Artist Renee Lammers

 

"Night Owl" 4x5 oil on copper.  Almost finished.  Wiped off later.

 

  I injured my back.

 

I still tried to paint an owl today.  I like the eye!

 

I read somewhere a painting has three different 'zones'.

 

Zone one is the drawing.

 

Zone two is the oil paint delivered to areas.

 

Zone three is when the artist goes beyond any photo to make the image into a painting.

 

I spend 50% of my time in zone three. 

 

The drawing takes me a few minutes.

 

The oil paint delivery takes me up to an hour for this 4x5 size.

 

Then I can spend hours trying to make it do what I want it to do.

 

I can't even describe this progress.

 

In zone three I feel  there is a great possibility of ruining the painting.

 

I press on until it is 'done'. 

 

Today the pain in my back was distracting.

 

I took the painting as far as possible. 

 

The painting looks oddly emotional right now. 

 

It changed so many times. 

 

 There might have been a better stopping point.

 

 

  Wonsqueak Harbor by Schoodic Point!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Hungry Crow" 5x4 oil on copper 150$ framed in your choice of gold or black with gold. 

 

Shipping is included.

 

 

"Here's Looking At You Kid" 4x5 oil on copper 150$ framed in gold or black with gold.

 

   I enjoyed painting more birds today!

 

 

 

 

   After Poppy's dinner tonight, she came to my chair, and talked to me.

 

Poppy was not satisfied.  She wanted the food Robert was eating.

 

I gave her a few slices.  Lily appeared.  Monet appeared!

 

I gave them each a slice.  Monet and Lily are on a diet. 

 

They think I am favoring Poppy!

 

 

   Have a good night!

 

 

Schoodic Point.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Grounded" 4x5 oil on copper   Sold.  Thanks!

 

     I had a request to paint a Cardinal.

 

I drew many Cardinals for hours.

 

Then I chose a photo from Robert's game camera.

 

The Cardinal looks like he is staring into the camera!

 

I am very glad I spent the time drawing different poses of the Cardinal before painting.

 

Robert walked by my easel.

 

He said, "Wow the Cardinal looks great!  I can not believe you could do that from a blurry photo!"

 

Robert is very kind.  He is a cheerleader!  He is a great guy.

 

 

 

"Two Crows" 4x5 oil on copper 125$ special framed in either gold or black with gold.  Your choice.

Shipped.

 

 

"Twilight Crow" 4x5 oil on copper 125$ special framed in either gold or black with gold.  Shipped.

 

 

    I missed painting small paintings.

 

I guess I will need to paint both small and large paintings.

 

There are so many things I want to paint.

 

I miss the connection with people who purchase all the small paintings.

 

I love hearing from people either by email, Facebook, or by phone who would like to buy one!

 

If I am lucky a person comes by my house/gallery to pick up a small painting!

 

The larger volume of small paintings painted and sold allow me to connect with more people!

 

I really love to meet, talk, and spend time with people! 

 

I am just like a golden retriever.

 

It is a good thing I have three of them.

 

 

    There is a tiny cottage on the harbor in Corea, Maine.

 

When we were living in the campground in 2007 and 2008, I had a dream about this cottage.

 

In my dream the cottage was a bright green.

 

I dreamed I lived inside this cottage. 

 

The ceiling was taller.  There was a loft where I slept.

 

I could see the entire harbor from the loft. 

 

I could hear the waves from inside the loft. 

 

I was so content!

 

Then I woke up to find myself, Robert, my two golden retrievers, Duke and Daisy inside

 

the airstream rv in the campground!  The wind was howling.  Snow was coming down.

 

I could hear the spruce trees shaking.  It took me a few minutes to remember, oh yeah

 

we sold our house in Florida, sold our possessions, bought an airstream, drove to Maine,

 

and now we live in a campground! 

 

  I am so thankful we now live in a house. 

 

Good night!  Thank you for the painting sale.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Crow" 4x5 oil on copper  Sold.  Thanks!

 

  I decided to paint a few 4x5 for a special price!

 

I need to save up for a few things!

 

 

"Morning Crow" 4x5 oil on copper  framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping is included.

 

I had a great time painting crows today.

 

These were crows living in my backyard eating dried dog food!

