Artist Renee Lammers

 

"Sunrise Swim" 8x10 oil on gessoed 100lb bristol paper acid free. Sold. Thanks.

 

   I am working on more oils on gessoed paper.  I am enjoying painting

 

on a white surface that is not as slick as copper.  It is very good for an artist to 

 

experiment and try new things.  I am also using a Titanium size 8 round brush.  I normally

 

paint with a kolinsky sable flat brush.  I like the round brush very much.  I love painting

 

on a white surface where I can allow some of the white to show through. I also like how the

 

brush creates a dry brush affect.  I can paint oil on gessoed paper much faster.  Painting

 

on copper takes so so much patience to get the oil paint to cover the copper.  I like how these

 

paintings are coming out.  

 

 

"Gulf Coast Beach Day" 4x6 oil on gessoed paper.  sold.

 

   I gessoed a copper panel to paint with oils.  I wonder if it will be similar to painting

 

on gessoed paper?  I am going to give it a try.  Why not?  

 

    You may be wondering how does a person frame a oil on gessoed paper?  I plan

 

to mount these works with acid free glue on a board.  The person can have these paintings

 

framed just as they would any oil painting.  If they prefer, the art patron could have

 

the painting matted, and framed under glass.  I think either choice would

 

be fine. I suspect just framing them would be best.

 

I plan to varnish these works.  

 

 

    Degas, Corot, and Constable's oil on paper paintings are still in fine condition.

 

Good night.

 

"Everglades Water" 4x6 oil on 100 lb acid free paper.  Sold.  Thanks.

 

    I have been reading about artists painting with oil on paper.  I am surprised how many

 

artists chose paper for studies.  

 

John Constable's Oil Sketches: The English Romantic landscape painter 

 

John Constable (1776-1837) did many oil sketches on paper. According to the Victoria

 

and Albert Museum, "In the early 1800s, many painters such as Constable,

 

sought to capture the subtle effects of light and atmosphere by making small-scale

 

oil sketches out of doors. In his open-air oil sketches, Constable applied color in a variety

 

of ways - rich impasto (thickly applied paint) and glazes (translucent oil paint),

 

heavy dots of bright color and light touches of pure white. Quick strokes with a brush

 

bearing only a small amount of paint gave a dappled 'dry brush' effect, allowing

 

the colors underneath to show through." 

 

 

 

The important thing about painting with oil on paper is that it must be acid free paper.

 

100 lb or 140 lb paper is great for small studies.   300 lb is good for large studies.

 

A acrylic gesso can be applied before painting with oils on copper.

 

The oil paint did not come through the 100 lb paper I used.

 

There is special formulated paper for oil painting.

 

 

Here is a scene I saw yesterday at the Big Cypress National Preserve.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

I drove an hour to Big Cypress National Preserve located in South Florida.

 

This is a huge park consisting of 729,000 protected acres.

 

  I was surprised how fast I could get there from where I live.

 

I live close to I 75 in Fort Myers.  I can go to a lot of places fairly fast!  

 

It was 90 degrees.  I hiked a half a mile on a boardwalk.

 

There was not a soul around.  It just did not feel safe to paint there by myself.

 

I was not worried about snakes or alligators.  I just worried about a bad person I might

 

encounter.  Better to be safe.  Panthers live in this area.  I looked very hard but

 

did not see any Panthers.  

 

 

I was surprised at all the wild flowers.  They were in every shade of color.

 

 

There were many types of habitats.  

 

 

A photographer at the Cypress Preserve Gallery suggested the Kirby Storter Roadside Park.

 

There are great views from the parking lot of the sunsets as well as the boardwalk.

 

 

This was a nice area to view wildlife in the water.

 

 

There were many little alligators and a lot of turtles.

 

I did see many large gators as I drove down Tamiami Trail, US 41.

 

 

   Here is the beginning of the boardwalk.

 

 

There were many different types of grass ranging in different heights and colors.

 

I liked this warm tall grass.

