"Autumn Celebration in Great Pond Mountain Preserve" 4x5 oil on copper. Sold. Thanks!
"Lily's Favorite Beach" 4x5 oil on copper Sold. Thanks! Buyers said, "I love Lily! That
is the cutest darn painting!" Thank you. We love Lily too.
I can not wait till snow arrives here in Maine!
Have a great night!
"Colors Of November" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipped.
November days in Maine are great for painting! The Great Pond Mountain Preserve was open!
I sat inside my car to paint!
The light became better as I painted. I prefer the golden hour.
The golden hour is the time period before sunset.
The sun is low. The sun lights up vertical objects.
I painted the majority of the painting with a round brush.
Normally I use a 8,10, or 12 flat brush. I ended up using a flat
brush for more variety of brushstrokes.
Many people were purchasing trees.
I admired the lone pine tree.
The marsh grass has turned gold at Sandy Point Beach.
My dogs posed for a family portrait. They are so beautiful! Have a great night.
It was a very cold dark day in Maine. I have been reading two more books on Tom
Thomson the artist.
The first book I read last night was called, "Flowers-J.E.H. Mac Donald, Tom Thomson, and
Group of Seven" by Joan Murray published in 2002.
There are a few interesting facts concerning floral painting.
1. A good floral has lyrical intensity.
2. The painting also has a direct connection to the physical environment.
3. Grandeur.
4. Height.
5. Space.
6. Life itself.
7. Luminous quality.
8. The flower painting in not frail but shows power and energy.
9. Informal flower paintings are cropped flowers, flowers laying
on a table, growing like weeds in a garden.
10. Containers for flowers helps the overcrowding effect by giving contrast.
One of the group of seven artist was J.E.H. Mac Donald.
He painted a fantastic painting called "The Tangled Garden".
Somehow this painting opened the door for the other artists to paint wild flowers.
Tom Thomson painted a few floral paintings before the group was established.
He had great framing instincts, great design, color, flowers were animated, fragmented,
riveting. Thomson painted wild flowers of Canada.
Thomson flowers always faced upwards. The central message for flower paintings are
either, "Nature and all it's bounty." or "Celebration of Nature".
Books about artists are great for admiring paintings. They also contain great information
about painting and artists.
The next book I read today was "Tom Thomson-An Introduction To His Life As an Artist",
By David P. Silcox, published in 2002. This author was matter of fact when writing about
Thomson. He seemed to be either more neutral in his opinions or not 100% of a fan.
The other books I read about Thomson were written by Joan Murray. She glamorized Thomson.
She left anything negative out of her books except the fact he might have been an alcoholic.
Here are a few facts about Tom Thomson I found a bit shocking!
1. He only produced art for five years. He only painted 20 large paintings.
He only painted 300 small oil sketches en plein air.
2. He was not a conservationist.
He loved the lumber business.
They cleared areas for him to tent.
The land was easier to hike.
3. There were stories Thomson was a superhuman canoeist and bush traveler. In reality he
capsized his canoe many times. He was new to learning how to canoe in 1912. He died in 1917.
4. He stayed at home for a full year when he was young because he had weak lungs or inflammatory rheumatism.
5. He attended church regularly but drew on the hymn books. His sister would try to guess the person drawn.
6. He had a low opinion of himself. He had an incredible thirst for knowledge.
7. He did not consider himself an artist. When a patron offered to pay for his living for a year he
almost declined. His artist friends encouraged him to accept the offer.
8. Twice he was rejected from joining the army. He had flat feet and respiratory problems.
9. When he was 27 years old, he proposed to a girl who was 15.
He was so upset she rejected him. He left Seattle, WA. He went home to Canada.
10. He was not a art child protégé. He did know how to play many musical instruments.
11. He was a dandy. He liked to wear silk shirts. He purchased expensive pipes.
He bought the most expensive art supplies.
12. He never rarely left his shack studio in Toronto during the day.
At night he left with his snow shoes. He would hike all night.
He returned at dawn.
13. Often he read books all night until the early morning.
14. He liked to paint clouds. He was inspired by his artist friend Mac Donald.
Mac Donald had studied in England. He studied Constable's clouds.
15. It was painter friend Lawren Harris, a wealthy artist, who introduced Thomson to a art patron.
Harris found clients to purchase Thomson's paintings.
16. Tom Thomson's paintings were always popular with clients.
He also sold many paintings while he was alive. The other group of seven artists did not.
17. Dr. Mac Callum continued to look after Thomson's meager estate after his death.
He also continued to purchase Thomson's work.
He thought Tom Thomson was a genius.
18. The National Gallery of Canada purchased many of Thomson's work while he was alive.
19. Alexander Young Jackson, an impressionist trained in Montreal and Paris came to Toronto.
He was not impressed by the attitudes about art.
He was going to leave for USA. Dr. Mac Callum asked him to stay.
He offered to pay him a year salary. Jackson's impressionistic style influenced Thomson.
20. The word, "Shoddy" was Thomson's favorite word for contempt.
Thomson was refined.
21. Thomson used superior quality materials. (although his panels were pieces of crates)
In 1914 he was mortified to find his wood panels vertically cracking.
The next few years he primed the wood panels with colors.
22. He was engaged to Miss Winnifred Trainer when he died.
23. He painted his canoe with expensive artist pigments.
He wanted his canoe to be a particular color.
24. In July, 1917, Thomson's body was found floating in Canoe Lake, Canada.
He had been drowned or murdered a week earlier.
There is much controversy as to how to died.
Many people think Thomson hit his head and fell into the lake to drown.
Other people think the boyfriend of his fiancé killed him.
Still others speculated he was murdered by the hotel owner and his wife.
We will never know.