 

Robert's game camera captures the images. 

 

I find crows very interesting.

 

I hope you do as well!

 

 

Surf from Schoodic!

 

 

   Good night!

 

 

 

  Here is my finished portrait from today's two hour session. 

 

We take about an hour of breaks.

 

This is my seventh portrait and first male with beard!

 

The facial hair was fun to paint.

 

 

   This gentleman is a general contractor. 

 

I enjoy seeing the photo compared to my painting efforts.

 

I just try to do the best I can.

 

There is no teacher in this class.

 

 

Detail of the portrait.

 

I played Mozart for the artists tonight.

 

Last week I played a shuffle of 100 classical songs.

 

For some reason all of the songs were very fast last week.

 

Some of these songs made the artists laugh.

 

The William Tell Overture was one of these songs.

 

Can you imagine really great artists trying to paint a portrait to the William Tell Overture?

 

I also brought them chocolates.  They were buzzing happily with the caffeine and fast music.

 

I told them I wouldn't do that again. 

 

I brought them chocolates and played Mozart.

 

I think things went well.

 

It is an important job to be DJ.

 

 

   Luke came to visit while Ted was finishing the bathtub job.

 

Luke liked Monet's headphone doggy toy.

 

He protected this toy as it was his own.

 

Ted was able to confiscate the headphone toy before Monet could complain.

 

Here Monet was barking at Luke.  "Give me my toy back!"

 

 

Poppy ate a lunch snack of chicken, turkey skin, and cottage cheese. 

 

She was content!  Robert fed her breakfast and dinner.

 

She looks happy.

 

She likes to have her head scratched. 

 

If I stop she moans for me to keep petting her!

 

Poppy doesn't usually love all this attention. 

 

She is more affectionate when she is due to have pups.

 

Good night!

 

 

Photo taken at Schoodic Point.  I climbed way down to the waterline!

 

 

 

 

 

"Monhegan Laundry Day" 20x30 oil on copper 1750$ framed in your choice of gold or black and gold.

 

Shipping is included.

 

    I was working hard on this painting today while Ted was installing new bathroom fixtures.

 

I had to run down into the basement a few times to shut the water supply off!

 

It was exciting.  He discovered a small leak upstairs. 

 

The leak has been the cause of the downstairs ceiling cracks.

 

I am so glad to discover the cause of the mold smell downstairs!

 

We will replace the ceiling drywall soon.

 

Ted has done such an incredible job on the tiling, plumbing, and carpentry. 

 

 

Luke arrived at the door of our house with a ball he found in our yard!

 

 

   Luke found a dog bed under the dinner table. 

 

He guarded the ball for several hours.

 

 

Monet and Lily tried to get the ball.  Luke just growled.

 

 

    Lily decided to climb into my chair to assist with painting!

 

 

   Lily is such a pretty girl! 

 

 

   She stole my paper towels a few times.

 

I needed a painting break.

 

I chased her all around the house.

 

 

   I used a piece of gorilla tape and a string to see straight plumb lines!

 

I just taped the string on the back of my panel, hung the string straight, then painted a line using the string as a guide.

 

This worked really well. 

 

The string did not rub up against the oil painting destroying areas.

 

I could have used a ruler or a t square but I am sure this would have damaged wet oil painted areas.

 

 

   Here is the sunset in Schoodic.

 

 

  Bunker Harbor.  Good night!

 

   

 

Here is the 20x30 oil on copper painting in progress!

 

I need to make sure my window vertical lines are straight up and down. 

 

This is very difficult for me to do.  Even if I draw them straight they end up slanted.

 

The tops of the windows and bottoms are suppose to be at a diagonal. 

 

I repainted some of the laundry.

 

I repainted all of the grass. 

 

I worked on the Sea Cottage at the Trailing Yew tonight.

 

I like to paint my window panes lighter than they might be.

 

I like the feeling of lighter windows. 

 

Darkly painted windows are scary and draw attention.

 

This is just my opinion.

 

 

   I liked this view of Bunker Harbor!

 

Good night!

 

 

    I am home once again from my Schoodic painting trip.

 

I thought Luke was so cute all curled up in one of our doggy beds.

