Artist Renee Lammers

"Working Day For Captain Anthony" 4x8 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold and shipped free.

   I am very very happy with this painting.  Those beautiful tree shadows helped tie in the

panoramic composition.  I love the white boats in the background giving the eye something to

study after looking at Captain Anthony's boat on the left.  The people walking down the beach

are fun to look at too.  I made them look like they were hustling down the beach.  I have

considered keeping this one. 

"New Year's Day"  3x5 oil on copper.  200$ framed in gold wood and shipped.

"Jamaican Sunbeams" 4x8 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold wood.  shipped free.

   After hiking the beaches here in Negril I painted this one.  I had a bottle of Ting, a

wonderful Jamaica grapefruit soft drink for energy.  Love Ting!   The two cups of powerful

Blue Mountain Jamaican coffee will set anyone on fire for the rest of the day.  The

combination of Ting and coffee for me turns me into a machine!  A painting machine!

"Before Coffee" 5.5x10 oil on copper.  Gift to my artist friend.

     The sun has set.  Now I am sitting inside my pink 6x6 foot cottage.  I can hear the

frogs singing.  Now I can relax a bit.

   During my four mile hike on the beach I saw this tiny homeless puppy.

She was hanging out near a man who was selling jerk chicken.  The man

inquired if I wanted to buy some chicken to feed him.  She was hungry

and was trying to hunt for food.  The dog was really trying to find something

to eat in the bushes.  So I ordered some chicken and rice.  My new little

friend was terribly hungry.  I handed her a piece of chicken.  She was

so young he had a time trying to eat it.  One piece after the next she

ate all my chicken.  I was so proud of her.  After each piece she put her

feet on my leg.  Then I would hand her another piece.  I think she will

do fine.  She has excellent begging skills and is cute.  When I left she

had such a full belly.

   There are many more tourists here in January then in December when I came last year.

    The Jamaicans were very busy selling things, cooking, operating boats for them.

My painter friend Ras Devon Anthony Husmo says there are many tourists right now

but they are not spending as much as last year.  The Jamaican dollar to US money

is not as good as last year. 

   I just love the water in Jamaica. 

    There is a story about this tree carving of the blue man.  I have forgotten

the story since last year.  I will try to discover it again. 

    I have always loved this bambo fence.  I am feeling well here again in the tropical paradise

of Jamaica!  Robert writes Poppy jingles the Christmas bells on our front door to go outside.

Monet still whimpers once very quiet so we have to really be attentive!  Daisy is doing

very well with all her company.  We are still keeping Poppy away and safe from Daisy who

has terrible jealousy pains.  Robert takes her on private rides.  Daisy doesn't want to come inside.

She has always loved to sit in the snow!  Poppy did very well at Robert's work entertaining

everyone with only a few accidents early in the day.  She spends much of her time under

Robert's desk.  She does take a favorite dog toy around to various patients and workers.

Everyone loves her.  Monet has been such a good boy at home keeping Daisy feeling

loved and holding it all!  I miss them all very much but am so thankful of Robert

puppy sitting for me.  Thanks Robert!  I am going to bring you home some wonderful coffee.

Happy New Year!

   "Jamaican Dreams" 10x10 oil on gessoed board.  sold.

    I brought along a few gessoed boards.  I painted this one

today while sitting on my lounge chair.  I loved the one white cloud hovering over

the ocean.  I made sure to try to get a lot of emotion into the work! 

   Ras Devon, the Jamaican Artist, showed up today selling his work.  He did very well

today.  He finished a commission of the map of Jamaica.  He sold it for 15$ US. He was

upset about the low price and I reassured him a dollar is a dollar.  He liked that. He said

he had great difficulty because he didn't have small enough brushes for the lettering.  I don't

use small brushes so I donated them to the artist.  He was thankful.  I enjoy helping him.

   Notice the painting of the sailboat?  He said it was inspired by my sailboat painting

last year.  He said they are there all of the time so they do not see what to paint.  My fresh

eye was helpful to them. He was given a plein air easel and has been painting like I do! 

   Here is the inside of my cottage.  I use the bunk bed to hold many

suitcases!  Works great!

   The desk holds many items!  The orange plastic tote is working

great to hold all my painting equipment.

    Robert reported spending all day on Saturday taking out each dog one at a time.

We had an ice dam in the house.  Now we have a small hole in our ceiling.  He

bought a special pen for Poppy to spend time inside while at Robert's work.

He put all her favorite toys inside.  I am looking forward to the report of how the

dogs did!  Have a wonderful night. 

Robert sent me a photo of Poppy and Monet!  Ah I miss them.

