Artist Renee Lammers

 

    I am working on a new lobster painting, size 20x14, with an apple pie and corn on the cob!  I will

finish this painting tomorrow hopefully!

 

 

   Here is a detail of the napkin.  This dinner will have a feminine look with the floral

tablecloth and fancy napkin.  The flower design is a real challenge but it is fun.

 

 

   Here is a detail of the tablecloth on the left hand side.  I am debating on whether I would

like the design to be subtle or sharp.  I decided to soften the edges tonight while the oil

paint is still wet.  I can always paint the area again tomorrow.  I paint areas

over and over again until I like it.  I hardly ever paint it once and leave it.  

 

 

   When Luke is at the beach, Monet likes to have his leash on, and sometimes carries

the leash.  He feels safe with his leash on around Luke.  Monet gets very upset when

Luke growls at Lily.  He was barking and jumping up on me so much today our walk

was shortened.  

 

 

    Luke and Monet seem to have called a truce.  They still don't like each other.  But

they are somewhat civilized together.  Lily loves Luke.

 

 

   I can't find Frosty Paws dog ice cream in any food stores.  I always gave my goldens

a Frosty Paws when I sold a painting.  I haven't figured out a healthy treat for a replacement

yet.  

 

    When I drive through Dunkin Donuts for a water with lemon, Lily climbs

onto my lap, puts her feet on the window, and hangs herself way out of the car.

She begs for a munchkin.  The girls always make a big fuss

over Lily.  Lily is very charming.  Today there were two girls but then a few guys

working there came over to the window to admire Lily.  If the girls are not quick about

giving Lily her munchkin, Lily gives them some 'sass talk', and this makes everyone laugh.

 Today Lily had three munchkins because one of the girls wanted to pet her.  She gave

Lily a munchkin and Lily disappeared into the car.  The girl tried again and again.  

Finally Lily decided she would allow her to pet her head.  

 

 

   Water with ice and lemon is only 25 cents...all Lily's munchkins are free.  We like this

place.

 

   

 

    There were many goldens today at the beach!

 

 

   Have a great night!

 

 

 

 

 

    It is taking us a day to clean up all the sheets and the van!   Monet

is happy being upstairs while Poppy and Lily are downstairs.  He thinks anything is better

than camping.  

 

 

   Bass Harbor was beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

"Ladies Who Do Lunch" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you so much.  I enjoy

painting chickens.  They are so tasty.

 

   I will be taking Lily to the vet for her heart worm and lyme disease check up!  

Then I will make sure to have her vaccinated for lyme disease.  There are many pros and

cons to this vaccine.  They have made this vaccine better.  They think it protects dogs

up to 70% from getting lymes.  I will purchase Vectra and Interceptor for her too.  Monet

and Poppy already have been tested.  They are doing fine.  

 

Have a good night.

 

   I am so tired.  I have never been so tired in all my life!  I tried to sleep

last night.  I found it so much fun to sit up in the bucket seats of the van.

I think I saw a bear!  But Renee said it was a man trying to say hello to me.

He looked like a bear.  I barked so loud it scared the man!

 I really thought he was a bear!  

 

 

    This is my new dog bed with pretty blue velvet.  

 I decided to move my bed while Renee was sleeping.

 I didn't want to sleep on the floor.  I preferred Renee's mattress and

comforter instead.  I moved my blue bed on top of her bed!  It took me a while.  

She had no idea what I was doing!  I fell right to sleep.  I had no idea I was laying on

 Renee's legs.  

 

 

    I was very nervous.  We drove for an hour to the island.  I have

only been to the beach in my life.  I have never been this far from home.  

 I met many people at the campground who loved me.  They all said I was so pretty.

The first day was not too bad but it started to rain and it was so cold!

 

    We went to a wharf where there was many boats, lobsters, and smelly fish.  I had

smelly feet from the wharf.  I jumped all over Renee's bed when I went inside the van. 

The whole van smelled like rotten sardines all night long.  I didn't mind the smell.

 

 

   How was the food?  Monet thought about the food for a moment.  "I want to go home."

You didn't enjoy the chicken in the can with dried dog food?   Monet replied, "Robert cooks

much better." 

 

 

 

 

 

  Monet?  Are you asleep?  I guess that ends our interview with Monet.

 

 

   He woke up when I told him we were going back home!  Home sweet home!

His whole face looked happier!  It was too cold and rainy for us but the people

at the campground were so nice.  We will visit another day when there is sun.

 

 

 

   Monet brought Lily home the largest raw hide bone she has ever seen!

 

 

    Lily is thrilled with her bones. 

 

    Bass Harbor Campground on Mount Desert Island is a wonderful place to stay.  The owners

are fantastic people.  The people who stay there are so interesting and friendly.  I met the most

interesting plein air artist from Florida.   I answered questions about painting on copper.  I feel like

my camping overnight was for a good reason.

 

 Camping was too difficult for Monet.  

I will think of a better solution for keeping Monet and Poppy apart.  

I need to be able to paint.  Monet needs to sleep and eat in the manner he is accustomed.

 

 It was funny watching him pull his bed on top of my mattress and comforter.  He tried hard to be

quiet about it.  I moved my legs out from under him.  I had to stick them out off the side of the bed.

He had all the comforter except for the top 1/3.  During the night I also felt him pull the comforter

off me.  He was using his teeth!  I don't know what he was doing.  Maybe he was going to

make his bed thicker.  Monet is a really warm loving dog.  I really enjoyed my time with him.  

He needs new experiences.   Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Monhegan Lobster" 6x6 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold.  Shipped.

 

 

"Lobster With Monet's Sunflowers" 10x10 oil on copper 500$ framed in gold.  Shipped.

 

 

"Lobster Feast" 20x14 oil on copper.  Sold.

 

 

"Lobster Dinner" 20x14 oil on copper.  Sold.

 

 

"Lobster Celebration" 20x14 oil on copper.  850$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

 

 

"Monhegan Dream Dinner" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold.

 

 

   I have been invited to be the Artist In Residence at the Bass Harbor Campground on Mount Desert

Island.  Monet and I will be camping in Robert's van, hiking, painting, and swimming.  They

have internet!  I will continue to share my life as an artist!  Have a good night.

