Artist Renee Lammers

"Stonington's Main Street" 20x14 oil on copper 850$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped free.

  I was convinced painting an orange cat named Dundee into the lower right corner would

make the painting perfect.  I found a nice photo of Dundee.  I painted him into the painting.

Robert walked by and I asked him what he thought.  Robert is good at telling me

the truth without hurting my feelings.  He told me the cat was too large.  I 

 painted a 100 pound Dundee, the size of a bear!  I knew he was right. I laughed.  I was

so tired.  I needed a day off from painting.  I wasn't thinking rational any more!

He showed me a small bush in the painting.  He said that bush and the cat should be the

same size.  He said the painting doesn't need the cat.  It is perfect without the cat.  I knew

he was right.  The painting was about the mansard roof house on Main Street in Stonington!

I took the cat out of the painting.  I made the street right again.  I went to sleep.  

  Here are photos of our bees and fruit.   This hive survived the winter.  

   Here is the new hive.  They seem to be doing well!

   Here is the new flower garden with giant zinnia seeds and corn flowers.  The zinnias

are not tall but miniature.  

   Bees are enjoying the corn flowers.

   The two pear trees are doing really well!

   Grapes are growing all over the arbor. 

   Golden Delicious apples seem to be abundant.

   There are two plum trees.  One is black plum and the other is golden plums.

   There are 180 degree views of the East Penobscot Channel in our backyard.  This is

looking to the Penobscot Bay.  

   I slept through Monet being skunked this morning.  Robert poured the Skunk odor 

remover bottle contents all over him, waited 5 minutes, and hosed his down.  Monet

was beside himself when I woke up.  I did notice the smell of skunk in the gallery

again.  They enjoyed the beach this morning.  Monet brought all the leashes into

the ocean and left them.  Ted waded in after the leashes.  

   I framed many paintings, packed them so they are secure to ship, varnished, and

petted my dogs.  

   A painter friend called a gallery owner to ask if I could participate in a paint out in Waldoboro.

The paintout is a juried event.  The deadline has passed.  The gallery owner said I could participate.

I would leave at 5am to be there by 7am.  I would paint all day.  Turn in two paintings by

3pm to be judged.  Then I would return at 7pm for the auction.  Then I would drive over an

hour home.

    I could also paint a nice 20x14 white dory painting tomorrow.   Choices!  I am

lucky to have choices and good friends.  Have a good night.

   Here I am working on a Stonington Burnt Cove painting.  Yes I do have a few mosquito

bites.  I am tired from working long hours and driving each day.  I should take a day off

but the weather has been too great!

 
"Stonington's View of Burnt Cove" 20x14 oil on copper.  Not finished yet.

     The sky at Burnt Cove is very luminous most nights as the golden hour approaches.

I will paint many lobster boats and sail boats into the harbor once I get my strength back.

The building on the left is the old sardine factory.  In the distance is a small one bedroom

house.  I studied the many types of wild flowers in the foreground.

    I am almost finished with this 20x14 of Stoninton's Main Street.  I might tone down some

of the color.  I am thinking of painting Dundee the orange cat carrying his mouse in the 

foreground.  

   I climbed all around taking unique photos of Stonington today.  

    It surprises me how much more energy I have since my gallbladder has been

removed.  I am free of most pain now.  I feel more optimistic too.

   I found this large crab the size of an open hand on rockweed.  I put him back into

the water.  He was alive.  

    I took the dogs to the beach this morning.  They always have a great time.  They

had frosty paws doggy ice cream to celebrate a recent painting sale.  

   Lily enjoyed her Frosty Paws.  She said, "Thank you!"

   Poppy has a great appetite.  Her puppies should be born September 1-15.

I have been giving her a afternoon snack of apples and carrots.  Robert

feeds them all pressure cooked chicken, liver, and sweet potato over

dried dog food.  He also fries duck eggs when a client brings them.  We

have been checking all the dogs for ticks at least 4 times a day.  Still I found

a tick on Poppy's cheek the other day.  She jumped into my bed.  She

put her head right near me so I could see it.  She has been fine.  It must

have been a dog tick.  

   Monet just loves to sit in my lap.  I sat down in my recliner, he

jumped into my lap, fought off Lily for a few minutes, then enjoyed

many hugs for a half an hour.  He requires more affection.

    Luke enjoyed a swim with Monet and Lily.   Poppy was chasing sticks on the beach.

Have a great night!

   I drove to Stonington after taking all three dogs to the beach.  I decided to paint a 20x14

of Maine Street.  I had to stop painting because of the sun changing positions and a car blocking

my view.  A police officer came by.  He got out of his car.  He just wanted to see my work.  I

gave him a print of a dory.  He went into the house I was painting then came out and left.  

There are many people walking on Main Street.  I meet everyone in town.  They are all nice

and appreciate paintings.  

   I saw Dundee the orange cat dodging cars.  He didn't stop to say hello today.  I was wearing

very thick amounts of bug spray..40 deet.  I am sure he didn't like that smell.

   I was photographing the same dory as yesterday in different lights and positions.

   Golden hour light is best!  

   I walked by a table and saw a blue and white tablecloth with lobsters on a plate!

I had to do a double take!  I really wanted to ask them if I could take a few photos but

took a photo from afar.  I couldn't believe it!  

   I relocated to Fifield Point Street.  I parked along the road and set up to paint the front

view of the old sardine factory, harbor, and all the boats.  I was about half way finished on 

another larger 20x14 painting.  The light completely changed.  I was tired.  I drove home.

I did have a beautiful haddock sandwich for lunch.  It was hot today.  I drank a lot of

ice tea and cooled off.  I think this allowed me to paint 10 hours today.  I must take a

break.  

"Summer Flowers" 10x10 oil on copper.  Sold today off my website while I was out painting!

What a nice surprise.  Thank you.  

   I have many boxes of Frosty Paws dog ice cream.  Tomorrow the dogs will celebrate.  

Have a good night.

"Tranquil" 20x14 oil on copper.  Sold Today. Thank heavens.  