   I am staying in this 6x6 foot pink board house in Negril, Jamaica for the month.

This is a traditional Jamaican home.  I prefer to stay in this type of dwelling while

I am in their country.  This hotel has a variety of nicer places to stay.  Most have

air conditioning, kitchen, and bathroom.  Somehow this little cottage appeals to me.

A maid cleans my sheets and cottage each morning while I am out.  Off season rates

are 36$ a day and high season is 56$ a day.  The other nicer rooms are much much higher.

   Here is one of their open air showers!  I usually prefer the closed

shower.  But it is fun to give it a try!

  Here is the view to the right of the hotel.  Booby island is in the distance.  Drug dealers

live off the land there.  Environmentalists want people to stay off the island.  I was there

once for a few hours 20 years ago.  They told us Gilligan's Island was filmed there.

   Here is the beach at the hotel.  This is the only hotel in Negril, Jamacia that allows

nudity.  There was only one nudist today.  Most are clothed.  I am not a nudist.  I respect

the rights of people who want to be nude.  I have met some of the most interesting people

here.  One lady today, a Russian, now living in Canada, studying for her PHD in neuroscience,

was very fun.  We talked for hours in the water.  I told her I study water.

She asked me where is my favorite place in the world.  I said right here.  These Jamaican waters.

 She laughed.  I told her I would be found here, right here, for

at least 5 hours a day for a month!   

   This is just an amazing spot!  I will paint later.  I need to relax and soak!

   I met my friend Ras Devon Anthony Husmo today on the beach.  Here is one of his

masterpieces.  I quite like it!  I gave him his gifts..canvas, paints, gamsol, palette paper.  He

was so thrilled genuinely.  It is good to help support artists whereever you travel. 

   Husmo is an excellent salesman.  He is also very talented.  I really enjoy watching him

work.  He shows many unframed canvas paintings to whoever will look.  He says he tells

them the price but then negotiates down to half price.  He says it satisfies their minds.

Have a wonderful night!  I am off to dinner with the lady and her boyfriend whom I met

in the ocean today!

(painted last year here in Negril, Jamaica)

   I made it safely to Negril, Jamaica!  I am so happy all 5 of my suitcases arrived.  My

painting supplies and copper arrived too!  The only thing that leaked was my dawn dish soap!

   They have given me a small 6x6 pink wood house. It is my favorite one!

    I left the house at 9am and arrived here at 1am. 

     There is a very loud party next door. 

 It sounds like it is the same party they had last year on Dec 28.  This party lasted

until 5am.  The DJ is the same.  He is being very creative with beautiful music

 cutting in with his lovely DJ voice.  Sounds like he has some

kind of echo machine too that makes his voice echo.  He is having a great time. 

   I inspected the ocean.  It was beautiful.  The stars are out.  There are lights from

houses along the beach in the distance.  It is cool in the 70s. 

   I love their outdoor shower.  

    I organized my painting supplies and food and clothes.

    I am quite content hanging out in my 6x6 wood house listening to the party.

 I am tired from traveling.   In a day or two I will meet new friends and then I might

venture out a few times at night.  I am happy with the early morning beach life, walking

on the beach, swimming, painting, and eating fruit!  That is why I come here...not for

the night life.  I brought along ear plugs...and a dense pillow!  I hope that works.

Good night.

   I was watching the sunset from my deck.  I can't believe what an amazing view we have. 

I was thinking of my painting goals for next years.  Here are a few ideas I have!

1.  I am very successful when I travel to paint.  I am inspired.  I work harder.  I sell almost

100% of these paintings.  (It may take a few years but they do sell eventually! 

 I will be traveling to paint this year!  I would like to go back

to Dark Harbour on Grand Manan Island in Canada.  I just loved painting the dories from

life.  I may travel there in early June. 

2.  I would love to paint on Monhegan Island again in June, July, or September.  I have never

rented a cabin there.  Poppy and Monet might come along!

3.  I would like to write one book this year.  I have several books in mind.

4.  I will be traveling to South Carolina to attend Scott Christensen's painting workshop in March.

    This has been a dream! 

5.  I would like to stay on Mount Desert Island for a week or two so I can paint in Acadia National

  Park! 

 6..  I might participate in the Bar Harbor outdoor art show in June.

7.  I will participate in local plein air events in Maine. 

8.  I have decided to limit the Florida plein air events. 

9.  I will be doing more floral paintings.  I will be doing floral paintings from a still life indoors! I may

even paint fruit. I will also continue to paint gardens plein air. 

10.   I hope to prepare larger copper panels backed with MDF board.  I have decided to work on panels

18x24 and larger.  I want to paint larger plein air works this year!  I will also continue my 5x7, 10x10,

5.5x10, 4x8, and 3x5 of landscapes and beachscapes. 