 

He has been spending long hours each day at our house.

 

Ted is doing a fantastic job tiling the shower area.

 

Today the tile is done.  When weather permits he will grout the tile!

 

 

   Luke has a really pretty face.  He has a sugar face now that he is ten years old.

 

 

   Monet was enjoying broccoli stem! 

 

 

  Here is Poppy.  She does look larger.

 

She enjoyed a snack of green apple, raw sliced beets, and kidney beans.

 

She has eggs over dried food in the morning.

 

Then at night she has chicken, sweet potato, other veggies over dried food.

 

Sounds like a good diet for a Mother to be!

 

 

   On the drive home I saw an Eagle.  Funny how Eagles stand out in the landscape.

 

 

    What a beautiful Eagle.  He wasn't afraid as I approached.

 

 

 

   I liked the windows of the lobster boats in the distance!

 

It was just too cold for me to paint in Bunker Harbor this morning.

 

My car said it was 28 degrees but on the water it felt like 0 degrees.

 

I am happy to be home.  I had a great time.  It felt good to be outside painting!  Good night.

 

 

 

"Bunker Harbor" 11x14 oil on copper 475$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped.

 

   Here is my plein air efforts today at Bunker Harbor in 30 degree weather!

 

 

   "Red Dinghy" 11x14 oil on copper  475$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped.

 

I painted this one this morning when the sun popped out just for a hour! 

 

The containers in the water are holding lobsters!

 

 

   I woke up very early this morning!  I guess you can tell!

 

 

 

    We ate beautiful quiche and salad for dinner tonight.

 

We are all tired from plein air painting in cold windy air.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

   Saw this beautiful sunset at Schoodic Point in Acadia National Point.

 

 

The artists all brought homemade soup, salad, bread, and had a great dinner!

 

 

   I drove to Corea, Maine to take photos.

 

 

   Birch Harbor was beautiful.

 

We watched a few painting videos. 

 

We all decided if we were to do a painting video we would not do as much talking in the beginning.

 

I decided subtitles while painting may be key. 

 

Artists want to see the painting going on!

 

 

   I came very close to painting this scene.

 

I just could not get motivated. 

 

Maybe tomorrow I will do some painting!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Robert repositioned the game camera.

 

He put three eggs in a bowl for the animals and birds.

 

I was surprised to find this beautiful red bird on the game camera!

 

 

 

There were many crows eating the eggs!

 

 

 

   The crow in the center had tumors on the back of it's legs. 

 

The other crow was checking this out!

 

 

   I have been invited to stay at the Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park.

 

There will be several other artists joining us.  We are bringing painting videos,

 

food, and our painting gear!  It should be fun.

 

 

I took this photo yesterday in Camden Harbor.  Good night.

 

 

 

"Jessica" 11x14 oil on copper.  475$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipped.

 

Here is my portrait class efforts today.

 

I brought enormous amounts of chocolate truffles for the artists.

 

I was in charge of the music.

 

I had lively classical music perfect for painting very fast.

 

I heard many chuckles. 

 

I felt like a DJ.

 

One of the painters even did an impersonation of a DJ to make us laugh.

 

The group is starting to loosen up. 

 

They are starting to share information. 

 

It is very nice getting to know the other artists.

 

 

   Here is Poppy's pretty face in the front with her Daughter Lily.

 

Lily did great with her tooth surgery.  She said she was abducted by aliens yesterday!

 

 

Poppy was rolling around in the snow.

 

I could see her enlarged rib cage with puppies growing in there!

 

Poppy has such an athletic body.

 

She is in great shape.

 

 

   What a lovely profile Poppy has there!

 

I can tell she is thicker in the stomach area.  Oh yes!

 

Poppy doesn't chase after many balls right now.

 

She is very hungry all the time!

 

She keeps a close eye on me!

 

All she needs to do is talk to me.  I will offer her something good to eat.

 

 

 

Yep I see some puppies growing!

 

Of course there have been a few jokes. 

 

Poppy might be having half fox puppies. 

 

Poppy could have spotted pups from the neighbor's dog.

 

Luke knows who the Father is!

 

 

 

I admired the mint green sky on Howe Road in Lincolnville, Maine.

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

    Lily did fine today in surgery.

