Artist Renee Lammers

 

   Mom and Pop cuddled up with all the new toys while their Daughter Lily watched.

 

Lily wanted a toy but her parents were playing a game that was not all together kind.

 

Lily found a little black bear toy, danced around with it in her mouth, until Monet charged after her!

 

Monet had the black bear for awhile.

 

It was freezing cold outside.

 

I was grateful for the show!

 

They all play together gently but I find they make up games to act out.

 

They are like little actors.

 

 

Lily hoping to get her little black bear toy back!

 

 

 

Lily was trying to enlist my help!

 

 

Such funny dogs!

 

 

   Lily stole the pink pig for awhile!

 

 

"Little White Cottage" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you!

 

I finished this painting the day I left for Snow Camp!

 

I first painted the grisaille, underpainting in grey oils.  

 

Then I painted the color on top of the grisaille.

 

I did change the design while I worked with color.

 

I changed the shadows on the roof, added laundry, shortened the stone wall,

 

created light where a gate was opened.

 

I added blossoms in the tree on the right.

 

 

 

Here is the photo.

 

I added more red to the photo.

 

Thank you for the painting sale!

 

I went out and bought groceries!

 

We have a 100$ a week food allowance for three goldens and 2 humans.

 

Of course my dogs have a 100$ a month toy allowance!

 

There must be toys!!!

 

These painting sales helped supplement our food for a few weeks!

 

We will have fruits, veggies, and meat!

 

Thank heavens.

 

I do appreciate Mulligan Stew but I like fresh raw fruits and veggies too.

 

 

 

I am starting a 6x8 oil on copper painting of this image.

I will make some changes.

 

I will paint the image in grey.

 

My painting client now owns the cottage on the right.

 

This was a very old image.

 

The cottage is on a tiny Canadian island.

 

I love doing commissions.

 

I work harder on commission paintings to satisfy my painting client!

 

Thank you.  Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monet was happy to see all the dog toy presents!

 

He took most of them to his bed.

 

 

He decided Lily and Poppy could have a toy each.

 

 

   When I arrived home, they were howling, and searching for toys!

 

 

They were so happy!

 

 

I stopped to take photos along the way home!

 

 

Temperatures were so cold.

 

The colors were great!

 

 

High winds created a snowy haze.

 

 

 

That is a lot of snow!

 

 

 

Good night. 

 

Stapleton Kearns decided to have us paint inside today.

 

He showed us many different exercises to improve our painting ability.

 

Here is a photo of Stapleton painting a seascape from memory!

 

 

   He showed us how to paint sunlight falling on a cue ball.

 

There are three values in the sunlit area and three values in the shadow area.

 

None of these values are interchangeable.  

 

Another words:   A sunlight value can not show up in the shadow area!

 

 

Here is the painting I worked on yesterday.

 

There are areas where Stapleton Kearns used his finger to improve the design.

 

He asked permission.

 

I was pleased he could show me how to improve.

 

He said not to create so many repetitive shapes with the mountain and tree lines.

 

Make unique shapes.

 

 

He demonstrated broken color.

 

He first painted a circle with burnt sienna and titanium white.

 

Then he mixed Ultramarine Blue with titanium white the same value as the burnt sienna mix.

 

He made rice shaped marks with the blue mixture on top of the burnt sienna mixture to create

 

broken color.

 

The burnt sienna and Ultramarine blue are complementary colors.

 

These complements create a vivid passage.

 

The other side of the circle, he softened the two, creating a dull passage.

 

This lesson demonstrated the importance of broken color!

 

 

This is the view this morning from the third floor of the inn!

 

Later there was a white out!

 

Most everyone stayed overnight at the inn to avoid driving home!

 

 

Here are Michele and Stapleton discussing Michele's painting.

 

I am glad there was a porch!

 

You can see behind them, the wind was whipping falling snow around, making it miserable!

 

The wind creates a natural feeling for humans and animals to take cover!

 

This feeling is so hard to overcome, to get outside, and set up to paint.