11.  I dream about purchasing a small home in Orland, Maine to use as an art studio.  There are inexpensive

homes  in Orland. ( 30,000$)  There are so many days of rain or snow or fog painting outdoors is not possible. 

It would be wonderful to have a quiet place to paint.   Well.... it is just a dream.  Good to have dreams.

    I am packed for Negril, Jamaica!  I am flying there tomorrow.  I packed a few

interesting items! 

1.  Cordless kettle.  I will be able to prepare my own hot tea and soup! 

2.  Three bags of almonds. 

3.  Packages of tuna and rice.

4.  oil paints, odorless turpenoid, gamblin's neoglip, brushes

5.  Copper panels:  6 10x10, 10 4x8, 1 5.5 x 10, 5 3x5, 10 5x7.

6.  Gessoed MDF boards for my Jamaican friend Ras Devon Anthony Husmo. 

7.  Canvas for my friend.

8.  Palette paper for my friend.

9.   Orville Red Popcorn for the hotel.  Last year they served stale popcorn. 

10.  My own pillow!  I can't stand the thought of sleeping with an old pillow.  Yuck.

11.  3 rolls of paper towels.  A beach towel.

12.  10 bikinis.  Yes I need many.  Some bikinis end up not being very functional.

13.  guerrilla tape, tripod, 12x16 open m easel.  5x7 thumbbox guerrilla painter easel.

14.  Cotton and spandex dresses.  Sandals! 

15.  A large orange plastic tote to carry my painting equipment. I am leaving my home

depot box home.  It attracted too much attention and snickers from the Jamaican last year.

16.  A swimming mask.  I hope to swim a lot.

17.  Two cameras!  I sure hope my used Canon EOS 7D is safe.  I also love my Fuji XP

water/shock/dust/freeze proof camera.  It is small and amazing.

18.  My computer.  I will be sharing stories, paintings, and photos!  Robert will email

me photos of Monet, Poppy, and Daisy daily for us to see.

   I can't wait to soak in the warm Jamaican ocean again.  I even look forward to listening

to the frogs sing at night.  I will try to have fun.  I am a work a holic.  I can't help that! 

Robert is bringing Poppy to work.  Daisy and Monet will keep each other company at home.

 Have a great night! 

  Daisy was very excited about unwrapping her gifts last night!  She remembered how to do

this.  She wagged her tail.  We were so happy to see how thrilled she was!  This is Monet and

Poppys first Christmas.  Monet watched Daisy unwrap many gifts.  Poppy was napping!

   Daisy loved her present.  There are 6 chipmunks inside of this plush tree.  There are holes

where the dog is suppose to pull the chipmunks out.  Monet was allowed to watch.  Later

Daisy gave him one of the chipmunks.  Poppy was not allowed near her gift yet.  Daisy does

play with Poppy.  It will take a little more time for Daisy to accept Poppy. 

    Monet didn't know how to unwrap his gift.  Daisy grabbed it from him and hastily unwrapped

his present!  Later the fox was found under Poppy's bed.  Poppy ran off to hide it there.

   While Daisy was enjoying a Frosty Paws treat, we gave Poppy her wrapped

gift.  She figured out how to unwrap it.  She loved her ball!

   Monet seized the opportunity to check out Poppy's present!

   They loved the ball!

   Robert helped Monet discover how to unwrap his gift!  A duck!  He loved the duck.  So

did Poppy!  Later Daisy took his duck away.  Daisy says, "My toys are mine and all your toys

are mine too!"  We will see what happens when Daisy falls asleep.

   We had so much fun watching them unwrap presents! 

   We went out for a drive to Castine today.  I am wearing my Christmas gift...a rabbit bommer

hat!  I love it! Robert received a remote control car that frightened Monet and Poppy so badly

he had to put it away.

   We went to Wadsworth Cove in Castine.  This was Poppy's first trip out!  She loved it!

Merry Christmas!  Good night! 

"January in Jeffersonville, Vermont" 10x10 oil on copper.  Private Collection of the Artist!

  Daisy, Poppy and Monet were all playing tug of war with their new

 snowman toy tonight!  I think they were excited about opening

their doggy presents later!  So nice to see them playing together. 

  Last night there was more rain.  Today the sun came out revealing a winter wonderland

in our backyard! 

We did loose a few large limbs, a plum tree that produced wonderful plums, and a huge tree

to our left.