His body was dug up twice.
They discovered a skeleton of Mongolian extraction. The mystery intensified!
Monet, Poppy, and Lily went out hiking with Robert today. The turkey has left me
feeling lazy! Have a good night. I hope you enjoyed reading about Thomson.
"Sleepy Girls" 14x20 oil on copper 1500$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipped.
I have been having a great time painting each night on this painting. I may make a few
more adjustments after the painting dries. For now I am calling this painting done!
Poppy, Lily, and Monet were so content last night after Thanksgiving Dinner.
I took Monet on walking at Fort Point State Park today. He has been called a 'fat boy'
by one person in the household. He enjoyed the walk.
I like this park. I think I will be walking here more often.
Have a great night!
Monet and Lily are celebrating Thanksgiving Day in their own way. They have a turkey
toy!
They took the dressing out of the other turkey toy. They must have heard about turkey
dressing being delicious!
Poppy is enjoying her new dog bed. We put this bed under the table. She loves the
privacy!
Lily has decided sitting on my lap is a great thing! I thought she looked so sweet in
this photo. She is a beautiful dog. We are so thankful for her. She is lovely!
We hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving Day with you family, friends, and pets.
Monet, Lily, and Poppy will be dining on chicken, cranberry/orange relish, green jello
salad with crushed pineapple, cherries, and cottage cheese, sweet potato with marshmallows,
and a tablespoon of pumpkin pie! We humans will dine on the turkey!
Ted and Luke are the guests of honor! Have a great night!
This is what is on my easel today. I am working on a 14x20 oil on copper
of three big chickens I saw laying in the dirt at the Codman Farm in Lincoln, MA.
There is a tradition in my family to serve my Grandmother's Potato Clove Stuffing.
I asked my Mom for the recipe. his recipe has been in my family for many generations.
UPDATE: I have discovered this was a popular recipe among the Amish, Dutch, and Germans!
Here it is:
Ingredients
One loaf bread plus 3 slices. Two or three day old bread is best.
(No heels of bread)
1 stick of butter
7 medium boiled potatoes in their skin, then take the skin off, cube.
2 medium onions, cut, boiled or fried with 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
3 eggs
1 teaspoon of ground clove spice.
milk or 1 1/2 cans of Cambells chicken broth soup (condensed)
Directions
Fluff the bread and a teaspoon of ground cloves, 1/8 teaspoon pepper, 1/4 teaspoon salt, together.
When thoroughly mixed add a can and 1/2 of Cambell's chicken broth.
Combine 7 medium cubed, peeled, boiled in jacket potatoes.
Add 1/4 lb butter melted.
Add 2 chopped boiled or fried medium onions with 1/4 teaspoon of salt.
Combine with 3 beaten eggs.
Stuff into turkey or bowl. Bake. I have put foil over the dressing to protect it from burning.
Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving!
Have a great night!
"Dirty Dirty Girls" 6x8 oil on copper. sold Thanks!
I refined this painting today. This was a plein air painting at Codman Farm.
I just covered up any copper showing that was left free of paint by accident.
It was a very cold day. I liked this painting.
I thought it was the best of all my plein air paintings done in Lincoln, MA.
This one has a tiny bit of flying dirt from the chickens. It is very authentic.
I am still declaring war cleaning and repainting the interior of the sunroom/art studio and kitchen!
I finished the sunroom/art studio. It looks like a brand new room!
There was 9 years of dust in some areas of this room.
I admit to not deep cleaning or repainting because I was ill for so long.
It has been almost a year since my infected stone ridden nasty green gallbladder was removed.
I am feeling really energetic!
I am working on a 14x20 oil on copper tonight! The subject are three chickens sunning
themselves and dusting in the dirt. They look rather happy about it all. I have never tried to
paint a larger chicken painting before. It is going well. I will post more photos tomorrow.
I have been invited to attend the Cape Canaveral Seashore Paint Out 2016! I accepted
their invitation. I love New Smyrna Beach! The dates of the event are Oct 3-8, 2016!
I am so proud to be included in a wonderfully organized event packed full of fantastic
artists. I will also be able to visit my parents in Florida.
I am also invited to be an artist in residence in West Palm Beach this winter for a week!
This will be a great location for plein air painting! I should be able to visit my parents again!
I am invited to attend an artist retreat in Schoodic, Acadia National Park this winter with
three other painters. I am looking forward to the artist fellowship. They are fun people
and very talented.
Have a great night.
I have been painting the wood floor in my art studio gray. It is good to take time to
get organized and have fresh paint! I work better when everything is clean.
Here are a few more paintings I saw at the MFA in Boston. I seemed to prefer Monet's
work.
Monet's colors were magical. I loved how many colors were there. I found the texture
of his paintings very interesting. The surface of the paintings looked like human skin!
I have no idea how he achieved this texture. Tonking? It is a mystery to me.
My favorite paintings at the museum had the most lavenders and pinks. Hmmm..
Here is a cropped view of Monet's clouds.
John Singer Sargent's painting with the sisters and the blue and white vases are always
a favorite.
When I find a painting I love in a museum there is always a section of the painting I love
the best! Sometimes there are many sections I admire.
This Frank Benson painting was just amazing. The dress of the daughter just glowed.
In particular it was this passage I loved the best. I thought it was the most incredible
painting in the museum! I am glad they allowed me to take close up shots of the painting
so that I could study what it was I loved so much about it! I have not figured it out yet!
But I will someday. I am sure it was the texture, colors, and brushstrokes! There is something
so graceful about this area.
I have seen this Frank Benson painting before at the Farnsworth Museum
in Rockland, Maine. I could see the painting better at the MFA because of
better lighting.
