May 28, 2022 Poppy Painting Demonstration! Shenanigans of Six Animals.







"Poppies" 5x7 not finished yet.
I painted with Gwen today in her yard in Rockland. She had magnificent Oriental
Poppies blooming. We had a great time.

Festus and Miss Kitty had a visitor, a local artist, who has been reading the blog for years.
She wanted to bring them a present! They loved the fishing rod with attached feathers.
Festus thought the visitor came there to visit him. He was befuddled to see Miss Kitty
rolling around getting petted. He put his ears out to either side. His eyes became dilated.
He behaved himself though and later I told him, 'Thank you for not showing our guest how you
beat up on Miss Kitty!" He has been doing great lately.

Festus went to the vet for sneezing. He had a 103 degree temperature.
The high normal temperature for a cat is 101 degrees. The vet thought Festus was at
the tail end of a virus. She ordered fluids by needle. Festus was a tremendous hit.
They asked if he could be shown off in the back. I could hear the vet techs and vets
gush over Festus. Festus was quiet. He came back with a delighted look on his face.
Festus loves attention. The vet put a piece of tissue in front of Festus's nose to make sure
his nose was not stopped up. He was breathing easy. Robert asked that night if he could
carry Festus around the backyard with the dogs. I saw him carrying Festus around slowly
while the golden retrievers watched. Festus loves to go on a tour about the yard. I am
sure Miss Kitty will be offered to be carried soon. She seems to like Maine. Festus and Miss
Kitty sit on the shelf Robert built, together, starring out at the yard.

Miss Kitty loves to explore around the house.

Lady Violet and Poppy were relaxed after dinner and a long walk at Sandy Point Beach with
Robert. In the background you can see Miss Kitty and Festus enjoying the evening.

Rockland.

Rockport.
Good night.

"Spring 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipping and frame
are included.
I went to Wright's Apple Orchard in Bucksport, Maine to paint. I decided to sit inside
of my car since there were a bunch of busy bee hives placed there to pollinate the apple trees.
I love painting inside of my car. I saw a hummingbird, bees, and crows while I painted.

Festus has a new heavy duty harness and leash! He can go anywhere now.
He was in Robert's flower garden until we saw Robert's face and then I pulled him out!
No leaves or flowers were injured during this photo shoot with Festus.

Saturday is Robert's day off. I went with him to various stores to keep him company.
Then he planted the flowers he purchased. Festus and all the dogs and I kept him company.
Miss Kitty watched from upstairs.

Here is a rare shot of Miss Poppy! She rarely poses for a photo because she is so smart.
She knows what a camera is and disappears. Poppy is nine years old now.

Tomorrow I will attempt to give Monet a bath and trim five pounds of hair off his body!

Miss Kitty is doing great with the dogs. She watches them from high places.

She sits with Festus on his drafting table (cat dining table). They enjoy watching the dogs from
this four foot tall platform.

Miss Kitty is brave enough to walk around the dogs.

She knows the dogs are not going to hurt her.
I saw her sniff Lady Violet nose to nose. Then she walked off.
She does not hiss at the dogs anymore. I am very happy about this transition.

Here are a few photos from the apple orchard.


"Silvers and Golds" 14x20 oil on copper sold. Thank you.

"Spring Once Again" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold.
Shipping and frame price is included.
I went to Lake Alamoosook yesterday to paint my favorite stand of birch trees.
I sat up high on top of the picnic tables to avoid the ticks. The black flies were bad.
I used Repel Wipes on my hair and face and neck to deter them. Black flies only linger
around for a few weeks during the Spring. We are lucky to not have Black Flies at our
house because they do not like salt air.

Lake Alamoosook reminds me of my golden retrievers Daisy and Duke.
Their ashes are here at this spot. I spent many wonderful hours with them
here while they splashed around. Tender memories.

I loved this scene.

Lovely Birch trees growing along the water line.

Festus just loves the dog bed. Maybe in Florida he needs one too.
He is cuddled up to Monet.

Lady Violet had her turn to sleep with Festus.

It is fun hanging out with everyone at night.
Miss Kitty joins us downstairs during the evenings. He saw Festus sleeping with a dog.
She still hisses at the dogs. She may never grow to love a dog like Festus does.
She is very happy upstairs during the day and downstairs at night.
Festus comes upstairs and stands in front of my bedroom door. He wants to go inside
my bedroom to check on Miss Kitty a few times during the day.