 

 

"Bowdoin" 10x10 oil on copper Sold last night off my website.  Thank you.  I am buying more

copper now!

 

 

"Castine Light and Shadows" 10x10 oil on copper Sold  Thank so much!

 

 

"Fruit Bowl" 10x10 oil on copper Sold.  Thanks!  

 

 

"Christmas Pears" 10x10 oil on copper Sold.  Will be ordering more oil paint!  Yeah.

 

Very pleased with all these sales.  This means the painting will continue!  

 

"Lobster Celebration" 20x14 oil on copper.  1500$ framed in gold.  shipped free.

 

     I loved the blue checkered tablecloth with 1pm light.  The dark beer

bottle produced a strange shadow so it had to go.  I also decided

against utensils.  The claw of the lobster was going to be the star of the show!  I knew

this would be a long day and night of painting.  I took Monet and Lily to the beach to tire them

out.  They took a nap.  I started to draw!

 

 

   I have been drawing with a round brush loaded with blue lately.  

  I drew a line down the center of things that needed to be symmetrical so

I could see if they were balanced on both sides.  This is such a fail proof system!  Then I wiped

off most of the paint.  

 

 

   I decided to paint the background blue and white checkered table cloth first.  I knew

this would help me see if my drawing was correct because it would force me to check

the negative shapes.  I made a few corrections.  The table cloth was difficult.  

 

 

    I painted the shadow area and then the sunlight areas differently so the sun would be

shining in my painting!

 

 

    I worked on the plate next making sure the plate was perfectly round.  I wanted the plate

to be the lightest value so made sure anything else was a shade darker.  I had a great time

painting the Summer Ale!  Yes I did drink that beer.  I didn't want it to go to waste.  If

felt sinful drinking alcohol during a afternoon all by myself.  Someone needed to do it.  An

artist job has many duties.  

 

 

    The apple pie was just delicious!  Robert had a few slices too.  Thank heavens for the

invention of the camera.  

 

 

    I took a ten minute break to have some supper as the sun was setting.  It was a long day

of painting.  My goal was accomplished but I wondered if I could finish the entire painting.

I started work at 11:00am.  It was about 6pm.  I pressed on!  

 

 

   The drawing of a lobster if just difficult!  The anatomy of a lobster is such a complicated

body!

 

 

   Lily took my paper towels off the table.  She was wagging her tail so fast!  I knew she

did this for attention.  I laughed.  Lily is such a fun dog.  Robert returned the paper towels.

I continued painting!

 

 

   Poppy was in the mood, grabbing Monet, and hitting him hard in the face with her paws.

Monet was frightened.  He came over to me for moral support.  He hid under the table for awhile.

Poppy calmed down and went to sleep!  I was thinking I would have to pack my things up, take Monet

camping, so we would not have another litter of puppies!  I was painting quickly so I could finish the painting.

I can not believe what I have to go through sometimes.  I was almost done!  

 

 

   I finished the painting last night at 12pm, put it inside of a cardboard box, put the lid on to protect

the painting from hair or dust falling into the wet paint, and went to sleep.  This morning

I took a photo with my Canon EOS 7D.  This camera sure does give accurate colors with

such clarity!  

 

 

   At the beach this morning Lily was so afraid of a pair of pigeons!  She hid behind me

and then came out to check them out!  I decided to take Lily all by herself to the beach.

She needs to be on her own sometimes to develop right.

 

 

  Lily doesn't have any of Poppy's hunting instincts.  

 

 

    The pigeons were not afraid of Lily.

 

 

    A pair of Ospreys were taking care of their young.  One of the adults brought into a nest

a nice fish.  The other adult made all kinds of noise and ate it.  

 

    Lily begged for munchkin donuts in the drive through.  She sat on my lap.  She put her

paws up and hung out the window.  She wagged her tail and gave the lady her cutest looks.

The lady produced a handful of glazed munchkins.  Lily ate one before I could get them into

the car.  Lily knows she can get free munchkins if she does this.  I think she is very smart!

 

Have a good night!

 

   Today I purchased a 4 pound lobster for a new painting!   Fred cost me 50$.  I have been

doing very well selling my lobster feast paintings.  I needed a new model.  The last model

broke the tip off of his lobster claw and a few legs fell off in the freezer.  I will be more

careful with Fred.  He is a beauty!  I will keep Fred on a plate in the freezer in between

painting sessions.

 

 

    Lily wanted her Mom, Poppy, to come to the beach this morning too.  She could tell Poppy

wanted to go.  Lily wouldn't step outside of house unless Poppy could go.  I respected Lily's

thoughts but Poppy can't be in a public place right now.  I finally encouraged Lily to get into

the car.  Monet and Lily had a great time.  I could tell she missed her Mom's company.

 

 

   Lily watches everything her parents do.  She saw Monet diving for rocks.  She gave it a try.

She produced a smaller rock and showed Monet.  

 

 

   Monet digs up rocks and so does Lily.  Monet gives the rock a good bite once found.

So does Lily!  Here she takes a break.  She has a rock in the hole and bit it...now what?

 

 

   Monet brings out a rock in his mouth.  Lily has a tiny rock in her mouth.  

 

 

    

 

   Their dog friend Sunday arrived.  I am sure Sunday missed Poppy.  Robert came home

from work later and took all the dogs to the beach.  He is braver than I am.  

 

 

   I drove to Camden to drop off a few new paintings at Camden Falls Gallery.   

 

 

   The Olad schooner was getting ready to leave the harbor.

 

 

   Surprise schooner was coming back into the harbor.  

 

   I am going to paint Fred for a few days!  Have a good night!

 

 

 

 

 

"Ladies Who Do Lunch" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thanks!

 

   Today it was raining here in Maine.  I decided to paint a few chickens.  I love to paint

the chickens I have seen living on Monhegan Island.  They look so happy and healthy!

 

 

 

 

"Walking Girl" 6x6 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

 

   I admired this Monhegan Island chicken walking around with the sense of purpose in

her pen.  

 

    I had fun painting and watching Lily harass her parents!  