 

She had a broken tooth pulled.

 

Monet was beside himself all day long.

 

He saw Lily leave with Robert early this morning.

 

Monet ran around the house barking at everyone.

 

When Lily returned Monet licked her face to welcome her back.

 

I could not believe how tender Monet was to Lily.  She was missed!

 

Poppy on the other hand smelled Lily and thought she was an intruder!

 

Poppy growled and prevented Lily to come inside the house!

 

Lily had to show Poppy her birth certificate.

 

 Poppy felt silly and allowed Lily inside.

 

In Poppy's defense Lily did smell like chemicals from the surgery.

 

I am glad Lily is home safe.

 

 

  Here is the progress on this 20x30 oil on copper painting of Monhegan Island Laundry.

 

The pool membership I purchased for 120$ for the entire year was a great idea.

 

The whirlpool is a great start.  It entices me to drive the 11 miles to the hotel.

 

After the whirlpool I want to get into the heated pool.

 

I love to swim.  I swim for 15 minutes to a half an hour.  Then I go back into the whirlpool.

 

I take  shower and drive home.

 

When I return home from swimming I am wiped out.

 

I may try drinking orange juice.  Today Robert made me special gingerbread cookies.

 

Ted was working on our shower tile job.  He is doing an incredible job.

 

 

   Luke feels right at home.  He perked up his ears when I called his name.

 

Monet loves to lay near Luke.  

 

 

   I am being licked by Poppy in my ear!  I think the little lady wants a night snack!

 

She sure is extra friendly to me lately.  Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I decided to paint a Monhegan Island laundry line scene!  Here is a close up of the center of interest!

 

I have to give Robert a big 'Thank you" for helping me select this image to paint!

 

 

  Here is the entire painting I am working on.  It is a 20x30 oil on copper!

 

There will be a lot of bright green grass with some shadows.

 

The Trailing Yew Inn's Seagull Cottage is the background building.

 

Don Stone was well known for painting laundry at the Trailing Yew Inn.

 

I watched him paint laundry on Monhegan at this very site many years ago.

 

His Son, Caleb Stone, taught me how to paint laundry. 

 

I hope I do the laundry justice!

 

 

   This should be a fun painting.

 

I asked Ted for a day off from being the assistant for carpentry/tiling the shower.

 

We both needed a break!  Luke's schedule was even affected.

 

Luke was getting so accustomed to spending hours at our house.

 

Luke was testing out every single dog bed at our house.

 

The dogs have been getting along great.

 

 

Poppy climbed into my bed yesterday morning, snuggled up to me, and fell asleep!

 

I was sleeping with Poppy!

 

This is kind of a strange thing.  We both opened our eyes and screamed!

 

I really enjoyed sleeping next to Poppy.

 

She is affectionate when she is pregnant. 

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I admired this old oak tree in Sorrento, Maine the other day.

 

I am more interested in painting architecture and boats.  They seem similar.

 

I like the drawing challenge.  I like the way light shines on these complicated structures.

 

I have been drawing many large painting possibilities. 

 

Many of the drawings seem to have a center of interest in the center!

 

I keep drawing more designs.

 

I would rather spend the time studying the drawing than painting without any thought!

 

I hope to begin a new large oil painting tomorrow! 

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

   Congratulations Luke!  You are going to be a Father again on February 18 or so!

 

Poppy is pregnant with Luke's pups!

 

I was very surprised about this!  I had no idea! 

 

 

    I took the dogs to the beach today after being an assistant to the contractor Ted.

 

I found out Poppy was pregnant when Poppy climbed into my lap!

 

She never does this.

 

She was trying to get me to give her lunch.

 

She never does this.

 

I served her lunch. 

 

Then I noticed her chest looked larger.

 

The puppies grow under the ribs early on.

 

Then as the puppies get larger they fill up the pelvis area.

 

 

   Poppy has been eating great food.  She had goat's milk today.

 

She has an incredible appetite.  She is glad I know about the blessed event!

 

I am happy about Poppy having pups!

 

Luke is a beautiful golden retriever with great genes.

 

Poppy has great genes also.

 

Poppy and Luke are not related.  Luke is Monet's Father.

 

I hope there will be some cinnamon golden retriever puppies born.

