Artist Renee Lammers

    

 

 

    I am hard at work on a studio oil on copper painting size 20x26.

 

I am working with two colors, Cobalt Blue and Cadmium Red Light, with Titanium White.

 

I saw this scene a few days ago in Manset, Maine on Mount Desert Island.

 

 

 

  I made a few changes in the drawing of the painting compared to the photo.

 

I will give the mountains in the distance more height.

 

Photos seem to flatten mountains.

 

I will move the sailboat to the right.

 

I am not finished painting the boats in the foreground.

 

I  won't paint the barges in the center or all the boats in the distance.

 

I have spent a lot of time at the Manset town docks painting when I first arrived to Maine in 2007.

 

It is a quiet place to paint with the view of Cadillac Mountain in the distance.

 

Somes Sound is an interesting place directly across the way.

 

I am not sure if I will paint the dock on the right side.

 

 

Here is "Bouquet in Grey" 20x26 oil on copper framed in silver.

 

I packed the framed painting up and shipped it to NJ to a new owner.

 

Thank you.

 

 

   Monet had a visitor today!

 

The girls recieved a few pats too.  

 

 

 This is how we beat the heat in Maine.

 

Sandy Point Beach!  

 

We like to sit in the shade under trees to the left in the distance.

 

 

   Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   First I grilled a hundred cheese burgers and 4 pounds of turkey breasts.

 

I grilled mushrooms and sliced potatoes.

 

We ate all of this up and went hiking.

 

We hopped over fallen large trees.

 

We came to our destination.

 

The water was hot!

 

 

   I know I will paint better if I play hard!

 

We swam around in circles.

 

Robert kept an eye out for giant bears and snapping turtles.

 

We didn't see any animals.

 

 

   Robert took these last two photos.

 

I  jumped into the water with my tank top and jean shorts.

 

No time for putting on swimsuits.

 

 

   There is nothing more relaxing than a soak in a creek!

 

 

 

 Then we drove to Sandy Point Beach to get our dogs in salt water.

 

They have sensitive skin to creek or pond water.

 

They can develop hot spots.

 

The salt water also gets rid of ticks!

 

Our dogs thought this was an extra fun day!

 

 

Here is Poppy Rocky, her new nickname.

 

She sometimes has a left hook if you are not careful!

 

She was called Popcicle for a long time because she was a winter puppy.

 

 

Monet and his Daughter Lily.

 

I am starting a new 20x26 oil on copper of a scene I saw in Manset of Somes Sound.

 

 Thank you for purchasing my paintings.  

 

Without you all I would not be able to paint.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Coneflowers, Zinnias, and Delpheniums" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black

 

with gold.  Shipping is included in the price.

 

   I found the Somesville Bridge Museum garden inspiring today.

 

 

I was concentrating on a few coneflowers while I jumped to my feet to help

 

 

a lady who had fallen.  

 

 

She had a huge cut on her arm.

 

 

I wrapped her arm up with a giant roll of paper towels.

 

 

She thanked me and felt reassured.

 

I went back to painting.

 

I would have offered her a ride back to Northeast Harbor but I could not think of a way

 

 

to get her into my van.  

 

 

The van might have scared her.

 

 

 

I think I like this composition.  

 

 

 

 

There are so many things to paint in Maine.

 

 

 

I think these balloon flowers are fascinating.

 

Ted came to visit the pups this afternoon.

 

Poppy allowed me to trim her hair for the first time in her 4 year old life!

 

At first I pseudo trimmed her.  

 

She kept coming back for more trimming!

 

Then I trimmed just a few hairs off one ear.

 

This went on for an hour or so.

 

I trimmed very little hair.

 

Poppy just wanted to have the same treatment as Monet and Lily.

 

I was surprised Poppy allowed me to trim her hair!

 

She is loosening up!

 

Good night.

 

"Olad Schooner in Camden Harbor" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

 

Shipping is included in the price.

 

   I spent another day painting in Camden Harbor.

 

Today, my painter friend Carol, kept me company.