    I have not been off our property in four days since the ice storm

began. Luckily all paintings have been shipped!  I still have many

Christmas cards to ship.    My car is buried under many inches of ice.  Our driveway

is also covered in ice.  We still have power!  I am so lucky to have my furry friends

to keep me company.  Robert has been able to go to work everyday.

Tonight we will celebrate Christmas Eve.  Merry Christmas.  Enjoy

your friends and family. 

    I discovered how to cartoonize any photograph.  Our household seems like a cartoon

right now!  So I thought it was fitting!  Here is Robert looking very tired with all our pups!

He has been sleeping downstairs on a cot to be near Poppy, the youngest golden retriever.

She doesn't make any mistakes at night!  Not that we know of!

   I thought this was a sweet scene.  Last night I was on puppy watch.  I laid down on

the cot downstairs.  Monet hopped on top of me to sleep.  Everything was quiet.  Poppy

was sequestered in the kitchen.  Daisy was sleeping on the floor because someone did

something to her bed.  Had I known this last night I would have taken care of that.  I washed

her bed this morning.  I think Poppy is getting even with Daisy for nipping her the other day

when she was inspecting Daisy's bone! 

   I lasted all of two minutes down on the cot.  I went to sleep in my own bed.  I was

soundly sleeping until 3am.  Poppy was singing her song!  I came down to find her

so happy to see me.  I picked her up and carried her outside.  We have been having rain

in freezing temperatures.  Everything has over two inches of ice.  Poppy slid down the

ramp.  She slid around like she was ice skating.  She decided to head back inside.

I kept putting her on the ice.  After the third time she decided she was going to have

to do it all or she would be out there all night! 

Here is our backyard.

   Monet climbs under the couch to visit Poppy who is there hiding from him.  Monet

can't really get out from under the couch so needs to be rescued! 

   After the 3am outside duty Poppy wanted to play.  I sent in Monet to play with her.

He was so excited to see Poppy.  It is true that absence does make the heart grow

fonder!  I could hear happy growling noises as they wrestled for hours.  Robert was

awake at 6am to take over! 

    I found one of our Christmas ornaments under Daisy's bed.  I don't think Daisy

had anything to do with this.  She was shocked to see it there! 

    Daisy slid down our 50 foot iced driveway the other day.  She laid down when she

was sliding.  She slid at a fast rate.  Robert carefully decended the driveway, carried Daisy

over to our iced stairs, carried Daisy up two flights!  He rescued Daisy.  If she gets

stranded on my watch I will call the fire department for help. 

   All of our trees are covered with thick ice.  I can hear shots firing from the trees breaking.

One of our large trees cracked into today falling across our yard.  I hope we have warm

weather to melt our ice.  Have a good night!

"Yellow Rose" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold wood or black with gold.  Shipped.

Treat yourself to a Christmas painting!

   Poppy and Monet are the best of friends already.  Last night Robert had a plan to set

up an extra large cot downstairs by the Christmas tree.  He thought he would sleep near

Poppy.  When she cried at night he would reassure her and take her outside! 

   As soon as he set up the cot, Monet and Poppy hopped up and started to play!

Poppy has figured out she can hide under Monet! 

   Poppy can take care of herself!  I think they are learning to play a little gentler with

each other. 

   Monet is teaching Poppy to bring sticks inside to chew on!  They seem to just chew then

allow the pieces to fall out of their mouths.

   Robert woke up while sleeping on the cot with Monet on top of his chest sound asleep!

He tended to Poppy.  She only cried out a little so the rest of us could get sleep.  When

Robert would go back to sleep Monet found a new place near Robert on the cot!  Poppy

woke up several times but when outside each time.  She is being trained very quick! 

    Thanks to Robert we all were able to get a little sleep last night! 

  Guess who slept most of the day?  Poppy!  Good night!

    Poppy loved her new bed.  I put a nice Christmas fleece blanket on top of her bed.  She

rolled all around.  Monet and Poppy played very hard last night.  Monet

wanted to show her all his toys.  He chased her around the house top speed.  He couldn't

catch her sometimes so he would grab her tail.  A few times Monet would fall down or loose

his balance.  He would be laying down.  Poppy would seize the moment, run up, jump onto

him, grab him by the throat, and proceed to bite him.  Monet's eyes would get big.  He

would try to break free.  Poppy is small but she is fast and strong.  They didn't hurt each

other but they were playing very hard.

   Here is Poppy.   I would like to report we all slept well last night.  But I don't think

I can write about that!  I was asleep finally at 12am.  Then Poppy woke us up at 3am.

I took her outside.  She was so delighted with the snow.  She rolled around in the snow.

