Artist Renee Lammers

"Appledore, Surprise, and Mercantile" 5x7 oil on copper.350$  Sold in the Camden Falls Gallery

today during the Camden Plein Air Event.  I am excited to be participating!

   I drove to Camden and painted this painting early morning.  I framed it up quickly and

put it in the gallery.

"Ready To Sail" 3x5 oil on copper.  Sold at auction for 210$.  Thank you!

    After the quick draw (2 hours to paint) I framed this painting.  They had an art auction.

Art auctions are the most frightening thing for any artist.  In fact I think it is the single most

frightening thing an artist encounters during their whole career.  What is so frightening?

Standing there with your painting infront of a huge crowd of people hoping someone will bid

on your painting.  Speaking infront of a crowd doesn't scare me thanks to Stetson University's

training.  I told the crowd why I paint on copper.  The gallery owner did a great job relaying

the story of how my easel and painting fell into the ocean a few days ago.  They felt badly for

me.  When bidding was going on...I was smiling from ear to ear!  The gallery owner said, "Look

how happy you are making Renee!  That copper has got to be expensive!"  Everyone laughed.

I am happy to have sold my painting.  All the quickdraw paintings sold.  

   Here is Camden's Harbor.  Michael is painting at the end of the dock.  

   The brick building in the background is the Camden Library.

    The harbor was very crowded for a windjammer festival.  

     At four oclock people lined up to view the quick draw paintings on a table.  It was very

crowded.  All the seats were taken.  People stood waiting for the auction to start.  The

prices of the painting sold for as little as 125$-700$.  Auctions can be a great way to add

art work at a lower price.  This auction helped the windjammer organization.

   When I arrived home Robert showed me grilled chicken and plum crisp!  Daisy

and Duke howled for frosty paws.  Duke hid under the table so his picture didn't turn out

well.  Here is Daisy.  She has a pretty white face.  What a great day!  I will be in Camden

Harbor all day painting schooners!  Come out to say hello!  

"Blue Hill Fair" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in gold wood.  Shipped free.

    It is always an honor to paint with Nancy Barnes.  She has been painting at the Blue

Hill Fair consistently each year.  The last three years we have painted there together.  I 

really enjoy the comraderie.  It is very interesting watching Nancy work.  She was a professor

of art.  Now she paints.  I really enjoy speaking to successful artists about this career.  I

always come away very inspired.  

"Teddy Bear Please" 10x10 oil on copper.  SOld!

   I treated myself to some fish and chips and then a cherry covered candy apple.  Luckily

I finished eating when a couple came to find me.  She enjoyed reading the blog and admired

my work.  Nancy said a few minutes before they came up I had red candy teeth!  Oh boy

was that candy apple good.  It was really good.  Possibly one of my favorite foods.

It was nice meeting them!  Great timing!

   Here we are starting on the second painting at night.  We walked around scouting for 

a good spot to paint.  At night the people tend to be more roudy.  We wanted a place with

some light.  I really liked how Nancy's painting came out.  She painted the dough boy's

stand.

    Very challenging subject matter.   

   Nancy painting her first painting.  Great one!

   I made sure to by pass this delicacy!  Beautiful looking though!

"All Aboard Olad" 3x5 oil on copper.  Sold today!  I received an email from the Camden

Falls Gallery I was the first artist to sell a plein air painting for their event!  Exciting.  I 

will be in Camden painting tomorrow all day until late!  Come out to see the artists painting!

Some of the most successful artists have been invited.  Thrilling to be included.  Duke is

doing well!  Daisy is doing good too.  They are howling for Frosty Paws!  Is it too late at

night for their treat!  They don't think so!  Night!

"Wild Rose" 3x5 oil on copper 250$ framed in gold wood.  

Shipped free.

    All the flowers are almost gone here in Maine.  I found two pink wild roses still growing at the Camden Harbor.

Another week or so and the wild roses will be gone until next Summer.  When I think of Maine I think of the 

beautiful wild roses lining seashores and their wonderful smell.  

   I decided to only work a half day.  I wanted to spend some time with Daisy and Duke.

I wanted to fix Robert a good dinner.  He has been finding his own dinner the last few days.

Tonight he is going to be served chicken and broccoli.  He is training hard for his half iron man

Sept 8 here in Maine.  He needs to eat well.  I also am still worried about Duke.  He

was limping again this morning.  When I came home his head felt hot.  I was going

to check his temperature but whimped out with the thermometer.  I will take him up to

the vet to have them do this.  Update!  Duke's temperature is fine!  Good news!

   I purchased many more boxes of doggy ice cream called Frosty Paws located in the 

freezer area in any grocrey store.  Daisy and Duke like to celebrate any painting sale with 

one of these treats.  They are still celebrating a few past sales.  In fact they will be celebrating

everyday for the next 160 days!  They love this.

Here is "Bountiful Summer" 7x5 oil on copper framed before being delivered over to the 

Camden Falls Gallery.  This will be there for a few days during the plein air event.  SOld!

"Bountiful Summer" 7x5 oil on copper.  Sold. 

