Artist Renee Lammers

 

"Round Red Barn" 10x13 oil on copper 750$ framed in gold. Shipping and frame included.

 

   I was invited to participate in the Iconic Vermont show at the Bryan Memorial Gallery in 

 

Jeffersonville, Vermont May 29.  This is the iconic scene I chose to paint located at the Shelbourne

 

Museum.  I discovered round barns were built by the Shakers so no evil spirts could haunt the barn as

 

there would be no corners for them to pursue.  I also discovered there was more square footage for the

 

dairy farmers to use.  They kept the feed in the center of the barn. The cows were all around the perimeter.

 

The cost of materials was less than building a square barn.  I imagine it is much more difficult to build

 

a round barn.  They are a rare sight.  I enjoyed painting the barn.  I had to straighten out the roof!

 

I did not want someone to think I did not draw it properly as it looked.  I added big white clouds behind the

 

cupola, a trick I have seen Winslow Homer use:  He painted white clouds behind the top of a palm tree.

 

 

"Very Windy Spring Day" 6x8 oil on copper  Not finished yet.  Almost!

 

   I did go out to paint plein air for the first time in many months.

 

I found this 1950's vintage pair of green lawn chairs.  I was blown to bits by the wind

 

as I tried to paint thus the very loose style.  I had fun I think.  

 

I have missed painting outside!  I do love being at the lake.

 

 

I took Festus out in our backyard for a few photos.

 

He seemed to appreciate the Hyacinths and Daffodils and Tulips Robert grew.

 

He is smart enough to realize they are new to the yard!

 

Monet was in the distance rolling in the grass.

 

 

Our boy animals seem to have similar tails and color!

 

Monet came up to escort Festus down below.

 

 

Our four dogs and cat received a tennis ball.

 

Festus did not seem thrilled.  He picked up the ball in his mouth and set it

 

inside of the ring so it would not roll.

 

 

Festus watched Lady Violet bite on the ball for a while.

 

He was trying to figure out what to do with the ball!

 

 

We all watch one episode of The Durrells in Corfu every night.

 

Poppy with Festus.

 

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Reverie" 14x20 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold. Frame and shipping

are included.

 

 

 

"Silvers And Golds" 14x20 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

   I was having such a great time painting and swimming at a local pool that I forgot to blog!

 

 

Robert is enjoying a day off work today!  See Festus with Lady Violet in the window?

 

Robert took Festus in his cat backpack with all four golden retrievers to the beach at sunrise!

 

He said Festus had an excellent time at the beach.  He saw geese, ducks, and gulls.

 

Festus weighs 25 pounds now!  

 

 

Here is the backyard view!

 

 

Robert planted these daffodil bulbs last year.

 

They look great.  

 

It is 70 degrees today but yesterday it was 35!

 

Have a good night!

 

 

I was painting when I looked up to find Festus trying to catch a spider climbing on Monet!

 

I stood up and came over to investigate.

 

Festus had his paw out.  He was trying to stop the spider.

 

 

Monet woke up to find Festus pawing at him!

 

Festus was not going to give up!  He wanted that spider to eat!

 

Festus has been successful catching and eating bugs.

 

The spider was a brown recluse!

 

I stood there for a minute thinking.  I decided Festus should not 

 

eat that brown recluse.  I decided to catch the spider myself!

 

 

I went to find a paper towel while Festus kept hunting!

 

Monet started to become alarmed!

 

"Help!  He is getting me!"

 

It is a good thing I trim Festus's nails!

 

 

Festus was doing a great job at holding down the spider!

 

He had him under his paw in his nails.

 

I had to pick Festus up to get the spider.  I was surprised Monet did not move!

 

I got the spider in the napkin, Festus danced around on his back legs hoping for the spider,

 

and then the spider dropped out of the napkin on the floor!  Before Festus got him, I got the spider

 

with my foot.  Then Festus still tried to eat the spider.  I had to pull the spider out of his mouth!

 

Tossed the spider outside much to Festus' chagrine.

 

Monet was glad the whole thing was done!

 

He went upstairs.  I pat Festus on the head and told him, "Good boy Festus!"

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

Festus spotted the new laundry basket as I brought it inside the house.

 

"Could that basket be mine?" 

 

I set the basket on Festus' drafting table.

 

He jumped into the basket right away.

 

Yes it is the perfect size for Festus!

 

He loves it.

 

 

Look Festus a new little teddy bear for you!

 

 

He loved the teddy bear.

 

 

Look at this nice pink ball with feathers!

 

 

Lady Violet was showing Robert how she catches Festus if he is outside!

 

 

Festus joined the dogs and Robert today wearing a large cat harness.

 

The dogs love it when Festus is outside!

