Artist Renee Lammers

 

"Little Green Cottage Magic" 8x10 oil on copper. Sold.

 

   I headed to Mount Desert Island to paint the little Green cottage.

 

It was 87 degrees out and very humid.

 

I found a big bush to literally sit under while I painted.

 

I finished the painting, was taking photos, when the owner chatted about the old apple

 

tree on the property.  I decided to paint that next!

 

 

"The Old Apple Tree at the Little Green Cottage" 8x10 oil on copper.  sold.  Thanks.

 

The apple tree was seen by the tree doctor who trimmed off dead wood to further it's life.

 

He would not cut the apple tree down.  The owner loves the apple tree.

 

I think the apple tree makes a wonderful composition for a painting.

 

    After finishing painting for the day I went for a swim in a local lake.

 

I was wondering why no one else was swimming on a 87 degree Summer day.

 

I didn't stay long soaking in the extra clean water.

 

I was walking back to my car when I noticed a large sign.

 

I had not noticed it as I ran into the lake.

 

It said, "No Swimmming.  Public Drinking Supply"

 

Oh no!  I felt so bad!  I was lucky a park ranger wasn't there.

 

I discovered different swimming lakes for tomorrow to explore.

 

 

My friend and art patron who rents out the little green cottage hates blue.

 

I decided to wear all green today in her honor as well as try not to paint the color blue

 

in the paintings.  I do like using lavender instead of the blues I see in the landscape.

 

Of course I had blue on my palette to make the greens but that is different.

 

The owner of the cottage took these photos for her to see.

 

 

I was asked where I bought these short overalls.  Duluth Trading Company.

 

They run an entire size too large.  So for a size 12, a medium fit perfect.  Here is the size large.

 

I still kept them because they are very comfortable for painting.  

 

 

I wanted to paint this so bad but I was on fire!  Too hot!

 

Tomorrow I plan to wear a swimsuit under my overalls so I can shed them and hop into

 

the ocean!  I am going back to the little green cottage to paint.

 

 

This would be a nice place to paint.  There is the Seal Harbor Yacht Club on the right

 

with Seal Harbor in the distance.  

 

 

Good night!  Thank you for the painting purchases.

 

 

 

 

 

"Summer Day at the Little Green Cottage" 8x10 oil on copper Sold.  Thanks!  

 

 

"Day's End at the Little Green Cottage" 8x10 oil on copper sold. Thank you!

 

 

"Moon Fever at the Little Green Cottage" 6x8 oil on copper.  sold thanks!

 

   I was given permission to paint at the little green cottage in Bass Harbor on Mount Desert

 

Island.  I remember when I first came to Maine, I lived nearby in Bass Harbor at the campground

 

in the 2008 Airstream 25 foot International ocean breeze model..for those airstream people..

 

seeing the little Green cottage from the road.  I wanted to paint this cottage but did not

 

have the nerve to ask permission!  Luckily I have become familar with the owners and one

 

of the weekly renters of this wonderful historic cottage.  I was very excited to paint

 

the cottage once again.  

 

 

The little Green cottage has a very efficient kitchen.

 

 

There is a bay window with amazing views of the harbor.

 

 

The cottage was originally a smoke house then became an art studio for a Grandmother.

 

The cottage has been in the same family for many generations.

 

 

Saturdays are great because Robert is home.  I like to put Festus in the flower garden.

 

We all watch him explore the little fenced garden.

 

He loves this!

 

 

After about fifteen minutes Festus decides to hop over the little fence and make a run

 

for it!  We all chase him down the hill!

 

Well except for Monet who knows we will catch him.

 

 

"Catch The Cat!"

 

 

Festus always leaps onto the nearest tree.  He is too afraid to climb higher than three feet!

 

 

I am the one who usually catches Festus!  Then Robert carries him up the hill!

 

 

That was enough excitement for the day!

 

Festus has been captured.  Good night!

 

 

 

"Stonington Strawberry Moon" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with silver or gold.

Shipping and frame are included.

 

 

    I was invited to paint from a porch on Main Street in Stonington.

 

I was set up to paint.  I was waiting for the moon.  At 8:45pm I could not see the moon.

 

I announced the moon was late!  Wonder what is going on?  The homeowner got up

 

to look around and saw the moon!  I jumped up to see it!  Chairs were quickly moved!

