Here is my favorite spot to paint lately in Castine.  There are new flowers growing every few weeks here.  The possibilities are endless for paintings.  Camden hills are in the distance I think.  There is a problem with this scene.  There needs to be a path to get to the sea!  So I decided to create my own dirt road into the scene.

"Wild Roses and Queen Anne's Lace" 8x10 oil on copper.  450$ Framed in black and gold wood.  Or Gold wood.  Shipped free!  Here is my painting efforts today. The path is better.  It allows the viewer to travel into the painting and look in the distance at the mountains in Camden. 

   Here are a few photos I took today!  It was lovely.  Here the vegetation acts like a fence again.  I think a path would be nice here to allow the viewer of the painting to get to the sea.  Who wants to hike through that mess!  Ticks...maybe a few Bees!  

   I saw this ship coming into the harbor in Castine.  

   Here is Daisy and Duke getting ready to have some frozen yogurt in celebration of all the painting sales at the Bar Harbor Art Show!  Yippee Duke on the right is saying!  

    I received my new book, "Impressionist Summers-Frank W. Benson's North Haven" by Faith Bedford.  Here is Frank W. Benson painting "Mother and Children" a portrait of his family on an island near Rockland, Maine called North Haven.  He is well known for these sun-dappled shimmering paintings finished on New Haven.   Frank Benson was one of the first American Impressionists and member of an artist group called The Ten. Wooster Farm, located on North Haven, is where Frank and his family spent many Summers.  He was a watercolorist, painting over 500 watercolors, oil painter, and print maker.  

   Willard Metcalf, another excellent painter, visited Frank Benson on North Haven. 

 

   I was very impressed with Frank Benson's oil painting, "Dory Fisherman" 25x30.  Benson's family believed this is a painting of the artist and his son with a caretaker.  I just love the way he painted the water.

   Here is a close up of the water.  Warm colors and cool colors in a painterly fashion!  Here are a few quotes made by Frank Benson:

"People in general have a sense of beauty and know when things are right.  And design is the only thing that matters."

When a friend wrote to congratulate him on all his medals, he wrote this:

"One never gets tired of things like that chiefly because they call forth letters like yours from the people who care for you and are glad when you get one."

"The two crows, Jim and Anna, taken from a nest...in June are a nuisance.  They ate most of our strawberries," he grumbled, "and pulled up what plants they could.  Next year we shall try to get along without them."  "Chip the robin lived in and out of the house for a month and then left to our regret." 

Advice on painting to his daughter, "At all times observe minutely the delicate variations of value between one thing and another or between the light and shadow.  Do not paint the figure...Paint the light and shade and interrelating values of the whole thing."  "You must be entirely absorbed the the light and shade...Don't paint anything but the effect of light."

"A picture is merely an experiment in design.  If the design is pleasing, the picture is good.  Few appreciate that what makes them admire a picture is the design made by the painter. A picture is good or bad as its composition is good or bad. 

" I simply follow the light, where it comes from, and where it goes."

Have a good evening!  I hope you enjoyed this whether you are a painter or not!  Let's paint!

  Here is Daisy and Duke having a frozen yogurt with blueberry treat!  They are extremely happy about this.  Duke is seen making a creative howling sound.  Daisy likes to wag her tail fast.

   I drove to Mount Desert Island today to locate a rock formation special to native Indians near the island.   They believe this Star Point in Salisbury Cove is a port hole to another world.  They still have special Indian celebrations at Star Point. 

 

    The only way to gain access to this Star Point is to be a guest in a hotel on Salisbury Cove.  Then you have to hike along the coast line until you find it.  

    Here is the best view of Star Point.  Be careful to not walk on the rock weed seaweed growing on these rocks.  You might fall and hurt yourself as I did today.  My left hand is pretty messed up.  I tried to paint but was in too much pain.  I will heal up.  I rarely ever fall down.  Maybe once a year to those thinking I am a kluz.  I am not the type to sit in my leather recliner all day and watch my fingernails grow.  So if I fall down from cliff climbing, scampering down mountains, and dragging my 75 pounds of painting equipment to remote spots to paint...not too bad.  Anyway... I am alive.  I just had to take this photo for you to see!  I have lived on Mount Desert Island for over two years.  No one ever told me about this spot!

   Apparently Indians still gather here to have ceremonies.  They believe this area has a special power.  

    Here is an interesting view of Sand Beach in the distance from Park Loop Road.  I had to scamper down a hill and climb a bit for this view.  Pink Granite rocks really are beautiful in Acadia National Park. 

   Have a good night! 

     I drove over to Mount Desert Island today.  It was very gray out.  I didn't paint because of the rain.  Here are a few photos!  This is Seal Harbor.

Here is a video of Monhegan Island and Manana Island!

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    Daisy and Duke have been enjoying their Frosty Paws ice cream treat each day!  Hooray!  Robert and I had ice cream too last night.  Have a good night!  I am going to start to paint!