 

The Olad schooner was docked last night.

 

I painted the schooner in grey.

 

Today I returned to finish the painting.

 

Olad was out in the ocean!

 

The day was very grey.

 

I saw a glimpse of blue sky.

 

The pink clouds at the horizon was beautiful.

 

Then the background of boats because illuminated!

 

I painted in the sailboat coming into the harbor.

 

These changes really helped the painting.

 

 

Twelve year old Chase was so cute at the harbor.

 

I have an idea of painting Chase into the foreground of yesterday's painting.

 

 

"Camden Vistor" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping included.

 

I did it!  I painted Chase into yesterday's painting.

 

I love it now!  

 

 

  Here is the plein air painting yesterday.

 

Plein air is very difficult.

 

Sometimes the plein air painting is great.

 

Other times it really is terrible.

 

Once in awhile it can be saved by working on it in the studio.

 

 

 

   Monet was taking the squeaker out of the dog toy.

 

The squeaker is Lily's favorite part of the toy!

 

 

   There was growling and little yips going on while the squeaker was taken out.

 

He gave Lily the squeaker.  She ran around the house with the squeaker.

 

 

 Robert keeping Monet company last night.

 

 

  Lily snatched a paint brush off my table this morning.

 

She was wagging her tail like crazy.

 

 

Here is the Olad Schooner tucked in for the evening.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Great Day For Birds in Camden Harbor" 6x8 oil on copper. (Not finished yet)

 

 My recent studies in grey have helped me learn how to paint a pea soup day.

 

I drove to Camden Harbor to paint with Peter.

 

We entertained many people while we painted the harbor.

 

There were many different sets of parents showing us their brilliant childrens work on

 

their phones.

 

We tried to give good advice to the parents.

 

I suggested the Atelier training but pronouced it how it sounds instead of the French way.

 

Luckily Peter knew the correct pronounciation of Atelier.

 

I told them I was happy to have my interpreter with me.

 

We all laughed.

 

I do have difficulty pronouncing words once in awhile.

 

I prefer math much more than words.

 

 

Here is the painting on the easel with the scene in the background.

 

Maine has wonderful cool foggy Summer days!

 

 

 

  I was surprised how many people came out to watch us paint!

 

 

   I saw a man giving his goldendoodle love!  

 

 

"Queen Anne's Lace, Daisies, and Blue Bells" 12.5x18 inches.  Ink, watercolor, gouache, unframed, 50$ shipping included.

 

 

"Flowers with Pink" 12.5x18 inches.  Ink, watercolor, gouache, unframed, 50$ includes shipping.

 

Good night!

 

 

 

"Magic Flowers" 12.5x18 inches Ink, Watercolor, Gouache, unframed, 50$ includes shipping.

 

 

12.5x18 sold.  Thanks.

 

 

"The Violin With Flowers" 12.5x18  sold.  Thanks.

 

 

"The Arrangement" 12.5x18 inches Ink, watercolor, gouache, unframed, 50$ includes shipping.

 

 

"Flower Basket" 12.5x18 inches.  sold.  Thank you!

 

 

   I am working on watercolors because I can not decide what to paint in oils!

 

Oil painting is a huge committment of time and money.  

 

I think I just needed a break from the long painting hours.

 

Watercolors are fun and allow me to keep up my drawing skills.

 

Monet, Poppy, Lily are lucky dogs.

 

They go to the beach twice a day!

 

 

Lily really enjoys her Father Monet being home.

 

Ted says he is feeling better.

 

We decided Ted can visit the dogs at our house from now on.

 

It has been six months since Luke, Ted's golden retriever, and Monet's Father, passed away.

 

We think it is stressful for all of our dogs to have Monet visiting at Ted's house.

 

Poppy and Lily have a food strike when Monet is visiting away.

 

Monet comes home gloating. 

 

Monet acts as if he is a famous rockstar.

 

Monet eats steak at Ted's house.

 

Monet's breath smells of ribeye steak!

 

 

Things are back to normal.

 

Monet is acting like himself again.