Robert took this photo of both cats looking out of the window.
He carries Festus around the yard with the dogs. Soon Miss Kitty might
enjoy being walked around the yard too.
Good night.

I spent all day outside with Robert, all four dogs, and Festus and Miss Kitty!
The dogs wanted to be petted and talked to. Festus was pleased to be inside his penthouse.
Miss Kitty spent some time with Festus in the penthouse but she also liked being in my
bedroom upstairs. She can see the entire backyard.
Here Monet and Lily are getting a little attention.

Notice how Festus's paw was touching Miss Kitty's paw.
He gave her many reassuring licks on top of her head.

Robert suggested we put Miss Kitty inside the cat stroller so she could be with us.
I unzipped the cat stroller after awhile. She felt safe.

She walked around the house. If she encountered a dog, she hissed, and moved on.

Festus decided to leap into the cat stroller. Miss Kitty was startled.
Somehow he landed behind her!

Robert made me a Spanish dessert.
It was delicious. It was a bit like Flan but more like a custard.

Festus is so happy to be home! He walks around the house with his tail high.
He missed Robert and the dogs. I missed them all too but I am lucky to have escaped a
Maine winter and spent time with my parents.

The backyard looks great!
Robert unpacked my car. That was quite a feat. Then he washed
and vacuumed the car. He has always been very energetic. I have always
admired many qualities of Robert.

Well now I will get my painting gear ready! I will post more Maine photos!
Many people have asked me, "What did you do with the mobile home?"
I turned on the air conditioner to a temperature of 78 degrees.
I cleaned out the refrigerator and unplugged it.
I put the outdoor cushions and cat penthouse inside the mobile home.
I had them turn off the water and internet. I will need to still pay 475$ a month for a lot fee.
I hope to stay here in Maine till Nov 1. Then I will drive to Florida to stay. This year I hope to
drive back and forth a few times or fly to spend more Maine Winter time. I did miss everyone
and miss painting snow too. There needs to be more of a balance. I feel 100% better. I could
not handle another full Maine winter.
Good night!

We are back home in Bucksport, Maine once again! Festus was thrilled to see
the dogs and Robert. He recognized them all. He let them all greet him. He loves his
newly expanded Kitty Walk Penthouse. There is a cabana at the base of the photo complete
with curtains and plastic viewing area. Miss Kitty loves the cabana. She growls terribly at
the dogs. She stomped her feet. Lily was very upset about being scolded. Lily went upstairs
with her tail down to find Robert. She has never been scolded by a cat. Festus was always
welcoming. I told Lily not to worry about Miss Kitty but the sympathy seemed to make things worse.
She is very sensitive. The dogs all look great. Robert was happy to see us.

Lady Violet loves Festus. They were the same age and played a lot.
She noticed another cat! She found out fast that Miss Kitty was not as agreeable as Festus!
You can see how the Kitty Walk Penthouse has a new addition of a tunnel and cabana.
The dogs treated Miss Kitty kindly, giving her space, but were eager to see her.

Festus laid in the hammock for hours when we arrived home. Miss Kitty did visit Festus
inside of the penthouse. Festus gave her a few reassuring licks on the head. I could tell
Festus was pleased so pleased to be home! He is curled up with Poppy in the doggie bed as
I type this!

Robert made Festus a new perch by the window so he won't fall off the window ceil.
He loved it!

During the last night of driving, we had to stay at a rather interesting hotel,
in Connecticut. Festus loved the heart shaped bath tub. I suppose the bath tub
looked like a giant litter box! He was playing with Miss Kitty behind the drapes
in this photo. They had a good time. We were given the 'honeymoon' suite.
We always leave the hotel room cleaner than when we first arrived. No signs of a pet.

We rested many times along the long drive from Florida to Maine.
I would find a field with a few birds for us all to enjoy. I was really surprised at
the cat's reaction to the birds. They really enjoyed our rests! Once we stayed in North
Carolina for an hour watching birds. I may take them out here in Maine to bird watch
from the inside of the car. It was very relaxing and enjoyable for all.

Festus and Miss Kitty were excellent travelers.

Miss Kitty felt safe inside of the litter box. I kept the litter box
clean. Festus liked the top of the litter box, my lap, also the cat carrier.
There were a few bizarre moments early in the drive where Festus
tried to appeal to fellow car passengers. He made himself larger by
extending his paws to either side of the window and frantically meowed.
He did get one man to look at him. The man smiled. He did not try to rescue Festus.
Festus gave up after a few tries.