    I was so pleased to sell this larger dory painting.    I ordered over a thousand

dollars worth of frames because there was a special price on shipping.  Now I will have

extra pocket change from this sale.  Artists just like any small business have cash flow

problems.  Mine is solved temporarily.  Painting is expensive.  Especially if the artist

work every day.  I just love to paint.

   "Stonington Summer Day At Burnt Cove"  6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you.

    I delivered a painting in Stonington sold a few weeks ago. I decided to paint again at Burnt

Cove.  There were two skiffs today in the foreground.  I seemed to be using thicker paint

today.  I am not sure why.  Maybe it was the newer flat brush I was using or the heat of the

day.

   The white dory had me delighted.  I took over 300 photos of this dory.

    The weather conditions today varied greatly.  The created many different moods for the dory.

   The Olad Schooner from Camden was touring the harbor.  

    Luke, Sunday, and a poodle were at the beach.  Lily, Poppy, and Monet was very pleased.

Monet wanted me to leash him up because Luke was there.  Monet feels safer on a leash.

He gets upset about Luke growling at Lily.

    Sunday and the poodle left.  They had been at the beach a long time. We walked

down the beach with Ted and Luke.  

   Lily walked her Dad, Monet, around on his leash.  She is so funny.  Have a great night.

"Walking Girl" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold today.  Thanks!

    Robert called the propane gas company to come check our water heater.  The man

arrived, was checking the water heater in the basement, when it exploded and caught

on fire.  I could smell propane gas and smoke.  My guests arrived to see the gallery.

I didn't know about the explosion in the basement.  I didn't ask why I smelled smoke

and gas.  I just concentrated on my guests.  They didn't seem to notice anything out

of the ordinary.  My golden retrievers entertained us all.  Lily climbed on to one of the man's

shoulders and laid down.  Lily looked like she was a mink stole around his neck. 

We were all laughing.  I have never seen her do this before.  Poppy hid under the table

the entire time.  Monet did try to sit on his lap but I reeled in his leash just in time.

I told them funny dog stories and answered a few questions and asked a few questions.

  I really enjoy people coming to visit.  I am grateful for the painting sale.  Looks like

we will need a new water heater in our future.  For now we have decided to order a few

parts.  

    The man who came to inspect the water heater had his eye brows, hair, and mustache

burned away from the explosion.  His skin was fine.  He said he had never seen this happen

before.  He was very lucky it was only hair.  

   I still can not believe the water heater exploded right as my guests were arriving to view

my work in the gallery.  Something interesting always happens.  It is never a traditional

gallery visit but maybe this is good.

"Stonington Summer" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

    I worked very hard on this tiny painting.  It is so interesting to draw boats in paint.

I always love painting the light on the water.  

    Here are a few flowers growing wild at the Sandy Point Beach.  The fragrance of these

flowers is out of this world.  I wonder if this is milk weed.  Bees were enjoying this flower.

   I have been watching this osprey nest for a month or so.  There were two baby osprey

in the nest.  Then I saw one.  Now I see one in the nest and one parent.  Or it could be

both parents and no baby osprey because it fledged.  

    Here is a close up.  I did see the bird in the nest flap their wings a few times.

   Have a good night.  I think I will paint in Stonington if it is not raining tomorrow!

"Stonington's Burnt Cove" 6x8 oil on copper Sold.  Thank you!

    I sold this painting to a photographer I met on Monhegan many years ago.  He

has followed my progress and decided this painting would be in his collection.  Thank

you so much!  I liked this painting too.

"Sandy Point Beach" 6x8 oil on copper.  375$ framed in gold or black with gold.

    Here is the plein air efforts from a few weeks ago.  It was difficult to photograph.

   Lux showed up at the beach unexpectedly this morning!  What a welcome she had with

her sister Lily, Mom Poppy, and Monet.  They really do miss and love Lux.  Lux is always

the alpha puppy.  

    Lux was chewed out by her Mom Poppy for playing too rough with Lily.  Poppy put

her mouth around Lux's mouth and gave her a few stern growls.  Lux ran over to

Monet's hole he dug to get some attention afterwards.  Monet growled at her to get out

of his hole!  He was trying to get his rock out of the hole and he couldn't with her laying

on top of the rock.   Lux went back to playing rough again.

   Jeana, Lux's owner, picked Lux up to calm her down.  Lux was limp and relaxed.  

    Today Robert and I delivered the large lobster painting, "Lobstah!".  We hung the painting

in a beautiful Castine home.  I always thought this home was a hotel.  The painting looks

amazing in their dining room.  It was a pleasure to see it hung.  

Poppy, Monet, and Lily celebrated the sale with Frosty Paws doggy ice cream.  

   Tomorrow we have a visitor who wants to see the dogs and the gallery!  We cleaned

up the house.  Robert found light bulbs for the gallery!  He also surprised the dogs

with a family bed for them.  Maybe just this once the visitor will be treated to a normal

gallery visit!  There will be no skunk smells, lighting, and a clean gallery! There are always

other things that could happen.  Have a good night.

"Promise of Clear Skies At Water Street In Castine" 8x12 oil on copper.  Sold. 

    This painting was admired by many people because of a wonderful elderly lady named

Betsy who once lived in this yellow house.  She passed away three years ago.  The home was

sold by the estate for 300,000$.  It will be torn down because the structure is not sound

enough to live in.   Betsy was an interesting outspoken lady who was loved

by many people in Castine.  

"Lobstah!" 18x24 oil on copper.  Sold.  

   This painting was also popular because of all the talk about an artist painting 'Fred' down

at the docks.  People came over and asked, "Is this the Fred I heard about?"  Many

children admired Fred.  They asked me where was Fred?  I told them in the freezer.  The

kids laughed.  

    I was so delighted to sell this painting for 1500$.  Robert and I will help hang this painting

tomorrow in their home.  Thank you for the sales tonight.

    I was really impressed with this event.  Many artists sold out!  Their prices were not low either.