 

 

Fog was creeping by the famous Searsport abandoned house.

 

 

The hollyhocks are doing well everywhere!

 

 

   I will be in Camden Harbor painting with friends tomorrow.

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I needed to see something fresh and exciting after painting in my studio for days.

 

I drove to North Scituate, Massachusetts to see Minot Beach.

 

It was beautiful.  

 

 

  Minot Beach after sunset.

 

They have a six foot wall to protect a row of cottages from surf.

 

There is a wonderful lighthouse in the distance to the right.

 

 

   Here is the wall.  

 

The people I met who live on Minot Beach were charming and helpful.

 

 

  I climbed up the six foot wall, sat down, and painted this view.

 

I worked for 5 hours on the painting.

 

I didn't like the results.

 

The scene was empty uninteresting beach.

 

If I had waited six hours the tide would have created a more interesting painting.

 

A lady who owned a beautiful golden retriever told me this information.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

   Here is my 14x20 oil on copper.  

 

I will paint another painting on the back of this one!

 

The painting was not a complete disaster..just not up to my standards.

 

I did have a great time talking to the locals while I painted.

 

 

   There are two beaches called Minot Beach in Sciuate.

 

This is the other beach.  It is a very tiny beach with 4 public parking spots.

 

There are no parking signs all over this city.

 

I believe they do this to keep their beaches uncrowded.

 

The residents of the town have access to parking and the uncrowded beaches.

 

They have three life guards for this beach.

 

 

   The residents all watched me as I walked by on the beach with my painting equipment.

 

I decided to paint the view of the lighthouse with the rocks.

 

I thought they would appreciate not being the subject of my painting.

 

 

  Eygpt Beach was very nice.

 

There was a giant parking lot for permitted parking only.

 

I jumped out to take a photo then left.

 

No parking signs were all over every street.

 

This beach had interesting flat rocks.

 

 

   Museum Beach was my favorite.

 

I parked in a no parking zone, took photos, and ran!

 

One mile away at the Sciuate lighthouse was parking for 12 cars only with permit.

 

I loved the white dory.

 

 

   I should paint this photo!

 

The colors at sunset were amazing.

 

I stayed at a campground 15 minutes away.

 

A Barred Owl hooted as I went to sleep.

 

There was two loud bird shreaks followed by his hoot.

 

All was quiet for many hours in the campground.

 

At 2am I was awoken to two loud bird screams.

 

I knew it was the owl.  Was he hunting?  

 

I giggled and went back to sleep.

 

 

   The cottages were emaculate.

 

 

I drove around admiring the houses along the ocean.

 

 

 

   Here is the tiny Minot Beach with the four parking spots on the left.  

 

I am home again!  

 

Very happy to see my puppies.

 

Robert is very kind to allow me to travel.

 

Good night.

 

 

"Monhegan Lighthouse Keeper's House" 20x26 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Baby Baltimore Orioles"  12.5x18 ink, watercolor, gouache.  50$ includes shipping.

 

Thank you for the use of your photo Mark Rowe, Maine photographer.

 

 

"Gold Finch" 12.5x18 ink, watercolor, gouache  50$ includes shipping.

 

Thank you Michael Daniels for the use of your photo.

 

   I worked on two bird watercolors/gouache paintings today.

 

I missed my teeth cleaning appointment because I was so involved in painting!

 

 

"The Basket Filled With Flowers" 12.5x18 sold.  Thank you.

 

 

   Here is the sunset from Lake Alamoosook a few weeks ago.

 

I hope to get out somewhere tomorrow!  

 

Monet has been on a two day field trip with Ted.

 

They visited us this afternoon.

 

Monet stayed close to Ted.

 

He left without looking back.

 

My girls, Poppy and Lily, didn't eat all of their dinner again.

 

They don't hope Monet comes home for good.

 

 

  I love this cow photo.  

 

I hope to paint the cow soon.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

  "Monhegan Lighthouse Keeper's House" 20x26 oil on copper 1750$ framed in gold or

black with gold.  Shipping is included in the price.

