Artist Renee Lammers

 

We loaded into the van for a Sunday hike at Schoodic.

 

We were getting situated for a good ten minutes in our driveway.

 

I wanted to put back the metal barrier so the dogs would remain in the back.

 

I was out voted.

 

Everyone wanted to go!

 

We proceeded slowly with a few stops to get repositioned.

 

 

Lady Violet was sitting on Robert's lap for the majority of the trip.

 

She escaped a few times.

 

At one point Lady Violet had her head under the foot on the gas petal.

 

Monet threw himself over my lap!

 

Lily and Poppy were determined to keep their position in the center.

 

 

I suppose many people who have four dogs do not go out.

 

 

It was only 32 degrees.

 

We all hiked vigorously!

 

 

Robert blew his Scottish horn to gather the dogs.

 

They came running back to him and showered him with love.

 

 

  Lady Violet helped her Mother Lily carry back a stick.

 

 

We all had a great time.

 

 

I started an underpainting 6x8 oil on copper of a foot bridge I admire in New Harbor.

 

It is so interesting doing a value study.

 

I think it is good practice.

 

Good night.

 

 

What a change in the Schoodic  landscape in late December.

 

Temperatures were in the low 20s.

 

 

There was ice everywhere!

 

 

 

Corea is a quaint town.

 

 

 

I enjoyed driving around taking photos.

 

I had my prochade box easel loaded with oil paint in case I saw something inspiring.

 

 

I loved this Spruce tree.

 

 

I stopped to watch the deer.

 

 

 

 

I almost painted this house because I loved the light!

 

 

Things looked dark.

 

Soon we should have snow to lighten up our landscape.

 

 

It amazes me how engaged the grown up golden dogs are with the new puppy!

 

Lady Violet was sharing a bone with Grandfather Monet.

He was being so playful and gentle with her.

 

 

They were both chewing on the bone.

 

 

This is how they were when I first came home.

 

Monet had his head on top of Lady Violet's head.

 

He looked up when I grabbed the camera.

 

She must feel so loved.

 

 

Poppy was using the new Christmas moose as a pillow.

 

 

This was on Cranberry Point in Corea, Maine.

 

This is a wonderful oceanfront dead end road.

 

I think I saw an owl flying off in the distance.

 

Some owls do like that marsh grass.

 

I will try to get inspired to paint tomorrow!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

"Zinnia Patch" 40x30 oil on copper 3500$ framed in your choice of a frame.

Shipping in USA included in the price.

 

   I walked by this 2016 plein air painting and knew what it needed!

 

I sanded down the dark sky area, removed the varnish, and painted the sky a

 

light blue.

 

I was talking to my Mom on the phone, while I dipped my finger in light blue

 

oil paint, and softened edges.  

 

I worked on the painting all night until my 12am new painting curfew.

 

My dogs were all playing then sleeping.

 

Robert was learning a language I could not identify.

 

It was a very nice Christmas.

 

 

Mr. Carson (Rufus) is doing great at his new home.

 

He is 100% trained to go outside!

 

They love him.

 

 

They bought him a beautiful bed for Christmas.

 

He promises to grow into his new bed!

 

He still leaves the cats alone.

 

 

Baxter (Brooke) has been busy helping with the Christmas tree!

 

 

Baxter (Brooke) found a cookie left for Santa.

 

Katie enjoyed licking a candy cane.

 

Suddenly there was a loud voice!

 

"Get away from the tree!"

 

 

Caught red handed!  Katie went into hiding leaving the kid behind!

 

 

Baxter (Brooke) with her new Moose toy.

 

She climbed on top of the table to examine the toy.

 

 

Lady Edith (Bailey) is doing great living in Connecticut.

 

She did get bit by a spider, the sore became infected, and she had to visit the vet.

 

The antibiotics are working.

 

I am happy to hear she will be fine.

 

 

Lady Violet really loves her Grandfather Monet.

 

Grandmother Poppy seems to think Lady Violet is the best thing that has ever happened.

 

She follows her around the yard.

 

They all chase the puppy!

 

She is not fully trained to go out yet.

 

She is working on important things like being able to catch a treat in mid air.

 

 

I decided to let Lady Violet sleep in my room a few nights ago.

 

I put her in my room, closed the door, went to brush my teeth, returned

 

to find her on my bed, with her head on my pillow, and her front feet were

 

placed together in prayer.

 

I climbed into bed.

 

She threw her front paws onto my neck.

 

She placed her head on my head.

 

She decided she would be more comfortable behind my legs.

 

Then she moved down to my feet.

 

My feet were warm all night.

 

The next night was as restless as the first night.

 

The third night when I went to bed, Lady Violet, went downstairs!

 

I am not sure where she decided to sleep but I was not her choice.

 

We are having a great time with Lady Violet!

 

 

Merry Christmas!  

 

I hope you had a wonderful time.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

   I am relieved to discover not all my painting sales were paid on Paypal last year.

 

For ten years my painting patrons have paid by Paypal most of the time.

 

All I needed to do was to look at the yearly report for the annual sales.

 

That is why yesterday was such a shock at 11, 700$!