Some artist's work was middle sized and priced at 1200$.  Most artists sold at least one.  I think

this event was a well run plein air event in a great location.  Castine people appreciate artists.

   Lily pulled my socks off this morning while I was still sleeping.  Poppy gave me kisses.  Monet

 missed me very much.  He whimpered and nibbled on me in the morning.  He put his huge

paws on me and wanted to be hugged.  He tried to keep the other two dogs away from me.  

Tomorrow I will spend much time with them and Robert.  

   Have a great night!

"Castine Harbor View" 8x12 oil on copper 650$ framed in silver.  Shipped.  40% goes to

the Castine Art Association.

    This morning I headed to Water Street along Castine's waterfront.  I admired everything

about this scene.  For years I have driven to this spot saying to myself, "Yes you must paint this

scene someday."   Today was the day!  I started at 8am and finished at 3:30 or 4pm.  

    There are a lot of fun details in this painting.  Children were boarding small sailboats

for their lesson.  I admired the weathervanes...especially the whale one.  I am happy with this one.

   My painter friend Carol Douglas came to paint with me this morning.  She painted bicycles

parked along a fence behind me.  We always enjoy painting together.  I think our work benefits

by our good compatibility in personalities.  I told her I would remember this day during the

winter.  She said that was a great way to think about it.  Her painting turned out fantastic.

    We met many nice people who traveled all the way across America to come to this

painting event.  Some people were on large vessels in the harbor.  Everyone is excited

about the gala event to see and purchase the paintings tomorrow night at 4pm in the

Alfondo Room in the Maritime Academy.  

    I had lunch today while it rained.  Then I decided to paint the yellow house along the

harbor called "Betsy's House" on Water Street.  I admired the reflections of the house in

the wet street.  Then there were many boats behind the home.  I couldn't take a photo

of this painting because of the rain.  I will take a photo tomorrow morning before I frame

all the work.  

  This painting is called, "Mercantile Overnighting In Castine Harbor" 8x12 oil on copper 550$

framed in silver.  Shipped.  40% goes to the Castine Art Association.

   Early this morning Poppy woke me up by licking my lips.  I can't remember her doing this before.

She is extra friendly lately.  Lily came in to search for socks.  She took them all so I decided sandals

must be in order today.  Monet nibbled on my arm a few times.  He didn't want me to leave.  

I promised to take him to the beach for hours on Sunday.  

   Please come to the gala tomorrow if you live close by.  There will be 40 artists with 6 paintings

each to view.  There should be 240 excellent paintings to see!  All of the paintings I have seen

are top notch.  If you do come to the gala and see a painting you like, pick it up to look at it

while you are deciding, because there are people who will buy it before you decide. 

Have a good night.

    Thanks to my painter friend Poppy who is attending the Castine Plein Air Event

for taking my photo.  Today I started painting Fred the frozen cooked lobster at

8am.  I worked all day long till about 3:30pm.  This was the largest lobster still life

I have ever painted.  I was nervous until about two hours before I finished.  I knew

I was pulling it off by then.  

    I am not a good early morning riser.  I almost chickened out painting Fred.  I wasn't even

going to bring Fred along today!  A friend of mine wrote me an email that said she couldn't

wait to see how I did with Fred.  This encouragement made me pack up Fred.  I had to

try to paint him.  

    Arranging the lobster dinner at the Castine wharf took me two minutes.  The difficulty

with painting this still life was the light.  Morning light changes very quickly.  I had to draw

the shadows, paint the lobster and fruit as fast as possible.  The tablecloth and ocean background

could be done from memory and experience.  

"Lobstah!" 18x24 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you! 1500$.

     The copper panel for this painting is 48 ounce copper.

The panel is very thick.  Many people asked me how much this copper panel cost?  I remember

paying over 100$ for this panel.  

    I took Fred home to put into the freezer.  The day was long for Fred.  His color changed to a

pale pink.  The sun bleached Fred.  I brought the painting home.  I was relieved the painting

was safe.  

    I went back to Castine.  I admired the luminous light.  I will take a better photo tomorrow.

This was "Luminous Evening" 8x12 oil on copper.  Framed in silver wood.  375$. Shipped.

40% goes to Castine Art Association.

    Many plein air artists were hanging out at the end of Main Street.  They

were preparing to do nocturnes.  I had my barbeque light attached to the

top of my easel.  I had fun.  "Just The Two Of Us" 5x4 oil on copper.

Framed in copper wood or black with gold.  250$

"Castine Night Fall" 5x4 oil on copper.  250$ framed in copper wood or black with gold.  Shipped.

40% goes to Castine Art Association.  

    Robert took care of the puppies.  They are all sleeping soundly as I write.  Monet is

on his back up against the back door.  It is good to be home.  

  Have a good night!   Come out to Castine tomorrow to watch the artists work.  

"Stonington's Fish Shacks" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped.

   Today was the most beautiful day in Stonington, Maine yet!  The sky was the brightest blue.

Everything seemed to glow.  I have been enamored with these two white fish shacks lining

the Stonington Harbor.  I saw an opportunity to ask permission to park and paint on the wharf.

A man was watering his garden.  He suggested I park in his driveway to be safer.  He smiled

at the idea of an artist painting his view!  I was at the edge of a wharf.  I decided to sit down.

If I stepped off the edge accidently, there would be a 20 foot drop, into shallow icy ocean.

    The white fish shacks were so luminous!  I took my time with this painting enjoying

every inch of it.  

    I had to treat myself to a fried haddock sandwich and many ice teas to cool off and refuel.

"Stonington's Burnt Cove" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you!

    The colors were brilliant compared to the photo.  I really enjoyed the composition with

the skiff in the foreground.  All of the buildings and boats were backlit so this simplified

the painting process.  The sky and water was full of amazing light.  

    I headed to Castine as the sun was setting. I was late for the Castine Plein Air event's

meet and greet party.  I arrived just in time.  I said hello and went to dinner with a few

friends.  

   Monet, Poppy, and Lily played in our backyard this morning.  They wrestled and played

with sticks and toys.  Then they slept.  Robert took them all to the beach tonight.  They

were excited to see me home.  Where have you been all day?  I wish I could take them

with me painting.  