Detail of the bee "Betsy" on a cone flower!  Have a great night!  Let's Paint.

Tomorrow I am painting with Nancy Barnes at the Blue Hill Fair!  Should be a blast.

We will paint until the fair closes so should be some night painting going on!  

"Summer's Gifts" 7x5 oil on copper  Sold later.  Thank you.

"Bountiful Summer" 7x5 oil on copper Sold!

"All Aboard Olad" 3x5 oil on copper.  Framed in medium gold wood.  SOld.

    I met with a man doing a short film about me again this morning.  I walking

into my gallery, showing my paintings, hugging my dogs, sitting in my airstream, walking

to my car with my painting equipment.  It was a busy few hours.  

   Then I drove an hour to Camden.  I set up to paint right in front of the Camden Library.  

They had a nice flower garden.  I was happy!  I brought out "Betsy" the dead bee I keep in

a clear box to model.  She did really well again.  A few people thought it was really wierd.

I expected that.  I painted all day long until after sunset.  I locked my keys in the trunk.  Robert

came to my rescue.  I am goint to hug a few golden retrievers now!  I think I did well today.  

Have a good night!  Duke and Daisy are barking! 

"Bees On Cone Flowers" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in gold wood.  

    After last night fiasco I was very nervous about painting at the Camden wharf.  I did set up

in the same spot as last night.  But I couldn't stay to paint there.  The tide was too low.  I 

couldn't see the painting I wanted.  I found some Cone flowers down by the Camden Yacht Club.

   Here is a close up of one of the bees in this painting.  I found a bee laying unconscious on our

deck a few weeks ago.  She wasn't breathing.  I put her in a little see through plastic box.  I decided

to use her beautiful bee body as a model in my flower paintings.  I don't have to touch her.  I

just turn the plastic box around till I find the angle I want to paint.  I nick named this bee, "Betsy".

   I came home from painting.  Here is Duke wondering where have I been all day long?

Why can't I stay home and pet him all day?  It just isn't fair.  I gave him a hug.

   As always feel free to paint any of these landscape photos I post.  Many people have

painted photos I post.  Some people are in prision and find inspiration.  Other people are

in retirement homes and paint them.  I am lucky to live in Maine.  I do like to see work

from people who have been inspired.  It is nice to know I am being useful!

   Duke talks a lot when I give him Frosty Paws doggy ice cream to celebrate a past 

painting sale!  What fun we have here.  I will be painting in Camden again tomorrow.  I

will find more beautiful flowers to paint!  Have a great night!  Let's paint!

   I almost painted this beautiful white yacht but decided to paint a white

schooner instead.  It was the first day of the Camden plein air event.  I was 

a little nervous today.  

    I dressed up today because people in Camden are always dressed nicely.  I wanted to

'fit in'.  This was taken by a professional photographer before the incident occurred.  He asked

if he could do a video of me.  He wired me with a microphone.  The interview lasted

for a few hours until the light failed.  I painted and answered questions the whole time.

   The man who owned the yacht came up to mention he would have bought a painting

of his yacht.  I heard a large splash.  A lady said, "Your easel is in the ocean!".  I had turned

my back for a minute.  The tripod leg had been sliding back into the telescoping leg all day.

I had to adjust the leg a few times.  The leg slipped all the way in and the easel fell into the

ocean.  The man who owned the yacht told me he would get a hook to get it out.  Here

he is on the left in the plaid shirt.  I can only show you this photo because it is blurred to

protect his identity.  A lady borrowed a boat and manuvered over to where the easel had

fallen.

   If you look into the water on the left hand side you will see my tripod connected to my

12x16 brand new open m easel.  

    I was shaking from dispair.  My painting was guerrilla tape to the lid of the easel now

in the ocean. I had just paid 450$ for my easel.  Tripod 159$.  Painting 650$.  They worked

together trying to pull up my easel.

   I was very embarrassed.  A huge crowd has started to form watching the retrieval of

my easel.  People were so supportive.  When they raised the easel people cheered.

   I thanked everyone involved and came home.  Here is the easel opened up revealing

the painting that almost was.  Red paint and yellow paint from the palette landed on the

painting as the easel closed and fell into the ocean.  It is ruined.  

   This painting is not going to make it into a home or frame.  I will work on a new one.

Have a good night!  Tomorrow I will be in Camden Harbor again painting!  Come out

to say hello.  There will be many plein air painters all over.  Let's paint!

"Mirror Dory" 2.5x3.5 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thanks.  

"Radiance" 4x4 oil on copper.  Sold.

"The Cherry Tree" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold.

"Beach Umbrellas" 3x3 oil on copper.  

"In The Chicken Coop" 4x4 oil on copper.  Sold.

sold

sold

sold

sold

sold

   Here is a photo of Daisy and Duke and I on Swan's Island.  I remember being so thrilled

to have those red hiking boots!  I was still wearing fleece trying to keep warm.  Wool is the

answer!  Daisy and Duke look so young!  They were 7 years old then.  We were still living in

our Airstream in a campground.  It was a humbling experience.  Have a good night!  Let's paint!