 

 

   I did take Monet and Lily to the beach.  Poppy needs to stay home because she

is just starting to be in season.  The plan is to take Monet somewhere camping in a tent

while Poppy is going to want to have puppies.  Lily was very playful today.

 

 

    Monet always agrees to play with Lily even if he was napping!  She

still loves to play the alligator game!  Lily is playing the big alligator!

Monet plays gentle with her.  

 

 

   Lily's other favorite game is 'hit Daddy Monet in the head with the flying saucer toy'.

She loves to wack him really good.  Monet sometimes growls.

 

 

    Then Lily likes to bite his arms and stomach.  Monet will nibble

back on her ear.  

 

 

   Lily plays hard until she falls asleep.  Monet still cleans Lily just as he

did since she was born.  

 

 

    Lily often sleeps on her back just like her grandfather Luke does!

 

 

    Robert had to catch Lily at the beach so she could be put inside the car.

She is getting so big!  

 

 

    They had a great time!  Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

"Heavenly Irises" 20x14 oil on copper 850$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

 

    There was so much rain and wind at the Bar Harbor outdoor art show all the artists

packed up their tents and went home except for three ladies...one was me.  I stayed for

two hours hoping the rain and wind would stop!  The rain was so intense there were only

a few brave disoriented souls walking around Bar Harbor.  

 

   I decided to be grateful for my family of dogs and Robert.  I am pleased Robert and I

both have new tires on our cars.  Our three golden retrievers went to the vet for their shots

and booster shots.  Monet and Poppy both tested negative for heart worm disease and Lymes

disease.  Lily will be tested soon.   I have enough copper for a few more weeks of painting.

My oil paint supply will be fine for another month.  I will pay for my car tag to be renewed.

I can pay off my 1000$ emergency visa credit card I used for food recently.  We have a hole in

our house from a winter storm taking down all the electric running into our home.  We can

patch it up with a piece of wood.  The electric wires have been temporarily rigged by the

electric company.  I think the electrical situation will be fine.  The thing I am most grateful is our health.  

We also have a few good friends now here in Maine.  Making friends can be more difficult

when you relocate to another state.  Things will be fine.  

 

Have a good night!

 

"Lobster Feast" 20x14 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thank you!

 

    It was a slow start today at the Bar Harbor Art Show.  This show is important for my

continued ability to paint everyday.  I always purchase enough oil paint, brushes, and

copper to last me through Summer, Fall, and Winter, and Spring!  This requires several

thousand dollars.  It is expensive to paint everyday.

 

    At three o'clock there was still no purchases.  I started to think about which car lot I was

going to visit to fill out employment applications.  I thought about Mercedes.  Then I decided

Subaru might be best in Maine.  Suddenly I saw a small family looking at the lobster feast.

I could hear them talking in great detail where they would hang the painting!  My hopes

were up!  I said maybe they could hang the painting in various places until it looked right!

A young boy spoke up and said, "Just buy the painting!  It is a great painting!"  I laughed

and commented, "I like this guy!  He must be creative because he is spontaneous!"   His

grin from my comment was delightful.  She said, "Let's just buy it.  I love this painting!"  

I thanked her and told her she just rescued me from getting a car selling job!  We laughed.

 

 

"Reflective" 20x14 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you!

 

    I was smiling from the lobster painting selling.  What a big accomplishment for me to

paint larger and even sell one!  A friend and client drove up from New Jersey.  I was 

pleased to see him because he had recently had open heart surgery!  His goal was to make

the art show.  We visited for a while.  Then I wondered which painting would he select.

He chose this painting.  I was smiling even greater!  Not only for another painting sale but

for my friend's health recovering!  

 

 

"Acadia's Beehive" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you.

 

    A client passed by, I recognized her, said Hi, and she said, "There you are!"  She

liked this painting and decided to add it to her collection.  

 

    I have two artists friends who purchased tents, displayed their art, at my urging.  They

were having such a great time.  One's enthusiasm was wonderful to see!  I gave her some

pointers so she would not have zero painting sales the first year of outdoor art shows.  They

followed my advise and were succeeding.  I came home tonight feeling very good.  

 

   Luke and Ted came to the art show.  Everyone loved Luke.  Luke was a celebrity.  People

were in my art tent, on the ground, rubbing Luke's chest, and Luke's feet were straight up in the

air, and Luke had a big smile on his face.  This was fun.  

 

    I am going to sleep now.  I guess I won't be selling cars.  Good.

 

   Good night.

 

 

 

"Happy Family" 6x6 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

 

 

"More The Merrier" 6x6 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold.  Shipped.

 

    I do love to paint chickens!  Everywhere I drive, I always look for chicken coops, and

ask to take photos of their chickens!  They have so much character.  I love the sunlight

shining on their feathers.  People always ask me why do I paint chickens?  I always tell

them the shocking truth, "I love to eat chicken!"  

 

 

"Beauty Contest" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold today!  Thank you.

 

   I was so excited to see one of my favorite clients come to my art gallery today!  She was

very happy to see over 100 painting before anyone else did at the Bar Harbor Art Show this

weekend.  

 

 

"Just Another Pretty Face" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold Today!  Thanks.

 

    Monet was very naughty today.  He jumped up on to my client and barked.

He was so delighted to see her.  He could not contain himself!  It took him an hour

to settle down. I leashed him up so he could tour the gallery with us.  He was pleased

with this arrangement.  

 

   Lily was on her best behavior.  She laid down on the couch.  The lady said she was

so pretty and sweet!  

 

   Poppy preferred to be in her fenced yard.  She was quiet!  

 

    All the gallery lights failed to work.  I handed my client a flashlight!  She toured the gallery

for over an hour selecting work using the flashlight!  Something always happens when clients

come to my gallery.  It is never a 'normal gallery visit'.  Thank heavens the clients always 

seem amused.  

 

 

"Sullivan View of Cadillac Mountain" 5x4 oil on copper.  sold!

 

 

"Summer Time View of Cadillac Mountain" 4x5 oil on copper.  sold!

 

 

"Stonington's Yellow Beam of Light" 4x5 oil on copper sold!

 

 

"Stonington's Sand Beach Sunset" 4x5 oil on copper.  sold.

 

 

"Stonington's Red Ball Of Fire" 4x5 oil on copper.  sold.