  Tomorrow morning I will have my copper panels stamped for the Castine Plein Aire event.

Fred the cooked now frozen lobster will be making a guest appearance at Wadsworth Cove

to be painted.  If the light is better for Fred, he might be at the end of Main Street at the

dock being painted.  I can't foresee which location will be best light for Fred!  I will be painting

Fred 18x24!  This the plan for now.  We will see if it really happens.  

   Have a good night.

"Stonington's Golden Hour" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped.

   I worked on this painting yesterday in Stonington.  I wanted the green fish shack to the 

the center of interest.   I needed to make sure the other two buildings didn't

compete. They needed to be of secondary interest.   I added a sailboat in the distance

and a lobster boat too.  Everywhere there are paintings in Stonington.  The people are very

kind.

   I stayed home today.  I made sure my copper panels were sanded and cleaned.  I took

note of frames.  I am getting ready for the Castine Plein Air event starting Thursday morning.

I washed my car and tried to get all the golden retriever hair out of the car.  What a challenge.

   I watched my dogs play with their new toys.  Lily wanted to play

longer than her Mom and Dad.

    Monet was convinced to play a little longer with Lily.  She had to climb on top of him,

hit him in the head a few times with the toy, to inspire him.  

   Lily dragged her Dad Monet across the floor.

   They are very happy together.  They really enjoy being a doggy family.

   I may drive to Stonington to paint tomorrow!  The weather looks excellent!  Have

a good night.

"Cabin In The Woods" 4x6 oil on copper.  Sold today at the Saltwater Artists Gallery in

Pemaquid.  Thank you!

"Stonington's Dundee The Orange Cat" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you!

    It was so beautiful in Stonington!  I painted on Main Street today.  The small amount

of white laundry inspired me.   I had not seen Dundee the orange cat all day.

 Last night I drew this cat several times.  I decided to paint Dundee

into the lower right painting using my memory of the sketch.  At first he looked like a dog.

 Then I painted him fatter with more hair.  I think I captured

his confident swagger. A nice lady decided she wanted to purchase the painting!  

As I put the painting into the car, on cue Dundee the orange cat

appeared walking down Main Street, with a big mouse or mole in his mouth.  He had

no time to socialize today.  He walked under cars, hopped up onto someone's lawn, took

a look at his prize, holding his foot on the animal, then he disappeared into bushes.  What

an eventful day!  I am still excited about it all!

    A great painter arrived to say hello when Dundee came by.  We both laughed at

Dundee!  I took a few photos of Dundee. He set up to paint near me.  

   I met wonderful people today.  One young girl came back with her family to ask if she

could watch me paint.  I was thrilled with the opportunity.  What an amazing young lady.

She was very interested.  She asked me very intelligent questions while I painted.  She

is going to be something special when she grows up.  She is special now!  I was so impressed

with her.  It was an honor spending more than an hour teaching her some painting 

tricks and telling her all about painting on copper.  She said she enjoyed painting animals.

I hope she tries to paint with oils on copper plein air.  The other painter working near by

was inspired by the copper also.  He was an excellent painter.  It was great fun watching

him paint.   We both asked him a few questions too.

   Here is the painter Willis from California.  

   Poppy, Lily, and Monet all enjoyed a Frosty Paws doggy ice cream

treat to celebrate recent painting sales.  Their eyes were sparkling afterwards.

Woof!  Lily said.  Thank you for the painting sales.  

   Their bark box arrived today.  Monet took two of the plush dog toys and

wouldn't allow Lily to play with them.  Lily took the lamb trachea and chewed

it up!  Poppy took a few treats but would have loved to try the lamb trachea.

We might have to find another one of those things for Poppy.  

   Lily handed me fresh clean socks this morning.  I have a little jungle

rot on one of my toes from wearing the same wet gummy socks for 4 days.

I am happy to be wearing clean socks!  

   Have a good night.  

"Stonington Roof Tops" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped.

    For the most part I think I am a respectful person of other people's property.  I really

don't like being yelled at while I am painting so I always try to ask permission.  Today I just

loved this view in Stonington so much I set up to paint in someone's backyard.  

    Thunderstorms were expected.  Today I was determined to paint another complicated

Stonington painting with many houses!  Within a few minutes people walked by letting me know

the owner who lives out of town would be delighted if he knew I was painting his view.  

The lady who lived in the long white house I was painting waved from her bedroom window

then the flag was raised.

    I have been feeling so much better since my gall bladder operation in December.  I find

myself walking for miles and taking photos before and after I paint!  I know this is good for me.

The more exercise, the more oxygen is in your blood, and I assume it might be easier to make

good painting decisions?  

    I drew with my brush.  I didn't know if I could fit this long house on to a 6x8.  I really

didn't even know if I could paint this scene!  I just have hope when I paint.  Sometimes

I am pleasantly surprised.  Other times I fail.  I had no idea if it might rain or someone might

complain I was painting on their property.  Today I was bold!

    It was fun being challenged.  I was almost done when it started to sprinkle.  I packed

up, drove around, and took more photos of Stonington.  I love the roofs in this town.

    I was taking photos when I saw Dundee sneaking up behind me.  He had his hair groomed.

He seemed to recognize me.  He was hunting.

   I really am fond of Dundee the cat.  It is always a nice to see him.  I suppose he

just wanders all over town.  It is just a coincidence I see him every time I visit Stonington.

Or does he know I have arrived?  Maybe he can smell me!  

    This is a popular view many artist paint.  

    The dogs are off to the beach with Robert today.  Monet wanted me to hug him for a half

an hour this morning before I left.  Lily likes to bring me my socks when she knows I am ready

for them.  The problem is Lily brings me the same socks now for the last four days.  I don't want to

hurt her feelings so I put them on again.  Sometimes Lily has a sock in her mouth for sometime

before I am ready to put one on.  When both socks are on Lily wags her tail and lets me know

how happy she is.  She likes to be of service.  Tomorrow I will put out fresh socks for

her and hide the old ones.  Have a good night!