    I made reservations from November 26-December 23 to stay in a cabin in Negril in Jamaica!  I am going to bring my oil paintings, easel, copper panels, and swimsuit!  I love to paint at the beach more than any other place.  I found a cabin for only 1000$ for a month on this beach.  I should be able to sell these paintings off my website.  

   Here is the cabin I have reserved.  Don't laugh!  It is made of cedar and only 100 ft from the ocean you saw!  Perfect for me to step outside at 5:00 am and paint sunrises!  Robert asked, "What type of roof is there?  Is it metal or palm leaves?"  Who knows.

   Here is the inside of my cabin on the beach!  There looks to be a queen size bed, desk, fan, and bunk bed.  

   Look at the ocean colors.  Just amazing.  I have been to Negril, Jamaica 8 times on vacation.  It is a safe place if you stay on the beach.  My cabin has security guard at night and day.  There is free Wifi so the blog will continue!  Clothing is optional here but believe me I will be wearing all my clothes at all times.  Ha Ha!

    Here is the view from my cabin!  They will serve fresh Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee in the morning at 10:00am!  Also fresh fruits from their garden.  I hope to enjoy walking on their 7 miles of powdery white sand and soak in the warm salt waters.  I have worked very hard this last few years painting.  I could use a rejuvenating vacation away from the darkest and cold Maine Winter.  I am going to bring a hundred small copper panels with me.  I wonder how many pretty paintings I will be able to do?  

   Have a great day!  Doesn't this sound like a wonderful adventure for you to follow?  I have been dreaming about being in Jamaica each Maine Winter!  Let's Paint! 

"Somes Sound Sailboat" 6x6 Sold this morning of my FASO website! This painting will be a wedding gift for a bride who owns this boat and the groom who is painted working on her boat!  It wasn't a commission.  The groom and groom's father talked to me after they cleaned the sailboat.  So I gave them my business card!  What an honor it is to have one of my paintings as a wedding present.  Pretty neat.

    Here are some helpful hints to selling paintings at an outdoor art show.

1.  Buy an outfit that looks great on you.  Women..don't wear anything low cut or slinky.  Be professional.  Men..no shorts or tank tops but not a business suit either.  You would be surprised at the lack of effort in this department.  I think t shirts are too casual.  Jeans are too casual too.  So if you do make an effort to look professional you will have an advantage!

2.  Don't wear sunglasses at the show.  People can't see your eyes.  It is difficult to connect with someone if they can't see your eyes.  Don't put your hands in your pockets or behind your back.  Make sure you hands are seen by the clients.  It shows you are confident and not being sneaky....

3.  Sometimes I notice when people come up to my art tent...they walk slowly...some are very hesitant.  I have found a warm welcome helpful.   A suggestion for them to come into the tent is greatly appreciated.  My southern hospitality brings a smile to people's faces.  It puts them in a good mood.  Sometimes they will even laugh.  New England people can be very reserved.  Most of the clients at these outdoor shows are southern!  They do like to feel welcome.  The New England clients do smile too.  

4.   Do not sit down!  Workout or loose weight if you can't stand for 8 hours a day.

5.   Don't have every single painting framed and hung so there is no space in between the paintings.  It is better to have a few great paintings framed than a hundred.  Have the other hundred paintings not hanging but in a box for them to go through.  People like unframed work.  

6.  Some artists ask questions to find out about the client.  I think this makes them nervous.  Who likes to be cross examined?  I don't.  I would get out of the tent and walk away.  I like to talk about what my painting goals are, tell them my painting process, talk about dogs, tell them plein air painting disasters, and entertain them.  People in my tent are usually laughing and so am I.  

You might enjoy watching what Daisy and Duke do at Alamoosook Lake!

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"Anticipation" 6x6 Sold!  

   I had a fabulous day again today at the Bar Harbor Art Show.  This is an outdoor show located in popular Bar Harbor.  I have been doing this show twice a year for four years.  I am lucky to have many repeat clients!  It is great to see their smiling faces.  They have become like friends.  

"Allure" 6x6 Sold too!  

"Sunset Blaze" Sold!

"Orange Poppies" Sold!  

"Early Evening" 5x7 Sold!

"Marsh Sunset" Sold!

"Bessie's House" Sold!  

"Monhegan Laundry" 5x5 Sold!

   "Summer At Jordon's Pond" 8x10 I am not sure if this is a picture of the finished painting.  Sold!

"Canoe" 5x4 Sold!

Sold!  

     I sold 23 paintings and about 10 mini paintings!  So I am very happy!  Daisy and Duke will celebrate all these sales with a frosty paw ice cream treat for dogs each night for 23 days.  They will be slick and fat!  Maybe Robert should get a few banana splits too.  He worked hard putting up the show tent on Saturday and taking the tent down on Sunday!  We are a good team.  