 

 

In Everglades City there is the Everglades National Park Visitor Center.

 

They offer boat rides.  This might have been a great way to see the 

 

everglades.  

 

 

The water is what impressed me the most.

 

I loved the color.  It was so warm.  I guess the water in Maine is usually very blue.

 

Florida water is warm!

 

 

There were many parking areas to hike down deserted long roads to no where!

 

I enjoyed the views from the car along Tamiami Trail the most.  During Winter

 

months it might be fun to hike with a bunch of people to be safe.

 

 

I left at 2pm and arrived home at 7pm.  I saw a lot today.

 

The cats were happy to see me for their dinner!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Captivating Captiva Colors" 8x10 oil on copper 650$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

    I set my chair very close to the water so I could have an unobstructed view and also

 

to make sure none of the people surrounding me felt like they were the intended subject!

 

Once in awhile a small wave washed over my feet as I was painting.  It was only 82 degrees.

 

The water was the perfect temperature for a dip.  I soaked in the ocean for over an hour.

 

The ocean at Captiva or Sanibel is perfect for swimming.  There is a sandy bottom so it is

 

easy on the feet.  The water is crystal clear so you can see where you are walking.

 

A few manatees came by but they never hurt humans.  I saw a few dolphins out deeper.

 

I also saw spray of water created by a large fish a mile out to sea.

 

 

"Clouds and Sparkles at Captiva Island" 8x10 oil on copper 650$ framed in gold or

black with gold.  

 

    I sat under the pines at the Mucky Duck Restaurant. I brought my own chair.  

 

There was plenty of shade.  The views were great!  I admired the clouds.

 

 

"Captiva Silvers and Golds" 5x7 oil on copper  Sold.  Thank you.

 

    The clouds were just amazing!  I enjoyed painting.

 

 

"Sunbeams in Captiva" 7x5 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold

Shipping and frame are included.

 

   The sunbeams were fascinating!  They changed very fast as the clouds moved and

 

the sun lowered.  

 

 

This is the view from the Sanibel bridge as I drove over.  Sanibel Island lighthouse on the right.

 

 

Loved all the clouds today.

 

 

View from the Murky Duck Restaurant.  

 

 

The sunset.

 

 

Festus enjoys my chair!

 

 

These two continue to amaze me. I looked out to the screen room to find them

 

sharing a chair.  Miss Kitty joined him for two minutes.  I am glad she trusts Festus.

 

 

They were so cute.

 

 

Have a good night.  All painting purchases are greatly appreciated.  Look at available

 

paintings at the top of this page under the painting heading.  Thanks.

 

 

 

   It was a very hot day.  I decided to take a ride on North River Road in Fort Myers

 

to explore possible painting areas.  I drove till I was in Alva.  This was a very old

 

Florida style house on English Road.  I would have loved to paint this.  I did not

 

think it would be a good idea to knock on the door to ask permission.  It seemed

 

like there were plenty of cars there.  Someone was home.  I just was not brave enough!

 

They were probably very nice people.  I loved the light sandy road, house, clouds.

 

 

Here was another side of the house.  Character!

 

 

  I found this house in Alva right on the river.  My dream house!

 

Loved everything about this house.  That wrap around porch with the view of the river would

 

be lovely!  Festus and Miss Kitty would love the porch to be screened.  It was nice to get out and

 

explore the area.

 

 

Cemetery Road had nice views of an orange grove.  I should have painted this scene.

 

I feel like painting plein air for a while after doing the zinnia paintings.

 

Painting from photos requires patience and concentration.  

 

 

This turtle was very happy.

 

 

"Zinnia Party" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

 

"A Summer Memory" 6x8 oil on copper. I might add more porch to the left.

 

 

Festus was hanging off the end of the recliner foot rest. He loves it

 

when I sit in the recliner and rock it.  I saw Miss Kitty come over, flop

 

down, then she reached up to tag Festus!  She was being playful.

 

 

Festus was trying to tag her back.  