 

   I was so excited to sell paintings today unexpectedly!  I know the work must continue

to be good to have visitors go through wrestling with Monet and no gallery lighting to

come back!  Thank you for the purchases.  This means so much to me.  

 

    

 

   Poppy learned from Luke how to guard rocks!  

 

 

    What a happy family we have.  We are so lucky!

 

   Have a good night.  

 

"Blue Iris Study" 5x4 oil on copper 200$ framed in gold and shipped free.

 

    I decided to do a couple small studies of my irises today.  I know in the middle

of the winter I will wish I studied every iris while they are growing so beautiful.

 

 

"Blue and Yellow Iris Study" 5x4 oil on copper 200$ framed in gold and shipped.

 

 

 

 

    Several of my friends gathered at the beach with their golden retrievers this morning in

honor of a birthday.  Ted brought a few dozen Amish glazed and pumpkin donuts for all

to eat.  Amish donuts are not like any other donut I have eaten.  They use real lard.  The

donuts are out of this world.  Every golden retriever had a sample of the glazed donuts.

Lily liked the donuts so much she went up to each dog's mouth to see if she could snatch

another helping!  I think Lily ended with several portions of donuts.  

 

 

    It seemed like we were all laughing at something.  Everything seemed funnier

because of all the sugar and fat!  Lily was a good source of amusement stealing

Maggie's rock.  Maggie went around whimpering until her owner realized her

rock was gone.  He went around searching for the rock on the ground.  Seeing

him search for a rock was hilarious to us!  Lily was trying to take all the donuts.

Someone put a cup onto of the box to protect the donuts.   Luke and Monet

were seen wagging their tails at each other.  The sugar made the dogs act

differently too.

 

 

   Zeba is a special golden retriever.  She can sense when her owner needs oxygen.  She

was never trained to do this.  She will look at him and put her paw on his arm to let him know.

 

    Zeba will protect Lily.  She will walk over to Lily if she sees another dog come

over or growl at Lily.

 

    Zeba always comes over to me and stares into my eyes.  If I turn

away I can see Zeba turning her head to get another look at my eyes.  She is a very 

interesting dog.  I wonder what Zeba is thinking?

 

 

   Zeba came over to make sure Lily was alright.  Lily was trying to get closer to the golden

with the stick who was growling at Lily.  The dog with the stick also lives with Zeba.  Zeba

taught this dog to recognize when her owner needs oxygen too.  The man has two goldens

who look after his needs 24 hours a day.  Zeba might be able to take breaks because she

trained an assistant!  Goldens are very amazing dogs.

 

 

   Maggie has her prize rock in her mouth!  Lily loves to take her rock.

 

 

   Lily seems to be submissive then somehow ends up with the rock.  I wonder if Maggie

just gives her the rock.  

 

 

   Lily's sister Lux came to the beach tonight to play!  They ran in the mud, wrestled, was

scared by Poppy stalking them, and played with sticks.

 

 

   Poppy on the right crept low in her best hunting pose.  Monet and both puppies

ran with Poppy chasing them.  

 

 

   It is always touching to see Monet and Poppy's reaction when they see Lux, one of their

puppies, walking down the beach.  They can smell her even if she is far away.  They greet

her with such emotion you can't help but feel how much they love their puppies.

 

 

    Have a great night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

     It was a cloudy rainy day today.  I decided to build a fort on Sears Island.  

 

 

   Robert arrived just in time for a few last pieces of drift wood to be

arranged on the roof.

 

 

    The goldens were really interested in collecting sticks on the beach.  Poppy carried many

all the way down the beach to the fort's site!  Monet was more interested in rocks.  Lily

was more into destructing the fort!  I had to give her a few sticks to keep her busy.

 

 

    A good day's worth of work!

 

 

   Lily is a very good girl.  She is such a great addition.  We can not imagine life without her.

 

 

    The rain was light in the late afternoon but the temperatures were in the 60's.  It

was quiet on the beach today.  

 

 

   My irises are still blooming!  The dark irises are fragrant.

 

 

   

 

   I am gearing up for the Bar Harbor outdoor art show on the green June 20-21 from 9-6pm.

Many great painters will have their tents and art work for sale.  Please come to this event to

support your local artists.  I should have 100 paintings to view!  Have a good night.

 

    Today was a very exciting day for us all.  We were invited to Ted and his

dog Luke's house!  Lily took a nap on the driver before we arrived.

 

 

    All the dogs were very excited to see each other so we decided to hike.

 

 

   Monet and Luke growled at each other a few times throughout the day.

We told them no.  Luke was sent inside the house for a talking to once.  It

was all kind of funny.  We could hear Ted telling Luke, "He had better be good. 

Stop all this growling.  I am serious now!"  Then they came outside.  Luke

acted like a changed good boy.   

 

 

 

   Ted had cleaned and filled up the doggy pool.  Every dog was in this pool through out

the day.    

 

 

   Robert brought the dogs each a piece of barbeque chicken.  

 

 

  Luke didn't mind sharing his pool.  He was a good sport.  When Monet

grabbed Luke's favorite ball...not that was going too far!  I suggested the

ball be hidden for a while.  

 

 

   We went on a longer hike.  

 

 

   We saw the trout pond.  All the dogs took a few swims.

 

 

   Then we checked out the frog pond.  There were thousands of tiny frog jumping around here.

 

 

   Luke put his entire head under the muddy water to retrieve a rock.  Then he guarded

this rock.  Ted tried to stop Luke from guarding the rock but Luke continued.  We were

laughing at Luke's muddy face.

 

 

    Luke growled at Lily.  Lily looked back for her Dad Monet.  You could almost tell

what she was thinking, "Daddy, He is growling at me and not being nice!"  Monet did

get upset about the whole thing.  We calmed Monet down.  Luke forgot about the rock

because we left!  

 

   Ted cooked us the most wonderful pork ribs and amazing baked beans.  We brought

a potato salad and macaroni salad.  Robert created a strawberry pudding.  He didn't follow

any recipe.  It was very unique and wonderful all at the same time!

 

 

    It was great seeing Robert enjoying himself.  I can't remember

when I had so much fun.  I took a nap when I came home!  