I will be in Camden painting each day for a week!

"Two Of A Kind" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in black satin with gold inner lip wood frame.  Shipped.

   This is one of my personal favorite paintings at the moment.  All of these paintings are available.

To purchase one click on the heading called paintings located above.  Thanks!

"Waiting For Monet" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ Framed in black and gold or gold wood.  Shipped.

"Morning's Promise" 10x10 oil on copper. Sold.

"White Pine's Trunk" 7x2.5 oil on copper. Private Collection.

"Kerosene Lamp" 3x4 oil on copper.Sold!

This is the lamp inside the parlor at the Trailing Yew on Monhegan Island.

"Last Of The Circus Elephants" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold.

"Buster The Clown" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold.

"Before Coffee" 6x6 oil on copper. Sold.

Sunrise at New Smyrna Beach!

"Park Avenue Fountain" 6x6 oil on copper.  Private Collection.

   I finished framing and packing up all the paintings today!  Daisy and Duke howled for

Frosty Paws.  Duke continues to get better each day.  His eyes are sparkling again.  I enjoyed a 

plum from our tree this morning.  There is nothing like eating a cold plum fresh off the tree.  It

was so juicy Daisy was trying to capture each drop falling!  I gave her a plum too.  She closed

her eyes and ate it.  She spit out the pit.  Smart dog!  Have a good night.  

"Dance of The Cone Flowers" 10x10 oil on copper.  Sold off my website last night!

Thank you very much.  I am so happy with all these painting sales.  

"Jeffersonville, Vermont Morning" 10x10 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thanks!

"Trailing Yew at Monhegan Island" 8x10 oil on copper.  Sold!

"View of Henry Thoreau's Maine Cabin" 8x10 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thanks!

"Rooster named Ghost" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thank you!  

"The Golden Rooster" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thanks!  

"Golden Hour on Monhegan" 5x7 oil on copper.  Sold!  Yeah!

"Lilac Time on Monhegan" 5x7 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thank you!

"Green Canoe" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thanks!

"Monhegan Lobster Boat" 5x7 oil on copper.  Sold!  Wow!

"Peace" 4x6 oil on copper.  Sold!  

"Let's Go Shrimpin" 4x6 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thank you!

"Lobster Boats On Monhegan" 3x4 oil on copper.  Sold!

"The Boat Yard" 3x4 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thank you very much!  What a night!

   I spent my day locating painting in my gallery and framing them!  Believe it or not I 

still have 90 paintings available!  Have a good night!  

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

    I have been saving a photo of daffodils for winter time.  Last night after eating great fresh wild

caught sock eye salmon I painted!  I went to get more of this salmon for tonight!  There must

be great vitamins in this sock eye salmon!  I painted until 10pm.  Then I worked more this

morning.  It is fresh and live just like Spring!  

   Here is a close up of a few Daffodils.  I made sure to have blue near my oranges and reds

near my greens.  I had a fun time.  Painting is suppose to be fun.  I wonder if I could make

up my own flower?  What color would I chose to have this flower?  What style?  How large?

I will save this project for winter when I am bored.

I really enjoy doing these pen and inks with gouache at night.  It is practice

drawing and just fun.  I will be giving my art clients one of these paintings

with their oil painting purchase!  

Duke is feeling so much better.  Daisy and Duke both howled for Frosty Paws to celebrate

yesterday's painting sale.  I gave in!  Duke knows how to bark right into my ear.  Works

everytime!   

   I was invited to participate in Camden Falls Gallery's 2nd annual Camden Plein Air event.  The

event starts this Monday, August 26 at 12pm.  Invited artists will start to paint in the town of Camden.

Wet works will be available to be seen in their gallery all week long.  Artists will paint for 7 days 

straight!  So if you would like to see them in action this is your chance!  There is a wet painting

auction on September 7, Saturday starting about 6:30pm at the Bok Amphitheatre behind the Camden

Library.  Artist will donate a percentage of their choice for local non profit organizations.  The gallery

will also get their 20%.  There is a quick draw event also.  I am looking forward to attending.  I 

just purchased a lot of copper today!  Let's paint!

    "Feast Or Famine" 10x10 oil on copper.  sold today!  Thank you!  I really liked this frog

painting with the flies.  One of my friends said my paintings fly off the wall.  Cute pun!

   I worked more on my frog last night.  I wanted to make sure all four limbs were showing 

even if two limbs were under water.  

Our house and gallery was painted recently!  It looks so cute!  Duke is rolling in the grass.

He is doing better today.  He and Daisy barked until I took them to the lake.  They enjoyed

themselves.  So did I!  

   I was watching Daisy swim in the brook when I saw this frog looking up at me.  I think he

was saying, "Won't you paint me?"  Daisy lunged at the frog.  The frog was faster.  

   Daisy was up to her usual tricks in our vegetable garden.  She walked out with a vine

full of large green tomatoes.  She bit each one and didn't like them.  She made me laugh at loud.