 

Poppy should have the puppies around February 18.

 

The puppies should be ready for new homes April 18th. 

 

I may have to cancel my Florida plein air trip in April. 

 

 

    Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    I have discovered a easy way to photograph wildlife to paint!

 

All you need is a game camera, bowl, and food.

 

You just never know what animal or bird will be on the camera.

 

 

   Robert put sausages in the bowl last night.

 

 

 

   I think this last photo of the crows would be good to paint.

 

It is very fun to check the SD card! 

 

 

   Have a good night.

 

"Dreaming of Dancing" 11x14 oil on copper  475$ framed in gold or black with gold shipped.

 

    I drove over an hour and a half just to study the portrait with a great group of artists.

 

I am not intimidated by the other artists who clearly have 20 years or more of painting

 

portraits.  Their work produced is good enough to be exhibited in a museum!

 

Seriously.  I find it all very inspirational.  Today we painted Jess.  She is a professional

 

ballroom dancer.  I brought classical music for all to hear while we painted.

 

The model told us she was dreaming of many dancers preforming to the music.

 

I have been allowing the other artists to have the best spot.

 

I guess the best spot in the class is front and center to the model.

 

Painting the profile or  3/4 view pose are both the most difficult.

 

I was very content the portrait turned out!

 

One artist told me my work looked like an Italian painter, Modigliani.

 

 

This is one of Modigliani's portraits. 

 

 

 

Another artist googled the Italian painter's work to reveal his portraits!

 

Gee!  I was shocked.  I laughed.  I didn't take it personally.

 

 

Another artists said it was a good strong portrait.  She was encouraging.

 

I will continue to study portraiture. 

 

 

 

 

   I wanted to see the painting with the photo of the model.

 

Interesting to compare the two!

 

I did increase the length of the neck.  The neck is suppose to be the length of the head.

 

Teeth are not suppose to be painted white or the teeth would take over the whole painting.

 

 

   Here is the shower area in my house.

 

It has been driving me crazy for nine years.

 

The house was built in 1939.  The back of the shower was a thin particle board.

 

Eventually the particle board started to allow water to get in and mildew started to grow.

 

I purchased white gorilla tape to cover it up.  I never used the tape.

 

Instead I asked Robert if we could pay to have it fixed.

 

I was worried black mold was growing behind the wall. 

 

I was also worried about very bad expensive damage being done!

 

Ted decided he could do the work.  We could pay him the 1500$!

 

Yesterday he took a few pieces of the particle board off to see behind the board!

 

I was beyond excited about this!  Progress!

 

 

   Today Ted and Luke, his beautiful golden retriever, came over to demo the bathtub area!

 

The second particle board was removing showing damage down by carpenter ants!

 

I sat on the (lid closed) toilet in the corner assisting with taking pieces and putting it into a trash bag.

 

I also operated the Oreck vaccume cleaner and dumped out the container many times.

 

The funny part of the day was the two male golden retrievers, Luke and Monet, who are

 

Father and Son.  They did not like the noise of the drill, vaccum, hammer, chisel, or any other

 

noise being made in the bathroom! 

 

 

 

   Monet was the dog most upset.  Luke honored Monet and barked with him.

 

The girls, Lily and Poppy, stayed downstairs and took a nap.

 

I thought it was interesting the boys were handing security.

 

We let the dogs into the bathroom many times in hopes they would

 

quiet down and take a nap!  No sirree!

 

Monet even threw himself over my legs to save me! 

 

He thought I was in great danger.  So funny.

 

 

   I gave Luke attention.  Finally Monet decided it was safe for me.

 

He went downstairs with the girls. 

 

 

   After a few hours it was Luke who decided he wanted to go to the beach!

 

What is Ted doing in the bath tub?  Let's go now to the beach.

 

He barked, he tried to climb into the bathtub with Ted, and he howled!

 

Luke was inconsolable.  He wanted to go.

 

We tried to distract him by taking him outside.  Luke didn't want to go outside.

 

He wanted Ted to stop work, and take him to the beach, now!

 

Luke finally calmed down. 

 

 

    What a good boy.