 

My easel was shifted to the spot.  I turned on my special nighttime painting light illuminating

 

my easel and went to work.  It was very cold outside!  I had on many layers but felt myself

 

shivering as I painted swiftly!  

 

 

Here is the painting after I was finished painting on the deck.

 

I took the painting home to my studio.  The next day I worked about six hours on the painting.

 

I had a cell phone photo that looked very bleached out.

 

I used this image and my memory of the scene. I liked the cropped buildings.

 

I wanted the June strawberry moon to be in one of the center of interest locations of the painting.

 

That is why the buildings were cropped.  The moon was the big deal here with the reflections.

 

I do like how the light on the buildings turned out.

 

 

no title yet!  Sold.  14x20 oil on copper.  Thanks.

 

  I worked on this painting last week.  The actual painting was started plein air early

 

in the morning until 1:30pm.  Then I quickly drove the painting home and work until

 

11:30pm at night to finish it before it dried.  I took the painting back out to the location for an

 

hour of tweaking.  I carried a big red easel up to the art patrons house.  I set the finished painting

 

on the easel for his relatives to enjoy while it dried.  It was a fun project.

 

 

I discovered this view in Stonington to paint.

 

 

This might be a fun painting to do when I have time!

 

There are many homes being painted.  Wood needs a lot of care.

 

 

Little Deer Isle has many treasures!

 

 

I almost painted this but I was too tired.  How could this happen to me?

 

I need to swim more.

 

 

Festus was playing hard with his new toy when I left the house!

 

Monet and Lily wanted to be in the fenced yard while I was painting.

 

Poppy and Lady Violet stayed inside the house.

When I came home Poppy was scolding Lily for two minutes for being outside.

 

I had to tell Poppy she is a allowed to be outside with Monet is she wants too.

 

I think it just stressed Poppy seeing Lily in the yard.

 

 

Festus just loves his new extra large dog bed!  The dogs do not get in his bed.

 

They know that is Festus's bed. 

 

 

Monet is taking a summer afternoon nap!  He and Lily spend most days in the yard until

 

Robert comes home.  Then Robert loads up four golden retrievers into his small volkswagon.

 

He drives them to the beach and hikes two miles there with them.

 

Then I help towel dry off each dog.  Festus gets carried in a backpack twice a day around the

 

yard.  He also spends about an hour or two in his outdoor penthouse. Life is good.

 

Good night.

 

Festus is still playing with this toy as I write this hours after it was introduced to him.

 

He has taken the toy, flipped it upside down, stuck both front feet inside the center, and tried

 

to put his face inside.  Incredibly talented.

 

 

Festus decided to give the toy a bite!

 

 

As you can tell by Festus's expression, he is delighted with the new dog bed!

 

I think he has claimed ownership.

 

He is now in his new bed with his new toy.  He picked up the toy and manuvered it into his new

 

bed.  Dogs have been standing nearby watching him.  He seems to smile once in a while.

 

All the dogs received new dog bones.  They liked them.

 

I was surprised at Festus reaction to the new bed.

 

 

Here is Lady Violet with her bone.  Bacon flavored.  Hmmm

 

 

This is how Festus started out with the toy.

 

He just took it up a few notches.

 

 

I have spent the last two days dining in restaurants with my friend Deborah and her husband

 

Steve.  We had so many wonderful laughs as we told each other stories about our lives.

 

I hope these next few months are kind to them.  I don't like to think of my friend becoming more

 

ill.  She looked fantastic.  I will think of her just as I last saw her.  Thank you again Deborah and

 

Steve.  They have made a big difference in many peoples lives.

 

 

Good night.

 

"Stonington Mansard In June" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with silver or gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

      I have been trying for years to meet the owner of this view to paint here.

 

I felt like it would be ok to sit on the lawn to paint.  I thought I would meet her one way or another!

 

She drove up after I was painting just a half an hour!  Amazing.

 

I was very delighted to meet her.  She was charming.  She was gracious.  Thank heavens!

 

I really loved her view.  It is my favorite yet of the mansard house.

 

The higher elevation makes the roof lines look their best!

 

I would love to paint here at night with the full moon soon.

 

I met her neighbors who have an epic view of Stonington.

 

They were all very nice.  The view was so massive I dared not try to paint!