Daisy is a piece of art.

   Here is the black and gold frame I use on many of my paintings.  "Reaching For Gold" looks

very nice in it!  Have a great night!  Let's Paint!

"Feast Or Famine" 10x10 oil on copper.   Sold!  Thanks!

    An abstract artist friend of mine and client suggested I paint inside today.  I have been avoiding painting

outside for the last few days.  I was just tired of the sun!   A few days

of being inside painting is a great idea!  I decided to work on another lily pond painting.  I 

like these beautiful white water lilies that grow above the water.  I had seen this frog submerged

getting ready to snack on the fly.  I painted in a few flies.  Some are noticeable and some are not.

What fun!

   Here are a few close ups of this painting.  You can see a fly flying on the right.  

I also painted the fly's reflection in the water.  

Another few flies!  Can you see them?  

  At night I paint my garden flowers with pen and ink and gouache.

Here is my purple clematis new for our garden!  I think I captured the

feeling of sun on the flower.

   Duke did well with his doses of antibiotics so far.  It is always a worry

how an elderly dog will handle medicines.  He is still experiencing some

joint pain today.  Let's hope he feels better tomorrow.  Daisy realises Duke

is getting extra treats (pills smuggled) so she is getting extra treats too!

She seems to be able to count very well for a dog.  I think dogs are smarter

than human's think.

   Have a great night! Let's paint!

   The vet determined there was nothing wrong with Duke's foot.  I asked for a Lyme

blood test.  Duke's blood test came back positive for Lymes and Anaplasmosis.  Duke was

diagnoised and treated for both of these tick related diseases in 2009.  His blood test came

back negative a few months ago.  So he is on antibiotics for a month.  The vet also gave him

chewable pain pills for the pain in his foot.  Lymes disease can cause pain. Duke

and Daisy both received a Lymes Disease vaccination too.  This is suppose to help with

treating the virus.  Duke is feeling 100% better already.  Yeah!

   We all went to Craig's Pond and Lake Alamosook tonight.  Robert was swimming.

He is training for a half ironman competition in September.  I am so glad he is training

again.

   It is so beautiful at Craigs Pond.  I should paint here some night.

   Duke really enjoyed himself.

   Daisy did too!  I just rested today.  Feeling lazy.  Maybe that is good.

   Have a great night!  Let's paint!

   I needed another day off from painting.  Robert and I went blueberry picking.  The 

owner is taking us to our picking spot.  Robert is carrying the blueberry cart.

Robert is demonstrating how to pick blueberries!  Maine blueberry bushes are very short

to the ground.  The actual blueberries are smaller but have more flavor.

  This year's blueberry crop was great!

   I made a giant batch of blueberry crisp!  Yes it was great!

Duke had his breakfast laying down for two mornings.  His foot is a little better today.

He is still limping badly.  But his spirits are up because of....Frosty Paws!  

   He was posing with yellow roses before he hurt his foot.  A few moments

before this photo Daisy was wrestling with him.  I wonder if that was when he

injured his foot.  I wish dogs could talk.

Have a great night!  Let's paint...soon!  Let's eat blueberry crisp!

   When I am not painting I am reading about painting or reaching my full potential.  I 

am currently reading, "The Greatest Secret In The World" by Og Mandino. (I don't know

about this book!  Ha ha.  It is really something else.)   In chapter two he

writes about Benjamin Franklin's "Magic Formula" to being successful.  Here are Benjamin

Franklin's 13 virtues he found important.

1.  Temperance-  Having self restraint in conduct.  This is difficult for artists!

2.  Silence-  Keeping quiet without sound.  Will work on this.

3.  Order-  Keeping everything is in it's place.  

4.  Resolution-  Resolving issues.   Making decisions for future actions.

5.  Frugality-  Being inexpensive, not wasteful.

6.  Industry- Having a steady effort.  Being active.

7.  Sincerity-  Being honest and genuine.

8.  Justice-  Being fair, reward or penalty as deserved.

9.  Moderation-  Avoiding extremes.

10.  Cleanliness-  Keeping ones surroundings clean.  Keeping yourself clean.

11.  Tranquility-  Being calm and serene.

12.  Chasity-  Sexual abstinence, celibacy, modesty.

13.  Humility-  Being humble not pretentious.

   Benjamin Franklin worked on these virtues daily.  He wrote down his behaviors each day.

He decided these virtues important to his success.  He wanted his ancestors to follow

these virtues so they too could be successful. 

   Duke is limping badly today.  I took him to the vet.  They couldn't see anything wrong so

I will return to the vet on Monday for an xray.  I can't see anything swollen.  He does have one

black toenail.  He is still wagging his tail.  Duke is not putting too much pressure on his front left foot.

We are spoiling him.  Hope he feels better tomorrow.  Daisy is doing well!  She ate the trash.  

She also raided the garden this morning for tomatoes.  Have a good night!  Let's paint.

"Dance Of The Cone Flowers" 10x10 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thank you.