 

They run to greet Festus and usually bump noses.

 

 

"Glory" 8x6 oil on copper

 

   I worked on this one during the past month.

 

It was more difficult than I thought it would be!

 

 

Tonight Festus is in his new basket!

 

Good night.

 

"Greenhead Lobster" 20x26 oil on copper.  

 

    I finially finished it!

 

I used thread at the end of the painting to make sure some diagnals were

 

heading towards the horizon.  Pretty effective trick!

 

 

"Stonington Lobster For Sale" 6x8 oil on copper 450$

 

I did this little study of the image while I was waiting on the under painting to dry.

 

It is more sketchy but I do like it.

 

   I put Festus in his outdoor penthouse.

 

I heard him meow a few times.

 

I was just inside the door doing something on the computer.

 

Time went by.  Festus was being very quiet!

 

I stepped outside on the back deck to find his penthouse empty!

 

I looked up to see Festus standing in the yard with Lady Violet!

 

It looked like they had been touring the yard together!

 

I yelled out "Festus!" 

 

Festus gave Lady Violet a look and ran up the stairs inside the house.

 

Once inside the house Festus looked up at me and chirped.

 

I gave him a few pets and told him I was very glad he didn't run away.

 

He climbed into my lap and rolled upside down to expose his stomach and chirped.

 

He was very happy to see me.   

 

 

He cleaned his entire body.  He was wet when he came inside.

 

I wonder if Lady Violet had caught him once he escaped, held him,

 

and then monitored him when no one came down to get him!

 

We have Lady Violet trained to capture Festus.

 

Festus is one tired cat.

 

Thank heavens he is home.

 

 

Good night!

 

   Here is the underpainting or grisaille painting of the Greenhead Lobster Pound

 

in Stonington, Maine.  I chose a late evening grey October day.

 

I loved the green light shining on the left..not noticeable yet.

 

I was intrigued with the cloudy sky.  I have not painted anything like this before.

 

I made sure to take into account of the character of the houses in the distance.

 

I would like for someone to be able to point out their house.  

 

The drawing of the image was difficult!

 

I worked on the drawing for two days!  I brought out the yard stick!

 

  

 

The nice thing about doing an underpainting I can still work on the drawing!

 

Some of the drawing difference in the photo and painting were done on purpose.

 

Especially on the vertical lines in the photo needed correcting to make them vertical instead of diagonal.

 

Photos do that!  If I painted these diagonal plumb lines it would not hold up.

 

I still need to work on the lighting in the dark areas of the underpainting.

 

On a grey day the darks are not really as dark because there is no strong sunlight.

 

The values of a grey day as less in number than on a sunny day.

 

The values are compressed.

 

I will allow the painting to dry for awhile before I begin to paint the opaque color.

 

I do not often painting a grey day.  I do admire the grey days lately.

 

I hope I can pull off this painting!

 

 

Festus was proccupied with a mouse in the kitchen.  

 

He stood for hours all night long hoping to capture the mouse!

 

I woke up at 3am to check on Festus.

 

He was still standing but his chin was resting on the ground and his eyes were closed.

 

As soon as the kitchen light came on he lifted his head!  Asleep on the job!

 

I trimmed his nails.  The only way he could capture this mouse would be to knock him out

 

with his body weight!  

 

He gave up the hunt after two days.

 

 

Lady Violet plays with Festus at least twice a day.

 

They are quiet as they play.  

 

Monet often watches nervously.

 

Monet thinks Festus is dangerous.

 

I think he was worried for Lady Violet.

 

 

Festus tried a few licks of the Yasso rasberry frozen yogurt.

 

I realized after he had a few licks there was slivers of chocolate in this bar.

 

He didn't get into the bar to get any chocolate. Chocolate can be dangerous for animals.

 

He loved it.

 

 

Our friend Ted and Milo stopped by for a visit.

 

As usual all the dogs greeted them but Poppy and Lily wanted inside the house right away.

 

They are still frightened of Milo.  Monet wanted inside too.

 

He growled at Milo and Milo growled back!  Monet ran for the house!

 

Everyone is afraid of Milo except for Lady Violet who has no memory of 

 

Milo being mean when he had Lyme Disease.

 

Milo seems like a nice boy now. 

 

 

I am not sure if I mentioned this before.

 

Milo is a relative of Luke, Ted's golden retriever who died of anaplasmosis.

 

They both had Big Foot in their lineage.  Milo has Big Foot 4.

 

Luke had Big Foot 1.  What a coincidence that Ted would adopt Luke's cousin.

 

 

Lady Violet was giving me the look because she likes to be outside late at night.

 

It doesn't matter if it is raining or snowing but this dog loves the out of doors.

 

Monet was sleeping.

 

Good night!