   Tonight one of my clients took us out to dinner!  It was so much fun.  What a treat.  I wished they lived closer.  Deborah and Steve are interesting people.  Thank you guys!  Have a great night!  Now it is time to paint!  

   Daisy and Duke knew I did well today.  When I returned home they howled for over a minute.  I know they were happy to see me but the intense barking and wolf like sounds were very loud!  They sure do love their Frosty Paws Ice Cream for dogs!   I will have to pick up their treat on Monday!  Thank you to those who purchased a painting.  You all make it possible for me to paint.  

     The highlight of today was the arrival of two art clients and their family members including one small black Poodle.    Three came all the way from Florida.  Two drove up from West Virginia with their little dog.  What a nice surprise this was to visit with them again.  The little black Poodle is getting Frosty Paws Ice cream thanks to Daisy and Duke's posting of this treat.  The dog is so small it takes five nights for her to finish off one treat.  I really do think the dog's hair is thicker and fluffier.  I wonder how many other dogs around the world are receiving Frosty Paws because of Daisy and Duke? 

"Towards Blue Hill" 8x10 was one of the paintings sold today.   I am very happy.  I don't do many outdoors shows a year.  I rely of these three outdoor shows for most of my yearly income. I do several plein air events but never make a profit considering all the gas, paint, frames damaged....most of the time I loose money attending them.  It costs 1000$ average to attend a plein air event.   Here are just a few other paintings sold today.  I think I sold a total of 10 paintings and a few mini paintings.

"All Quiet" 6x6 sold today!

"Autumn Colors" 4x4 Sold today!

"Home Sweet Home" 4x4 sold too!

"Shimmer" 4x6 Sold too!  Thank you Thank you!

    Here are a few paintings I framed yesterday still available.  A client asked to see these different frames..so here they are.

   I think this is a great frame for the "Pink Roses, Lupines, and Blackberry Blossom" paintings sold the other day.  This painting is called "View Of Sand Beach In The Distance" 6x6 oil on copper.

"Lupines Under The Oak Tree" 8x10 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold wood.  350$  This painting isn't on my website.  Sometimes I forget to take the picture.

     "A Poppy" 4x4 oil on copper.  Framed in gold wood.  Shipped free. 175$  Here is another painting I never put on my website still available.  My house has paintings laying all over the place.  Sometimes a few get shuffled into boxes and I forget about them.

"Monhegan Day" 6x6 framed in a medium gold frame.  This painting received a lot of attention.  Still available!

"View of Somes Sound" 8x10 This painting was the favorite of many people.  Still available!  I think I like this one best too.  

    If you get a chance, come to the Bar Harbor Art Show on Mount Desert Island.  I will be there until 6pm.  Have a good night!

  "Pink Roses, Lupines, and Blackberry Blossoms" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold right off my FASO website!  I woke up this morning to check my email.  I discovered it sold.  Wow!  That is such a great feeling.  Just yesterday when I was in the kitchen getting a serving of yogurt...Daisy and Duke recognized the container.  They usually receive a Frosty Paws ice cream treat or a homemade frozen yogurt with blueberries.  It has been a little while since I have sold a painting.  I think lack of sales is difficult on Daisy and Duke!  I did give them each a helping of yogurt.  They were happy.  Today I will give them a frozen yogurt treat to celebrate.  Temperatures are hot here in Maine!  Thank you for the sale!  We all appreciate you!

   My friend Rick passed away yesterday at 12:00 pm.  His friend called to tell me.  Rick died alone in the hospital.  His friend had seen Rick yesterday and reported he looked well.  He is in heaven not suffering anymore.   I can't imagine the pain and suffering he went through.  His sister and brother left over a month ago after visiting him a few days.  It was Rick's friends who gave him the support he needed.  He always made friends a priority.

 

   About an hour after I heard Rick died, Daisy started to act very stressed out.  She tried to get between my recliner and the wall.  She pushed hundreds of photos and stuff away.  She even moved my chair a little.  She paced around the house.  Duke took off running and howled as if he was frightened.  I decided they both were overheated.  I put them in the kitchen where the ac unit was.  I put a freezer pac on Daisy's back.  Daisy drank some Gatorade.  She still acted strange.  So I called Robert.  He was on his way home.  He decided Daisy and Duke should go to Sandy Point.  The cool waters helped.  Daisy relaxed then.  Today she seems fine.  I think she just needed a cool swim! 

Update on Daisy:  She was afraid of the plastic bags I was stuffing with paintings!  The bags made a squealing sound when I sealed them.  Glad she is ok now.

       I am very sad about my friend Rick.  I will miss him.

    I was reading the guidelines for creating paintings for cancer patients to view at Calaway and Young Cancer Center at Vallery View Hospital.  This hospital was jurying donated paintings they can have patrons purchase.  These purchased paintings will remain in the cancer center for patients to view.  