   I toured a few gardens on Mount Desert Island today.  Thuya Garden's flowers were very impressive and

so were their crowds of people.  I decided to paint at a lesser known garden called Charlotte Rhoades Garden.

These cone flowers were very colorful.  I painted all day long until the sun was setting.  What a great way

to spend a Summer day!  I drove for three hours or more today.  

   Here is a detail of a few of the cone flowers.  I wish I knew the name for the white cylnder

looking flowers.  

   Another detail.  I left some copper showing here and there especially

around the tops of the cone flower centers and petals too.

   Have a great night!  Let's paint!

"Casablanca" 10x10 oil on copper.  Sold.

   I am really enjoying this Summer time painting in my own garden!  What a dream come

true. 

   My neighbor was nice enough to take my photo.  I had the funniest thing happen

today while I was painting.  I live on a very busy commercial street.  A car drove by,

slowed down, and a lady yelled, "Great painting!".  People in New England really love

art!  

  Here is Duke enjoying a good back scratch!

    Daisy was inspecting tomatoe plants and could not be photographed.  Have a wonderful

night!  I may paint something different tomorrow!  Let's paint!

"Two of a Kind" 10x10 oil on copper. Sold.

   I battled rain, lightening, and thunder, and clouds today while I tried to paint this painting

in my yard.  I am so lucky to have many Casablanca Lilies growing!  They will only be here for

another week. The are so delicate.  I just love to sit infront of them and study their every

nuance!  Wind knocked my easel over.  Lightening and thunder had me running for cover.

Then clouds blocked sunlight.  I decided after the storm to take the pups to the lake.

  Here is Duke making sure I am driving safely.  If I swerve the car he puts his foot on me

hoping it won't happen again.  What a funny dog! He looks like he will jump on me!

   They get exercise and fresh air at the lake.  I know it is so good for them.  

   I wish I could paint while they swim but Daisy likes to hike all over the place!  Duke

is unpredictable too.  He fishes in the brook.  He has dug a hole so there is deeper water. 

He stands really still.  He sees a minnow;  He lunges forward trying to catch em!

His whole head goes under water many times.  He shakes off after each try.  

"Red Lily and a Dragonfly" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped.

I like it better now!  I repainted the water and made it lighter.  

"Waiting For Monet" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in black and gold wood. Shipped.

I also worked this painting more.  It needed a few shimmers in water and the cloud areas.

I like it much better now.    It was ok..just thought a few more water highlights would make the

water more alive.

   Pen and ink with gouache painting of my Pansies in a hat vase.

   Wow!  I am tired and hungry!  Have a great night!  Let's paint!

   Daisy loves to hunt for ripe tomatoes in the garden.  She uses her keen sense of smell to

discover them.

   She is so funny!  Sometimes she grabs green tomatos.  She drops them and keeps hunting!

She always has a yellow stain on her head from the pollen.

Anything orange or red is eaten!  She does the three times a day!  Have a great

night!  Let's paint!

"My Casablanca Lilies" 10x10 oil on copper.   Sold!  Thanks!

   I decided to paint my own Casablanca Lilies growing in my yard today!  I thought about driving

to Mount Desert Island to paint in Thuya Garden.  I knew the head gardener would want me to paint in an

obscure spot  20 feet away from their lilies.  I would have to use binoculars to see any details.  I

 wouldn't even be able to smell those lilies!  I made a good decision to paint at home.  There is something

special about white Casablanca Lilies.  They remind me of weddings.  I painted the background dark reds

after I painted the lily.  I had to paint very carefully around all my petals and leaves.  John Singer Sargent 

painted dark warm backgrounds behind his flowers.   I love the effect!

Here is a close up of the main lily.  I softened the edges carefully.

   I  painted the Casablanca Lilies the same size as they are.  These are large lilies.

   I am now using Cerulean Blue in addition to my other colors, Cobalt Blue, Quinacridone Red,

Cadmium Red Light, Cadmium Yellow Light, and Titanium White by Le Franc.  I drew out my

thumb nail sketch earlier and then redrew the design on the copper with a felt tip pen by Micron.

(Any archival pen can be used.  Microns are available at any art store.)

   I paint my whites first.  My brush is clean.  My palette is clean.  Why not?

I have clean whites this way.  I can always go back the whites with another color.

   Here is my palette.   This easel has an incredibly large palette

area which I was craving.  I use a large flat kolinsky brush the entire time I paint.  Usually

this is a size 10,12, or 14.

   When I was painting the dark red background around the lily petals I decided to

allow some of the copper to show through.  Once this painting is fully dry, I seal the painting

with Gamblin's Galkyd.  I put just the thinnest layer all over the surface.  I put the painting

in a wet box to keep hair and dust from falling into the surface.   My frames are custom

 from North Carolina.  These frames are NOT made in China or Mexico.  This

is important to me.  Most of them are also made of recycled wood.  They are beautiful frames.

   Next I surprised my two furry friends with Frosty Paws doggy ice cream to celebrate

a recent painting sale.  I have sold so many painting Daisy and Duke will have one of these

Frosty Paws treats every other day for a year!  Wow!  Duke is growing a lot more hair!  One

lady felt his body the other day and said, "Oh my!  He doesn't miss any treats does he!"  I said.