 

   I slept most of the day after two days of painting the color on top of the gray underpainting.

 

I feel much better now.

 

I put the wet oil painting in a large box to dry.

 

I stack these wet paintings on top of a large dinner table in my studio.

 

 

 My favorite part of the painting is the window on the right.

 

 

   Another detail photo of the left side.

 

 

 

   I can not believe I painted each brick on the chimney.

 

I allowed some of the grey underpainting show through.

 

 

   I bought this old dresser for 15$.

 

I had buyers remorse right away.

 

I sanded, filled holes with wood putty, sanded, painted, and painted.

 

I covered all of it with grey paint to help with any odor.

 

I coated the bottom of each drawer with wax.

 

The dresser drawers move great now!

 

 

   I could not find my cobalt blue watercolor paint!

 

This is the solution..a place for only watercolor items!

 

It has character.  

 

 

   This broken violin was free with the purchase of the chest.

 

This will make a nice painting. 

 

I will be back to producing watercolor paintings as well as oils tomorrow.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

  "Wild Flowers In Grey" 20x26 oil on copper 1750$ framed in your choice or silver, gold,

 

black with silver, black with gold.  Shipping is included in the price.

 

 

 

   Today I was asked why was I painting grey flowers?

 

 

 

I thought about the question.  

 

 

 

The truth is I think they look beautiful in grey.

 

I started out painting with greys mixed with only two colors, Cobalt Blue and Cadmium Red Light.

 

I was adding color on top of the dried grey painting.

 

I was not glazing color.  (I do know it is traditional to glaze on top of the grisaille)

 

 

I believe it is good to be different with regards to painting.

 

Everyone paintings flowers with color!

 

A few of these grey paintings just looked great in grey.

 

 

   Here are a few close up photos.

 

 

 

 

"Flower Basket" 12x18 ink,watercolor, and gouache.  sold.  Thanks.

 

 

"Summer Flowers" 12x18 ink, watercolor, and gouache.  50$ includes shipping.

 

 

   Lily loves her new fish toy.

 

It is hot outside.

 

We are keeping cool inside the house thanks to the AC and a fan!

 

 

Sunset at Lake Alamosook a few days ago.

 

 

  I have been taking the pups to the beach everyday.

 

Yesterday we had to visit Ted in Thorndike with bananas and gatorade.

 

He was very sick.

 

Monet didn't want to come back home.

 

He ran back into Ted's house!

 

Ted had to leash Monet up and put him in the van.

 

Monet was very disappointed.

Ted told Monet he could come to visit when he was feeling better.

 

 

  I love this photo.  

 

I should paint it someday.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Here is the painting currently on my easel.

 

It is a 20x26 oil on copper.

 

I seem to work on an area until I get tired, take a short break, then get back to work.

 

Every morning I start back to painting on the area completed the day before.

I like to refine that area before I move on to a new area.

 

Sometimes I find values need to be lightened.

 

I added two more white daisies to the painting.

 

They were not in the original plan.

 

I just thought they were needed.

 

 

 

  "Basket of Flowers" 12x18 ink with watercolor.  Sold.  Thanks.

 

   During lunch I painted this!

 

I started off with an ink sketch. 

 

The sketch took me a hour.

 

During this hour I found myself in the most intense level of concentration. 

 

Drawing in ink is difficult because you can not erase ink if you mess up!

 

This paper does allow some lifting of the watercolor.

 

I just use a clean wet brush,  rub on the color lightly, and dab with paper towels to lift the watercolor.

 

I use this technique to soften edges with watercolor as well.

 

The watercolor part of the painting took about an hour or two.  

 

I can paint fast with watercolor.

 

Oils are costly, time consuming, and more difficult to complete.

 

 

   I took the pups to the beach.

 

It was very hot.

 

We sat under the oak tree for a while.

 

They swam in the ice cold sea.

 

I think they had a great day.

 

Robert took them back out to the beach later.  

 

They are lucky dogs.

 

 

  Nice cows from the other day.