I loved the green glow underneath the boat. The highlights
on the girl's skin were great. I also loved the bright yellow
in the boat's shadow. Great job! I loved the brush strokes..all the curves!
This painting caught my eye. I can not remember who painted this painting. I loved
all the pinks! Very pretty painting. Unusual. Most harbor painting scenes have a lot
of browns.
I admired Tiffany's stained glass window. Very nice!
Have a great night! I am back to painting the trim white in my studio! It feels so good
to get organized and cleaned up!
Robert asked me tonight, " Why was I reading about the artist Tom Thomson. What
was it about this artist? Why did I want to study about him?"
Many of my painter friends in Maine love Tom Thomson's work and
story. I have seen many Maine painters mimic his painting style.
I decided I wanted to study this artist. I wanted to find out why
he painted the way he did, why did he become such a painting hero, and what was
the mystery behind his death?
Today I read a book called, "The Best of Tom Thomson" by Joan Murray.
I discovered why Tom Thomson became a painting hero according to Joan Murray.
Here are a few reasons:
1. His work was unique for his time period. He did not attend high school. He tried to study
at a business college but quit twice. Business college taught penmanship and bookkeeping.
He did attend commercial art training to learn graphic design. He had no other art training.
His artists friends would tell him about impressionism, pointillism, or tonalism. They gave
him books to read. This was his only knowledge regarding painting. His style was unique.
2. He had great personal charisma. When he died his seven artist friends 3 years later included him
into the group of Seven even though he was already dead. They wanted to keep his spirit alive.
3. He died at 40. He died way too young. There is much speculation. How would his painting
style change if he had lived? Would he have turned to portraits or people in his landscapes?
4. His death was mysterious. There was great controversy as to how he died. The coroner's report
disappeared. All the report stated was he was found in Canoe Lake. He had a 4 inch bruise on his forehead.
He did have an ear bleed. He had been dead 9 days.
There is rumor Thomson fought with a hotel owner, fell, hit his head, and died.
The hotel owner and his wife disposed of his body in the lake.
They set his canoe a float. Later the wife felt guilty about this. She told Thomson's patron a story.
The patron dismissed the story. The wife told her friend the entire story.
In 1977 this friend told an interviewer and reporter the story fifty years after Thomson had died.
There was another story the murderer was Thomson's girlfriend's husband.
Another speculations was Thomson fell while canoeing and hit his head on a rock.
The hotel owner spread the rumor of Thomson's suicide.
5. Thomson's painting style made a contribution to the art world. His style of painting in now
regarded as modern art.
6. There were hints of a passionate secret life not told. He rarely spoke. He didn't like to tell stories
or talk about anything. There are very few quotes.
7. People have a strong desire to see the element of the cold North images.
8. His work reproduces well because of the graphic design nature.
After his death his work was reproduced in great amounts.
There are many things I do love about Thomson's work.
I love the pure clean colors. His painting compositions are great.
The paintings are strong. The bright colors are very happy.
I like his brushstrokes. I love all the variety of color.
Each painting is so different from the next.
I also admire his unique style.
I do think one of the main reasons Tom Thomson became a painting hero was...he was
a great painter!
We saw Monet's Dad Luke today at the beach.
Poppy was feeling great today!
Poppy was fired up!
Have a good night! Tomorrow I might share more stories about Tom Thomson's life!
"Codman Farm November's Golden Hour" 14x20 oil on copper. Not finished yet!
This is the painting I did the first day of Stapleton Kearns's workshop. He suggested
I paint in many sheep and have them facing into the painting. I will certainly do this
on the next painting. When I went to paint in more sheep the sheep was not there!
Monet sat in my lap for hours today. He loves this and so do I. We were both relaxed and content.
Lily took over Poppy's bed. Poppy used her toy as a pillow. It was a rainy windy day
today.
I read the book, "Tom Thomson, Trees" by Joan Murry published in 1999. I wrote notes
while I read this book. There were many interesting facts regarding trees as a subject in
paintings. Here are Tom Thomson paintings. He painted over 200 paintings of trees.
He chose to paint in Northern Ontario, Canada at the Algonquin Park.
He was inspired by poetry and his cousin Dr. William Brodie to paint in
this park. Dr. William Brodie was a biologist who studied insects, birds,
and plants. He was on the committee to make this area a national park.
Tom Thompson gathered specimens for his cousin while he painted and fished.
Thompson hiked with his cousin on Saturdays when he was young. He
was trained as a naturalist. He wanted to pursue a career as a naturalist
when he was an adult but did not have the money to attend college. He chose
to paint instead.
He often painted the single tree. Single trees in art were common during
the Art Nouveau period, 1890-1910. Thompson would have studied this
type of painting style during the time he studied commercial art.
Thomson's trees have a feeling of movement. Most of his trees are drawn
with diagonals to show energy.
Thomson was a fan of the author John Ruskin who had an allegorical view of nature.
He shared Ruskin's view the trees bending from intense wind were a symbol of
courage, persistence, and steadfastness. Vines were the opposite symbol in the
forest symbolizing the need to lean on others.
Here are key ideas describing his work.
1. Paintings were more poetic than factual. Painting trees was therapy.
2. When he was in the park, he worked on wood panels, sized 8 1/2 x 10 1/2.
3. In 1914 the wood panels showed signed of vertical cracks.
4. In 1915 he primed the wood panels with Vermillion to seal the wood.
5. In 1916 he primed the wood panels with Ochre.
6. In 1917 he cut up fruit crates to paint on. Some of the paintings
were done on the back of other panels.