Here was the link.  http://vvh.org/pages-pdfs/Inspired%20.pdf

  Within the written information were a few of these painting for healing tips.  I found these tips to be very interesting.  Here they are:

A variety of studies on the healing impact of art on patients yield

consistent findings. The results define guidelines for art which

decreases anxiety, lowers blood pressure and contributes to wellness in concrete and measurable ways. 

The hallmarks of healing art include:

For landscapes

• Depictions of restorative nature, alive and robust

• Calm, non-turbulent water

• Visual depth or openness in the immediate foreground

• Warmer seasons, spring and summer

• Vegetation that is healthy and thriving

• Beautiful light, inspiring serenity

For figurative art

• Emotionally positive facial expressions

• Depictions of friendly, nurturing relationships

• People at leisure in nature

• Generational and cultural diversityAmong the elements to avoid are:

The components to be avoided in healing art may be somewhat surprising to artists.

Many of the subjects we usually find

visually compelling and exciting often induce anxiety and

other negative emotions in people who are experiencing

illness,  sorrow and unprecedented challenge. 

The research on elements to avoid has been reinforced

through experience at Valley View. Patients have asked us to

remove certain art as it has brought up negative feelings.

Valley View is in the process of reviewing art in the building

and eliminating such pieces, replacing them with art that adheres to the guidelines.  

While the list of subjects and styles may at first glance seem

restrictive, there are examples of truly healing art in most

artists’ bodies of work. 

Please refrain from:

• Abstraction. People under stress tend to read negative 

content into art which is not literal and well-defined.

• Winter and fall, as well as dramatic sunsets, which tend 

to represent death and dying to people who are sick.

• Emotionally negative or provocative subject matter

• Depictions of struggle, sharp edges

• Stormy, dramatic skies, stormy weather

• Restricted depth, claustrophobic composition

• Closeups of animals staring directly at the viewer

    

    I am framing work for the Bar Harbor Art Show this weekend!  If you are in the area...please consider stopping by!  I should have at least a hundred paintings!  

    Here is Duke walking around in Alamoosook Lake today.  He loves to try to capture fish or frogs.  

    I was admiring all of the golden colors.  This is the perfect place for a Golden Retriever to be!

   What a happy day!  I love spending time at this lake watching Daisy and Duke.  It is very relaxing.

   Here is a few views from Cadillac Mountain.  

   Yesterday Robert and I, Daisy and Duke were at Alamoosook Lake.  A dead fish came up onto the shore.  We didn't want Daisy and Duke to mess with the fish.  So I speared the dead fish and hung it from the stick in a hole in a tree very high up in the air.  I thought an Eagle might spot the fish later!  Well Daisy and Duke discovered the fish...watch short video of what happened.

"Pink Roses, Lupines, and Blackberry Blossoms" 6x6 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold wood or gold wood.   Shipped free!

    We painted at Dyce's Head in Castine today.  I have painted this scene at different times of the year.  I have learned recently from a judge at a plein air event to place a path in the landscape.  Apparently it give the viewer's eye a chance to travel into the painting.  There wasn't any path where I was painting.  So mentally I created a path.  I decided to move a few Lupines into view.  I had fun.

   Here are a few photos I took in Monhegan Island.  Smutty Nose is a little rocky island off of Monhegan island.  I saw these black birds nesting there.  

   Love the wild roses all over Monhegan Island.

   I sat and watched Manana Island for a few hours yesterday while I waited for the Monhegan Boat Line Ferry.  All of a sudden a few goats and white lambs appeared on the island.  An elderly man rowed from Monhegan to Manana in a skiff.  He carried two six packs of beer up to this house on Manana Island.  Then he fed his sheep and lambs.  It was fun to watch.  What a quiet little island he lives on.  It must be amazing.  

   Here is the man with his animals.  They must be great company.   Just happiness!   I would prefer Robert and Daisy and Duke!  Now this is happiness!  I love being home.

 This duck is an Eider Duck female.  She had only one chick.

   Lobster boat coming in the for day full blast.  

  A sea of diamonds with a lobster boat in the distance!  I found myself studying the colors of the "diamonds" and surrounding water.  The "diamonds" are actually NOT white.  They are a very light yellow.  The water looked lavender down the center and cool blue to the right.  The water on the left was a lighter cool blue.  Around the "diamonds" the color was a red.  I wonder how many artists analyze colors so they might better paint them?  I bet a lot!

    I think there are a few Seals laying on the rocks.  This is how I feel.  I just need to find a smooth rock.  Have a great night!  Let's paint!

   I brought the ladies to Monhegan Island.  I decided to paint here on Monhegan's Main Street. I met so many nice people as I painted.  

"Monhegan's Maine Street" 8x10 oil on copper.  450$ Framed in black and gold wood.