She wanted to play!  She was sitting there looking at me.  I was half asleep.  Then she

barked a high pitched howl!  Once.  I am sure all the neighbors heard that.  Then at 4am

Robert awoke to take her out after she woke us up.  I was awake at 5am after many

barks...howls...and whimpers!  I think even Monet barked to let us know, "Hey!  She

needs to go out!"   Then Robert woke up at 6am to attend to their breakfast.  I was up

again at 8am after a few ear piercing screams from the kitchen.  The little lady was

lonely. 

   It is so beautiful to see her reaction to the snow!  She found a weed!  She carried

it around like a prize.

    She is a busy little girl.  Once in a while she will give you eye contact. 

 She enjoys being held and petted in my chair. 

   Last night Daisy was chewing on a large rawhide bone.  Poppy came over to inspect

the bone.  Daisy didn't like that.  She nipped Poppy.  Poppy yelped 12 times loud and ran

to her bed.  She then ran to me to be held in the chair.  Monet came up and licked her

all over.  He felt so bad for Poppy.  We learned a lesson.  We will guard Poppy while

Daisy has a bone.  Poppy wasn't hurt.  She is still a little afraid of Daisy.

    I put Monet and Poppy in the kitchen to sleep together last night. This situation lasted all of

about 3 minutes.  Poppy wanted time to herself.  Monet was getting a little to close.

She had a long day and experienced a lot of new things.  I heard a lot of dog arguing.

Then it became louder and louder.  I think Poppy had the last growl.  Today they

were the best of friends.  Daisy plays with Monet still.  She also likes to watch them

play together.  I can tell Daisy is very impressed with them running through the house

together.  She stays out of the way!

    I hope we get a little sleep tonight!  Maybe I will keep the kitchen light on.  Good night!

   Monet already loves his new girlfriend Poppy!  Daisy gave her approval too.

Poppy is a lot smaller than Monet.  Poppy and Monet are similar in color.

Poppy had never stepped foot out of her first home.  The snow was a big surprise. 

She loved the snow!

   She wasn't afraid of Daisy or Monet.  She played very hard in the snow. 

   Poppy runs very fast.  The next time she goes outside she will have on a collar with

a leash! 

Later she wanted to go out several times just to lay in the snow!  She loves being outside.

      What a wonderful Christmas this will be for all of us!  We are still very sad about

loosing our Duke.  He would be so excited for us.  Have a wonderful night!

   Monet and Daisy received a Christmas toy a little early today!  They had so much

fun.  The paper came out of my framing shipment.  They were having so much fun with

all the paper!  I have decided to let them play with the paper a little longer.

   The big red ball has a rope with knots.  They can play tug of war!

   They had such good fun on a winter day!

"Sailing Into Camden Harbor" 3x5 oil on copper.  250$ framed in gold and shipped free.

"Camden Schooners" 5x7 oil on copper framed in gold and shipped free.  350$

   Have a great night!

Daisy loves putting her face into the snow. 

Here is Robert with Monet in our yard.  You can see the intercoastal area behind the

airstream!  We have 180 degree waterviews during the winter.  The bees have been

wrapped up for the winter.  They are doing well so far.

Here are a few Christmas pen and ink with gouaches of Monet.  I will

be shipping these out to a few loyal very good art clients this year! 

I am working hard to produce enough of them.  They are each unique.

I hope to finish 100 of them!  Any painting sale the next few days will

include one of these! 

I think this last one is my favorite!  Which one is your favorite?  Have

a good night!
 

"Pink Roses" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold wood or black and gold.  Shipped.

Here are a few of my recent rose paintings!  They would make a lovely Christmas

gift!  A rose that can last forever!

"Blooming" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed in gold or black and gold.  Shipped free.

"White Roses" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in gold or black and gold wood.  Shipped.

"Bouquet For Monet" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped free!

 We had a few inches of snow last night and this morning!

Monet and Daisy are usually cuddled up together.  They are so cute!

   Monet enjoyed playing in the snow today!      
 

   Daisy loves the cold air and snow!  She is so pretty.  Have a wonderful night!

"Yellow Rose" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ Framed in black and gold or gold wood.  Shipped.  

    Painting a yellow rose is so difficult!  Last night I decided to work more on my yellow

roses and ended on wiping yesterday's painting off.

"Colors of A Yellow Rose" is no longer...wiped off.  Too bad.  There are things about 

this painting I liked.  But I learned not to work more on a rose painting after one sitting.

Allow the roses to be Alla Prima!  Let their be an honest interpretation without

working too long.  Roses need to look fresh but emotional.  

   Monet likes to harrass Daisy sometimes.  Daisy seems to enjoy every minute of it!