 

 

He swatted her a few times.

 

 

Just a playful afternoon encounter by two well fed happy cats!

 

Miss Kitty is on a diet now.  She ate too much.  It is a very common thing for

 

homeless cats once domesticated to over eat and become fat.  She still worries

 

about her next dinner.  She eats anything she can!  She is like a round ball now.

 

 

"Fiona" 6x8 oil on copper.  Painted for an art patron.

 

  I worked more on Fiona.  I like it better.

 

 

I added a few white birds in the distance.  Lightened up the distant land.

 

"Spring at the Orlando Wetlands" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold.

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Bounty of Spring" 20x26 oil on copper 2500$ framed in your choice of gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

   I have over 200 hours in this painting to completion.  I seem to be taking longer to

 

complete a painting but the results are much better.  

 

 

This is my favorite passage of the painting.  

 

 

Here is another detail photo of the left side.

 

 

Here is a detail of the upper left corner.

 

 

Here is a detail of the upper right corner.

 

I liked how that top pink zinnia turned out.  Also like the red zinnia.

 

 

   Robert sent me photos of the dogs.

 

Lady Violet is the redder dog.  Lily is on the far left.  Monet is in the center.

 

Poppy is on the far right.

 

 

Poppy is sniffing something by the creek.  What a fine looking photo.

 

 

There is Lily.  They all look nice.  Glad to see these photos.  

 

 I thought I would treat myself to a trip to Sanibel island for a 

 

swim and walk on the beach.  Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

  Here is a detail photo of the left side of the painting.  I have been carefully painting

 

while recovering from food poisoning. I am doing well.  

 

 

Close up of the left side.  I am softening a lot of edges to delete

 

a lot of unwanted details.  I like the light in this painting.

 

I chose a photo of zinnias with a lot of light so it should translate to the

 

painting if I use some skill.

 

 

  I put down an empty box to see what Miss Kitty would do.

 

She climbed into the box to investigate like any normal cat would do!

 

Her fur is nice and shinny now.  She looks well fed and healthy.

 

She has grown.   

 

 

Festus loves a nice quilt on the recliner.  

 

He really enjoys Miss Kitty's company.  He loves to watch her hunt.

 

Miss Kitty shocked Festus by eating the lizard's tail.  

 

I doubt Festus would eat any lizard's tail.

 

 

   We are starting to save our pennies for gas money to drive back to Maine.

 

We hope to leave here June 1 for the 2500 miles cross country trip.

 

Festus and Miss Kitty will enjoy the adventure.  Luckily the newer Toyota Camry

 

will make our trip stress free.  We will get 38 mpg.  

 

  I have the mobile home lot fee paid up till June 1.  I am sure a few painting sales

 

will come in to allow us to keep our Winter studio here in Fort Myers, Florida.

 

I will set the temperature on the ac window unit to 80 degrees, turn off the lights,

 

and lock up the place till next November.   I hope to be able to turn off the internet

 

while we are gone.  The mobile home park managers live next door.  They said

 

they would look after the place.  The pink mobile home was a great place to hide from

 

a Maine Winter.  I am looking forward to seeing Robert and all four Golden Retrievers.

 

The reunion should be exciting.  Good night..

 

 

 

   I relocated my mattress to the front door for fresh air to avoid a strong smell of

 

septic smelling gas.  I thought this might be dangerous for my health.  I thought it might

 

be methane gas.  HA!  But this place is hooked up to city water and sewage.  

 

  I saw Miss Kitty and Festus curled up together.  I still had the energy to take this

 

photo of them.  They are getting along better since I put Festus in time out for five minutes.

 

He has been doing good.  Three days ago I was eating pot roast and soups from the grocery store.

 

That evening I was ill.  I have just now eaten a little salad.  I have not eaten in three days.

 

Food poisoning  and covid have these symptoms.  I took two covid tests.