7. Strong verticals.
8. Often painted from a canoe.
9. Maple tree was Canada's national tree.
10. Used S curve design popular with the Art Nouveau movement.
11. Some paintings were done in a quiet mood just like the inside of a church.
12. His work was often flat in design. There were many dark contours. He used
intense colors. His work had a contemporary look of today. He was ahead of his time.
13. To make colorful maple trees look even brighter he painted a dark flat background
of Spruce and Tamarack trees.
14. He often had dark foregrounds but brightly colored backgrounds.
15. His paintings shuttled back and forth from tonalism to post impressionism.
16. Thomson used a narrow brush.
17. Sometimes added a touch of sky at the top of the painting so the viewer
would not become claustrophobic.
18. Used many zigzag diagonals in his designs.
19. He kept his center of interest in sharp focus. Dark accents. Balanced
elements.
20. He often left areas in the painting free of oil paint to allow his sketch to breathe.
21. Painting snow and painting in a square format was inspired by artist Lawren Harris.
22. He often used brushstrokes inspired by other artists.
23. Broad handling in his brushstrokes. Some strokes were 5-8 centimeters long.
24. Spring of 1917, he started a series of paintings to record the weather for 62 days
regardless of weather conditions.
25. In the future months he wanted to travel west to the Rockies and Alaska.
Sadly Tom Thompson was found lying in the water with a 4 inch bruise on his head.
He died from drowning. There are many theories regarding his passing. He was only 40 years
old.
I have many different books to read regarding Tom Thompson. Tomorrow I will tell you
more about him.
Have a good night!
I am still dreaming about my wonderful cultural trip to Boston. Here are a few
paintings I admired.
I admired these angel's wings. They appeared to come out of the canvas. This was a large
painting.
This was a shocking painting. The title said this was Moses. I thought it was well done.
I wonder what the artist's intentions were by painting the rays coming out of the baby's
head?
UPDATE: My painter friend from Ohio, Linda Crank, told me Moses's face was illuminated
after he spoke with God. His friends were afraid of him when they saw his face glowing. Moses
wore a veil but would lift his veil when he went to visit with God. There was confusion with
Hebrew translation regarding Moses's horns. There have been sculptures of Moses with horns.
This painting was so well done. What a pretty dress she was wearing!
This painting was very beautiful. It really looked like night! Painting by John Grimshaw.
Stapleton Kearns told our class there needs to be six different width's of branches in
each tree. There needs to be a change of the size of the brush to do this.
This is a cropped portion of a John Singer Sargent painting. I noticed the intersection
of the floor and wall was not defined so the viewer's eye would not be distracted to this
area.
I loved the dark line Degas used to draw the ladies after he had painted them.
Monet did the same thing.
He used a darker green to draw some shadows under the lily pad's after he painted them.
Monet's line was dry brushed. The painting was fairly dry when he did this.
Susan, Paul, and I stood in front of this oil painting for many minutes admiring the painting.
The insects and butterflies were a nice addition. This is a close up shot.
This is a cropped area of a Monet painting. I noticed the moon was a warm red.
He painted green around the moon, red's compliment, to get the moon to glow.
Most of the painting was a lavender. Lavenders, tans, and greys are considered to
be neutral colors. Neutral colors make any bright color sing. I think the neutral color
of lavender and red's compliment green really made this moon glow.
One of my favorite painters is a Dutch master named Hendrick Avercamp. He was deaf. Holland
was going through an ice age in the 1600's. He spent his days on the ice drawing and
painting. He painted paintings with oil on copper or wood. Canvas was not
available when he was alive. His parents could not afford to support him. They were able
to convince the town to give him money to survive. He was very popular among other artists.
He sold many works to them. He painted about a hundred paintings in his life.
What I admired about Avercamp's work is he captured the clothing so intricately. Historically
he preserved how the upper class and the peasants dressed. I also admire the many story
lines he captured. The viewer can spend hours focusing on each couple. The red scarf's in
the ladies hair were a sign they were single.
This large ancient tile caught my eye. How intricate and beautiful this tile was!
I loved the glowing color of Fritz Huge Lane's painting. He was a luminous painter.
Luminous painters did not allow their brush strokes to show.
Monet, Poppy, and Lily enjoyed visiting the beach this morning. They also loved their
two mile hike tonight in the woods even though it was 35 degrees. It was refreshing to
be in the woods again.
I was inspired by Susan and Paul's beautiful Boston loft. I completely rearranged my
studio. Robert was very happy to see the change. He said it was a good use of space.
Have a good night.
This morning I drove to Lowell, MA to the Whistler Museum. There were three Aldro
Hibbard snow scene paintings on view. Let's take a closer look at these beauties!
Aldro Hibbard is a hero painter to many living New England painter. He painted
snow like none other.
He painted in freezing conditions. His brushstrokes were interesting. There were
so many colors in a small area.
Stapleton Kearns told us Aldro Hibbard painted horses pulling wood when they were
not using horses at that time. He either used photos or found places reacting the
use of horses pulling trees. Look at the glowing shadows on the bottom of this
painting!
Close up shots of his trees, fence, cottages, and snow.
Greatness!
All these brushstrokes using a variety of colors creates a larger painting so interesting
to look at.
I am home in Maine again! I received a wonderful welcome! Have a good night!
We ran through the Harvard Art Museum today in one hour! Then we visited
the MFA for another hour, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Later we toured
the Boston Library to see Sargent's murals. We toured the Copley Society and
the Boston Guild. We went to most of the galleries. We ended up having
pizza at the Santarpios. What a day! Here are a few of my favorite paintings.
Most of these painting photos are cropped areas I thought were the best.
Here are Claude Monet's fish!
This was my favorite painting out of all the paintings we saw today.
This was the artist.
Here is a closer look at his pigs and chickens painted.
Here is another close up of this painting. Love the laundry, people, and chicken.