"Sailing By Stonington's Yellow House" 5x7 oil on copper.  375$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped.

   I have been working on this 5x7 oil on copper painting today.   I may

work more on this painting.  I like how most of it turned out.  The boats were difficult because

of their size.  I repainted the schooner twice.  The first time I tried to paint over light yellow wet

paint.  This didn't work.  I decided to wipe it off, paint the schooner first, then paint around

the schooner.  Update!  I did work more on the yellow house.  I decided the color had been wrong.

Now it is finished!

   Poppy?  What are you doing?  She was hiding from Lily, Lux, and Monet. 

They played together at the beach for hours.  Then Lux was invited back to the

house while we all went to lunch.  They did well.  There were no accidents, injuries,

or broken household items.  We came back.  They played for another hour.

Poppy decided enough.  She was funny.

    Monet plays like he is one of the puppies!  He has so much fun with his puppies.

   Here is Stonington from my recent visit.  Have a good night!

"Arriving In Monhegan Harbor" 5x7 oil on copper 375$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipped free.

    I sat in white wooden chairs in front of the Island Inn on Monhegan last August.  I was

leaving on the 4:30pm ferry.  I had a wonderful time painting on Monhegan last year.  I hope

to return again this year for a day or two.   I saw a sailboat arriving.  What a way to arrive on Monhegan.

I thought this may be a good painting with the grass turning gold.  

"Sailing By Marshall Light in Port Clyde" 5x7 oil on copper.  375$ framed in gold or black

and gold.  Shipped.

    I was coming back on the Monhegan ferry when I saw this sailboat.  I loved this scene.

It was tricky painting such a tiny lighthouse.  I even painted a flag.  Buoys are all over

Port Clyde's water.  

"Stonington Harbor View" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold this afternoon off my website.  I have

a new client from Florida!  Thank you.

    Lily was looking at her parents who already were enjoying their Frosty Paws.  I think

she was hoping she could have their treat too?  Finally she settled down and had her

treat.

    This is how we celebrate any painting sale!  Big thank you!  Woof!

    Zeba, Maddie, and little Gus all had a great time with my goldens.  I am enjoying this

weather.  This is my only recreation time of the day.  I also get my exercise too!

    They slept all day long while I painted.  I had the back door open.  There

was a nice salty breeze.  Many birds were singing.  I even heard a loon.  

I wish summer could last forever.  Have a great night.  Thank you.

"Stonington Harbor View" 6x8 oil on copper Sold.  Thank you!

    I drove to Stonington after taking all three pups to the beach this morning.  I decided to

paint in Henderick's front yard way up on a hill overlooking Stonington Harbor.  It was another

complicated painting.  I was really in my element!  The ocean breeze was great!  I was watching

lobster boats come into the harbor to unload lobsters.  The street was blocked from traffic

because of construction.  It was perfect weather!  

    I was finished with the painting when my cell phone rang.  Eileen from Camden

Falls Gallery was calling.  I could tell she was very excited about something.  She said

we sold many of your works.  She sold 4 to one couple from Texas!  Then Howard sold

two more yesterday in the gallery.  I was so happy I jumped up and down on Henderick's

granite slab!  How incredible!  I could not believe it!  The list of sold paintings were so 

long she had to email me the list.  What an incredible gallery.  Thank you! Still can not

believe it.  

  Painting sales means Frosty Paws doggy ice cream for each pup to celebrate a painting

sale.  Lily on the left is fond of this treat.  She asked if she could have one everyday.

 I told her I would work very hard.  

   Lily had her eyes closed while she enjoyed her treat.

   Monet and Poppy had their eyes closed too!  It must taste so good.

   What a lovely place to paint!

    I met a very nice artist working today.  

    Just beautiful!

    Luke showed up at the beach this morning.  Lily must know this is her grandfather.  She gave

Luke kisses.  Poppy was a big flirt.

   Monet was digging up a rock.  He doesn't like to see Poppy and Luke.

   Lily likes to help her Father, Monet, dig for rocks.  It was a nice day.

   I just can not believe how lucky I am with my painting sales.  Big thank you!  

Good night.

"Stonington Evening" 4x5 oil on copper 275$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped free.

    I saw the yellow house in Stonington a few nights ago.  The scene took my breath away.

There was not a soul in the house. I have never seen the lights on or any people staying here.

I decided to create the feeling the yellow house was inhabited.  What a perfect little cottage.

It is fun using my imagination.

   "Good Night Pemaquid" 5x4 oil on copper 250$ framed in gold or black and gold.  Shipped.

   I have been working on this miniature painting for several days.  Drawing straight lines

with a brush is difficult for me especially with a tiny painting.

 "Dinner Is Served" 20x14 oil on copper 850$ framed in gold or black and gold.  Shipped free.

    I worked on this painting for four days.  I was going to add cherries, apricots, and watermelon

to this painting.  My Mom saw this painting and told me, "It is perfect!  Paint another painting!"

I looked at the painting again and decided she was right.  It is so nice to have her advice.  

"Stonington Laundry Day" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold this morning!

   What a wonderful way to wake up in the morning to find out a client would like to add

this painting to her collection!  This made me feel so great!  Thank you so much.  There

is nothing like a painting purchase to make an artist feel happy!  Monet, Poppy, and Lily

will have more Frosty Paws doggy ice cream tomorrow to celebrate!  

Good night!

   "Stonington Laundry Day" 6x8 oil on copper  Sold.  Big Thanks!  The pups will all

receive a Frosty Paws doggy ice cream to celebrate!

   Today was a beautiful hot sunny day in Bucksport.  I drove the dogs to the beach.  Then I

decided to drive to Stonington to paint.   I crossed over the big green bridge.  All I could see

was fog!  Yikes!  I could not see anything.  I decided to continue driving, look around, and

take a few photos.  I found this scene.  I started on the background first incase the fog

lifted before I was finished painting.  I thought the post office in Stonington was a great

place to park.  When I was finished with the painting, a very angry post mistress came

out, and yelled at me.  "This property is for POST OFFICE only."  She repeated this five times

really loud.  Wow.  I thought to myself, "Really?"  She is going to give herself a heart attack

over an artist painting in her parking lot.  I reassured her I was finished.  I was ready to go!