 

The demo went well!  What a mess initially!  Tomorrow we will put car bondo over

 

any carpenter ant damage.  Yes what a good plan.  The damage is not enough to replace the wood.

 

The car bondo will be stronger than wood. 

 

What an exciting day!  I can not wait to see the bathtub area tiled!  Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a few of John Singer Sargent paintings seen at the MFA.

 

 

 

   I was surprised at the detail in this painting. 

 

 

   What a great design.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

   The temperature went from 14 yesterday to 50 degrees today!

 

  Lily decided to jump on top of the wood pile, lay in the sun, and chew on ice! 

 

Monet wondered how she could jump so high!

 

Ted and Luke visited.  Ted lifted Lily off the wood pile so she wouldn't break a leg!

 

Good news!  Ted said he would remodel the bathroom!  We will pay him! 

 

He already started the demo of the bathroom with a pocket knife!

 

There doesn't look like any mold in the wall.

 

 

   We all laughed at Lily!  She is comical!

 

Poppy was chewing on sticks. 

 

Luke was running around searching for mice.

 

Monet was soaking up as many pats as possible.

 

It was a beautiful hot winter day!

 

 

   Craig Brook yesterday. 

 

I have been swimming and sitting in the whirl pool three times this week!

 

I love it!  I have the entire pool to myself. 

 

I find myself sleeping and eating better!

 

Swimming is an excellent workout. 

 

 

 

   "Ready To Rock and Roll" 14x20 oil on copper 950$ framed in your choice of gold or black with gold.

 

Shipping is included.  I worked the boats over one more time.  I added more lights!

 

Fun to scrumble over dry paint!

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I had to get out today to paint!  I have been working in my studio for months!

 

It felt so good to drive to Sorrento!

 

I found many beautiful homes but this yellow Victorian was to be painted.

 

What a beautiful home. 

 

 

   Here is the painting right off my easel.  I kind of liked all the pink in the snow.

 

Later I painted more lavender over the pink. 

 

I was afraid all that pink might have been too much.

 

It sure did make the snow look radiant!

 

 

 

   I sat inside my van to paint because the temperatures were 14 degrees to 26 degrees.

 

It is comfortable painting inside the van. 

 

 

   It felt great to get outside to paint snow! 

 

I took the painting home and worked another three hours.

 

 

After looking at my original plein air painting compared to this painting,

 

I decided to look at the plein air painting's image and paint it more like it was.

 

 

 

Then I decided a path needed to be painted to the house!

 

"Time Standing Still" 11x14 oil on copper 475$ framed in your choice of gold or black with gold.

 

Shipping included in the price.

 

 

While I had my brush in my hand, I decided to add more blue shadows.

 

It is looking good!

 

 

 

Below is a photo of the full moon over Sorrento.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Two men came over to look at our bathroom.

 

We have water damage behind the bathtub.  I was hoping for tile to replace the cardboard

 

old stuff they put behind the shower in 1939.    Lily, Poppy, and Monet were extra good today.

 

They sat in the kitchen while the two men were here.

 

Lowes might be able to handle the problem.

 

I will need to go back to the store, meet with the contractor, tell him the situation.

 

If the job is big enough for them, then they will do the work, and guarantee the job.

 

That is the strange thing about Maine.  The job must be big enough.  If the job is

 

to small, they will not touch it.  They don't want to be tied up with small jobs.

 

Who does small jobs in Maine?  No one for hire.  Really.  Very funny situation here.

 

People learn how to do their own carpentry work or their friends come to help.

 

That is how things are done here. 

 

 

   Poppy was enjoying a snow bath today.

 

 

 

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Here is a close up of a William Merritt Chase painting seen at the MFA.

 

 

The entire painting.

 

 

 

    I believe William Merritt Chase's painting was better than Frank Duveneck's  painting.

 

People surrounding the painting were talking about this.

 

People wondered why he would have a young poor boy surrounded by wealthy possessions.

 

We all speculated. 

 

 

   I found this painting interesting.

 

The model was an orphan.  She had a large tissue in her hand as tuberculosis victims

 

might have.  What really fascinated me where the two orbs given much space

 

in the left upper corner.  I suspected the orbs were the spirits of the orphan's parents.

 

Later I learned the two round overlapping ovals were a nod to his friend Whistler. 