Tomorrow I will get back to work painting!  There are so many 

beautiful things to paint in Maine.  Have a good night.

 

 

 

"Heavenly Irises" 20x14 oil on copper 850$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

 

   I thought it would be fun to look at all the iris paintings I have done in my life!  I think

this one is my very best iris painting.  I was so lucky  there was sunlight.  The white

irises were in their prime.  

 

 

"Parade Of Irises" 20x14 oil on copper 850$ framed in gold.  Shipped.

 

   I am pleased with this painting. I loved the dark blue or purple iris.  I also liked all the

different stages of the irises.

 

 

   "White Irises" 6x8 oil on copper 375$ framed in gold.  Shipped.

 

    I was slightly intimidated by my new white irises.  I drew them a few days.  Then I painted

this smaller study.  I am glad I started off with a smaller study of them.  The dark background really

made them look nice.

 

 

"Irises First Spring" 20x14 oil on copper 850$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

 

    I tried to paint the irises as they were.  I minimized the greens leaves of the Irises.  I was very

serious painting this one.  I think I was even shaking at times.

 

 

  "Southern Spring"   12x12  oil on copper.  sold years ago.  

 

    I think this painting was my first attempt at painting irises.  This was my favorite painting

for a long time.  This painting was a plein air work in Pine Mountain, Georgia during the

Callaway Plein Air Event.  I was new to painting this large and it was only a 12x12.  Beamer the

dog kept me company.

 

 

"The Purple Irises" 10x10 oil on copper.  Sold years ago.

 

   I painted this painting so quickly at a garden in Southwest Harbor, Maine.  The sunlight

was just perfect that day.  This was maybe my second or third iris painting.

 

 

"Irises In Delft Blue Vase" 5x7 oil on copper.  Sold years ago.

 

    I found these irises at a commercial location...and borrowed a few.  It was about ready to

rain so I kind of saved them.  

 

 

"Kathi's Cypress and Irises" 7x5 oil on aluminum Sold years ago.

 

   Those irises were in there.  Florida irises are very small but colorful.

 

 

"Purple Iris at Monhegan's Church" 7x5 oil on copper.  Sold years ago.

 

    I found these beautiful irises at the steps of Monhegan Island's church.  I was

sitting there painting one iris when a lady pastor appeared to ask if I was ok.  She

thought it was nice I was painting her iris.

 

 

"Irises" 5x7 oil on copper.  Sold years ago.  

 

   I painted these irises at a hair salon in Bucks County, Pa.  I never used any medium then

so if it was cold outside the paint was thicker...more impasto.

 

 

"Rhaspody In Blue" 7x5 oil on copper Sold years ago.

 

   I took a photo of someone else's irises and painted them inside using an image on the computer.  

I guess for years I dreamed of owning my own irises.

 

 

 

"Yellow Irises" 6x6 oil on copper Sold years ago.

 

   I drove to New Jersey one spring to get away from the dark cold Maine spring.  I ended

up painting at an iris farm!

 

 

"Picking Out Irises" 6x6 oil on copper. Sold years ago.

 

    I think I spent two days painting at this iris farm in New Jersey.  

 

    So there are all my iris paintings dating back to 2010.  I have come along way with my irises.

  Now I have plenty of beautiful irises in my garden.  

 

 

    Mr. Bates/Chase is getting to be so handsome.  He doesn't like to swim yet.  He is

still learning.  He goes everywhere with his family.  They love him very much.  They

cook plenty of chicken for him.  This makes him happy.

 

 

    What a little dream boat Mr. Moseley turned out to be.  He is very lovable.

He plays with his sister Marigold all day long.  They are both fed chicken and

their puppy dried food.  Their owners love them.

 

 

   Here are both Mr. Moseley and Marigold.  They live in a beautiful place and

have very loving owners.  They look so beautiful!

 

 

    I am certain Lord Grantham also called Chase is much larger now.  This photo was sent

to me months ago.  They purchased Trixie, a yorkie mix.  I hope they are looking after each other.

 

   Lady Edith/Lia is a bit particular with how her dinner is prepared.  She likes her chicken!

Her owners love her so much and can not imagine their life without her.  She sleeps with comforters

and pillows inside her crate at night next to her owners.  She is so beautiful.  It is a good thing.

 

   Lady Cora/Elsa rules her household.  She has her owners boiling then browning her chicken,

cooking brown rice, with frozen veggies.  She will not touch any can food or dried food.  She

has taken over her goldendoodle, Babaloo's bed.  She plays in the horse's water bowl with her

feet each morning.  She is spoiled rotten.  Her owners love her like a princess she is.  

 

 

 

   Lily had a busy day today with her parents.  She went to a new beach called Sears Island

early this morning.  Then she swam at Craig's Pond.  Then she went on a new

adventure to Wadsworth Cove in Castine.   She is so tired Robert is dragging her bed out from

under the table to carry her outside!  She loves chicken, liver, and steak, with sweet potato, on 

top of her dried dog food.  She also loves potato chips.  She waits her turn sitting quietly but if

you forget Lily for too long she will bark a few times in agony!  She likes to sit in Robert's lap

on the way home from a trip.  She usually sits in the passenger seat sleeping but will jump into the driver's

seat when she knows she is close to the beach.

 

 

 

   Have a good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Parade Of Irises" 20x14 oil on copper 850$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

10 payments of 85$.

 

     I am happy to finish this painting today!  I worked most of the night until 12am.  Then

this morning I worked more until I finished the painting!  There are all stages of life of the

irises.  I like that.  I think irises are lovely at any stage.  It was a pleasure to study them.

 

 

   Here are a few close up photos of this painting.

 

 

   I discovered a high powered flash light excellent for checking edges in an oil painting late at

night!  

 

 

    It is very gratifying to capture and study each iris.  Now in the iris

garden all the white irises are shriveled up.

 

 

    I love painting flowers.  I could spend an entire life painting flowers.  

 

 

    Ted came over to bring a book for us to read about blood moons.  I decided to show 

Ted and Luke Craig's Pond.  Luke loved this pond.  The water was the perfect temperature,

there were minnows and tad poles to chase, and it was new for Luke!  