   I hid this flying squirrel dog toy in our Christmas tree a few days ago.  I was going

to wrap it up but Monet found it.  Here they played tug of war.  

   They really enjoy their small hedgehog toy very much.  I sewed the hedgehog back

up several times!

    Monet was tired but Daisy still wanted to play.  She pulled the hedgehog so hard Monet

was pulled off her bed onto the floor!

   Daisy tried to pull the stuffing out of the hedgehog again.  Monet wants to play!

   Monet has discovered if he barks really loud and high pitched she will give him the toy!

This can go on for a long time!  Robert says it is good for Monet to bark.  Daisy and I

would prefer if he uses his 'indoor voice'!

   If he gets close enough sometimes he can take the toy!

   The hedgehog survived!  Had to sew him back up!  Have a wonderful night!  We are

expecting a lot of snow tonight!

   Here is Monet giving Daisy a back massage.  He is so 

thoughful!  She just loves this!

    We decided to drive to Lake Alamoosook to walk.  The lake was starting to freeze over.

It was very windy and extremely cold!  We walked fast.

   Monet admired the frozen lake!  

     As we are preparing to stop Monet climbs behind me in my seat!  I am not

sure why he does this.  He won't jump out if I open the door.   I usually put him back

in the passenger seat many times until he stays.  Then I open the door holding him back.

He waits them for me to lift him out of the car.  He won't jump out.   Maybe he is

too young to jump out of the car yet.  Hopefully he will start to jump out of the car

soon!  He is going to be a big boy!  

"Colors Of A Yellow Rose" 5x7 oil on copper.  Not finished yet!  

    Today I painted the yellow roses I purchased yesterday.    I listened to

reggae music while painting roses.  I seem to paint with more emotion when

I listen to reggae music and paint.   When I listen to very meditative music I paint

more realistically.  I wonder which music is best for me to paint roses by?  

I think the brushstrokes in this painting are more interesting.  

   Have a wonderful night!  

    Monet had his first Frost Paw!  Frosty Paws is created for dogs and can be found in the freezer

section in food stores.  It is mostly chicken fat, soy milk, and vitamins.  Whenever I 

sell a painting I give my dogs one of these treats.  Monet enjoyed his treat!

   He loved it.  He ran all over the house and played for hours afterward!

    So many people have written or told me they too started to give their dog this treat

after reading about it here.  One lady told me her little yorkshire terrier fell asleep along 

side of her treat.  She could not finish the whole cup!  She was too small but she sure did try!

Another lady told me she puts half the treat back in the freezer for next time as her dog

too is small.  

   Daisy enjoyed her frosty paws in her bed.  Monet scooted his treat over to her.

   Here is my new rose bouquet still life.  Monet came over to inspect this.  I cut the

roses very short and placed them in a bowl.

   Monet is very fun!  He has been a bit mischievious!  He likes to bring sticks from outdoors

and sit in Daisy's bed to chew them up in pieces.  He doesn't eat these pieces.  He just leaves

the stick pieces for Daisy to sit on.  I find them, drag her bed outside, and give it a good 

shake a few times a day!  He likes to run all over the house as fast as he can each night at

9 pm.  We all watch in amazement!  I can still pick him up when he falls asleep somewhere to put

him in his bed at night.  Have a good night.  Thank you for the painting sales.

   An angel visited Monet last night!  The angel has been in my family since

the 1960's.  This angel has teeth marks on her from Daisy and Duke long ago.  It

is a family tradition for new golden retrievers to nibble on the angel.  So Monet did!

   Monet wanted to dress up for Santa.  He wanted to wear

his new green hat.  We gave him a candy cane.

 Daisy was bored and wanted to stay home to eat

  raw brussel sprouts instead.

   Santa was very busy.  We showed Monet a Christmas ornament!   This he

liked!  He barked a few times!

  Monet  didn't know whether to be afraid or happy?  What is that?   Something to eat?

 He let out a howl like a coyote!

   Where is Santa?  I want to see Santa!

  Santa!  There you are!  I have been a very good boy!  I would like a sleigh

big enough for Daisy.  I would like a lot of bones.  Please give me a bigger coat.

I have out grown my coat.  I would like a lot of liver.  I love liver.  Please give me

something nice for Daisy's breath.  I can't take it anymore.  She is nice though.  I

love her.  I would love more doggy toys too.   I found a toy in the Christmas tree today!

 It was a squirrel with a cape!  What?  What do you mean I have run out of time?  What?

No!  I have many more items!  

   I got you now!  Now...where was I?  This might take awhile...

"Goodnight White Roses" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold and shipped!  This

painting has been awarded top 15% of Boldbrush Painting Competition's Judges 

selection!  