 

Whistler's signature was a famous butterfly.

 

The other interesting thing about this painting was the very coarse weave of the canvas!

 

 

The orbs close up!

 

 

   This was a giant painting!

 

 

   

 

  This area of the painting was in very good shape with no cracks.

 

 

   The upper right corner was full of cracks.  I wonder if this is

 

from Chase painting over the figure. 

 

 

 

 

   This large painting was started in his studio.  He finished the painting after he had moved.

 

They think he painted the rest of the painting from memory.

 

Good night!

 

 

   I started work on this 30x40 while I was in Winter Park, Florida

 

visiting my parents last year.   I thought the light there was sufficient.

 

Now I have to Lotus Lights with LED clipped to my easel.

 

I decided to take another look at this painting under better light!

 

I scraped a few thick paint lines off with a palette knife.

 

Then I found the photo!  This can be difficult after a year.

 

I decided to go to work!

 

 

 

    I really enjoy painting on a dry painting.

 

It can only get better because if I don't like it I can wipe it down and start again.

 

The earlier image is still there because it is dry!

 

Here are a few close ups.

 

I kept my values close together in the water with different color temperatures.

 

The warm tones are from the bottom of the ocean.

 

The cool tones are from the reflection of the sky!

 

 

  I liked the solid structures of the dory versus the transparent quality of the water.

 

Here are my New Year's Resolutions!

 

1.  I have joined a heated pool, spa, and sauna facility 11 miles from my house!

 

2.  Paint large oil on copper paintings this year!

 

3.  Take one of my golden retrievers out with me when I paint.

 

4.  Travel to Newfoundland next year to paint!

 

5.   Donate all shoes and clothes I do not use!

 

 

 Here is a close up of a William Merritt Chase painting I saw at the MFA!

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Stonington's Spring Promise" 20x26 oil on copper 1750$ framed in your choice of gold or

 

black with gold frames.  Shipping is included in the price.

 

    I have been looking at this painting for a week or so now. 

 

Funny how staring at a 'finished work' seems to allow errors to stick out!

 

 

Here is the 'finished painting' before I reworked it today.

 

I am very pleased! 

 

 

"Sunday Afternoon at Owls Head" 20x26 oil on copper.  1750$ framed in your choice

 

of gold or black with gold frame.  Shipping is included in the price.

 

I decided the dory once in the foreground needed to go!

 

The beautiful water was enough for the foreground.

 

 

    The dory was just not working. 

 

The lobster boat on the left was just too much of a focal point to compete with the dory.

 

I also think the dory was not facing in the right direction.

 

I once thought the dory's lines repeated the water's small waves. 

 

The dory just acted like a barrier to get into the painting.

 

Have a great night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I just returned from Boston to see the William Merritt Chase exhibit at the MFA.

 

This is one of my all time favorite paintings. 

 

 

    I always wondered how Chase could have drawn all those chairs so perfectly.

 

Then I wondered why the lady was by herself.

 

 

   Did the café allow Chase to rearrange all the chairs or did he just paint them?

 

 

I wonder if this was done plein air or from a photo?

 

This painting was not very large.  It was small.

 

 

 

This painting was huge!   It commanded presence in this large room.

 

 

 

   This painting is entitled, "Portrait of Dora Wheeler" 1882-83

 

Dora Wheeler was a painter and a designer.  She was the daughter of aesthetic movement designer

 

Candace Wheeler.  Dora Wheeler studied with Chase in the late 1870's.  He invited Dora Wheeler

 

to post for him in her own studio.  He juxtaposed her blue dress against a vibrant yellow of the

 

embroidered Chinese textile.  The painting was sent to the Paris Salon.  When the show closed the

 

painting was sent to Munich where it won a gold medal. 

 

 

   This large painting was  my second favorite.

 

 

   William Merritt Chase was more interested in painting light on fabric than he was the face of his model.

 

They wrote he spent time at different fabric stores waiting for the latest fabrics to arrive.

 

He collected many beautiful items for his studio.

 

He rearranged his studio to delight his visitors.

 

 

 

 

Will take another photo of my painting tomorrow!

"Painting Christine" 11x14 oil on copper  475$ framed in black with gold.  Shipped.