 

Today I sat down, wrote all the paintings sizes, subjects painted, sold information.

 

I realized there was an addition 10,500 in checks written by my patrons.

 

There were a few clients who paid in cash.  2600$.

 

There is also a merchant account where I can accept credit cards.  

 

I have not checked the yearly total using this account.

 

I am very satisfied with this knowledge.

 

I do keep records.

 

I just do not keep a running total until I need to do my taxes.

 

 

I suppose I am still tired from the very long drive from Florida!

 

I decided to do research on my painting business last year.

 

Here is what I discovered:

 

There are many months I was not working at painting full time!

 

Month            Days Worked Out of Month                           Paintings Done        

 

January 2019 I worked 26/30 days 8-10 hours a day.

February 2019 I worked 26/30 days 

March 2019            22/30days                                                    26 paintings done

April 2019               4/30 days.                                                        4 paintings

May 2019                  21/30 days                                                    27 paintings 

June 2019                 20/30 days                                                     13 paintings

July 2019                  20/30 days                                                      15 paintings

August 2019             19/30 days                                                       11  paintings

September 2019      11/30 days                                                         7 paintings

October  2019          5/30 days                                                          4 paintings

November 2019          24/30 days                                                   10 paintings

December 2019            6/30 days                                                     6 paintings

 

I painted a total of 169 paintings.

I sold a total of 66 paintings.

 

This means I sold about 40% of the paintings I created last year.

 

I am ok with this.  

 

 

I painted 99 of these 169 total paintings plein air.

 

I painted 70 of the 169 total paintings using a photo in the studio.

 

It would be interesting to see if I sold more plein air work or studio work using a photo?

 

Here is the list of subjects created vs sold.

 

58 house or building paintings/ 25 were sold.    39% success

8 historic photo paintings/7 were sold                              89%

4 seascapes/4 were sold                                                      100%

7 dory paintings/3 sold                                                          40%

13 laundry paintings/6 sold                                                 47%

2 nest paintings/1 sold                                                           50%

2 cats/1 sold                                                                              50%

7 chickens/2 sold                                                                      30%

8 teddy bears/2 sold                                                               20%

2 cows/2 sold                                                                           100%

11 flower paintings/5 sold                                                       45%

2 Christmas Dog paintings/ 0 sold                                           0%

1 portrait/0 sold                                                                          0%

2 abstracts/0 sold                                                                       0%

2 pigs/0 sold                                                                                0%

 

 

Anything near 40% is a subject for me to continue to paint.

 

Here are the sizes sold:

 

Number Sold          Size

 

19                            4x5

10                            5x7

1                              6x6

19                          6x8

1                              8x10

1                              11x14

11                            14x20

3                             20x26

1                             20x30

 

I can see the sizes I need to continue to paint.  

 

I sold 15 larger paintings!  This is great! 

 

I am very thankful for all the painting sales but the larger paintings selling is great!

 

Painting larger is more difficult.

 

The 4x5 size paintings were done at one plein air event because I only had those size frames with me.

 

Where did I sell these paintings?

 

2 paintings was sold at the Waldo Art Auction.  They took 25%

2 paintings were sold at a gallery in Vermont.  50%

The rest of the paintings I sold.

 

I was surprised to find how many days off I took this year!

 

I need to work on my productivity.

 

I also need to research how many sold paintings were plein air VS studio.

 

 

Thank you very much for reading this blog, following me on Facebook, purchasing

 

paintings, sending me words of encouragement by email.

 

I will continue to work harder and paint better!

 

Merry Christmas!

 

Fondly, Renee Lammers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The good news is:  I have a new short hair cut!

 

I love it!  

 

More good news:  Lady Violet is a wonderful addition to our family!

 

I am so impressed with how her Grandparents Monet and Poppy and her Mom Lily treat her.

 

She doesn't play favorites.  She plays and snuggles with each of them and us!

 

Even more great news:  I made it home from driving 2500 miles through rain and a snow squall!

 

It took me four long days of driving.  I was so fortunate to have a snow plow man in front of me in Maine

 

as I drove the last few hundred miles at 1am-3am!

 

 

The bad news:  I had the worst year for painting sale in ten years.

 

I always wait till December 20 to check paypal to see the entire year of sales.

 

My paintings sales were only 11,500$.  

 

This is the gross sales not the net sales. 

 

I am sure my taxes will show a huge loss.

 

Wow!  That is very very poor.

 

I knew last year was a struggle.

 

Now I am wondering what happened?  Did I paint poorly?

 

What on earth happened?  

 

I will do some research.

 

2020 painting sales will be great!

 

Here are a few photos of Lady Violet to lighten up the mood!

 

 

She climbed into my chair.  

 

She is as sweet as she looks.

 

 

She loves my bean bag chair.

 

I sit in this chair to pet all the dogs.

 

 

Robert was unlocking the door while all the goldens welcomed him!

 

Lady Violet likes to put her feet on the door and howl like a baby wolf.

 

 

Funny but she is the only dog who likes this toy!

 

 

 

 

Lady Violet is a keeper.

 

I am excited to see her grow up!

 

Have a wonderful night.

 

 

 

"Anticipation" 8x6 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping is included in the price.