 

 

   It was very nice to see Luke so happy in the water.  Ted was pleased

too.  Ted helps up out a lot around the house.  He has fixed our lock on 

the door, rebuilt a lawn mower carb, did an oil change, changed

the spark plugs, found a used snow plow for us, and various other things.

I painted a portrait of Luke for him once.  He is a good friend to Robert and I.

 

 

    I was sitting in Luke's car seat, the passenger seat, so Luke had to sit in the back seat.

This was fine for about two minutes.  Then Luke hopped into my lap.  I had muddy paw

prints and lake water all over me!  Ted had to stop the car, sweet talk Luke to get out,

and get Luke back in the car in the back seat!  I was laughing so hard.  Ted appologized

and nicely told Luke he had to stay back!  Luke tried to climb up front a few times but

Ted put his arm up and said to him, "Be a good boy Lukee!"  

 

 

    Lily runs off when we load up the car to head to the beach twice a day.  We have to chase

after her, pick her up, and carry her into the car.  

 

 

    Everyone loves Lily at the beach.  This week Lily took the hat away from Luke and ran.

Luke was very unhappy about this!  Then Lily took Maggie, a 10 year old golden retriever's

rock she had found.  Lily put the rock into a hole and started to dig and dig until the rock was

unreachable.  Everyone thought that was hilarious.  Poor Maggie waited patiently for Lily

to give back her rock.  Lily was tossing dirt so far people had to move.  Then Lily took a frisbee

from a cattle herding dog who lives for the frisbee.  That poor dog cried until his owner chased

down Lily for the frisbee.  Yes Lily really does have a good time at the beach.

 

 

    Monet blows bubbles when he puts his head under water searching for rocks.

 

 

    Lily is getting so large! She is beautiful.

 

 

    Lily is a good dog.  

 

 

 

    Monet still cleans her.  

 

 

   Have a great night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    I have been hard at work painting in my iris garden all morning, afternoon, and evening!

Here is what I accomplished today.  I am drinking a lot of water trying to recooperate

so I can finish this painting tonight!

 

 

   I was up very early this morning because little Lily was excited about swimming!

She asked me if I would take her to the beach so she could swim again.  I spent an

hour at the beach with all the dogs.  The salt water was colder than the pond.

Lily did swim once.  She looked at me as she was shaking off the water.  I could tell she was hoping

I would tell her what a good girl she was swimming.  She was pleased.  Lily can swim!

 

   Then I set up my easel to paint my irises.  I took my time painting each iris one at a time.

This first iris would be the star of the show!  

 

 

   I had planned to paint the beautiful big blue iris at the bottom left but realized it would

compete with the star!  The blue iris behind the buds would be there but not capture that

much attention.  

 

 

   I had the most difficult time trying to figure out what colors I needed to paint with this

blue iris.  Some of the petals were black but I do not use black.  I continued to work on these

blue irises all day in between working on new irises.  I had to completely ignore color temperature

with these artificial colors of this blue iris.  They had me thinking.

 

 

    I started to realize the surrounding green had a lot to do with the colors on the iris.

The shimmer on top planes of the large bottom petals had a green shine. Under the iris

those petals were the richest and darkest but there was still a blue green shimmer going on there

too.  I even got up, walked over, and stared at those areas.  I think my neighbor next door

was watching me while she was reading a book on her back porch.  Funny.

 

 

   I started to paint white irises behind the blue irises.  I also painted smaller irises in the

distance.  One iris had closed but I made it pretty again so there would be three on the right

hand side.  I considered painting only two there but knew it might draw too much attention

away from the star.  

 

 

   My plan was to paint white irises all across the middle to lower half of the painting to

connect with either side.  I had to move a few white irises together to do this.  

 

 

    At about 5pm the light changed.  Clouds developed so the sun was gone.  I kept

painting.  I knew I could always paint tomorrow if the sun was out or look at an image

from my computer.  I decided painting in the garden without sun was still better

than painting from a computer.  

 

 

    Then an hour later little flying bugs started to bite me.  I don't think they were black

flies.  Who knows what they were.  I didn't want any of them to stick to my oil painting.

I decided I had enough of plein air painting for the day!  Inside!  

 

    I am going to paint the background blue as I did the other day with another iris painting.

Hopefully I can finish it tonight.  I prefer to finish work before the oil paint dries.  I can

work with the edges.  If the painting dries then I have to repaint areas to work with edges.

 

 

 

 

 

    All three dogs were in the front seat of my car this morning.  Poppy and Monet were

sitting in the passenger seat.  Lily was sitting on the middle consol.  I only live

about five miles from the beach.  They had a great time.  

 

  

 

    We had the entire beach to ourselves this morning!  It was so peaceful.

 

    Robert came home and took all the dogs back to the beach for their evening swim and

play time.  

 

    Have a great night!

 

 

 

 

   We brought Lily, Monet, and Poppy to Craig's Pond tonight.  Lily swam!  She loved to

swim.  When she was out of the water, she raced around with excitement, then swam 

again!

 

 

    She did very well swimming.  

 

 

   She swam out to her Mom and Dad!  

 

 

    I was very proud of Lily.  I knew she would swim eventually.  

 

 

"Lupine View of Blue Hill" 6x8 oil on copper 375$ framed in gold.  Shipped.

 

    Today I went back to a wonderful land conservation with a field of lupines overlooking

the sea with Blue Hill in the distance.  I will return to paint here again.  It was just a

beautiful place to paint all day.

 

    I learned a lot about lupine painting on location.  I was surprised at the variety of colors

in each lupine.  The highlights on the lupines were varied.  It seemed like the lower sunlight

area of each lupine was the lightest instead of the top.  I discovered how to paint the top

of each lupine.  There seemed to be three different colors involved.  The lightest light of each

lupine was at the very tip.  This highlight seemed to be a light yellow.  

 

 

    I decided to paint the background and the greens in first.  I kept the green simple as

I knew I was going to have many beautiful lupines I wanted to showcase instead of the

greens.  It is always one or the other but not both.  

 

 

   Then I painted the lupines!  This was the most fun part of the painting.  

 

 

"Stonington Day" 6x8 oil on copper 375$ framed in gold.  Shipped.

 

    I painted a sailboat into the left side of the painting last night.  I also refined my

boats and water.  