The chickens and people looked fresh. I believe this could be a plein air sketch.
Thank you again Paul McMahan for showing me all over Boston. You were great
company. Thanks also for taking my photo. I had the best time staying with Susan and Paul.
I am looking forward to their visit in Maine. They are both architects and artists. I am
lucky to know them.
I believe this painting was done by Arthur Dove.
George Inness painted such lovely pine trees. I loved this painting.
I had to buy a pair of shoes so that I could comfortably walk the 7 miles today. Now I
own three pairs of shoes! I took off my shoe to photograph Van Gogh's shoe painting.
We had fun today.
Loved this dog who was at the bottom of the painting with a lady.
Monet's steam and train was amazing.
I loved Meade's blossoming fruit trees.
Meade's pink clouds were amazing!
John Singer Sargent's ladies were stunning.
Here is a close up of the dresses and hands by John Singer Sargent. Have a good night!
Stapleton Kearns worked for several hours painting on the work he started the previous
day. It was very informative to watch him refine a painting. He used a small flat with
many notes of color arranged in the perfect spot. I learned a lot from this workshop.
"Paradise" 6x8 oil on copper. Not finished yet.
I worked on this painting all day long. Stapleton told me about avoiding sharp lines at
the bottom of buildings. He used his finger to smear the ground paint up into the lower
building to conceal the sharp dark line.
I had to wait a while for the right white hen to strut into the pen from the left side.
This was a fun painting. I really enjoyed painting at Codman Farm.
I petted a few hens today. They were friendly.
The piglets were let out. They chased after a few hens!
A white hen was nearly trampled by stampeding little pigs.
Have a great night.
"All The Single Ladies" 6x8 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipped.
I had a great time today working at the Codman Farm. I loved painting chickens on location.
I love to use dark blue green paint to sketch the moving chicken. The green is great
because the red comb loves the compliment. Painting chickens from life is very challenging.
By the time I have sketched in the chicken the bird has moved her pose! I wait till she is
in the same pose or one of her friends has that pose.
I had one chicken pecking at my thick black bog boots. One chicken came over to be petted.
Six piglets were racing around. They were eating and drinking out of the chicken's bowls.
One larger hen came over to chase two piglets out of their water bowl.
"Dirty Dirty Girls" 6x8 oil on copper Sold. Thank you. One of my favorites!
I started with one chicken dusting in the dirt. After I finished one hen, I waited till
I saw another hen in a nice position, and painted her. Visual memory is necessary to
paint like this. I find it the most exciting way to paint. I love it. I just keep going until
I am finished with the painting. I don't do any planning. It is really exciting.
The white hens were dusting for an hour. Then a family of brown hens moved into the
dirt.
"Girl Talk" 6x8 oil on copper Not finished yet. I think I need to make the chicken fatter.
Thank you Paul McMahan for taking this photo. You take great photos.
I love all the color in this one.
I thought the piglets and their mothers were very cute. The visited with their Moms.
Their Moms nibbled on them. So cute!
The piglets were having a hay day with the yellow tape!
Stapleton Kearns did a great five hour demo this morning! Great to learn more from
him.
Every day he teaches us for 12 hours straight!
Robert is doing great taking care of the golden retrievers, Monet, Poppy, and
Lily! He was hiking with them very early this morning at 5am. Then he played
with them in the backyard in the dark. Poppy was racing around playing very
hard. She is doing well recuperating from having puppies. Have a great night!
Yesterday I drove to Boston. I spent most of the afternoon late until evening in the MFA. I saw so many
amazing paintings. There were a few oils on copper. I spent a time admiring the paintings and reading about
the work. My friend Paul and Susan met me there. We had a great time.
Today I spent all morning, afternoon, and late evening listening and watching Stapleton Kearns
paint and speak. The students painted for a few hours until the light failed. Temperatures were in
the low 40s with winds. I am glad I had my clothes in my car. I wore two pairs of flannel lined
jeans, two wool sweaters, silk, and arctic jacket! I was proud of myself for setting up my easel called
the Stapleton Kearns model of Take it easel. It is difficult for me to set up because I don't do it often
enough. I really enjoyed painting a 14x20 painting on this easel. There are three long legs to this easel.
The easel is wind proof. As Stapleton would say to us, "If this easel blows over we need to head inside!"
The easel is virtually impossible to blow over. Easel stability allowed me to walk away from the easel
to see my painting.
I learned a lot today. I am glad I am taking this workshop.
Robert reported the dogs tore up his shoes today while he was at work. It took him a lot of time to
figure out what the stuff was. He could not identify the little pieces laying all over the floor. The
dogs also ate a part of the wall. I suggested having a friend come to visit them during the afternoon.
He said he would get up at 5:00am to hike with them.
Have a good night.
Dahlia is doing very well in her new home. She is snuggling with 16 years old Sheba
who is unfortunately blind and deaf. Dahlia is giving Sheba a lot of love. Sheba
is more lively lately. Her world must be difficult but having a lovely little puppy to snuggle
with must be very comforting. I hope Dahlia is doing well with 4 year old Moose, a golden.
Vincent/Tucker is still doing great with his big sis Lady Edith/Lia.
Sunflower/Lahni is doing great. She has grown since this photo was taken. Lahni is
Hawaiian for heavenly. I hope to see her soon at the beach.
Daffodil is a Pats fan.
Winnie loves to cuddle with Gardenia/Lilly.
Sargent/Captain seems to be enjoying his new home!
Sunflower/Lahni's favorite place to sleep is on her owner's shoes!