  I find paths going downhill and curving very fun and challenging to paint.  Wild Roses lined the path on both side.  There were flowers called Snow in Summer on the left hand side.  The Monhegan Church was in the distance.  Often I have wondered this path with hands full of wet paintings.  

"Monhegan Day" 6x6 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped free.  350$

   I was very tired after painting the Monhegan Main Street painting.  I sat down in one of these white chairs at the Trailing Yew Hotel.  I looked at the empty chair next to me.  It was pretty.  The sun was just right.  So I decided to paint the chair!  The dinner bell rang at the Trailing Yew just as I was finishing.  They made me a wonderful vegetarian plate for dinner.  I watched the sunset at the wharf.  

    Here are a few photos.  Here is the sunset looking at Manana Island.  

Schooner was making his rounds.  

  The golden hour of the day gives these old fish houses on fish beach a warm glow.

   The Red House at Swim Beach was looking nice.

There were still goats on Manana Island.  The white cow was not present.  Someone reported the white cow wearing flowers at the last fall festival.

    I stopped to pick up two lobsters for the ladies in Belfast on the way home.  I boiled the lobsters up.  Ladies reported the lobster was fantastic.  I am going to sleep early.  Things are going fine.  Have a good night!

"View of Somes Sound" 8x10 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold wood or gold wood.  Shipped free.

   I painted this painting at Sumby Park in Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island.  The view is of Somes Sound.  What a wonderful day spent with the ladies painting.  We had perfect weather.  Sumby Park is a public park not known to tourists.  We had the entire park to ourselves.

   Have a wonderful night!  We are headed to Monhegan Island to the Trailing Yew Inn for two days.  I will write about the trip when I get home!  The weather is going to be splendid!  The ladies are really looking forward to this trip to Monhegan Island.

In 2007, plein air painter Renee Lammers found herself surrounded by metal. She and her husband decided to leave Florida, in the midst of recession, and start a new life in Maine, setting them on a new path that would transform them forever. They sold most of their belongings and lived out of an Airtstream RV for two years, surrounded by aluminum walls, and the changing scenery.
 
En route to Maine, the couple stopped at the Boston Museum of Art. There, Lammers saw Frans Snyder’s Still Life with Fruit, Wan-Li Porcelain, and Squirrel, a copper panel painting from 1616. She was startled to find the surface smooth, void of cracks, like other older canvas paintings. She admired the glow of the copper beneath the oil paint. The colors seemed unusually luminous and radiant.
 
That’s when she decided – she would become a plein air copper painter.
 
Lammers had started painting with oil at four years old. She sold her first painting when she was only ten, for fifty dollars. At sixteen, Lammers studied Sumi, an oriental style of watercolor in Okinawa, Japan. There, professors saw her talent with oils and convinced her to stick with them. Years later, she grew into a plein air painter, and braved the elements to capture the perfect painting.  In Florida, plein air painting was dangerous. Wild boars ran through the woods where Lammers painted. Rabid raccoons chased her. Copperhead snakes lurked nearby. Scorching temperatures left her with heat stroke twice.
 
In Maine, Lammers found herself surrounded by other plein air painters and respected by art collectors.
 
Today, Lammers keeps her process simple. She uses oil paints without any medium or turpenoid. Although she does rinse her brushes with turpenoid, wiping off any excess. To prepare a copper panel for painting, she first sands it down, then secures the copper panel to an easel with Gorilla tape.
 
Before painting, Lammers sketches a scene on a small sketch pad. When she’s got the basic landscape down, she redraws the sketch on the copper, using either a pencil or archival felt tip pen. Then she paints the image on the copper with oil. Sometimes she scrapes away the paint to show the copper. As copper is an integral part of the painting, Lammers leaves specks throughout the painting. This way, both the painting and copper are represented in every work. Each painting dries for months.
 
When perfectly dry, she seals paintings with Gamblin’s Cold Wax. This seals the copper from oxygen and provides a mat finish, a look preferred by gallery owners. This wax doesn’t turn brown over time. It can be removed and reapplied.
 
Location is key to becoming a successful plein air painter. Lammers calls it “the hunt.” Rather than look for objects to paint, she notices the quality of sunlight. Colors and paths draw her in. She likes to paint flowers, white hens, and white boats - all bathed in sun. Currently, she is experimenting with animals again, and attempting to create much larger 36’ x 48’ copper paintings.
 
When painting outdoors, she can move and delete objects. Painting from a photo, she says, causes her to become a slave, trying to replicate it flawlessly.
 
“There is a transfer of energy from me into the painting when I paint on location,” she says. “I don’t feel any energy surge from painting a photo. Plein air painting is very important to my growth and success as an artist.”
 
For the past few years, Lammers has been invited to plein air shows in Florida, Georgia, California, South Carolina, and Maine. From May 15 to May 19, her paintings will be juried in the Wayne’s Plein Air Event in Pennsylvania. Lammers will be juried into the Bar Harbor Art Show.
 