 

Of course we are talking about 40 mph winds and zero temperatures with wind chill!

 

 

I hope to drive home safely tomorrow afternoon.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

   Stapleton Kearns was painting on the porch at the Sugarhill Inn, NH.

 

There was 40 mph wind gusts, rain, sleet, and snow!

 

We watched his demo in these severe conditions for three or more hours.

 

His takeiteasel does not move an inch when there is a wind gust.

 

He seemed unaffected by the weather.

 

His students sometimes cried out when there was a serious gust of wind.

 

A few students retreated inside a few times for safety.

 

 

He started with a burnt sienna underpainting because it was such a pewter colored day.

 

 

He painted the sky a very pale light yellow.

 

He dropped the value of all the trees and house to make the snow seem more bright.

 

He created a design because there was a frozen pool fence in his foreground.

 

 

Here is the scene he painted.

 

He changed the design of the house to a cape cod, a more desirable look.

 

 

Here is the view from my hotel room.

 

This morning, the artist, Kim Senior, who I am sharing the room with, spotted a fox

 

running across the field.

 

I came running out of the shower, dressed in a towel, and grabbed the camera!

 

Many painters said this was great luck to spot a fox in the morning.

 

 

Here is my afternoon efforts.  6x8 oil on copper.

 

I finally got it together to paint this one from inside the hotel on the lower level.

 

Stapleton used his finger to change the design a great deal.

 

I will share the photo of the image tomorrow.

 

 

 

I watched painter's easels fall down into the snow.

 

Paintings were flying off easels.

 

People were chasing after their canvases!

 

One painter grabbed his falling table then fell down hard backwards!

 

Easels were sliding across the porch.

 

I just could not paint in these conditions.

 

I stood there for an hour watching all the drama!

 

I respected them all for trying to paint.

 

I was flabbergasted!

 

 

 

I decided to drive around for an hour looking for something to paint

 

or take photos.  

 

I was searching for soup to get my blood pressure up!

 

My blood pressure has been very low lately.

 

90 over 70 or even lower 70 over 55.

 

I was lost for a while.

 

I found my way back to the Inn. 

 

I set up to paint.

 

 

 

I paid close attention to Stapleton's demo that morning.

 

Afterwards I was left deep in thought.

 

 I needed a few hours to think.

 

I learned so much during this workshop.

 

More than usual.

 

The day is 12 hours of painting and watching or talking about painting.

 

I feel so fortunate to be able to take another snow camp workshop!

 

 

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Lafayette Mountain" 6x8 oil on copper  450$ framed in gold.  Shipping included in the price.

 

  I am attending Stapleton Kearns Snow Camp in Sugarhill Inn, NH.

 

Today we had perfect weather.  

 

There was sunshine, snow, and 20 degrees with 2mph winds!!

 

 

   Stapleton game me a few pointers in the image.  

 

He suggested I get rid of the green color near the top of the mountain.

 

He suggested I darken the lower tree line.

 

I did as he asked as you can see in the finished painting.

 

Great suggestions.

 

I was very appreciative.

 

 

   We watched the demo this morning.

 

Then we all painted afterwards.

 

I was wearing my Refriwear coverall good for -50!

 

I was warm!

 

 

   Stapleton Kearns did a wonderful painting of Lafayette and Cannon Mountain.

 

 

 

 

This product seemed to keep hands warm without gloves!

 

Good night!  

 

 

 

 

"Schoodic Point" 20x26 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you.

 

I am so pleased to have completed this commission.

 

My painting client is thrilled.

 

She could not believe it!

 

This is her favorite place in the world.

 

 

   I decided to work on the upper left corner water first last night.

 

I kept the values close in some areas of the foam.

 

I painted with lavenders, light green, pink in the shadows of the foam.

 

In the sunlight I used light pink, light yellows.

 

There is no pure white in my foam.

 

 

  Then I worked on the right lower side of the water.