 

  

 

  Marley won't be living at our house.

 

I didn't want to take Marley away from a 4 children family.

 

I did not know about the kids until she claimed they needed more time.

 

They didn't really have a good reason for finding another home for Marley.

 

They wanted to buy a poodle puppy instead.

 

I just thought this was the most ridiculous reason.

 

I wonder if Marley bit a few of the kids in self defense?

 

Golden Retrievers are known for sticking up for themselves.

 

She would not confess to Marley biting the kids.

 

Who would if you were trying to rehome a puppy?

 

Then there was another issue of the lady yelling at her kids while I was on the phone.

 

I wondered if Marley had been a victim of her temper?

 

In the end they had a friend at work willing to give her 1500$ instead of the 1000$ planned.

 

She just thought she would tell me about that.

 

I was not jumping up and down at that point.

 

I just thought..she is bullying me into paying 500$ more?  

 

I told her I was not interested.  

 

I know Marley will find a better forever home.  

 

I am very content with the three beautiful golden retrievers I have!

 

I am not even sure why I was thinking of buying another golden retriever?  

 

I suppose I fell in love with Marley's photo.  

 

In the future I will try not to look at golden retriever puppy ads.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Here is the 20x26 oil on copper painting on my easel.

 

Last night I drew the drawing on to the copper.

 

I started the large flower with color but it was just too much color.

 

I scrapped it off.

 

I sat there wondering if I am having a difficult time visualizing bright colors!

 

The black eyed susan was a bright yellow orange.

 

I started the painting again with two colors, Cobalt Blue and Cadmium Red Light.

 

I started to have fun painting.

 

I decided to stop at 1am.  It didn't seem like I accomplished very much in 8 hours time.

 

  

 

Close up shot of last night's work.

 

 

   This morning/afternoon I worked on the metal pal.  

 

 

   I decided the table would look nice in the painting.

 

I used a yard stick to make sure the table was even on both sides.

 

I lightened the values of the table as it backed up to the wood wall.

 

 

   Monet was using a teddy bear for a pillow.

 

 

   I like looking over at my golden retrievers while I am painting.

 

Monet and his Daughter Lily are always cuddled up together.

 

 

 

  I decided to work on the upper right corner of the painting.

 

Robert came home from work at 4pm.  

 

 

 

 

"Wild Flowers" 12x18 ink, watercolor, gouache.  50$ unframed and shipped.  Sold.  Thanks.

 

I put the oil painting up so I could work on a larger watercolor painting.

 

I spent about three hours on this one.

 

 

Lily took my palette knife.

 

She paced back and forth with the palette knife in her mouth growling wagging her tail.

 

I thought she was so cute.

 

 

  Then she had something else in her mouth.

 

I asked her, "Lily what do you have there?"

 

She wagged her tail and had a funny look on her face.

 

I guess she was clinching her teeth so the object could not be removed.

 

Lily had a rock in her mouth.

 

She must have brought the rock inside during an outing.

 

What a character!

 

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I was very surprised and delighted to find these purple roses in Searsport at a florist!

 

I arranged them in many different containers in various areas.

 

 

   "Purple Rose" 5x7 ink, watercolor, gouache on shizen design Indian watercolor paper. 30$

includes shipping.

 

"Purple Rose Menagerie" 5x7 ink, watercolor, gouache, on Shizen watercolor paper. 30$

includes shipping.

 

 

"Purple" 5x7 ink, watercolor, and gouache, on Shizen watercolor paper, 30$ includes shipping.

 

 

I will be doing a few watercolors as I did last Summer.

 

 

   I enjoyed working with a unique watercolor paper made in India.  The paper is

 

made from recycled material, acid free, and pollution free.  It seems to be very strong

 

paper.  It can handle scrubbing and lots of different layers of watercolor and gouache.

 

I have never worked with any watercolor paper like this.  I love it!

 

 

   Monet was the most resistant to the new dog barrier in the van.

 

The barrier was not tall enough.