Money has never been the driving force of Lammers’ artistic endeavors. The real value of these events, Lammers finds, is meeting other painters, learning from them how to paint better and sell more.
 
“I’ve never thought of not painting,” says Lammers. “Painting is a part of me. To be a professional artist is another thing. I only want to paint.”

Renee Lammers, Bucksport, ME, (207)479-9553

"View of Smith Cove" 6x6 oil on copper.  350$ framed in black and gold or gold wood.  shipped free.

"Busy Bees" 6x6 oil on copper Framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped.

"Autumn On Cadillac Mountain" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.

"Birch Trees and Spruce at Sand Beach" 6x12 oil on copper sold.

"Cadillac Mountain Spruce Trees at Hulls Cove" 5x7 oil on copper.  Sold.

    The ladies plein aire retreat is going well.  We went to Mount Desert Island today to Sand Beach, Jordon's Pond, Thuya Garden, Cadillac Mountain, Walmart, LL Bean!  We even painted at Sand Beach.  We have been eating very well!  Last night I made Lobster Moray with pasta.  I am exhausted.  Have a great night.  Let's paint.

   "Schooner Harmony" 8x10 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold wood or gold wood.  450$ shipped.

   I decided to paint right infront of all the Schooner trip saleman on the dock.  I was taking my time setting up my equipment.  I was sketching a drawing.  I saw a young man sit down on a bench five feet near me.  I recognized him!  I said to him, "Colin...are you going to eat your sandwich and watch me paint?"  I laughed.  He smiled.  We talked about plein air events.  I asked him if he was painting today.  He said he had been painting on a lake nearby.  He pointed out a great painting spot on the grass across the harbor.  After a few moments he finished his sandwich and left.  It was nice to meet Colin.

   I cooked up lobster for my first guest.  Tomorrow the other ladies fly into Bangor Airport.  I might get a painting done earlier in the day.  Daisy and Duke like having house guests.  Have a good night!  Get out and paint!

"All Quiet" 6x6 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold or gold wood.  Shipped free.

    I have been painting the walls in the house, cleaning, and shopping for the Ladies Plein Air Retreat starting tomorrow.  I still had a little bit of energy left to paint this painting!  Have a good night.  Let's paint!

   I worked very hard yesterday on this 36x48 copper skiff painting!  I prefer to work wet into wet.  So I pushed myself to work until I just was too tired!  I went to sleep very late last night.  I like many parts to the painting already.  It isn't finished yet.  Duke is watching on the left!  He is a good dog.  Daisy is laying on her dog bed further over to the left.

   The water has a nice shimmery look already.  I used a size 4 printing brayer to lay in the large shapes.  Then I used a large fan brush to soften all the edges.  I put the large wood palette into the freezer so the paint stays wet.  I am learning to use the large palette knifes to scrape off paint on the palette.  I could reuse this gray paint.  But I never do.  So I toss it out.  

   Here is our view of the backyard.  Fog is keeping Verona Island in the distance!  Lovely green smells this morning.  During the Fall and Winter there are no such smells.  The Bees are happy!

  Here is Daisy and Duke admiring the lovely Lake Alamoosook.  They sure do love water!  

   It is very fun to be at the lake with Daisy and Duke!  Yesterday we were there for many hours.  Daisy decided to start swimming!  She just swam without any goal in mind!  Robert was not there.  Usually he can keep them behaving themselves.  Here is what I recorded:

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    Have a good day!  Get out and paint!

"Calm Maine Day" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped free.

"Beer Break" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ Framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped free!

"Golden Hour at the Wekiwa Springs" 12x18 oil on copper.  1200$

"Shimmer" 4x6 oil on copper 250$ Framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped free.

   While Daisy and Duke were swimming at Alamoosook Lake today I watched a mother bird with 8 little babies swim.  This bird is a female Common Merganzer.  Once the female lays eggs, the male leaves.  She is left to incubate all of the eggs herself.  For five weeks the chicks will stay with her.  

  So cute!  

   Here is a video of Daisy and Duke today at Alamoosook Lake.  Duke was cleaning Daisy's hair.  They were both on top of a big rock by the lake.  Daisy kept getting closer and closer to the edge.  Then....well...I will let you see what happened.

   
 

Have a great night!  Working hard on the big painting!  Let's paint!

    I have completed my drawing of a white skiff finally on a 36x48 copper panel.  I prefer to use a watercolor pencil to draw with.  I used a yard stick and a ruler!  Many painters do use a projector to help draw out a large painting.  I think this is cheating frankly.  I like to draw out my own drawings.  Paintings of boats are difficult.  If the drawing is wrong the painting will fail.  It is difficult to fix a painting with a bad drawing.  I have been trying to decide which skiff photo to paint.  I drew out two other skiffs but was not satisfied. I sanded the drawing on the copper off.  Thought about the painting more.  Finally I decided!  There is nothing impulsive about a large painting.  