 

I made sure to lower the intensity of cobalt blue by adding cadmium red light to

 

all the mixtures.

 

 

I only used Cobalt Blue, Cadmium Yellow Light, Cadmium Red Light, and Quinacridone Red

 

to paint this painting.

 

 

Then I worked on the lower left water.

 

Here is her photo.

 

 

   I decided to straighten the water line in the distance.

 

I decided to change the rocks in the foreground.

 

I didn't like the rock continuing along the bottom.

 

I wanted the water to be able to flow down the bottom of the painting.

 

Another words I didn't want to contain the water.  

 

The rocks along the bottom might have been a barrier.

 

Now the rocks are good.  

 

I am grateful for this commission.

I love doing commissions.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

   I am very happy to be working on a commission painting of this image!

 

Commissions are a fun challenge for me!

 

I love how the painting is coming out!  

 

Here are a few images to see!

 

 

   First I drew the image.

 

 

Then I drew the same drawing on to the copper with a small brush with oil paint.

 

The copper was already sanded.

 

 

   I will be painting the sky and mountain again once it has dried.

 

 

  I worked on the rocks.

 

There will be a seagull standing on the rocks in the right upper corner.

 

I decided to paint the seagull once the oil paint has dried.

 

 

   I worked more on the rocks!  

 

I am pretty happy with the rocks now.

 

Today I hope to tackle the water!

 

 

   I drove around Orrington, Maine yesterday.

 

 

 

 

 

  I have always admired this Bucksport, Maine home.

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    This was the first time Poppy sat in my lap!

 

Robert picked her up and placed her there!

 

She was a little scared.

 

   

 

Lily charged across the room and jumped up!

 

The chair is strong!

 

 

Monet and I hung out today for a while.

 

 

  I took my golden retrievers over to Bruce's house to visit his two goldens, Katie, and Ziva.

 

 

Monet raided their toy box!

 

Katie was very gracious!

 

Ziva wanted nothing to do with the company after being frightened by Milo.

 

 

I turned around to see Lily sitting on top of the window seal!

 

Bruce said his dogs sit there searching for visitors.

 

 

All the dogs were thrilled to find these giant beef bones.

 

Lily showed her teeth to Katie!

 

Bruce told Katie to let Lily have her bone.

 

Thank heavens.

 

I think Lily would have a melt down other wise!

 

Lily is the princess.

 

 

Lily found a dog toy in one of their bedrooms!

 

This was a surprise for Bruce!  

 

We had fun.  We promised to return soon.

 

 

"Blowin' In The Wind" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold.  Shipping included in the price.

 

I worked on this one very late last night after eating a pound of carrot cake.

 

Kombucha is still my favorite beverage.

 

I really like this one.

 

I invented that white sheet's design.

 

 

"Laundry By The Sea" 6x8 oil on copper Sold.  Thanks!

 

   I had a great time with this one.

 

I enjoyed painting all the different colors.

 

Laundry on a clothes line has a wonderful feeling.

 

I love paintings that make a person feel happy.

 

 

Here is a 6x8 oil on copper in progress!

 

 

"Pink Sheets" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold.  Shipping included.

 

The reason I wanted to paint this scene was the wonderful pink sheets!

 

I loved the colors.

 

Later I liked the young lady I painted holding clean dried laundry.

 

This was at the Trailing Yew on Monhegan.

 

The feeling of sunlight on the sheets made me happy.

 

 

"Monet at Somes Sound" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold.  Shipping included.

 

Here is another good memory from this summer I just had to paint.

 

I kept the values reasonably close in the greens for a peaceful feeling.

 

 

Here is another 6x8 laundry painting in progress.  

 

The laundry will be hanging under the porch. I hope to paint lupines in the field.

 

 

   The abandoned house in Searsport is still standing!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Milo and Ted came to visit me today.

 

Milo was about as cute as any golden could be!

 

He knows how to work those eyes!

 

Ted said the golden retriever rescue places called and left messages.

 

He said he didn't call them back.

 

He is going to keep Milo.