Festus! He was afraid in this photo.
He saw a gas station attendant wearing all black with a bright yellow vest. A giant bee!
He hid down on the floor with this look of fear! He was afraid of the gas station attendant!
He stayed down on the floor for a few moments until we left the gas station.

Robert had new blinds installed in the sunroom! He had a new roof installed on the house.
He is having the exterior of the house painted. He paid mold specialist to evaluate our house.
They did find some mold on the floor in the basement that could be cleaned. They did not
find any mold in the walls. Great news! We are going to clean. I am very happy the house
is being maintained.

Daffodils and Tulips were blooming in the yard.
It is very nice to be home again. Miss Kitty will stay in my room, upstairs area,
and downstairs at night. Good night!

"Good Morning Orlando Wetlands" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold
Shipping and frame are included in the price.

"Monday Evening at the Orlando Wetlands" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black
with gold. Shipping and frame are included.
I went to the Orlando Wetlands to paint at 8am! The sky was almost a white if I looked
towards the sun. I like facing away from the sun. There was a very pale light blue sky.
I have walked down that sandy path dozens of times. I went to have lunch with my parents.
I took a power nap with the cats. Then I headed back to the Orlando Wetlands to paint.
I was in deep concentration painting when I heard the most strange sound behind me.
It was quiet but yet I could hear something very faint. I turned around to see three
graceful Sandhill Cranes walking on the path behind me.

There were two adults with a teenage Colt. I wonder where they were headed?

Such a wonderful thing to happen while plein air painting! Plein air magic!
They were about 4 foot away from me as they passed by my chair. They were not the
least bit afraid of me.

8am.

5pm. The light from the sun was going in and out because of thick clouds.
Light was on in this photo. Very green!

I am learning to buy both cats the same toy. Festus liked it for a minute.
Miss Kitty was not impressed with her toy.

Then neither cat liked their new toy!

They were not impressed. Bad toy!
I waited till 9pm. Then I loaded the cats into the car for the journey home.
It takes 3 hours late at night to drive from Orlando to Fort Myers.
It could take 6 hours for the same journey during the day because of traffic.
The craziest thing happened when we were about half an hour from our place!
A ten foot alligator decided to cross I 75. I saw him just as he was coming into our lane.
We swerved the car a little to avoid hitting his head! He was moving at such a great speed.
The car ahead of us swerved. I was on high alert. Glad I was paying attention.
The alligator was about two feet short of one lane. So I guessed the gator's size to be 10 foot.
Gators are everywhere in Florida!
Feels good to be back home in Fort Myers. We will pack up our things tomorrow to head to Maine.
I think we will take four days to drive the 2500 miles or so.
I purchased a cat carrier in case one of the cats needs to be in time out!
They are very good car passengers. Good night.


Festus and Miss Kitty enjoy riding in the car. They both sit on my lap. They are peaceful.
They are wonderful travelers. I do not know how I got so lucky!

Plenty of room on my lap for two beautiful cats!

We checked into the Days Inn. The cats love hotel rooms.
I visited with my parents for a while for lunch.
I walked at the Orlando Wetlands in Christmas, Florida for 45, power napped,
then went back over to my parents for dinner.
We had such a great time. What a special thing to visit one's parents.

In 2015 the city of Orlando purchased the Orlando Wetlands. Now the park is open all year around.
The park is open from sunrise to sunset with an automatic closing gate!

I was delighted to see a Mother Coot with her chicks on Mother's Day!
Spring was happening. I could hear many birds singing songs, something that only happens
during the Spring. The rest of the year birds chirp but they do not sing.

I have never seen a chick with his Mother at the Orlando Wetlands!
She was teaching them to eat. They were watching what she was eating.

There were an abundance or yellow water lilies.

I saw so many species of birds. The sounds were incredible. I loved it.
I am heading back there tomorrow morning at 8am to paint. Then I will visit my
parents for lunch. Festus and Miss Kitty are enjoying the room in the hotel. I visit with them
many times a day.
Happy Mother's Day! Good night.

"A Summer Memory" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold.
Shipping and frame included.
I decided the porch needed to be built on the left for more balance. I reworked the
sailboat, added more foliage. Freshened up the house paint job. I think it is better.
Here it is before.


"Born To Ride" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipping and
frame included.
I worked on the back tire. Better.

"Sunbeams" 7x5 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold.
Shipping and frame included in the price.
I worked more on this painting. I am still not pleased with it!

Here is the painting before I reworked it today. This was a plein air work
that was done in 20 minutes. Some paintings work and some hit the trash
can.