She grunted and walked back inside.  Then I remembered a very good friend told me

about this particular post office parking lot.  He said, "Do not park there!"  Apparently

the post mistress chased off a few famous painters.  I wonder if she would feel bad if she

knew who they were?  I am not speaking about myself.  I just have so much respect for

great painters.  I can not imagine yelling at one of them to move.

    Here is my 8x10 Open M Easel.  I love this smaller prochade box if 

there may be windy conditions.  A lady asked me how long it took me

to paint this painting.  I told her 4 1/2 hours plus 2 hours of driving.

   Dundee the orange cat came for a visit while I was painting!  

   I told a lady he came to visit.  She knew Dundee.  She said he doesn't like many people.  I told her how

he climbed in my car, sat on my foot while I painted, and blocked the driveway.  I told her how I had to

carry Dundee inside the gift shop because he would not let me leave.  She was amazed by that.  I think

Dundee likes me because I inspected his fur.  I felt the knotted mats.  I told him he needed a hair cut.

He meowed.  I think he would like being groomed.  Maybe on my next Stonington visit, I will bring my 

grooming tools, and clean Dundee up.  He needs a bath too.

   This cat visited me too.  This cat was a talker.  Meow Meow Meow.  Then he or she

ran off.  

    The lily pond in Stonington was pretty in the fog.  There are pink, white, and yellow water lily

flowers in this pond.  

   A French ship called the L' Hermoine came into Castine today at 4pm.  There were thousands

of people in Castine for the event.  I managed to drive in.  This was as close as I could

get to this ship.

   I saw many Camden schooners in the harbor as well as a many sailboats there to

greet the ship.  

   Lux visited us at the beach tonight.  It is touching to see how Monet, Poppy, and Lily

greet Lux.  They recognize her and miss her.

   There were many laughs tonight.  The pups found a few dead fish.  We tried to take

the fish away.  Lux rolled in dead crabs.  All the dogs were greenish blue for a while

because of mud.  Lux was in time out many times.  

    This morning was a long time ago.  I am going to sleep early so that I can paint at my best.

Have a good night.

"Sandy Point Beach" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped.

    After a very long day of driving to Camden, Owls Head, Rockland, Port Clyde to 

take photos with Robert, I headed to Sandy Point Beach to paint!  I will take a close

up shot of the painting tomorrow.  

   Many artists for hundreds of years have painted this iconic view in Owls Head.  

Temperatures were in the high 80's today.  High temperatures tends to create a hazy look.

   The wild white roses were a nice foreground with Camden hills in the distance.

   There were many lobster boats in Owls Head.

   Port Clyde was beautiful.

   It is so much fun to watch lobstermen working.

   Look who we saw painting in Rockland today.  

    After I finished my painting at Sandy Point Beach, I found Robert with all three dogs on the beach!

Lily came up to me with so much enthusiasm. 

   Monet had a big rock in the hole.  Poppy can not figure out what is so fascinating about

a rock!  Lily gets it!  She helps digs for the rock sometimes.  Funny.  

   I was interviewed by a newspaper reporter today on the phone.  I would have invited her

to the Lammers Gallery but there is still a smell of skunk in the gallery.  None of the gallery

lights work.  I need to replace the bulbs.  A high powered flash light has been working great

for patrons but I don't know how a newspaper reporter would feel.  I did tell her a visit

to the Lammers Gallery is an unconventional event.  

   Have a good night!

"July Sunset In Stonington" 6x8 oil on copper.  375$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

    I decided to drive to Stonington at 4pm to paint.  It was a very hot day here in Maine

but it started to cool off later.  I called my painter friend Alison to see if she wanted to

paint.  Her husband told me she was at the grocery store.  I was very close to the store.

I stopped, went inside, found Alison, and asked her if she wanted to paint.  She asked

if she could finish her shopping, fix dinner for her husband, invited me to eat, then she

could paint!  I said it all sounded great!  After dinner we painted in Stonington.

What a great adventure.  We normally only paint in our car during the winter.  It was

nice to paint in nicer weather.  We drove around Stonington taking photos after painting.

Stonington is magical at night.  We saw paintings everywhere.

Above photo is at Sand Beach in Stonington.

    My Mom sent me a check for my birthday.  I purchased a mosquito proof and rain

proof hammock!  I told Alison about this.  She said she owned many hammocks too.

We thought this would be a great place to hammock!  

   I just varnished the lobster painting called, "Her Lobster".  I found Frosty Paws

doggy ice cream at the store.  I decided to purchase this treat to celebrate the lobster

painting.  I think this may have been Lily's first Frosty Paw.  Poppy was taking a break.

Both Monet and Lily had their eyes closed enjoying their treat.  

    I am going to plein air paint somewhere tomorrow but I have no place in mind!

It is too beautiful here in Maine right now to decide.  Have a good night.

"Dinner Is Served" 20x14 oil on copper 1500$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped free.

   Here it is!  Finally!  I was going to add more fruit into the painting but my Mom said it

was perfect.  Mom's know best!  Glad it is finished.  Fred is awaiting his next modeling 

assignment.

   We arrived at the beach very early this morning.  Lily waited for me.  She looks so much

larger!

   Lily's sister Lux arrived at the beach!  Game on!

   I think it was Lily chasing Lux!

    Lily and Lux recognized their grandfather Luke on the beach.  Luke has been

limping the last few days.  Let's hope he doesn't have lymes disease.  Limping is

one of the symptoms.  Luke went home early.

   They swam together!

   They played so hard for hours.  They took a break.  Lux is looking toward the camera.

    Lux grabbed her leash and Lily grabbed my drink to carry down the beach.

    They forgot about their valuables.  Lux's owner went in the water to retrieve!  