"Duke was mostly fur."  She didn't believe me.  Have a great night!  Let's Paint!

   I decided to create more pen and ink with gouaches.   I use them as gifts for oil painting purchases.

Sometimes I send them to clients who have purchased a painting recently this year.  

   I paint only flowers Robert grows for me.  

   I use the same mason jar with a twine bow to keep them looking

like a series.

  They are fun to do.  It is good to draw.  Fun to do gouache!

    I like to go outside to greet Robert when he comes home. 

Today he had two banana splits for us to celebrate my painting sales this week!  Wow!

   This is my banana split.  Daisy is looking at it with keen interest.  Here is my new

pen and ink with gouache or watercolor station.  All my painting things are ready.  In

the white plastic round thing on the left is water with a lid.  All I need to do is sit down and

create.  I  keep fresh flowers on the desk for inspiration.  I need to produce a lot of 

small pen and inks with gouache now.  Having this station has helped me be more productive.

   I thought I would show you what Robert is growing.  He has a green thumb;  I have

a red thumb...from paint!  

   I love to walk around our yard to see what is growing!  

Daisy enjoys what Robert grows too.  Tomatos are her favorite.  Of course someone did

eat all the brocoli and cauliflower....hmmm.

  Here is our new purple Clematis flower!

   We have a pear growing on the tree this year!

   Our apple trees are producing nicely.  Daisy reaches up to snatch them in the morning for

breakfast after feasting on our tomatoes.  She has gone vegetarian for breakfast these days.

There are about 20 plums growning on our two plum trees!  Daisy ate one of the two growing

last year.  I wonder how many she will eat this year?

     The fence is almost complete to protect our curious golden retrievers from the bees.  The

bees are buzzing all over the yard today.  You can see little spots all in the shadows above

the bee hives!  There are thousands of bees living in those hives.  All is well at the Lammers

home.  Enjoy your Sunday with you family!  Let's paint!

"Sailor's Delight" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold!  Thanks.

    My Mom in Florida laughed when I told her about my 9 sales today.  She asked, "Do you

have any paintings left?"  I said, "Of course!  I paint almost everyday!"  She laughed again.  She

said she was so happy to see my success.

"Monhegan Wild White Roses" 7x5 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you.

   Today I had to call a Palm Beach Gallery who specializes in selling dead artist's work.  

He had asked me to send him referrals from people who contact me with Aldro Hibbard,

Martha Walters, Monet, or any other famous dead artist's work.  A man contacted me who 

thought he had a Martha Walters painting.  It turned out his painting was just a print.  The 

Palm Beach Gallery owner told me shiny paintings are selling.  Modern art is selling for larger

prices compared to older styles like the Hudson River, Impressionists, or Tonalism.  He also 

told me no living artist is selling any art.  Very interesting...

"Rhapsody In Blue" 7x5 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you!

"Clean Again" 5x7 oil on copper. Sold!  YEah!  Thanks.

"Warm Colors Of Winter" 7x5 oil on copper.  Sold.

  "Bass Harbor Skiffs" 8x10 oil on copper.  This one was an older work from 2007.  Sold.  Thanks!

"White Pine At Twilight" 7x5 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you!

"Sun Pillar" 7x5 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thanks.

"Spring at Port Clyde" 8x10 oil on copper. Sold.  This one is an older work too from 2009.

    What a great day to spend framing, packing, and shipping!  Luckily I keep a lot of custom

frames ready so I can ship out the framed work within an hour or two!  This client will receive

his shipment of paintings on Monday.  To see all my available paintings, click on the heading 

above Paintings.  Also check out all my sold paintings for the last three years, click archived

paintings.  Daisy and Duke celebrated tonight with Frosty Paws doggy ice cream.

    They were very happy!  

   Daisy ate her Frosty Paws cup and all!  

  Duke took his time enjoying his treat in his bed!  

  I went to the lily pond in Stockton Springs last night to see how it looked.  I imagine

when the moon is full there might be a good painting here!  Have a great night!  I 

am going to have some ice cream too.  Let's paint!

"Pink Rose" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold.   framed in gold wood.  Shipped free.  Thank you.

     I admired the bee collecting pollen from the pink rose.   I had to paint this one from

 my computer monitor.  It was a rainy day so I enjoyed painting inside.  Daisy and 

Duke howled for me to take them to the lake.  I spent a few hours sitting on a rock watching them

swim and explore.  Having two golden retrievers has been a great experience.  They have me trained.

Afterwards I took them to McDonalds to share a double cheeseburger. (Once or twice a year they

have a McDonalds meal).    The rest of the day they slept while I painted!  

   "Patience" sold this morning!  Thank you!  

"Reaching For Gold" 10x10 oil on copper.  Sold this afternoon off my website.  Thank you.

"Chasing Dragonflies" 10x10 oil on copper.  Sold to a new client!  Thank you!  What a day!
I love being self employed!  I can create my own success! 