   The Bees are doing well!  The small hive ran out of sugar water.  Robert is going to boil them up some more and let it cool tonight.  The Bees drink a lot of sugar water!  Robert says we have been through 16 x 5 pound bags of sugar already.  

   Here is our backyard.  We have an acre on the Penobscot East Channel with Verona Island in the distance!  Notice my tin can organic lettuce garden hanging on the wooden fence.  

  Here is Daisy swimming at Alamoosook Lake.  If you have Golden Retrievers expect to be near bodies of water...they love to swim.  Luckily Robert and I love the water too.  We love to take them to the lake.  Life with Daisy and Duke is exciting.  They keep us entertained.  Daisy swam after a Loon today.  I caught the whole thing on video for you to see!

   I love to spend time on this lake.  I think I should bring out my painting equipment next time.  I do like to just hang out with Robert, Daisy, and Duke.  It is a special time of the day I look forward to!  Have a good night.  I may start on my big painting tonight!  Do you like the videos?  Should I continue the videos?  

"The Wedding Present" oil on copper. 9x12 sold.  Thanks.

"Carolina Marsh" 4x6 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped. Sold.

"Under The Stars" 4x6 oil on copper. Framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped.  Sold.

"Golden Cedar" 5x7 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped.  

"Lights Out" 4x6 oil on copper.  250$ Framed in black and gold wood.  Sold.

"Carolina Shrimp Boats" 4x6 oil on copper. Framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped!  sold.

"Let's Go Shrimpin" 4x6 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold.  Shipped.  sold.

   Here is my South Carolina painting collection for you to see. I had never ever considered traveling to South Carolina to paint.  An artist I knew at the time, John Caggiano, really wanted to paint in South Carolina.  So that is how I ended up painting there.  

     I have been painting and cleaning.  I am getting ready for the Ladies Plein Aire Retreat June 10th. The Ladies retreat is not a workshop.  It is an opportunity for ladies to travel to Maine, be taken to painting locations, and fed a lot of fresh lobster!  Of course I know we will all learn from each other.  

    Robert has been helping with cleaning and repairs too.  Daisy and Duke helped Robert weed by eating some grass in an unwanted area. 

    Two years ago while I was painting in Baxter State Park in June, I saw this Moose!  I hope the ladies will get a chance to see a real live Moose!

"Golden Sun on Bass Harbor" 6x6 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped!

    I was in Bernard on Mount Desert Island one day when I saw the sun lighting up Bass Harbor!  It was a beautiful sight.  I knew I wouldn't have time to paint this scene.  So I took a photo.  Yesterday it was another cold and rainy day in Maine.  So I decided to paint from photos.  I studied the photo.  I realized all of the foreground and middle ground was mostly in shadow.  So I could basically paint all of this area a low saturated cool color, add a very darks to define shapes.  Then the sunlight areas were all warm.  Once I could figure out how to tackle the painting it went smoothly!  Painting in large shapes first is the best way to tackle any subject.  It really simplifies painting.

"Chanticleer Poppies" 8x10 oil on copper. Sold at the Waynes Plein Aire Event.  I am happy but somehow sad I won't see my Poppies again!  This was very fun to paint.  I will continue to study Poppies if I get a chance.

   Have a great day!  Let's paint!  Here is a fun video of Duke and Daisy enjoying their frozen yogurt and blueberry treat celebrating the Poppy painting sale!  I think you will enjoy this!

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"Anticipation" 6x6 oil on copper.  450$ Framed in Gold wood.  Shipped free.

    It was raining today!  So I turned on the heater, drank a lot of coffee, and decided to paint some skiffs!  These skiffs are difficult.  Drawing skiffs perfectly is a must.  Getting the color temperature correct is another must.  Then I think it is a great idea to soften edges and loosen up some.  Don't want the finished painting to look like a strange warped photo!  I am happy with the results.  I need to work on more of these for several juried shows.  One show is the Bar Harbor Fine Art Show in Bar Harbor June 23, 24.  This is a popular outdoor art show in the center of town.  Many people travel from across the USA to see works from regional painters!

 "Approaching Evening at Otter Cliffs" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold today!  Daisy and Duke must have known right away.  They came over to me and barked!  Then I gave them their Frosty Paw ice cream treat.  They were very happy and quiet for some time.  Now they are sleeping.

    Have a great night!  Get out and paint if it is not raining!

"Cottage View" 6x6 oil on copper.  sold.

   Today I was invited to paint at a red cottage in Bernard on Steamboat Wharf Road on Mount Desert Island.  My Florida painter friend Toni has rented this cottage for the whole month.  The view is incredible!  