"Winter Night" 3x4 oil on copper.  200$ framed in a custom black frame

with some gold ornate design on the outer edges.  Shipped free.  This is from 

a long time ago from the 2007's.  

"All Tucked In" 5x7 oil on copper.  Donated to a friend who is ill.   This is an very old painting from

the 2007.  

"Autumn Light" 4x4 oil on copper.  200$ framed and shipped! 

    Monet is getting into the Christmas season!

   He is loves Christmas so far!  He is anticipating a big present!  

   Today I bought a christmas tree for 18$!  A bargain!  When I was 21 years old I purchased

many Christmas ornaments.  I chose a victorian theme so it would be timeless.  I  envisioned

enjoying this victorian themed tree all the rest of my life.  Monet has enjoyed it too.  He loves

to play in the tree's water.  Robert has pulled him out from under the tree twice in an hour!  

    Here is my fondest memory of Daisy and Duke:  I came home to find them in my

Christmas tree.  They were on either side of the tree with their front feet on the trunk.  They were barking

in a hunting manner.  They were searching for an animal.  For a few minutes I was looking

in the tree for a squirell or raccoon too!  Before I could do anything the tree went down!  Crash!

 For the rest of the month the tree was knocked down often.  I remember laughing

so hard at the whole situation!

"Dreaming of Winter" 6x6 oil on gessoboard.  350$ framed and shipped.

"Monhegan's Wharf" 5x7 oil on copper.  350$ framed and shipped.

"Monhegan's Blackhead" 10x10 oil on copper.   Sold!  Thanks.

"Chocolate Ice Cream Soda" 8x10 oil on copper.   Sold.  Thanks!

     Goodnight!

   Daisy and Monet play in a little snow!  Daisy

was showing Monet how she makes snow angels.   Monet thought she wanted to

wrestle.  (A little miscommunication)

   He really was hugging her for a while.  He is not fearful of Daisy.  She is very gentle

with him.  Monet knows he can play a little bit rough.  I am always there to protect

either one of them.  So far I have not had to rescue anyone.

   They love to do this a lot.  Sometimes they both make really frightening sounds.

They are just playing.

    Daisy will be 14 years old in February.  

   Monet weighs 27 pounds now!   

   "Snowy Oak" 5x7 oil on copper.    Sold thanks! 

Have a great night!  Thank you!

"Beach Day"   5x7  oil on copper.  350$ framed and shipped.

Today Monet was looking out the car window!  Normally he doesn't do this.  He whimpers

sometimes as the car accelerates.  Today he was a brave boy!  

Monet discovered if he stands on the car's middle consol he can see out the window!

Robert and I watched as Monet seemed to follow Daisy into the lake!

He went in the water up to his chest!  This Summer I predict Monet will be swimming

really well.  The water is just too cold right now.

     It is so much fun to watch Monet grow.  I am so glad to hear from phone 

calls and emails how much people enjoy watching Monet and Daisy enjoy

each other.  I have really enjoyed talking to a few people who have called.  

   I really appreciate the feedback.  I am glad you are enjoying the 100$ Christmas

painting sale too!  Some people can't afford a 350$-650$ painting but most people

can spend 100$.  This is the best sale I have the entire year!  It is my opportunity to give

back to you.

    Have a wonderful night!  Thank you!

"Walter Launt Palmer Dream" 3x5 oil on copper.  250$ framed and shipped.

   Last night Monet had insomnia.  He was a wild dog last night!  He ran across the room

and leaped up into my chair!  This was a first.  Once in chair Monet didn't know what to do.

   Monet seems to be more vocal than any golden retriever puppy

I have had and I love it!  He has 50 or more growls and barks and whines.

   He is going to be a real pistol!  We cooked up a large batch of chicken hearts and

gizzards for them.  They loved it.  Maybe this is why Monet had so much energy.

I took him outside 4 times last night at 12am.  He didn't want to sleep.  Finally Monet

slept.

  I decided to take them to lake Alamosook.  The swimming lessons began.

   I was just admiring the orange line at the horizon as the sun went down when I 

heard a splash!  Monet had fallen or jumped in.  He was swimming!  Of course

my camera read image full.  So I deleled a few photos.  

   He did well swimming!  Have a good night! 

"Bouquet For Monet" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in black with gold or gold

wood.  Shipped free.

   I started this painting yesterday at noon and finished at midnight!  I am tired

and my arm is sore today!  I guess I worked hard on this painting.  My eyes

are even scratchy.  I must not have blinked enough.  I will take a few aspirin

and pick up the brush!  