 

I went home to study photos of the view to see the best angles.

 

I have looked at the images now for three days and am still stumped!

 

They love the distant Ise of Haut views yet there are many complicated

 

docks and boats and houses in the foreground.  Then there is the break

 

of the street and their lawn and deck!  It is almost too much!

 

I think I have figured it out.

 

 

Here might be the best view from an artist's perspective but it doesn't show

 

the Isle au Haut.  

 

 

Here is the view of Isle au Haut in the distance.

 

I could zoom in cropping the architecture or use the wild roses to break up the street.

 

Fun challenge.

 

 

Monet was yipping and groaning to be petted.

 

I was petting him but if I stopped he would groan.

 

Festus came over, postitioned himself on a chair, and was looking

 

at Monet.  What is wrong Monet?  

 

He seemed concerned.  

 

 

Lady Violet and Festus late at night.

 

 

I am glad they all get along with Festus.

 

Good night.

 

   I gave Elmer, Dundee's owner a big bag of fresh cherries today.

 

I asked permission to paint on his property.  Dundee was sleeping in the house.

 

Elmer said Dundee stays up till 1am.  They were both out on their deck watching a massive

 

schooner sail by.  The Schooner was Victory Chimes.  Dundee looked good.

 

 

I thought Dundee and his owner looked nice together.

 

 

Dundee was sharpening his claws.

 

 

He looked so cute.

 

 

   I saw Dundee relaxing in the shade.

 

 

I thought I would show you where I set up to paint today.

 

I was at the very edge of the granite!

 

Here was the view!  I chose to zero in on the mansard roof house of course!

 

 

That was all I did today.  I can work on it later.  I was pleased with the drawing!

 

 

Here was the Schooner that sailed by.  Victory Chimes.

 

It was exciting to see to it. 

 

 

I was in search of more lupines!!

 

 

I was visiting a lady on Fifield Road.

 

She showed me her favorite view from her house.

 

I can see a few paintings from this location.

 

 

Near by I found a nice field of lupines by a red barn overlooking the cove.

 

 

     Exciting day!  Love visiting Stonington, Maine.

 

It is such a relaxing place.  

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Perfect Purple Day" 8x10 oil on copper 650$ framed in gold or black with silver or gold.

Shipping and frame included in the price.

 

   I was given a SUV rental car by the dealership!  I have wonderful wheels!

 

I decided to drive to Mount Desert Island to paint the last of the lupines.

 

I noticed there were buttercups and daisies too.

 

 

Here is the painting on the easel.  The light was in and out.

 

I decided to capture that purple glowing mountain!

 

I designed lupines in the field. 

 

 

I put a 16 ounce copper panel size 10x13 onto my easel.

 

I thought it looked nice and shiny.

 

 

Here is the lupine field on Manchester Road.

 

There are more lupines but they are on their way out.

 

I did another 10x13 lupine painting.  I couldn't get a good photo of it tonight.

 

I will show you tomorrow!

 

 

Festus was looking very happy laying in his laundry basket.

 

The basket seems to be nibbled on frequently!

 

He has happy eyes!

 

 

Here is my favorite sketch of Festus.  8x11.

 

 

Lovely day.  

 

 

I decided to check out lupines in Bucksport on Leech Point Road.

 

 

I found a few lupines in Northeast Harbor in front of an abandoned home.

 

 

The thickest fresh looking lupines were on Manchester Road in front of this home.

 

Spectacular still.

 

 

There were a few lupines along this road in Trenton.

 

I should find out if Ram will be covering the transmission replacement for my van tomorrow.

 

The powertrain warranty is good till 60,000 and the van has only 59,500!

 

Good night.

 

"Poppy Party" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold.

 

    I was driving recently in Sorrento, Maine when I noticed a small field of poppies!

 

The lady was very nice, offering her yard for me to paint in, or take photos.

 

My van's transmission and possibly head gasket blew yesterday as I was trying to drive up

 

a hill.  I sat on a rock in the forest eating a sub sandwich and drinking a soda waiting for the

 

tow truck.  I hope the powertrain warranty will cover the repairs.  The mileage is not yet

 

60,000.  There is a transmission coil recall on 2017 Promaster Ram vans.  Tomorrow they

 

will take a look at the van and tell me the news!  They have no rental cars.  What a disaster

 

to wait all year to paint the Summer in Maine to be car less.  I hope something good happens!  