 

 

   Craig's Pond was lovely tonight!

 

 

    My irises are still blooming!  Now there are a few blue ones!  It was difficult leaving

the house today to paint lupines.  

 

 

   I must paint these newly bloomed irises!  They are so amazing.

 

  Have a good night.

 

 

 

"Stonington Day" 6x8 oil on copper.  Almost finished. I might paint in a sailboat on the left.  

 

   Today I drove to Stonington, Maine.  I asked permission

at a tiny gift shop if I may paint their view!  The lady thought about it for a moment, asked

where I would set up to paint, and then said "Yes"!   This was a difficult

scene of the wharf and boats.   A big orange cat walked up and sat down on my

foot!  His name was Dundee the cat.  Dundee the cat spent all day with me shading himself under

my chair or by a lobster trap.  He hopped into my car when I was loading my painting

equipment.  I had to remove him as my goldens would not appreciate him.

 Dundee the cat laid down in the driveway preventing me from leaving!  I had to

pick him up, carry him into the gift shop, and ask for their help.  They all laughed very

loud when I told them how he jumped into my car and laid down in the road.  

 

 

   Dundee the cat was beautiful but needed grooming badly.  I wish people would brush

their cats.

 

 

   It is most difficult to paint lobster boats on location because the tide causes

the boats to change positions every two minutes or so.  I learned to always have

the lobster boats facing the same position in a painting or someone will know you made a 

mistake!  These lobster boats are difficult to draw.  

 

 

    It was a perfect warm Spring day.  Lilacs and Lupines

were blooming.

 

 

 

 

   Dundee the cat said hello to a little girl and Mother (located lower left).

 

 

 

    The flower garden in front of the famous yellow house is not ready to paint yet!

 

 

 

   Luke, the father of our Monet, had his hair cut yesterday.

 

    I was pleased

to see Ted and Luke at the beach.  

 

 

   Sunday was there at the beach too!  Sunday played very nice with Lily.  

 

 

   Monet, Poppy, Lily, and Robert went back to the beach tonight.  They had a great time

again.  

 

 

   Lily was watching the fog in the distance.  She stared at the fog for a while.  I thought

she looked lovely all by herself and the big ocean.  

 

   Have a great night!

 

   I returned home after spending only one night at Daicy Pond in Baxter State Park.

It was raining the entire time both day and night.  The mountains were all covered in fog and rain.

I did not paint.   I did relax and enjoy the view of the pond from

a rocking chair inside the cabin.  I have been painting very hard lately.  I guess I needed

a day or two off.  

 

 

   When I first arrived at Daicy Pond, I could see the mountains, but only for a few minutes.

 

 

   We visited one of the rangers at Kidney Pond.  He told us a fun story about a drunk

man who climbed on back of a moose.  The moose was laying down licking a salt block.

 The moose jumped up and tossed the man way up into the air.  The moose ran away.

 

   He told us there was a mother moose with her baby nearby but we didn't see them.

 

     Lilacs were in bloom at Kidney Pond.  There were many paintings of the cabins to be done here

with the view of the lake if it were not raining.

 

 

   When temperatures are warm, you will find many swimmers riding the smooth rock

natural flume under the water.  This is called Ledges Falls.

 

 

    There are many rare plants and flowers in Baxter State Park.  I am not sure of the name

of this flower.  I will find out!

 

 

  I spotted a man canoeing across Daicy Pond before sunset.

 

 

    I thought it was most beautiful before dark.  The pond was luminous.  

 

    I am happy to be home!  It is always nice to go on an adventure.  Have a great night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  "Heavenly Irises"  20x14 oil on copper.  850$ framed in gold.  Shipped!

 

    Today I woke up with new ideas about painting irises.  I slept well.  I was ready to

paint my irises again!  I decided to paint more irises in a painting.  I decided to try to

paint with brigher colors.  I hoped to have more fun, not be nervous, and go for it!

I made myself be brave!  Fear not those irises! 

 

 

    I started off painting in the iris garden until there was no light!  Then I moved into

the house and worked from many photos on my computer!

 

 

   I decided to paint the sky behind the irises.  This would keep green to a minimum.

 

 

   I painted the background around flowers.  This is great practice for brush control.

It is a quiet meditative process I don't mind at all.  I really liked the blue background.

 

 

    Finished!  I painted in a few green leaves of the iris.   I finished way after dark.

 I was lucky to cook Robert a dinner in time!  He is patient about dinner.

 

 

   This morning I took all three dogs to the beach.  Poppy saw a hooded merganser swimming.

She decided to show Lily and Monet how to hunt bird.  

 

 

   We were all very quiet giving Poppy her space to hunt.  Bird is on the right in the

water.  Poppy slowly crept up behind a rock ready to run.  

 

 

   Lily and Monet are watching next to me.  Poppy has looked back to us a few times to

make sure we are watching and also keeping our distance.  Poppy has lowered herself

to the ground and is creeping slowly.

 

 

   Poppy has the bird in sight.  She is waiting for the right moment!

 

 

   Poppy has froze.  Bird swims closer!

 

 

    Poppy is really close now!  Bird is getting nervous!

 

 

   Poppy lunged into the water behind the rock.  The bird  flew off.  I was

disappointed for Poppy but happy for the bird.  

 

 

   Poppy came running back to us.  I could tell the experience really fired her up!

 

 

    She played a hunter game with Lily.  She hid behind a rock.  Lily tried to catch her.

I really do think Poppy was trying to teach Lily how to hunt today.  

 

    I am going painting and camping in Baxter State Park for a few days.  I am painting

and camping with another artist.  We should be there for Monday and Tuesday night.

Wednesday I will be home to report on the trip and post more paintings!  

 

   Have a great night!

 

 

 

 

"Irises First Summer" 20x14 oil on copper 850$ framed in gold.  Shipped free!

10 payments of 85$ would be fine!

 

 

    I was so happy the sun was shining this morning!  I carefully set up my easel in my iris 

garden.  I worked more on the irises on the right hand side then the background.  