 

   This is my painting completed at a class in Thomaston, Maine today.

 

The model was Christine.

 

The artists from left to right are, Colin, Amy, and Kevin.

 

They are very accomplished artists.

 

I am very pleased to be included in their small group every Thursday.

 

It is not my desire to be a portrait artist.

 

I would like practice painting people. 

 

I hope to paint more people into my plein air paintings in the future!

 

 

 

Good night!

 

   I visited my friend Judith, a colorful Cezanne like artist, living in Somerville, Ma.

 

We had a great time.  She took me walking in the rain to see her work and then have dinner with

 

her husband John.  I have been friends with Judith for years on Facebook.

 

I admire her work.  I think she is a lovely person.

 

 

    We visited the MFA to see the William Merritt Chase exhibit.

 

 

 

   I may paint a series of museum scenes someday.

 

 

   I like this photo Judith took of me.  Thanks Judith for everything!

 

 

   I ordered these Brussels sprouts with bacon.  I also had a side of baby kale.

 

The Brussels sprouts were delicious.  I loved them shredded!

 

 

  Judith said these cod cakes were delicious. 

 

 

  I took three hundred photos of the paintings in the MFA. 

 

 Most of these photos are detail shots of the paintings.

 

I will share more of these photos tomorrow. 

 

Glad to be home but it was a great adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Stonington Winter Blues" 20x26 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you very much!

 

    I worked on this painting last night until late!

 

  Lily was snoring by my chair while I painted.

 

I felt very brave last night while I was painting.

 

I think yesterday long walk in the snow really helped energize me.

 

The smoke in the chimneys were completely made up.

 

I was taught how to paint snow and chimney smoke by Stapleton Kearns.

 

He showed me how to mix the right colors, load a flat brush, touch the panel, and twirl, and drag

 

the brush all in one move. 

 

I knew the chimney smoke part of the painting was going to be stressful!

 

I would need to paint the entire background over if I messed up the smoke!

 

Luckily the smoke turned out very good.

 

 

   Smoke is a warm color because the sunlight it hitting it! 

 

I hope it looks as good as I think it looks.

 

  I am hopeful I have good smoke.

 

 

   This building is Stonington's Post Office.

 

  I decided not to do the lettering above the windows.

 

I had to down play the dark roof with more snow.

 

 

I worked a long time on this house. 

 

I really had fun painting in a few icicles. 

 

I made sure not to paint too many icicles! 

 

 

 

Here is the photo I was using. 

 

I decided to omit many things to improve the scene!

 

 

"Stonington Winter Blues" 20x26 oil on copper.  Sold.

 

Here is the painting to compare with the photo. 

 

I minimized the trees to allow more ocean in the painting! 

 

I changed the color of the roof from black to orange and red on the right.

 

The reason I did this was because a very blue painting needs oranges!

 

Blue and orange are complements.

 

Very pleased this painting will be shipped to Dallas, Texas!

 

 

 

I took the pups out to hike in the woods again!

 

 

  Robert has taught all three goldens not to walk on frozen lakes.

 

Poppy sat on a large rock watching the ice fishermen!

 

 

 

   What are those men doing?

 

 

   They waited for me to catch up!

 

 

   We were far into the woods. 

 

We heard another golden retriever bark in the distance!

 

All the dogs stopped to listen.

 

Yep, "It is cousin Eddie!"

 

Cousin Eddie?  Do you mean like on the movie "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation"?

 

We all ran in the direction of the bark!

 

 

   There he was!  Cousin Eddie!

 

The golden retrievers all played together like long lost relatives!

 

 

Poppy rewarded me with my hiking efforts by licking my eye.

 

I am going to Boston to visit the MFA Tuesday and Wednesday!

 

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   It has been a long time since I have gone on a Winter hike!

 

I was brave!  It can be difficult keeping up with these four!

 

 

   There was 6-12 inches of snow on the ground.  Perfect for hiking with proper boots.

 

 

  We hiked by Lake Alamoosook.

 

 

   The light was fantastic.

 

 

Craig's Brook.

 

 

   I worked hard on my painting.  It is a 20x26 oil on copper of Stonington.

 

 

  Here is a close up.

 

Good night!