 

Good night.

 

I stayed home today in order to spend more time with Festus and the dogs.

 

I have been out painting everyday for a week.  I noticed Festus was mad.

 

I brushed him, fed him, talked to him, petted the dogs, gave them treats, took them outside.

 

Then I took Festus to our flower garden.  He explored the garden.

 

I could tell he still had his mad face on.

 

I think we had a major breakthrough tonight.

 

He came to me, purred, and let me pet him.

 

I think this means I am in his good graces again.

 

 

Lady Violet and Festus chewed grass.

 

 

Festus was accustomed to my being around the house.

 

He might be a little spoiled.

 

 

He is terrified of a small fan in my room these last few days.

 

He won't come into the room because of the fan.

 

This morning I brought him into my room to see the fan.

 

He liked the cool air from the fan.

 

I hope he can get past a few changes and be his happy self again.

 

 

My friend Deborah and her husband are driving up from Florida to Maine.

 

I hope to see her again soon.

 

Here are a few lupines I saw tonight.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

"Stonington Main Street View" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with silver

Shipping and frame included.

 

   I painted in Stonington yesterday again.  It was a hot muggy day.

 

The great part about painting in Stonington are meeting great people.

 

The air quality is stellar!  I always feel refreshed.

 

I am trying to spend a little time away from the house so that Festus becomes adjusted to my absence.

 

So far he gives me a dirty look and darts all around the house when I return home.

 

He doesn't come to get attention.  He stands by the window and looks at me.

 

I pick him up and hug him a few times.

 

The dogs are all excited when I return home.

 

 

Robert took this photo of Poppy and Festus.

 

 

Then Monet curled up with Festus!

 

They don't really fight over Festus but they do take turns.

 

 

     Here is almost everybody this morning as I headed out the door.

 

Poppy was in the other room.

 

They had a good run outside and enjoyed their breakfast.

 

 

I went to Lake George to paint this red cottage.

 

I have always admired these cottages lining the lake.

 

I was given permission to paint the most patriotic cottage on the lake!

 

 

"Loon Haven" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping and

frame included.

 

 

I wanted to paint this cottage next.

 

I loved the cottage door and decided to paint it.

 

Bad idea.

 

Decision making in painting is so important to be successful.

 

Paintings must have content to be successful.

 

An artist just can not paint anything they want!

 

 

 

I think I will take another look at the door painting tomorrow.

I do not think it will make the cut!

 

The door had so much character.

 

There was wonderful light on the door.

 

Lack of content is a serious problem for a painting.

 

I could paint a few cats sitting by the cottage door.

 

Then the painting would have more content.

 

Cats are a universal subject.

 

Update:  Here is the painting with the addition of a lovely Siamese tom cat.

 

 

"Welcome To The Cottage" 8x6 oil on copper 350$ includes frame and shipping.

 

  I really like it now.  It looks inviting and interesting!

 

 

 

 

My irises are blooming!

 

 

I enjoyed speaking with my friend Deborah tonight.

 

I was sad to hear she has cancer again and has hospice care in Florida.

 

My thoughts are with Deborah and her family.

 

She loves Maine.

 

Here is Manchester Drive in Northeast Harbor where the lupines grow along Somes Sound.

 

She loves to visit this field.

 

Deborah is a wonderful person.  

 

She has been a loyal patron and a fantastic friend for ten years.

 

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Stonington Summer Glow" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ sold. Thanks.

 

 

 

  It was 90 degrees in Bucksport, Maine so I drove to Stonington to find 74 degrees!

 

Perfect temperature to paint outside on a June day.

 

I worked until I just needed a break.

 

Lupines were blooming!  It was so beautiful.

 

 

I love wearing shorts and a tshirt painting!

 

Heavenly!

 

This is my favorite place to paint.

 

 

My Mom and Dad will like to see these photos of me painting.

 

 

The lupines were thick in Stonington.

 

 

   I inquired about Dundee, the orange maine coon cat!

 

His owner, Elmer, told me Dundee was inside the house taking a nap.

 

He said Dundee is 12 years old now.  He prefers to take a nap when it is hot because he

 

has such thick hair.  I told him about Festus, my Maine Coon Cat!  