 

He showed me a muzzle for Milo to wear when they were around dogs.

 

He had not put it on Milo yet.

 

I said, "Oh that is good because Milo can be a naughty boy!"

 

Ted said, "Milo is not naughty.  He is fine."

 

 

  Ted took Milo to a different vet.

 

This vet said he could not bring his dog around any other dogs.

 

The vet told Ted it is common for male intake dogs to bite if they are bumped from behind.

 

Every time Milo was bumped from behind by a dog, he tackled them, and tried to bite them.

The vet told Ted dogs bite when they are bumped from behind because they are

 

protecting their private parts.

 

I said "What?"  

 

Male dogs bite eat other's private parts.

 

"Ok!" 

 

 

Milo had an appointment March 6 to be neutered.

 

Today Ted had canceled this appointment.

 

The vet told him Milo's personality would not be changed by being neutered.

 

I still hope Milo gets neutered.

I do think it will help.

 

 

My dogs enjoyed fresh snow!

 

 

Winter days are fine when you have family.

 

 

"Mud Bath" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold.  Shipping included in the price.

 

I was painting pigs last night and this afternoon.

 

I made sure each pig had a unique expression.

 

The shine of the pig's skin was important.

 

I added back lighting with a green background.

 

 

Good night!  Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was not good news today from Ted about Milo.

 

Ted was visiting with Steve and his lab named Sarah on the beach.

 

Milo has visited Sarah's house several times.

 

They have walked the beach several times without incident.

Today Ted was giving Milo and Sarah a treat.

 

Sarah bumped Milo.

 

Milo jumped onto Sarah, the lab.

 

Milo bit Sarah on the nose.

 

 Sarah is fine.

 

She has a cut on her nose.

 

Ted is very upset.

 

I gave him telephone numbers to call Golden Retriever Rescues in New England.

 

He doesn't want to leave Milo at home.

He doesn't want to stay home all the time.

 

He wants to be able to take Milo everywhere.

 

Things would be fine if Ted could just keep Milo at his house, walk him around the woods, or on the street.

 

Ted could leave Milo at home when he wanted to go somewhere.

 

Ted was in the habit of taking his deceased golden retriever Luke to the beach and to friends houses.

 

He can not change this habit.

 

I have no idea what will happen to Milo.

 

I wish Milo could be neutered.

 

Ted doesn't want Milo neutered.

 

I think it would calm Milo down considerably.

 

We will see what happens.

 

I do know Milo has had a wonderful time these last few months.

 

Of course Ted is mad at me.

 

 

 

I have not bitten anyone.

 

 

 

"Enchanted Green Cottage" 14x20 oil on copper Sold.  Thanks!

 

   I completed this commission.

 

I decided to create a little flower garden on the right.

 

It was amazing what effect the flower garden had on this painting.

 

The garden created a more civilized and very Maine look.

 

 

"Discovered Treasures" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping included.

 

   I first saw this scene 10 years ago in Sorrento, Maine.

 

I loved the composition.

 

The diagonals!

 

I loved the patina on the old wood interior.

Great fun trying to make the tarp look like plastic.

 

Different surfaces and angles and colors made this interesting.

 

 

 

"Dundee" 6x8 oil on copper.  450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping included.

 

 

 

 

 

"Monhegan Flying Clouds" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

 

Shipping included in the price.

 

I simplified the white sheet's folds.

 

The clouds look like flying laundry too.

 

 

I have been working on ink with watercolor paintings.

 

I hope you have a good night.

 

Everything with Milo will work out fine.

 

I have faith.  Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Little Pink Cottage" 6x8 oil on copper.  sold.  Thank you!

 

 

"Little Green Cottage" 6x8 oil on copper.  sold.  Thanks!  Much appreciated.

 

   

 

"Somes Sound Summer" 20x26 oil on copper sold.  Thanks.

 

   I was asked to paint a red buoy with light into the finished painting.

 

I was delighted to do this for her.