I am traveling to Chelsea, Waltham, Lincoln Massachusetts tomorrow. I hope
to attend a few art museums, take out two of my friends to dinner, and attend Stapleton
Kearns painting workshop. We will be painting at Codman Farm Nov 14-16. There is
a grand home on this farm. I hope to post my paintings and stories! Have a good night.
I was driving back from Pemaquid, Maine and stopped at an auction house. This is
the most interesting laundry painting I have seen. The painting was signed L. Dodd.
The thought of a lady being naked in her yard waiting for the laundry to dry seemed original.
I love the yellow.
I was surprised how difficult it was to read the artist's name on the paintings. The sign
said this was DeCamp's work. Many painting had no signature!
This was an interesting painting. I have no idea who painted this one.
This was a Enneking painting. What a frame!
This was a large oil painting. The subject was original. Turkeys walking into
a home with a turkey cooking in the fireplace. "There is George".
Close up of the turkeys.
Monet will be attending private training sessions. He was over the top as usual today when
two lady visitors came to view my paintings. I could not capture Monet.
Today Monet was beside himself!
He was standing on his back legs putting his paws on the petite lady's shoulders. She was squealing.
Monet's mouth was around her wrist. He nibbed on her sleeves. He may have bitten her lightly.
She ran back outside and closed the door a few times.
I had Monet's front paws. I dragged him across the wood floors to the back door. He
would not stand up. Monet's weight is now 100 pounds. He has been on a diet.
I managed to put him into the kitchen. He escaped from my grasp three times to jump on the
guests!
Once in the kitchen Monet howled the entire time. I could not hear anything else.
I was so out of breath I could not answer any of their questions distinctly enough to be understood.
It was a complete shambles. They ran away!
She has over 30 of my works in her collection. I know she will be back someday.
In the meantime Monet will be trained! I really do love Monet. He will be happier with
a few manners.
Have a good night!
There was once a sign showing where the Raven's Nest was located in Acadia
National Park's Schoodic Point. The dangers were too great for tourists. The sign
was taken down. Raven's Nest is one
of the most dramatic sights in the park.
Where is it? I searched the internet without finding a clue.
The Raven's Nest is the third pull off on the left side of the road once
you enter Schoodic Point. There is a trail leading through the woods on the
right side of the road. There you will find many great views. Be careful
hiking along the steep cliffs.
Robert walked along the cliffs on the right side.
There are many dramatic views.
Lily, Poppy, and Monet looked wonderful with all the beautiful gold leaves. Leaves
have many ticks crawling in them. As soon as the dogs come into the house I am searching
for any ticks. I hope the puppy's new owners do the same thing.
Monet is a beautiful boy. Have a great night! I am driving to Pemaquid to be trained
as a treasurer for a gallery.
"Harbor Lights" 6x8 oil on copper private collection.
This painting was difficult to photograph because of the dark colors and glare. I will keep it
as a guide for larger night lobster boat paintings.
"Stonington's Autumn Garland" 8x11 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black
with gold. Shipped.
This size worked well on location.
"Stonington November Sunset" This one is 14x20 oil on copper. I would like to work a little
on the fall leaves and refine the drawing of the boats. I like the feeling of this painting.
It has a cool Autumn day feeling.
"Home Sweet Home" 14x20 oil on copper. I liked the windows of the house. I will draw the
lines of a few boards in the white house on the right. I would like to take this painting
out on location at 2:30pm on a sunny day. I will let it dry first.
"Autumn Day at Sand Beach" 8x11 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipped.
I can't think of anything else I would do with this painting so it is finished.
The yellow house in Stonington looks different without the beautiful sunflower and dahlia
garden in front of the house! This makes me grateful of the flower garden their neighbors grow.
The golden apples looked great growing by the sea.
Sand beach is a wonderful place.
Monet, Poppy, and Lily gave me a ten minute greeting! Monet and Lily climbed onto
my lap. They were trying to push the other away. Poppy brought me a dog toy and
gave me a wet kiss!
The puppies are all doing well. They all seem to know their name, can sit, some ring a bell
to go outside, and none are 100% trained to go out yet. All their owners love them. Their
greatest challenge is to keep all the ticks of their puppies. I hope they check them twice a day
and take them to the beach for their walks.
Have a great night.
"Stonington's Autumn Garland" 8x11 oil on copper. 450$ framed in gold or
black with gold or silver. Shipped free.
I sat inside my car to paint today. Sleet was falling. The winds rocked the car. I was very
comfortable. I worked on this painting from 10:00 to 3:30pm. The building on the left is
an old sardine canning factory. I really like to paint on this road. There are so many great views.
The 12x16 Open M Easel is great for painting inside the car. The steering
wheel holds the easel up. This winter I hope to paint larger paintings, 14x20, while
I am sitting in the car.
I love the glow of the mountains behind the spruce.
The sunset was pretty in Stonington.
Winnie is enjoying the new puppy, Gardenia, who has been named Lilly after her big Sister.
Daffodil has a new monkey toy. She is very spoiled already. Her new owner just loves her.
Daffodil sleeps with her coat in her master's bed!
Vincent/Tucker is kept warm by his big sister Lady Edith/Lia. They love each other.
These two are so sweet together! Vincent/Tucker with Lady Edith/Lia.
Here is Vincent/Tucker ready to pounce on a cat on the floor.
Sargent/Captain was at the vet last week. He had a cold.
I am heading back home tomorrow! Good night.
I have always want to paint a lobster boat at night! I saw a beautiful lobster boat
glowing with lights coming across the ocean. They docked near me, took off with a pitbull,
and came back with a lady. While they were locating the lady, they left their lobster boat
with all the lights still on, sitting at the wharf! I had my paints already on my easel hoping
to see such a scene! I used a flashlight to see my palette and painting. I worked fast.