 

   I didn't sleep much at all last night!  I guess I was worried about being able to finish

the painting.  Would it rain?  What would I do if it rain?  I really didn't want to finish this

painting from a photo.  What was I going to do with the background?  What would

I call this painting?  The list went on and on.  This was a difficult painting for me to do.

My hands were shaking today as I painted.  I never have shaky hands!  

 

 

    I signed the painting.  Then I was surprised I had signed the painting!  

  Somehow I realized it was finished before I thought it was finished.  

  I was painting on autopilot!  I decided not to question myself, bring it

inside where it was safe, and take a good honest look at the painting.  I could see a few

edges that needed softening.  Very minor work still was needed but yes it was finished!

 

    I asked Robert his opinion on the title of this painting.  

 I called out all the suggested titles:  Dance of the Irises, First Summer Blooms,

Keeping Up Appearances, The More The Merrier, Summer Arrival, Lovin

Irises.  He just started laughing.  I started to laugh too.  

  I asked him about "Irises First Summer".  He said yes that would be good

title for a painting.  He said it was a very nice painting.

 

 

   We went out driving in Union, Appleton, Camden searching for lupines!  We found

some beautiful fields.

 

 

 

 

    Poppy and Monet both enjoy Lily so much!  We sure enjoy her too.

 

 

    Lily just took one of my shoes and set it in her water bowl.  Robert rescued my shoe.

I wonder if Lily thinks my shoes need washing?  Have a good night.

 

 

    I took all three of my goldens to the beach today.  I played so hard with them!  They

came back home happy to take a nap.  I went downstairs to paint my irises!  What a pleasure!

Here are a few photos showing the process.  I decided to start on the purple iris.  

 

 

   I decided to paint the white iris next at the top.  I lowered the iris so it would not reach

the top of the painting.  I wanted a few inches above the iris to be free of anything so the

viewer's eye could move over this iris.  

 

 

    I drew a sketch of this painting before I began to paint.  I wanted the viewer's eye to

start with the left white iris and travel to the next white iris to the next traveling in a circle

ending at the purple iris.  Van Gogh painted a beautiful iris painting.  He had many

irises in this painting with only one white iris.  I just reversed this idea with one purple

iris.    I love how he used pure pigment with short dashes.  He was a great painter.  

 

 

    I was able to paint most of the irises.  I softened my edges.  I will finish this painting

tomorrow!  I won't paint very much detail in the greens of the iris.  I want all the details

to be in the irises.  It looks like the weather will be cooperating with my plan tomorrow!

 

 

   Here is the iris painting so far!  I am glad I painted the smaller iris painting yesterday.

 

 

 

   Well look who woke up from their nap to greet me?  

 

 

   I wonder who tore my little pillow apart?  Hmmm...

 

 

   I can still pick up Lily!  

 

 

   Poppy wanted to know what I was doing with her daughter?

 

 

   What a fun day.  It was cold tonight!  I still wear my winter coat and hat!

 

 

   The beach looked so pretty tonight!  Have a great night.

 

   "White Irises" 6x8 oil on copper 375$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

 

    I have been drawing my white irises studying them.  Today I sat down and painted a few

of them.  The irises were blooming more each hour that passed.  I wanted to paint them

larger but my short supply of copper kept me painting them on a small copper panel.

 

 

    The weather was better today.  There were many golden retrievers at the beach.

There was also a lady sitting on a blanket with a young girl.  All the goldens

were giving the small family space except for Lily!

 

 

 

    Lily ran over to them.  They had plenty of beach toys.  Lily also saw they had a bag

of goldfish crackers!  The lady was laughing and the little girl was smiling

so I let Lily visit with them.

 

 

     Lily selected a blue star fish toy.  She ran over to all of us with

her toy.  We were all laughing of course.  A nice man who owns two of the golden retrievers

present grabbed the toy from Lily.  Lily went back to see what else they had!

 

 

    I was calling Lily.  I had Monet on a leash.  I knew I couldn't come over there with Monet.

Monet is over the top as far as enthusiasm for people goes.  Monet would be far worse

than Lily!  Monet is also almost 100 pounds now!

 

 

 

   Lily spotted the gold fish crackers!  I decided to grab Lily!  Lily did get one gold fish cracker.

She even sat down for her treat!  I found a place to secure Monet's leash for a minute.

 

 

   The little girl said she loved Lily.  

 

 

   Luke is standing to the far left!  It was a nice day at the beach.  

 

Have a great night!

 

 

"Acadia's Beehive" 6x8 oil on copper Sold.  BIG thank you!

 

     I decided to work more on this plein air painting I started on Memorial Day in Acadia.

 

 

    Here it is before I worked more on the painting.  

 

 

    I looked at Lily this morning at the beach.  Lily was smiling funny.  She had a clown like

expression on her face.  I did a double take to figure out what she was up to.  She had something

in her mouth.  She growled at me just like Luke and Monet does sometimes if they have something

they don't want to be taken away.  Lily had a prize!  What was it?

 

    I chased after Lily.  Lily is very fast when she wants to be.  Poppy and Monet were chasing

Lily too.  Luckily there were no people on the beach to witness this!  I caught Lily by her tail.

Then I got down on my hands and knees to check out what was in her mouth.  Lily

clenched her teeth tight.  It was so hard to see what it was.  Finally she shifted whatever

it was so I could see the end of it.  It was an old corn on the cob washed up on the beach!

Yuck!  I could not get it out of her mouth.  

 

    She carried this old corn on the cob all the way down the beach and back to the car.  

She was sitting in the driver's seat.   I finally stole it out of her mouth and flung

it into a field.  Lily gave me a dirty look!  

 

    Monet and Lily was in the car.  Poppy took off running back to the beach.  What a little pill

I thought.  I tried something new.  I ignored Poppy.  I jumped into the car and turned on the ignition.

Poppy was right there by the passenger side of the car in a second!  Let me in the car she said!

 

I really do enjoy taking them to the beach.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Lilacs and Lupines are blooming in Maine!

 

 

   A house in Orland, Maine has the best display of Lupines around!  It is incredible.

 

 

   Lupines and Lilacs together!  Wow!

 

 

   I just love to see all the beehives lined up in blueberry fields!  So beautiful!  I love to

hear the sound of the bees humming.  There were millions of bees in this field working.

 

Have a great night.