"Dewey" 6x4 oil on gessoed paper adhered to Ampersand Hardboard. Gifted to
a friend. Dewey is 16 years old and much loved by his owner in Rockport, MA.

Sunset from Captiva Island a few days ago.
Good night.

"Self Portrait with Miss Kitty" 5x7 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold
Shipping and frame included in the price.
It is 95 degrees outside in Fort Myers, Florida. I spend two or three hours in the community
pool and talk with ladies. Then I head back to enjoy the air conditioning of the mobile home!
I have all the windows covered in double strength black out drapes. There is two roof insulation
boards in the front bay window and black out drapes. There are a few walls inside lined with
roof insulation. It is cool inside! I am grateful. There are two separate ac units if I need them.
I gessoed a copper panel 6 times to get a white surface to paint on. I was surprised it took
so many layers. Layer four still was not white. I liked painting on the white gessoed copper panel.
It was exactly like painting on gessoed 100lb bristol paper. It is very good to know of this option!
In order to have a lighter painting, having a pure white surface, instead of a darker copper value, was
refreshing!

Here is my favorite swimming spot at Turner Beach in Captiva Island.
The water is perfect here.

There was a beautiful innocent looking Gecko on the wall last night. Festus and
Miss Kitty were leaping all over the place trying to hunt him. The Tv set ended up on the floor!
I got up a few times to reposition items. I tried to catch the Gecko in a paper towel but he
would not have any of that! He ran off. I saw Miss Kitty on the kitchen counter balancing, holding
her paws up high, just to look at the Gecko hiding above the kitchen cabinets. Festus was leaping
off the highest points. He was landing with a loud thud just like it would be if a 20 pound bag
of potatoes fell onto the floor from the height of the top of the refrigerator. Miss Kitty would
flinch. Festus stood on top of the cat stroller with his entire body extended trying to reach
the Gecko. There was desperate leaps from high places with both paws extended to catch the
Gecko. I told the Gecko, "Buddy, you had better get out of here! Your life is in danger!" The Gecko
just blinked his eyes. The next morning I found him on his back without his tail covered in ants.
I was sad. "Gee guys! I said to the cats! Leave the Geckos alone! They are good to have around.
They eat mosquitos." I know no Gecko is safe. Miss Kitty has the taste for Gecko tail.
Good night.

"Self Portrait With Festus" 6x4 oil on gessoed paper adhered to board. Unframed and includes
shipping. 250$.
Self portraits are just plain hard! Then add another animal to the painting and it becomes
more difficult but I do love a challenge. I was very happy with how it turned out. Daniel Greene
once told his students to add a little green in the shadows of a portrait. I asked him, "Why do you
use green?" He said because green is the compliment to red! He also told his students to take a
close look at all the variety of colors in the hair. Hair is not one color. The surrounding colors influence
hair color. I was only 12 when I watched him paint for many hours. I was so fortunate I had a
Mother who took me to see great artists work. I still remember some of the things Daniel Greene
taught me.

"View from Captiva's Turner Beach" 8x10 oil on gessoed paper adhered to board. Unframed
and includes shipping for 300$.

"Orange Calico Girl" 6x4 oil on gessoed paper. 100$ unframed and
includes shipping.
I think this may be Miss Kitty's Mom. She lives a block away from where
Festus and I found Miss Kitty. She has longer legs and her tail has black stripes.
She is bigger, about 11 pounds, compared to Miss Kitty's 6 or 7 pounds.
I created a nice foreground to lead the eye into the painting.

I was trying to take a photo of Miss Kitty sitting in the chair to paint when all of a sudden
Festus came leaping across the room to be included. I was so surprised to see Festus clean
Miss Kitty's face. Miss Kitty looked worried. I decided I was going to enforce a zero cat
fighting policy. I must protect Miss Kitty. This is my job! I don't like how Miss Kitty stiffens
up when Festus comes near her. Miss Kitty is starting to know I love her very much.

Things were going fine then Festus decided to bite and leap on her.
I put Festus inside of his cat stroller. He feel asleep. He woke up to find himself inside
the cat stroller and let out a little chirp. I let him out. He behaved himself.
I am going to do a really good job at protecting Miss Kitty. She is so sweet.
I think Festus gets jealous.

I really like being in Fort Myers, Florida. I feel good. The abundance of sunshine and
milder weather agrees with me. I have made friends with three ladies at the pool.
I swim most days. I am eating very well here in Florida.
Robert had a new roof on the house in Maine. He has a mold mediation company coming
out to use high tech equipment to find the mold and give him an estimate. He sounds very happy.
The dogs are doing fine.
Good night.