    Later we brought all the dogs back to the beach.  They had a great time.

    I am resting up.  I seem to be very hungry today.  I will be back to business painting

tomorrow!  Good night.

    I woke up very early and drove to Pemaquid Beach.  I thought this little girl was so

cute with her very nice white beach cover up and her little pony toy in her hand!  I 

especially loved her hair.

   I loved the white sand and the colors of the ocean and sky in the morning.

   I would have loved to stay and paint but my mind was on sitting the gallery. 

   Look what I found this morning!  I saw a nest above the campground showers.  I 

put my tiny camera above it, took a photo, and looked at the photo.  I was delighted

to see four blue eggs!  I took a few more pictures.  Then I sat on a picnic table far away

waiting to see if a mama robin would show up.

   I used my 200 lens on a Canon EOS 7D to capture this photo.  I guess a larger lens

in necessary for bird photos.  

   Lily has grown so much this week!  I arrived home to see a new chair!  Monet climbed

into my lap.  This chair was made by the Amish.  I loved this chair.  Robert purchased this

chair for my birthday.  What a great surprise!

   This chair should last me a very long time.  It is made out of

hickory wood.

   So funny!  Now I will be varnishing, framing, packaging, and working

on a few finishing touches on paintings I did in the gallery this last week!

Have a great night!

   I found Pemaquid Beach today after sitting the gallery.  The sky looked golden to me.  

   I was tired today.  Sitting a gallery is exhausting and somewhat stressful.  

    Monhegan Island is in the distance!  I have a few painter friends there.  

   I have one last day to sit the gallery then I can drive home!  

   Lily, Poppy, and Monet visited Lux, one of the puppies.  I miss them all and Robert too of 

course.  Good night.

"Pemaquid Lighthouse" 5x4 oil on copper 200$ framed in gold.  Shipped free.

   I started this painting plein air on Sunday.  I finished it yesterday in the gallery.

Lighthouses are really hard to paint.  A nice little girl from India kept me company

when I was painting the lighthouse.  I asked her if she could see the painting.  She 

was hopping up and down trying to see it.  I suggested she stand on the granite bench

to look.  She hopped right up there.  Then I was brave and asked her what she

thought of my painting.  She replied, "The telescope is real bad.  You did a mess

with that.  The ocean is too too small.  Oh my.  Why so small the water?"  I asked her

what her favorite part of the painting was?  She replied, "I like the top of the lighthouse."

She was a tough critic!  I gave her a print of Lily.  She really like that.  She kept saying,

"How did you do that?"  I smiled.  She left the print on the bench and went running

to her parents who were calling her.  I said, "Bye!  Thanks!"

    Here is a new lobster dinner painting.  I started work on the drawing yesterday

while I was in the gallery.

   I finished the tablecloth yesterday.  

   This is what I painted today.  The gallery was extremely busy today.  Artists were there

bringing in new work for the opening tomorrow.  People saw all the cars and decided

to visit as well!  I met very nice people.  I showed them my lobster painting in progress.

   This is my breakfast this morning.  Since it was my 51 birthday, I decided to treat myself

to a very beautiful breakfast!   They gave me the choice to dine by myself or with an elderly

gentleman.  I chose the elderly gentleman.  He was very kind and interesting.

Breakfast consisted of eggs benedict with lobster and a fruit cup with sorbet.  Amazing.  

I have been eating a few pecans for my previous morning breakfasts so it really was nice.

My new friend wished me a Happy Birthday.  I smiled and wished him a lovely day!

   I find myself visiting the lighthouse any chance I have.  I thought the lights were beautiful

last night.

   The lighthouse was so enchanting this early morning.  

   Tonight the fog created a wonderful atmosphere!

   All the dogs are behaving themselves.  Robert is taking excellent care of them.  He

wished me "Happy Birthday"!  My Mom and Brother did as well!  That means a lot.

A few friends remembered and sent me emails.  It was a good day.  Good night.

   I am in Pemaquid, Maine camping out of my car in a campground so that I can sit

a gallery for 5 days.  Saltwater Artists Gallery requires each artist to sit the gallery for 5 days and

 a 200$ free to show work there.  It is a very nice gallery.  I love trying new things, meeting new

artists, and seeing new areas.  I thought about staying in a bed and breakfast.  I would

rather spend money on oil paint and copper.  

    This morning before I went to the gallery, I was at the Pemaquid Lighthouse.  I met

the famous Tom Edkins painting the lighthouse.

    I asked permission to photograph him and write about him.  He was a kind

fellow.  

   The credit card machine didn't work.  I spent many hours on the phone updating their

system.  They talked me through each step.  Finally everything was fine!  People were very

nice who visited the gallery.  

    Tomorrow is my birthday.  I think I will treat myself to a lobster to eat and paint?  Why

not!  Have a good night.

   We were invited to visit Ted and Luke today at their home.  We brought Lily along for

a long hike through forests not many people are allowed to visit.  Luke was the first

in line during our hike.

   We were not far from the house when Luke started to bark at a tree.  Luke

was hunting.  Robert put our Lily on the leash.  It might have been a bobcat or a bear or

a porcupine.  Ted was searching up the tree.  Luke was persistently barking.

I was looking too.

   Luke was positive he saw something.  We looked but didn't see anything.

   There were no trails.  We were backwoods trail blazing!

  Lily loved hiking in the woods.

   Luke seemed to know his way around.  Lily followed Luke closely.

   Ted showed us three hundred year old maple trees were located.  

   One of these three hundred year old maple trees was hollow.  Ted

explained many porcupines lived in this tree.  He pointed out the sharp

quills.  He said porcupinealso  love to live in rock caves.  

   Luke and Lily swam in the ice cold trout pond.  

   Luke  sat down in the same spot where they always take breaks.

 They take naps here.  Lily decided this was a great opportunity for

hugs and kisses.  

   Lily was served a nice bowl of fresh grilled chicken, steak, pork, slices

of apple and sweet potato, with organic white rice, and dried food.  She

ate outside on the porch.  Luke ate inside the house.  