 

I had to utilize the actual cardboard box the barrier to keep the dogs out of the

 

driving area!

 

 

 

The dogs are like bob cats inside of the van.

 

My poor body is riddle with different scratches!

 

I look as if I have survived several bear attacks.

 

I have ordered a second dog barrier to add to the existing one.

 

 

  I think the dogs are traveling more comfortably.

 

There is a exercise mat and a few dog beds to keep them happy.

 

I know it is safer!

 

 

   I took them back to the lake today.

 

 

  I learned to throw the tennis balls in different directions.

 

Lily survived!

 

 

   Swimming is great exercise for dogs.

 

 

   There was a Mother, Father, and Baby Loon swimming on the lake.

 

Kayakers shared the news.  

 

Wish I had my telephoto lens with me!

 

I thought this photo would make a nice painting.

 

 

   We drove passed very happy dairy cows.

 

 

Have a good night.

 

All the watercolor paintings will be available at the top of this page, under the heading paintings, then

watercolors.  Thank you!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Bouquet of  Grey" 20x26 oil on copper  Sold.  Thank you.

 

I have been working on this painting for the last two weeks.

 

I was patient.

 

I worked one rose at a time.

 

I went back over every rose again to adjust the values.

 

I saw these beautiful Sterling lavender roses in France.

 

They were magnificient.  

 

I used two colors, Cobalt Blue and Cadmium Red Light, for the entire painting.

 

John Singer Sargent used Ultramarine Blue and Burnt Siena for a painting.

 

I liked the results.

 

 

   Ted has been teaching Lily to take the hat off of his head.

 

Monet was watching in the distance.

 

Monet thinks Ted is his person.

 

 

   Then he asks Lily to hold his hat for him.

 

She loves this trick.

 

She howls with the hat in her mouth.

 

She makes us all laugh.

 

 

   It was a good day to watch seagulls.

 

We sat at Sandy Point Beach for hours under a shady oak tree.

 

 

   Monet brought a huge stick out of the woods for Poppy.

 

 

  Ted brought the dogs a baked chicken.

 

He gave each dog a piece of chicken until there was just a carcus.

 

He threw a few sticks for the dogs.

 

He misses having a golden retriever.

 

 

  I drove to Lake Alamoosook to view the sunset.

 

Thank you for the painting sale. 

 

Glad to see this one going to the same home as the grey tulip painting.

 

 

"Waves Of Grey" 20x26 oil on copper.  Sold.

 

 

"Bouquet of Grey" 20x26 oil on copper.  Sold.  

 

I think they will look so lovely together!

 

Thank you.  Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

   First two new giant LED lights were installed in my 18x24 art studio.

 

Robert installed new grey pergo floors.

 

I purchased a new chair!

 

We decided on French Silk Behr walls with white trim.

 

All I can say is Thank you!

 

I am thrilled.

 

There are 13 windows in my art studio.  

 

I feel very lucky.

 

Now I can get back to work on my 20x26 grisaille rose painting.

 

Happy Fourth of July!  Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Last year I met a couple who lived on a small island in Maine.

 

They told me about a beautiful orange dory located in South Portland.

 

I made a mental note of the location of the dory.

 

Today I headed to the largest port in South Portland.

 

I met a man walking to his ship.

 

I asked him if he might have seen this orange dory.

 

He said, "Yes!  It is at Willards Beach!"

 

He pointed to the direction of this beach.

 

I drove right up to the very spot is was moored!

 

I will bring a kyak with me to take better photos of the front of the dory.

 

At least it was located close to shore.

 

 

Dories are getting so difficult to find in Maine.  

 

I love to paint them.

 

 

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

   I decided to paint at Old Orchard Beach, Maine.

 

The colors and shapes of the umbrellas were fantastic!

 

 

   I painted a family at the beach.

 

The kids admired my efforts.

 

The parents came over and asked me a few questions.

 

It was fun.

 

It was 90 degrees.

 

The heat created such soft colors.

 

I am heading home tomorrow.

 

I should have plenty of beach photos to paint this winter!

 

Good night.