   I went to the lily pond in Stockton Springs again today.  I wanted to see what the colors

looked like as it was raining.  I really liked the more lighter grayer water.

  Daisy loves to swim!  

  Duke likes to march back and forth in Craig Brook.  Keeps me busy watching after them.

It is relaxing at the lake.  As soon as we turn onto Hatchery Road I slow down driving

10mph.  I roll all the windows down.  I think we all hang out the windows enjoying

the wonderful forest smells.  

   Have a wonderful night!  Let's paint!  

"Patience"  10x10 oil on copper   SOLD!  Thanks!

     I went to the lily pond in Stockton Springs today again!  I was praying and hoping to

see a frog sitting on a lily pad to paint.  I always walk around the pond to take photos and decide

where to paint.  I saw one frog.  Then I saw two sitting together.  Then I started to see a bunch of

frogs.  I took a lot of photos.  And then there was frogs!  Quite amazing.  I had not seen any

frogs for days.  I had to laugh at all of the frogs!  

   I could tell I was already very dehydrated by how my watch was hanging around my wrist.

I tried to drink lots of water before I left but it was not enough.  Painting outside all day for days

can really make a person dehydrated.  I headed home to paint from my computer monitor.  

Here is a detail of the painting.  My frog!

   Another detail of the painting.  

  Here is the blue heron flying into the pond to hunt for lunch.  (yesterday's photo).

Have a great night!  I may paint on Mount Desert Island tomorrow.  Let's paint!

"Chasing Dragonflies" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in black and gold or gold.  Shipped. SOLD!  Thanks!

    I painted in Stockton Springs again at the lily pond.  Dragonflies came up after I arrive.  They

hovered by my face to say hello.  A large blue heron flew into the pond.  He hunkered down

into the water getting ready to hunt.  He saw me, squawked, and flew away.  Later another

blue heron came and did the same thing.  No birds could fish for their lunch.

 I arrived very early in the morning so I could paint all afternoon until the water lilies

closed for the day.  

    I painted one dragonfly quickly and very impressionistic.  They fly 30 mph.  They are a blur!  

   Here is a detail of more dragonflies flying near the water.  I love to paint at the lily pond.

It is my favorite place to paint...maybe ever.  I could paint there for months.  

I just really enjoy it.  Yesterday I woke up hours before I normally do.    I was not able

to paint because I was too tired.  Today I awoke at 8am.  I am always trying to be more 

productive.

  Another detail of "Chasing Dragonflies".  I may go back to the lily pond to paint

again tomorrow morning.    I will try to paint a frog if one models for me!

   A pen and ink with gouache of a lily pond frog.  I was practicing drawing frogs...just

in case!

   Guess who started to howl for Frosty Paws tonight?  Yep.  Daisy was excited!

   Daisy ate her Frosty Paws cup included.  They really enjoyed this treat.  Thanks Elaine

and John for your painting sale a few days ago.  Appreciated!

   Here is Daisy walking through the woods at Lake Alamoosook yesterday.  Have a great night!

Let's Paint!

"Cumulus Clouds at Dyce's Head" 6x6 oil on copper.  Sold today.

   The lady I painted this painting for just bought it!  So nice to have another satisfied client.

This painting is heading to South Carolina.   My paintings normally head south!

  I do have a few paintings in each state.  Thank you!  Daisy and Duke will celebrate tomorrow.

They are sound asleep.  I took them to the lake for a hike this morning.

 A loon popped up very close to us!  Luckily Daisy didn't see the Loon.  I kept

Duke away from the bees today.  He was determined to settle the dispute with them.  I had to

convince him this was not a good idea.  He only sees about 20 bees outside of the hives.  He

doesn't know about the 30,000 or more inside the box.  Robert is finishing the fence right now

 to keep the dogs safe and the bees safe!

   Eric Rhoads marketing DVD was great the last hour.  He was not in front of the 

artists at the plein air convention but speaking quickly going through good information about the

art business.  I learned a few things about galleries, marketing, and lots about magazine ads. I might

even listen to the last part of the DVD again.  Too bad the whole DVD isn't like the last part.  But maybe

he was addressing the artist's crowd and wanted to keep his conversation 'light' for the fun loving crowd.

    He talked about the four personality types who buy art.  There is the accountant type (Spock) who likes

details.   Then there is the competitor personality type who buys brand name products,

the most expensive car, and the most advertised artist.  Then there is the artist type who

loves to have fun all the time, buy fast, no details, and spontaneous.   Then there is the 

emotional family type of buyer.  This client buys a painting for a person they know would like it.

They don't care about brands. They buy a painting because they love the artist and they love the painting!

Facinating.   I have a lot of each type buying my work.  Some people do buy quick!  Some

people do like to know scientific information- how copper is so archival.  Some people love to hear the 

history behind copper paintings.  Some people love to know exactly how I paint on copper..the whole process.