"Saturday Beach Day" 8x10 oil on gessoed paper adhered to board. 300$ unframed and shipped.

"Saturday At Captiva" 4x6 oil on gessoed board adhered to board. 100$ shipped unframed.
I painted these on Captiva Island. They did not take me very long at all to paint.
I am very surprised how fast one can paint with oils on paper. It reminds me a lot of
painting watercolors. I can scrumble the brush and get a wonderful dry brush look.
I love leaving a lot of the gessoed white paper showing. This is very fun.
My copper panel bill every year is between 4000$ to 6000$.
I know this is shocking! Yes it is very difficult to look at what I paid for copper, frames, and
art supplies every year when I do my taxes. No artist paints on copper these days.
I would paint more paintings every year if I found another substrate that was affordable.
Gessoed paper mounted to a board may be the ticket. I have also ordered a lot of acrylic
paints! I have 50 pieces of 40x48 white cardboard ordered. I may experiment a lot this year.
I received a lot of emails from artists lecturing me about painting with oils on gessoed
paper. One artist said it sounded like fun but the rest of them all criticized me for trying to
paint with oil on gessoed paper. Why would they get so alarmed and so negative about it?
I am just going to nod to them and continue to experiment. I will not let anyone discourage me.
The most important thing for me to do it paint and experiment. I do not need to make artists
happy. I just need to continue being happy. Corot, Degas, Constable, the Wyeths painted oils
on paper. It is not a newly invented thing for an artist to do! These oil on gessoed paper adhered
to board paintings do fine over 50 or more years. I really love the results.

Miss Kitty and Festus get along fine 75% of the time. They are peaceful.
I see them looking at each other alot when they are relaxing.

They are almost always near each other.

There is a lot of space here with the screen room but they are usually a few inches away
from each other.

Festus sits or lays by his bowl when he is ready to eat.
If he is real hungry he practically leans over his bowl and meows.

I saw this three way tunnel for 10$ and thought to myself, "Oh Miss Kitty and Festus
would just love that! What fun!" I was right about that! It was game on!

Festus could not help himself. All the movement of Miss Kitty's tail moving and her
paw moving to pat the ball made him crazy! He leaped on to her. He loves to put his
paws around her waist. Miss Kitty really dislikes this! She fights back! She bites him on the neck
and ear. She uses her razor sharp claws on his nose. She bites him on the nose. She really gets him
good. She beats Festus up! Festus is a little worried about her but he likes to bite her on the neck
and bite her on an ear! Most of the time they each have ear marks and nose slashes and bites!
They look like they have gone to battle! They have! When I ask Festus what happen to him, he looks down,
and glances over at Miss Kitty! The same thing happens when I ask Miss Kitty what happened to her!
But over all they are not killing each other. They are like Archie Bunker and Edith on the series from the
1970's. I put Festus in time out on the screen room. Sometimes I will just hold Festus and pet him a lot to
calm him down. Miss Kitty gets Festus worked up!

Festus decided to wrap his paws around the tunnel while Miss Kitty was inside.

I break up the cat fights as soon as they happen. They are both learning.
I do see Miss Kitty instigating the fights! She walks over to Festus who has his eyes closed,
bops him on the head, and runs! She also likes to scare him to death. He leaps up into the
air three feet! They are fighting when I go out to paint. I come back to find a pile of cat hair,
inspection finds bite marks, and scratches! They also both look like they have been victimized.
They have a 'poor me' look. Festus pouts! So does Miss Kitty!

I sure do love Miss Kitty. She is so sweet, affectionate, smart, and so soft.
Miss Kitty approves when I stick up for her. She loves to see Festus put in time out.
She would be very happy to be the only cat! But I do love Festus too!

Miss Kitty was playing with the orange suspended ball attached to the tunnel.
Look at Festus's eyes! A few minutes later he chased her around the room.

View of Captiva and Sanibel Island from Turner Beach.

A man found a large conch with a crab inside. He threw the animal back into the water.
It is illegal to bring home a shell with a live animal.

The Spring time brings rain around 5pm to cool things down.
The sky gets very dramatic.

Everyone runs to their cars! No sunset watching.
The rains will stop in the evenings. Summers are very hot here.
Good night!

"Zinnia Party" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in either gold or black with gold. Shipping
and frame included in the price.