 

He smiled and said wonderful.

 

 

I came home to see Robert giving three dogs a group hug.  Festus and Poppy were upstairs.

 

Good night.

 

"Winter Harbor View" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame included int he price.

 

   I was on my way to Schoodic, Acadia National Park when I decided to check out this view.

 

Grindstone Point and Ned Island are in the distance.  The lupines were few but I grew

 

some more for the painting.  I painted until the light failed. I came home and worked

 

for awhile in my studio.

 

 

"Lupines And Dam Rockets" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold.

 

  This is what I painted on location in Ellsworth then took it home and worked some more!

 

This is a large size for me to paint with oil on copper.  I am enjoying working a little larger.

 

These are all painted on 16 ounce copper metal panels.

 

 

The lupines were thick at Sorrento along Pond Drive!

 

I admired the view but the 30 mph winds made me decide to move on.

 

 

Beautiful home with a stunning lupine field in Sorrento.  I have never seen anyone

 

home here.  

 

 

Festus climbed up the chimney inside the house.

 

Lady Violet and I watched in amazement!

 

 

Lady Violet tried to catch a tiny white moth.  

 

Festus and I watched.  She was fast!  

 

It was very cute the other night.  Lady Violet wanted to go outside at 12:00 in the dark.

 

Festus jumped to the opened window and was trying so hard to see Lady Violet.

 

He waited for an hour for Lady Violet.  Finally Festus chirped in a low tone for her.

 

Lady Violet appeared at the door.  Festus chirped and looked at me to let me know.

 

I opened the door.  Festus jumped down to greet her.  He gave her a nose bump.

 

He really looks after the dogs.

 

Good night.

 

"Dancing Irises" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping included and frame.

 

   I decided to paint the irises growing in my garden.  They have just started to bloom.

 

I concentrated on the actual flowers first.  I moved the irises to design my own arrangement.

 

In reality the purple irises on the left were by themselves, nothing in the center growing, and

 

then the white irises were on the right.  Clouds moved in.  I moved my iris painting into

 

my studio.  I worked on the greens and background from a sunlit photo on my lap top.

 

I had finished my greens as they looked in the garden.  I decided I needed to unite the greens

 

more.  I worked on them until they looked natural and not distracting from my irises.

 

The purple background idea came from Monet's iris painting.  

 

 

Festus delights us at night with acrobatics.

 

He was trying to capture a moth on the outside of the window.

 

He danced around a lot while we all watched.

 

The dogs think Festus is fabulous!

 

 

"How can I catch that moth?

 

 

This Northeast Harbor house took my breath away gleaming in the sunlight with lilacs.

 

Good night.

 

"Somes Sound Lupines" 10x13 oil on copper   sold.  Thanks.

 

    I drove to Manchester Road in Northeast Harbor on Mount Desert Island to paint lupines,

 

Somes Sound, and mountains.  What a wonderful place to paint.  It is very quiet.  There is

 

very little traffic on this road.  There are a few joggers and walkers who live nearby.

 

This is one of my favorite spots to paint in the Summer.  I took my painting home and worked

 

on the design and lupines for six more hours. It was a long day.

 

 

"June Day" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

   Today I was going to paint on Mount Desert Island again but found another great

 

lupine field in Ellsworth by the harbor.  There is a fast food site by the harbor.

 

The whole hill is loaded with lupines and flock flowers.

 

The lupines were in abundance in Ellsworth.  There was very few lupines in Northeast

 

Harbor on Manchester Road. I had to paint a lot more in to get a good painting.

 

Painting by a fast food stand in Ellsworth was interesting.  I was sitting behind a giant

 

bush.  No one could see me but I could see and hear them.  

 

 

Here is the painting on the enplein air pro easel.

 

I chose to take a photo when the sun was hiding behind a cloud.

 

You can see how much brighter the greens get with the sun out!

 

 

Festus was entertaining us all by trying to capture a fly.

 

He must be four foot tall!  

 

 

Here is the first lupine painting from yesterday. You can see how much I changed the design

 

when I returned home.  

 

 

I still use my Sketch-N-Can to do a thumbnail sketch.

 

 

Here is Manchester Road. Normally the lupines are plentiful. It may be early in the season.

 

 

Ellsworth lupines were the best.

 

Good night.