciated the five chicken painting commissions I did for them. 

 I sold nine paintings at their show bringing in the majority of the painting money for Skyline Farm.

  They wrote I would be invited to participate in this show again next year! 

      I am going out to paint tomorrow on Mount Desert Island in Acadia National Park. 

I think I will paint on Park Loop Road.  I am practicing plein aire snow paintings. 

 I have been invited to paint in Vermont with 8-9 professional plein aire painters for four or five nights. 

These plein aire painters are very very good. 

 Each year they invite only a few painters.

  I am thrilled to have received an invitation too! 

 It is a top secret location!  Have a great night!  Get out and paint!

 "The Artist's View on New Years Day" 8x8 Oil on Copper panel.  sold.  Thanks

     Today I was cooking a turkey so I couldn't leave to paint.

  I looked out my back door on the porch and saw this amazing view!

  It was 45 degrees out.  I set up my easel and started to paint! 

 I used only Cobalt Blue, Quinacridone Magenta, and Cadmium Yellow Light. 

 I used Titanium White.  It is amazing all of the colors you can mix with these three colors! 

 It creates such a harmonious painting!  Daisy and Duke came out and kept me company. 

 They enjoyed this warmer Winter day as well! 



     Here I am painting outside today!  What a great way to spend New Year's Day!



     Here is Kathi Peters and I last night holding up our live lobsters! 

 I picked out a three pound lobster for her!

  We had four other small lobster for Les, her husband, and I to eat. 

We grilled Robert a beautiful porterhouse steak!  We all ate well!



    We sure did have a lot of fun posing with our lobsters! 

 Les and Robert were both taking photos!



     After we steamed our lobsters and grilled the steak we posed for this photo.

  Timed photos are the most fun!   We sure did have a lot of fun! 





     These are photos of Bass Harbor Marsh on Mount Desert Island.

  I took these photos yesterday while I was over there painting "The Little Spruce Tree". 

 Winter is a beautiful time here in Maine. 

 I can't wait to paint outside tomorrow!

     Get outside and paint!