As I was finished with the boat, they reappeared with a girl, and drove off. I completed
the water and signed my name. That was so much fun!
"Night Lobster Boat" 6x8 oil on copper. Private collection. It was difficult to photograph
this painting. It may have more browns instead of purples on the left lower side. The
right lower side is more of a dark green.
Here is the lobster boat coming to dock. I thought the lights were spectacular. I
hope to paint a few paintings.
Earlier the lobster men posed for a photo where they were suppose to drop off crab
and lobster. I guess they were late. The man who was accepting lobster and crab
had left.
I explored the boat while they were off searching for the young lady.
I was finishing a larger painting at Burnt Cove on Fifield Point Road when I saw this
sunset! There were rose colored clouds floating by.
This is the sunset painting I was working on. I still have a long way to go refining
this painting. I left the lobster boats and dinghies unpainted. I like the colors, composition,
and the light.
"Stonington Autumn Sunset on Fifield Point Road" 14x20 oil on copper. Not finished
yet. I worked on this painting in the hotel room. Now I will allow the painting to dry
and refine the painting.
I was so happy to see Dundee, the orange Maine coon cat, sitting on the porch of his
house. I stopped the car, rolled down the window, and shouted, "Hi Dundee!" He twitched
his ears. He was probably thinking, "Is that Renee the artist?" I should keep some cat
treats in my car.
Here is my morning painting. I may need to work more on this painting. I admired
all the Autumn colors. Stonington is beautiful in the Autumn. I had the entire Sand Beach
to myself.
"Stonington Autumn Day at Sand Beach" 8x11 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold, black
with gold or silver, or silver. Shipped free.
Robert is taking great care of Monet, Poppy, and Lily. He was frying them all scrambled
eggs for dinner on top of their dried Blue buffalo dog food. I am sure they will all enjoy this.
I think all the puppies are doing well. Have a great night!
The view from my hotel room! I am working hard.
Daffodil is doing really well at her new home in Southern Maine. She is healthy.
Her new owner is madly in love with her. Daffodil has many new sweaters and coats.
She is ready for Winter! She is learning how to walk on a leash. She is doing great with
doing it all outside! She has put herself on a three meal a day plan. They are best of friends
already. She can not imagine her life without Daffodil!
Gardenia is doing well at her new home with three wonderful kids to play with.
She is getting into some mischief! Gardenia has decided plants are great to
chew on. She also likes to pull toilet tissue and towels from the bathroom. She is doing
really well and is healthy.
Tulip/Gracie, Sargent/Captain, and Buttercup/Tulip have green discharge coming out
of their nose, sneeze sometimes, have no fever, and are eating, and playing fine. They
are on antibiotics for a type of respiratory infection, virus, or cold. It is difficult to tell.
They will recover with the help of the medicine, prayers, and love. I am very worried about
them. This could develop into pneumonia if not taken care of properly.
Lady Edith/Lia from Monet and Poppy's first litter takes great care of her little Brother
Vincent/Tucker. She climbs into his crate so he can go to sleep. She puts her front and
back leg over Vincent/Tucker. In this photo she only has her back leg swung over him.
Once Vincent/Tucker is asleep Lady Edith/Lia comes out to sleep by her parents. She
loves her little brother very much. They are doing well and are healthy.
The weather is great here in Stonington. I decided to stay in Boyces Hotel for a few
days to paint like mad. The winter hotel prices can not be beat. I decided to work on
a 14x20 on location. I drew out the composition. Then I decided to paint the areas difficult
to paint from photos. The lobster boats, windows, architectural nuances, reflective lights
in the shadows. Then I decided to place color patches here and there to guide me later if
I work from a photo. This is a new approach to painting a little larger plein air. It takes
longer to deliver the paint to copper. This is why I am always trying to figure out a new
way to paint larger out on location!
I will take this painting back out there tomorrow at exactly 2:30pm and work till sunset!
I hope to finish it tomorrow and also start on a few more paintings. I have never seen
a Stonington sunrise!
I am glad I came to stay in Stonington for a few days. It is really pretty here.
One of the reasons I love to paint in Stonington are the complex compositions
and the depth here.
The sunset was beautiful tonight. This view is on Church Street.
Monet, Poppy, and Lily had a great time at the beach this morning.
"Stonington's Golden Hour" 14x20 oil on copper sold this morning off my website.
Thank you very much! I have purchased an arsenal of copper panels, frames, oil paint,
and Old Holland kolinsky sable brushes. I am also signed up to attend the Stapleton Kearns
workshop in MA in a few weeks. Thanks.
"Stonington's Golden Hour" 14x20 oil on copper. 1500$ framed in gold. Shipped. I think it
is sold.
I started this painting on Church Street in Stonington a while ago. I worked on the
painting each day in my studio while tending to many Golden Retriever puppies. Today
I drove back to Stonington to finish the painting! I was so surprise to see two painters
working there in the same spot. One painter was sitting on the ground exactly where I
needed to be to finish this painting. I asked her if she minded me working next to her.
She was pleased with the company. The other painter was on the porch of Captain Gross's
house. I am so glad I decided to work on location. I saw a few changes I needed to make.
I was working very hard.
I saw the painter sit in a chair and paint. The granite rock must have been cold and hard.
She was working on a 16x20 painting. I heard a scream. I turned and saw her falling out
of her chair. She rolled. I put my paint brush in my mouth and ran towards her. I grabbed
her arm and leg. I told her not to move. I push the chair out of the way with my foot. I pulled
her away from the edge of the cliff. We were on a giant granite rock seven foot high off the
ground.
I was telling her now don't you go anywhere. I think she was chuckling.
Her friend screamed right after she screamed and ran to her. She
also grabbed her. She told her not to try to jump. She told her she rolled out of her chair.