 

They both were negative.  I have no upper respiratory issues.  It is all gastrointestinal combine with

 

sleepiness.  I slept a lot these last three days.  I hope I am on the mend.  I was exposed to a person

 

who tested positive for covid about a week ago.  The manager is going to check on the gas smell

 

tomorrow.  He is a good park manager. I ate twice today. I think I am on the upswing!

 

Just wanted to check in.

 

Don't worry. I am doing better!

 

Good night.

 

   I finished an underpainting or grisaille for a 20x26 oil on copper.  I think this one

 

will be nice when it is finished.

 

 

In the morning the cats chase each other around.  I have seen them in a boxing

 

match a few times lately.  This is great fun!  No claws are used.  Festus has a bigger paw

 

with more power but Miss Kitty is faster.  Festus might not be a very good sport about being

 

slapped in the face by Miss Kitty.  Then things escalate!!  There is hissing and growling.

 

The chase is on by whomever feels the most wronged.  Festus had a few hairs misaligned.

 

He was so angry.  I decided to toss him into his cat penthouse for a time out!  Cats are smart.

 

They can be trained to adjust behavior.  Pretty soon Festus was out with a new improved

 

attitude.  

 

 

Here they are a few minutes later watching a lizard!

 

 

I moved the dressser into the livingroom for the cats dining table and cat can food storage.

 

 

They have so much fun together inventing new games.

 

I would call this one, "Tag you are it!"

 

 

Miss Kitty loves to play with toys.  Festus watches because he is too grown up

 

for toys..he thinks.

 

 

Festus was hot today.  Our electric bill for this place has been 40$ each month.

 

I wait till about 12pm to turn the air conditioner on and turn it off about 6pm.

 

This morning at 10:30am it was hot!  Festus wanted me to turn on the AC!

 

 

I put the roofing insulated boards in the bay window to cut down on the heat.

 

Closed the door.  Turned on the AC.  Pretty soon it was about 75 degrees inside.

 

  Thanks Robert for this photo of the dogs.  They look trim and happy.

 

 

 

 

"Field of Dreams" 20x26 oil on copper 2500$ framed in your choice of frame and shipping included.

 

 

Here is a detail of the lower left.  Note the red bug on the bloom on the lower right.

Bees.

 

 

Another detail of the painting.  There is a Zebra butterfly and Cabbage Butterfly on the

 

left.

 

 

This is a sketch of a new 20x26 painting I am working on!  The zinnias were from

 

Greece.  

 

 

It cooled off enough for Miss Kitty and Festus to go for a ride.

 

My knee is still painful but it is better.  I seem to move it the wrong way many

 

times a day causing great pain but walking is not as bad.

 

 

Miss Kitty had her first experience with a fan.  She approved!  

 

 

  When they have this direct starring match going on, the next move is a leap,

 

a grab, a bite, and then a run away.

 

 

Festus reached his long paw over, grabbed her around the waist!

 

 

Then he hops on her, bites her on the neck, and runs off.

 

No one is hurt.  I think it is a game.  Happens two or four times a day.

 

There is also a chase game with the same ending.  

 

Most of the time they are side by side or at least near each other watching something.

 

Festus is a very content cat now that Miss Kitty has come into our lives.

 

He must have been lonely without another cat.

 

 

Festus was on his back by my side in a chair getting some cuddling time.

 

Miss Kitty has her time too but she likes to watch Festus be all lovey dovey.

 

I do reach over and pet her so she feels satisfied.

 

 

Cats enjoy the screen room here.

 

 

Here is the 2019 Toyota Camry. I have been driving around for a week and still have 3/4 a 

 

tank left!  I am actually saving money in gas by having this car.  I was getting terrible mileage

 

on the Lincoln MKC because of it's engine issues.  This was a good decision.

 

 

I enjoy the community heated pool..86 degrees, many mornings a week.  I like to see the

 

people doing aerobic exercise and listen to the music.  They are a nice group of people.

 

Sometimes I chat with one or two of the ladies when they are finished exercising.

 

 

Have a great night.