   I was very pleased with how this pink rose came out.  I feel like

I captured the glow of the light on that petal!  I must have worked

for a few hours on just that rose.  I use a limited palette of only four

colors so sometimes it makes it more difficult to hit the note.  At least

my notes all are harmonious because of this limited palette.  

   I liked the way the light hit almost all the flowers in just a few spots.  Most of the

flowers were in shadow or backlit creating wonderful colors.  

    The peach rose had beautiful colors in the shadows and in the

lit areas.  That is a yellow carnation in the center.  There were

so many color from the surrounding flowers on this yellow 

carnation.  Fun to paint!

   Most of the time I start out sketching a very small sketch.  This sketch

is only a few inches.  I don't stick with this sketch all the time.  It is

just a game plan that can be changed.  

   While I was painting Daisy entertained Monet or maybe it was the other way around!

They had toys scattered all over the house.  They even played with Robert's old tennis

shoe!

   Here is a cute picture of the dogs last week.  Monet

weighs 23 pounds now.  I can still pick him up!  He

loves to be held still...as long as you have a bone or

a carrot to keep his mouth busy!  Those teeth are sharp.

Have a great night!

   This is what I have been working on all day!  It's not finished yet!  This is a great

way to spend a grey and cold Maine day!

   I took Monet and Daisy for a run along Sandy Point Beach.  I admired this gold field.

    Daisy and Monet are attached at the hip!  Whatever Daisy does Monet tries to do.

Monet wants to eat anything Daisy eats.  Monet whimpers when he wants to go out.

Today Daisy whimpered to go out!  So I guess Daisy is learning from Monet!

   Monet is taking swimming lessons.  So far he is in the watching stage.  

   I recognized that gold tug boat from Castine!  I have painted that boat.  Guess the

boat had a job to do.  Have a great night!

   Here is Poppy at 5 weeks old.  She is still with her Mom and Dad.  Soon

we can pick her up!  She is a pretty gold color.  Monet is going to love her

just like we are! I know Daisy will think this is just too much fun!  Two puppies!

"White and Purple Rose Bouquet" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in black with gold lip or

gold wood.  Shipped free.

    I admired one of my friend's photos of her daughter's wedding bouquet.  I asked 

for a close up photo of the bouquet to paint.  I decided to crop the image so there would be nothing except

flowers in the painting.  I don't want to paint the traditional flowers in a vase.  I don't want

to copy Richard Schmid's way of painting flowers.  He likes to scatter the roses and other flowers

on pretty fabrics.  I want to paint flowers this way!

    I reflected on whether this design looks like a Mandala.  I did a little research.  I didn't know

what a Mandala was.  All I knew was it had an all over design that looked like it could go on

forever.  A Mandala is a spiritual and ritual symbol in many religions.

 They are usually a square with 4 gates containing a circle with a center point.

 Each gate has a shape of the T.  They were created for the viewer

to focus their attention, study, and induce meditation or a trance.  

   A swiss psychoanalyst named Carl Jung reintroduced the Mandala to modern westerners.  He was

exploring making art.  While making art, Jung, observed a circle appeared almost every time.  

He thought his circular drawings each day reflected his inner thoughts.  He recognized the need

to create Mandalas seemed to emerge during times of intense personal growth.  Creating Mandala

was a way to rebalance and restore to bring peace.  Very interesting!  I am rebuilding my dog tribe!

   Here are a few closeup photos of my painting.  

   Here is the view of my backyard.  Our beehives are doing well.  We harvested just a small

amount of honey to process.  The honey tastes great!  

   Monet and Daisy enjoyed a carrot treat today.  Monet wanted to climb into

my chair, sit on my lap, and chew on his carrot.  He likes being petted while he 

chews.  What a nice ritual.  

   While Monet was taking a nap Daisy had a Frosty Paws doggy

ice cream treat celebrating a past sale this summer.  Painting sales

normally end before October.  From October to July normally I don't

sell any paintings.  If I do sell a painting it is a surprise!  Consider

buying a painting from an artist this year for a gift.  You will be

helping an artist enjoy their Christmas time as they will have

a little income!  Also a painting will last for a long time!  

    Monet and Daisy play for hours all day long.  Monet likes to bark alot.  He is 

a talker.  He has a loud high pitch bark.  Kinda cute.

   Daisy is doing very well.  She left a few carrot crumbs for Monet.  Have a good night!

"Pretty Pink Rose" 4x4 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thanks. 

   Monet is just a doll.  We are really enjoying him.

   Monet gave Daisy his chewy bone.  Then he jumped down and tried to get it back.

Another time he played tug of war with her and won then took off with his bone.

They are fun to watch.

   What big feet Monet has!  Have a great night.