 

The red buoy had a special meaning to her.

 

I looked at photos of the area, realized there was a red buoy, zoomed in, and painted it!

 

She was so happy.  Now the painting has more personal meaning for her.

 

I love doing these things for people.

 

I wished more people asked me to do this.

 

Maybe they think the artist might be offended?

 

I feel like it is an honor to paint.  

 

I am just so happy!

 

Thank you!

 

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

 

 

"Little Orange Pants" 6x8 oil on copper.  450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping included.

 

 

"Spirit" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping included.

 

   I agreed to dog sit Milo.

 

Leaving a wood stove and pellet stove going in 20 degree weather with a beautiful 

 

golden retriever left home alone...is not a good idea.

 

I enjoyed Milo's company. 

 

 

Milo loves being read stories. 

 

I read him "Return of Tarzan".

 

I didn't do the Tarzan call.  I thought this might stress him out.

 

He did seem to enjoy lion hunting.

 

 

   Milo most enjoyed romping around in the snow carrying Ted's glove.

 

 

  Milo stays close to his human when he is outside.

 

 

   He spent time on the couch watching for his owner to return!

 

Then when Ted did return, he sat next to him, admiring him.

 

 

 

Good night.

 

"Stonington Walk" 6x8 oil on copper Sold.  Thank you.

 

I finished this painting today. I may work on an edge or two tomorrow.

 

I liked how the seagulls, lady, and house turned out.  

 

The sky and house looks very luminous.

 

I decided to make the lady's shirt red.

 

 

"Little Green Cottage" 6x8 oil on copper Sold.  I will paint pink and green sky and water

 

for this painting.  My painting client dislikes blue in a painting.  She likes grey, green, pink,

 

and any color except blue!  I am more than happy to paint without pure blue showing!

 

Thank you for these painting sales!  

 

I have 1/3 of the copper panels paid off.

 

 

"Monhegan Kayak Rental" 6x8 oil on copper.  not finished yet.

 

I was surprised to see a new kayak rental business at Fish Beach.

 

The whole place had a different feel!

 

I will finish this painting soon.

 

 

"Monet At Somes Sound" 6x8 oil on copper  not finished yet!

 

I have great memories of Monet modeling for me a Somes Sound this summer on Mount

 

Desert island.

 

There will be a field a lupines surrounding Monet.

 

 

   Milo and Ted came to visit yesterday.

 

Lily did not miss a beat!

 

She jumped into Ted's truck to steal Milo's plush toy.

 

Ted closed the door so Lily was trapped inside.

 

 

I went to Lily who was in the drivers seat.

 

Lily looked irritated.

 

I let her out of the truck.

 

 

   Lily ran around us with Milo's toy.

 

She was howling and wagging her tail.

 

 

  Oh Lily you are such a funny girl!

 

 

   Milo is watching as Ted takes back the toy.

 

I put the toy back into the truck.

 

Milo went over and growled at Lily.

 

That was all.  Just one growl.

 

Ted asked me why Milo growled at Lily.

 

I told him Milo did not appreciate her stealing his toy.

 

He wanted Lily to settle down.

 

 

  Lily decided to model for Silver Lozenges company.

 

Lily had a look of distaste.  

 

I suggested she try a different look.

 

 

 

Much better! 

 

This is Lily's far away look.

 

 

   Ted took Milo to the vet to be checked for worms.

 

Milo is worm free.  

 

He is doing very fine.

 

Ted thinks Milo misses farm animals.

 

I asked if there is a farm Milo could visit.

 

Ted said, "So now I am taking Milo to visit goats?"

 

 

  Milo has a service vest now.

 

He can go anywhere with Ted.

 

I asked Ted if Milo sits on the bench in restaurants?

 

He said he has not taken him to eat yet.

 

I thought Milo would eat off his plate.

 

He said he would ask for another plate for Milo.

 

"Do service dogs do that?  Eat from a plate at the table at restaurants?"

 

He said, "Milo will!"

 

Good night!