Humans had chicken, potato salad, and baked yellow eyed beans.

    Lily had a great time even though Luke didn't share any of his toys...especially his

favorite orange ball.  

   Lily finally understood not to play with the ball!

"Cadillac Mountain View of Bar Harbor" 6x8 oil on copper Sold this morning off my website.

    I am so grateful for these painting sales!  This means I will not be selling cars this year.

It has taken me so many years of plein air painting to be able to sell one without having to doctor

it up when I returned home.  I can not imagine how many paintings I had to paint before any of them

were any good.  It takes a lot of commitment and hard work.  You have to really love to paint over

any other thing to become half way decent.  I am still learning.  I will continue to work hard.  

Thank you very much.  

Happy Independence Day!

  I am so happy this painting has sold today!  I was wondering which color frame to select

for this painting.  The buyer preferred to purchase the painting without the frame.  I always

deduct the price of the frame.  All my 20x14 sized paintings have a 150$ frame cost.

 The painting is still wet.  I will allow the painting to dry and then varnish the painting.  I will

include an acid free foam board to support the copper painting.   I can put the story

and business card on the back of the board.

 I like all my painting clients to be happy!  I am very pleased to have this sale.

   Anyway...Thank you for this sale.

"Cadillac Mountain View of Bar Harbor" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thank you!

    Today I drove to Cadillac Mountain to paint my favorite view of Bar Harbor and the

Porcupine Islands.  I met hundreds of people.  I gave out a huge stack of business cards.

Every once in awhile I think it is good to be painting in a huge traffic area.  I met a lot of

small children who were very interested in what I was doing.  Fun.

   I thought this photo of me was funny.  Look at my huge chin shadow on my painting!

   Lily loves to find stuff at the beach.  She found a sippy cup!  She pranced around.

We were late to arrive at the beach.  All her normal fan club were not sitting on the

benches.  She walked over to where everyone normally sits.   She was disappointed.

She dropped the sippy cup. 

   She ran down the beach to find a couple with a dog.  Lily picked up the lady's crock

shoe.  Lily took off running!  The lady thought Lily was hilarious.  She was laughing.

Lily brought her back her shoe.  

   Lily stole a black Nike hat from a lady.   Lily wanted to keep this hat.  I returned it.

   There were one couple at the beach that were not smiling.  Lily passed them.  I thought

that was very intelligent of Lily.  She didn't like those people.

   Robert came to the beach with Monet and Poppy.  Lily and I stayed for a while longer.

We all had fun.  It was the most perfect Maine day.

   Have a great night!  Happy Independence Day!

"Her Lobster" 20x14 oil on copper Sold!  Thank you!  I am skipping around kicking up my

heels in happiness!

    I was admiring my lobster painting and realized the drawing of the lobster was wrong!

   I will show you what I thought was drawn wrong.  Here is the painting yesterday.

The camera I used was a inexpensive Fuji digital camera.  You can see the difference

in quality from this camera compared to the Canon EOS 7D in the first painting photo.

I think the professional camera does the best job.  Also see the changes in the lobster's

shape.  I didn't have the lobster's butt drawn right.  I worked more on highlights too.  

Now I am more pleased with this painting.  

   Here is a detail of the lobster finished.  The claws look smooth and moist just like a real

lobster!  I painted in an eye.  

   I liked how the tablecloth and napkin with utensils turned out.  The embroidery was

fun to paint.  

   Last night I heard Robert cry out, "Rennneeee!"   This is never ever good.  I came running

downstairs with my pajamas on.  There was Robert outside the front door of the house.  He

had Poppy on a leash.  He said, "Poppy's been skunked!"  I told him to stay outside, I would find

the skunk off, and be right back.  I couldn't find the stuff.  I looked everywhere.  I made up

a solution of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dishwashing soap.  I came running outside

with a giant tub of this solution.  I poured it all over Poppy, scrubbed her down, and washed her down.

   Poppy dislikes being bathed.  She has had only three baths her entire life..at almost 2 years old!

Poppy never smells funky so this is never a big problem.  We wrestled with her to get the solution

off her fur.   I filled up containers of water to rinse her.  She allowed us to use the hose on her

the last two minutes with much complaining.  

    Monet and Lily both sniffed Poppy.  They walked away and stood to stare at her.  "Poppy what on 

earth happened?"   

   At the beach this morning, a friend said, "Renee, what does Lily have in her mouth?"  

She had someone's car keys!  I grabbed them in the nick of time.  We laughed.

  We saw Luke sniffing Lily this morning.  He probably could smell the skunk and Poppy's

scent!  

   Lily almost looked like a show dog this morning!  She is beautiful!

   This morning I made another solution to scrub down Poppy.  This time I let it sit on

her fur for 15 minutes.  She smells much better.  Monet told her he loves her anyway.

  Have a good night.

"Her Lobster" 20x14 oil on copper  Almost finished.

    I finished this painting today!  I am enjoying spending more time on a painting and also

painting larger!  I am normally a plein air artist.  It is a nice change to work from a computer

image.  I am going to get back to plein air work maybe tomorrow!  

   Here is a detail of the lobster.  I like to use a dark green in the shadows of the red lobster.

   Close up of the blueberry pie!

   I took Monet and Lily to the beach this morning.  I set down my cup of tea.  Everyone

yelled, "Renee, Look what Lily has!"  Then I saw Lily carrying my tea for me.  She followed

me with my tea for a few minutes until it fell and drained.  I thanked her.

    Then I noticed Lily grabbing Monet's leash and dragging him out of the water.  Everyone

was roaring with laughter.  Lily always entertains everyone.

   Monet thought this was a new fun game.  He loves Lily so much he will allow her to

do almost anything to him.

    Lily has so much personality.

   At home Lily was chasing her tail!

   Poppy was upstairs sleeping.  I left Monet and Lily downstairs to take a nap.  I went

to the grocery store.  I came home to find them all asleep together.  There might be more puppies

in 63 days for Poppy.  Oops.

Have a good night.