We had her on the ground. Her friend instructed her to get on her knees then to stand.
It is difficult to stand up from a sitting position on the ground after 50 years old. I am sure
if someone told me this when I was 30 I would have been shocked.
She sat in her chair. Her friend decided that was enough painting for the day.
She packed her up and off they went.
My heart was beating fast. I am glad she did not get hurt. Plein air painting can be dangerous.
The sunset was pretty from the location we were painting.
This is Captain Gross's house. Many painters have painted this house normally from
Church Street. This is the back view of the house.
This is the view of Captain Gross's house most frequently painted. Painters include
the ocean with many lobster boats.
We are back to our regular schedule of driving to the beach in the morning.
Luke was there! He had on his beautiful orange vest to protect him from hunters.
Luke is Monet's Father. I had Monet on a leash because sometimes Luke and
Monet get into arguments over Luke growing at Poppy or Lily.
Maisey the young Corgi arrived in time to play,
Lily loves to play with Maisey. They are about the same age.
Maisey and Monet enjoyed chewing on the same stick for a short moment. Monet claimed
the stick.
I saw this view at Caterpillar Hill, in Blue Hill. Have a great night!
Monet played a few notes on the piano with his nose! He was wagging
his tail as he made sounds! He watched me play and tapped his foot
on the keys! Then he laid down by the foot petals.
There was a large empty space where the puppy's pen once was. We
moved the old piano out of the corner by the window. I can see the sheet
music better! I was surprised how the dogs reacted.
Lily came over to see if I was alright. Poppy stayed in the sunroom. She was afraid
of the noise.
I am learning how to play "Clair De Lune". I had piano lessons a long time ago. Now I
can sit down and play any song. It just takes me a while to figure out what note to play
and where is it located on the piano! By next year I will be playing "Clair De Lune"!
Monet spent two hours laying on my lap today. He shows the greatest sign of sorrow
for the puppy's departure to new homes. Poppy played like mad today outside. She
is feeling young and free! Lily doesn't seem to be too upset.
Gardenia's new owners sent me a few photos. The family loves her. Gardenia loves
to play with the three children. She wags her tails and is enthusiastic when they come
home from school! The owner worked at home for the week to make sure Gardenia
felt at home. She is very smart. She knows how to go outside, sit, and come back.
Robert and I both laughed to read Winnie enjoys the new type of food! She
is eating boiled chicken and sweet potato on her dried food. She loves Gardenia
and the chicken! Canned dog food is expensive and nasty.
Here is the sleeping beauty!
I am so glad to see a photo of Sargent. His new owners love him. He is
being a good boy.
I see many photos of Vincent/Tucker these days! He is loved very much. He is
so smart. He can sit and retrieve! He loves his big sister. They play all day long.
Then they take naps.
Here is another photo of Vincent/Tucker with his sister. They said they are so glad they
purchased him. They are a happy family.
I called Dahlia's family to see how she is adjusting to her new home. She was taking
a nap with a 10 year old golden retriever female who is just visiting. Her new pal Moose, who
is a 4 year old golden retriever, is adjusting to her. Moose brought her a toy. The family reports
Dahlia is very calm. She slept in their bed with Moose. Then she spent sometime sleeping in
her crate. She woke up to be taken outside during the night. She is eating well. They love
her!
All good news from the puppy owners. Everything is well.
We have been cleaning. It is a good way to deal with the stress of the puppies being gone.
We visited Lake Alamoosook where Duke and Daisy our departed golden retriever's
ashes are located. I can remember them swimming and walking among these birches.
We miss them so much.
Have a good night.
This afternoon as I was loading the crate into my car for the journey south to deliver
Dahlia and Daffodil, I received a call from a couple who once picked out Dahlia when she was three
weeks old. They decided they wanted Dahlia!
I thought about this for a couple of moments. Currently Dahlia was sold to a couple in
MA. I had never met them. I would never see Dahlia again. I would need to drive to South
Portland to drop off Dahlia. It just didn't feel right.
It would be better if Dahlia lived locally.
We would see her at the beach!
Dahlia would have a four year old golden retriever male as a companion.
I knew these people and they loved their dogs. I had a gut feeling this choice was better
for Dahlia.
I had always imagined Dahlia with them from
the first moment they saw her six weeks ago.
I had to make the call to the first couple to let them know Dahlia was staying local. He understood.
I told him I was very sorry. It just didn't feel right.
Then I dropped Dahlia off at her new home. Moose the four year old golden retriever barked at first,
sniffed her, Dahlia gave him a lick on the face, then they ran around together, Dahlia did her thing, Moose
covered up her scent with his, and they were fine! Moose ran back to encourage her to come into the house.
She climbed the two steps but hesitated about being welcome into the house. Moose made her feel
welcome. I left feeling very good about this home for Dahlia. I don't have any worries. Soon I will
post photos of her on the beach!
Dahlia is an excellent car passenger. Her Sister Daffodil gets car sick. Poor Daffodil.
I took every corner slowly. She cried for a while until I found classical music on the radio.
She went to sleep. We arrived at the Petco just as her new owner had purchased a crate.
Daffodil wagged her tail as she sniffed the lady's feet. The lady was so pleased to meet her.
We carried Daffodil into the store to buy more dried puppy food. We took turns carrying her.
Daffodil must be 15 pounds or more. I could tell Daffodil's new owner was just thrilled with her.
I drove back home. Monet, Poppy, and Lily greeted me with great enthusiasm. They sniffed me all over.
It will take us all a while to make peace with the fact the puppies have new homes.
I am so thankful to find 8 loving homes for each puppy. They were all special people.
I will post puppy updates tomorrow.
Have a good night.