Most of my clients like to know about me.  Recently I showed my bedroom to an art client I know well.  She

loved to see my little twin bed with a new red floral comforter.  She enjoyed it.  She was smiling.  Perhaps an

artist just needs to know how to answer client's questions.  They just need to be relaxed and enjoy their art

client's company.   They are normally very intelligent and kind people. Have a great night! Let's paint!

"Waiting For Monet" 10x10 oil on copper.  650$ framed in black and gold wood.  Shipped free.

   Today I painted at Stockton Springs's lily pond.  I really enjoy painting here.  It is usually fairly

quiet.  I am alone with dragonflies and a frog who remains hidden.  Today I decided to paint the 

tree and cloud reflections in the water.  I studied Monet's lily pond paintings.  He did this often.

The clouds add a nice ligher warmer value.  The tree adds darkness in the pond to showcase a lily

flower.  I made sure to have atmospheric perspective in this painting because it was a larger view

of the pond showing distance. My first two lily pond paintings were more upclose without distance.

The lily pads were darker and warmer in the foreground.  The middle ground and background lily

pads were smaller, cooler, and lighter.  The ponds water was cooler and darker in the foreground but

warmer and lighter in the distance.  The clouds in the pond were not white.  I made sure the clouds

were darker than the white lily flowers.  I noticed bright white highlight under the lily pad where the

shadow was.  This bright white highlight must be where the water and the flower or lily pad meet the water.

I wonder if this highlight would show up in a photo?

Ah yes the photos do show these bright whites under the lily pad in the shadow! 

  There is an occasional light blue highlight on the lily pads from the sky.  Notice all the

different colors in the lily pads!  Each lily pad is so unique.  I made sure to have my

shadows under the lily pads purples.  How could a shadow be brown?  Impossible.

   One of the local lady painters is joining me for the Stapleton Kearns Workshop October

26-28.  We will drive down together and share the room at the Sugarhill Inn, in New Hampshire.

I am really looking forwards to this workshop.  I do love to learn how to paint better.

   Daisy and Duke enjoyed a Frosty Paws treat to honor Lisa and Ron's painting sale.  Thank you.

Have a great night!  Let's paint!

   Duke is fine.  But earlier this morning he and Robert were in the backyard by the bees.  Duke

decided to roll in the grass 8 foot from our beehives.  Bees decided this threatened them.

 Bees bit Duke.  Instead of running away from the bees, Duke stayed and snapped at them.

Robert saw what was happening, grabbed Duke by the collar, and dragged him away.  Robert was

bit several times trying to get the bees off of Duke.  Bees were stuck in Duke's hair.  I used

a papertowel to get the bees out.  We hurried to the vet a mile away.  The vet, who was leaving for the day,

stayed to give Duke a steriod shot.  We also were given an antihistamine for Duke.  Robert and Duke

are both fine.  Lesson learned:   Build a short fence 12 foot around the beehives to keep the dogs away.  

We are glad we always escort Daisy and Duke around the yard.  We never leave our dogs unattended

in the backyard.  

   I stayed home today to keep an eye on Duke.  He enjoyed the extra attention.  I could

only see one swelling on top of his head for 4 hours.  Now he is in perfect condition again.  

    Here is Duke enjoying the lake tonight as the sun went down.  He was so happy to be there.

    I am so glad Duke is going to be fine!

    I am excited about attending Stapleton Kearn's fall painting workshop

in New Hampshire this October 26-28, 2013.  For only 300$, Stapleton teaches a great class, located

at an inn overlooking the White Mountains.  He has only 2 spaces left.  You can see the information on 

his blog.  www.StapletonKearns.com/blog.  You also need to make reservations at this Inn.  

    I watched Eric Rhoads marketing DVD part 2.    Today during the hour long

presentation he promoted paying for ads in his painting magazines.  He promoted his brand.  

 Have a great night!  Let's paint.

    I spent my day doing pen and inks with gouache for art clients.  Then I was framing, packaging,

and shipping off work!  I really like to get these duties done right so I can concentrate on oil painting

plein air!  Here are four new little paintings to see.  Robert grew pink lilies for my birthday to paint.

   I prefer to paint my flowers in this mason jar with a twine bow.

The mason jar came as a gift from another painter.  It gives my little

sketches a country flair.

    It is always an exctiting day.  My car had a flat tire.  So a man

came from a roadside assistance to change the flat.  Two 

dresses came in the mail.  I put them up in my room.  Duke went into

my room to inspect these dresses.  He accidentally closed the bedroom

door locking himself in my room for four hours.  I thought he was sleeping.

I have a exterior house painters here pressure washing preparing to paint.  They

wanted me to come outside to inspect the difference.  I went back inside to 

resume my painting when I hear this moarnful dog cry upstairs.  I ran up there

so fast.  Duke was so happy to see me when I opened the door.  He had those

dresses out of the package again.  I think he was searching for a treat.

   These little paintings are a lot of hard work.  They take a lot of time and concentration.

I remember when I didn't put a lot of effort into these.  Now that I realize most people 

mat and frame then I really put forth effort.  I think these will make an art client very happy.

Have a great night!  Let's paint!