   Here is the view from the cottage.  It was a very cold gray day.  In the distance you can see Rich's Wharf.  There are many lobster boats to watch moving around.  The cottage is very quiet inside.  Toni was very glad she bought her Winter clothes.  The thermometer only read 61 degrees but the air coming off the cold 42 degree ocean really cools the air!

   Here we are painting.  Toni uses a Soltec easel which has a surprisingly large palette for mixing colors.  I didn't like the distance for the painter to lean over the palette to paint.  I have heard those Soltec easel tripoding legs to be a real nightmare if a grain of sand gets into the leg!  The leg gets stuck.  There is no perfect painting easel.  I am using a 8x10 Open M easel.  There is hardly any palette room so I use another palette.  Toni cut the top off a Murphy's Soap bottle and uses it to hold brushes.  

Here is the red cottage.  Isn't this such a cute cottage?  I think this would be a nice place to have a ladies plein aire retreat.  This cottage sleeps five.

The living room has a fireplace!  I love a nice fire on a cold Spring night.  They have firewood available. 

   There is a full kitchen with a small dinette overlooking the porch and 180 degree ocean view!  

   There are two bedrooms.  Each room has a queen sized bed and one has a double bunk bed.  

   The only light in the bathroom is from a small lamp!  At least there is a shower, toliet, and sink!  The door has a hard time closing.  Toni thought about using the power tools in the garage to sand off a chunk of the door.  I think she was joking...

   Poppies from yesterday's trip to Mount Desert Island!  These were huge. 

  Lilacs are in bloom now!  Lovely smelling flower.  

    I hope you enjoyed seeing inside a Maine cottage.  They can be rustic!   This one is nicer than most I have seen.  I really like the location of this red cottage.  Have a good night!  Paint!

   Here is a video of our Bees!   ">

"Spruce Trees On Top of Cadillac Mountain" 8x10 oil on copper.  Framed in gold or black and gold wood.  Shipped.  sold.

    I drove to Mount Desert Island today to paint on top of Cadillac Mountain.  Here is my efforts today.  I like these strong Spruce trees on top of Cadillac.  They practically grow on rocks at very high attitudes in severe cold conditions.  Reminds me of being a painter. 

"Allure" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold. Framed in gold or black and gold wood and shipped.

    Yesterday I drove to Castine.  I had the entire beach to myself for a long time.  Then two people came with three dogs.  One was an elderly Golden Retriever.  The other two dogs were younger Pit Bulls.  The Golden came over to greet me then she wandered off into the street.  The people she came with didn't seem to notice.  Their attentions were focused on their Pit Bulls playing in the ocean.  When I saw a car coming, I put my hand out, and called the Golden to come.  She sat down next to me while I painted.  I told her she was a good dog.  Later they all left.  They took their Golden too luckily.  I don't think Daisy and Duke would like for me to bring home another Golden Retriever.  

"Lavenders and Golds" 6x6 oil on copper.  Framed in gold wood or black and gold wood.  sold.

    Next I painted this delicate seascape on the same beach at Wadsworth Cove in Castine. 

"Sunset Blaze" 6x6 oil on copper.  Framed in black and gold wood.  sold.

   I decided I might try to invent a sunset before the sunset occurred on location at Wadsworth Cove.  I painted in the line of Spruce trees.  I had to imagine the colors and placement of the sun.  It was very fun!  I like the results.

   I like to visit the donkey farm a lot on the way out to paint.  He looks like he needs to be brushed.  Maybe I could volunteer.

   Here is a scene from on top of Cadillac Mountain of Seal Harbor.  The boathouse was Rockefellers.  The peninsula is called Thrumcap.  

   Here is my new plastic palette I have been experimenting with.  Palettes are a nightmare for plein air painters.  This one does not have a lid.  You must wipe it down after painting.  This is very messy with many paper towels used...about 10 pieces.  Much oil paint is wasted.  The only benefit:   Wind does not blow this palette around.  The gray color of the plastic palette creates an easier way to view values.  But without having a lid to save paint and so many paper towels used to clean the palette, I don't think it is the best situation.  I guess the wax paper palette using Masterson's palette with the lid is best.  The wax paper is easily rolled up to discard without getting oil paint all over your hands (very toxic oil paint).  Minimal paper towels used.  

 

   Beautiful Lupines growing just in time for the ladies plein aire retreat next week!

Here was a double rainbow in Castine last night.

    Rick, my friend sick with cancer, did get his letter I mailed to him.   The letter and photos seemed to lift his spirits.  He decided to try to continue his treatment.  He asked me to help locate a cancer center in Florida.  My painter friend Marge Drew sent me all kinds of links to help.  I discovered he should be able to get Medicare.  I also found out he can call the social worker at the last hospital to find out options.  He can ask to make payments or contest insurance's failure to allow payment of more chemo.  It is so hard for someone sick to find helpful information.  Especially a sick patient without any helpful family members to assist.  I hope the social worker can help him.  I think we just need to pray for Rick.

   Have a great night!  Let's paint!