 

 

"Santa's Helper" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping is included.

 

    I have been enjoying painting dogs in front of the Christmas tree.

 

"Santa's Helper" is my Brother, Jim's dog name Esha.  

 

She is a Shiba Inu, a Japanese hunting dog.

 

She bows when Jim comes home for work.

 

She was never trained to bow.  

 

Bowing is a trait among Shiba Inu dogs..so I have heard!

 

She is a soulful dog.

 

 

Lady Violet is doing fine!

 

She loves to climb on top of tables looking for things to eat or to play with!

 

 

Grandmother Poppy knows what Lady Violet likes!

 

 

Lily looks great on the right!

 

Grandparents Poppy and Monet are helping Lady Violet shred up seaweed!

 

Poppy loves to eat seaweed.

 

I bet Lady Violet will eat seaweed too!

 

 

Robert says they all love to run on the beach!

 

 

Thank you Robert for sharing these photos!  I will be home very soon!

 

 

Baxter (new name Brooke) loves to curl up with her best friend Katie!

 

I have heard from Patmore (Chloe) and Lord Grantham (Jack).

 

They have a ball together in Vermont playing constantly.

 

Their owners report they are 100% trained to go outside.

 

They are very happy with them.

 

 

I saw this gator at the Orlando Wetlands many days ago.

 

I am still in Florida visiting my parents and today my Aunt in Belleview, Florida.

 

I had a great time chatting with cousins, my Aunt who turned 87, and my parents.

 

She made us a coconut vanilla cake from scratch!

 

It was the best cake I have ever had.

 

I am suppose to pack my car and leave for Maine tomorrow!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

  I went to New Smyrna Beach to paint.

 

Instead all I felt like doing was riding my tandem bike!

 

I rode my bike all over the place!

 

I loved riding down the hard packed sand on the beach at different times of the day.

 

I would take breaks back at an apartment I rented for 47$ a night.

 

Then I would ride my bike somewhere else!

 

I now have a huge photo collection of beautiful scenes for my Mom to paint.

 

She was very excited about the photos.

 

 

I carried a 300 camera lens in a plastic bag to photograph the reptiles.

 

I work very hard painting.  I really do need to take the time to exercise and enjoy nature.

 

Getting in good physical shape will help my painting quality.

 

I soaked up all the Vitamin D possible!

 

 

I saw the sunrise this morning.

 

A lady walking very fast rose her hands to the sky and shouted to me, "Thank you God for another 

 

beautiful day!"  I smiled back!

 

I had not expected this but had felt it inside.

 

As I turned to go, I noticed a man behind me, praying.

 

What an amazing experience!

 

 

Here I am riding my Catrike bike.

 

I have had this bike for 15 years.

 

A person can not fall over riding this bike because there are three wheels low to the ground.

 

 

 

New Smyrna Beach is a very nice place!

 

I am back with at my parent's house in Winter Park.

 

The weather up north looks grim.

 

I am hoping to drive home as soon as it is safe.

 

Here is a photo of Lady Violet with her Grandfather Monet.

 

 

 

 

Lady Violet is a good girl says Robert.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"A Perfect Day" 6x8 in progress.

 

I think I will make the window sides slimmer so they don't attract as much attention.

 

I am going to lighten the area where the golden retriever is standing.  

 

I am going to let the painting dry for a few days before I make changes.

 

 

"Old House on Beal Island" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

 

Shipping is included in the price.

 

I admired this 1800's house on Beal Island one day in August.

 

I stood there wondering about the people who lived here.

 

What a fantastic place to live!

 

I liked how the flowers glowed against the dark wood background.

 

I also liked how the sky glowed. It was a very bright day!

 

The light in Maine can be just incredible.

 

 

"Church Street Cottage on Beal Island" 6x8 oil on copper Sold.  Thank you!

 

   

 

Countess is doing just fine in her new home close to my house in Bucksport, Maine.

 

She looks adorable!

 

She gets along fine with the cat.

 

Her new owner tripped over Countess at 3am, fell down the stairs, and landed on her desk.

 

She hurt her knee and her back but is recovering.

 

I am glad to hear she is going to be alright!

 

 

Lady Rose loves being on the lobster boat!

 

She is standing by the red buoy.

 

They were waiting for the sun to rise so they could start dredging for scallops.

 

Another lobster man took Lady Rose's photo!

 

She is going to be very popular on the water.

 

She loves to find starfish, sardines, and anything else smelly to chew on!

 

Her owner is so happy to see she loves the boat.

 

She will be spending many hours a day on the boat while they fish for lobsters.

 

There is a cabin aboard the boat she can rest inside.

 

 

Robert was kind enough to send me these photos of Lady Violet, Poppy, Lily, and Monet.

 

Looks like everyone was having a fun time!

 

 

Grandmother Poppy is on her back enticing Lady Violet to play.

 

Monet is picking up a frozen stuffed animal to play with Lady Violet!

 

Looks like Lily in the background is doing the same thing!

 

Puppies bring out the best in everyone!

 

 

Lily has her frozen stuffed animal dangling from her mouth!

 

Lady Violet has grown!

 

 

Look at how long Lady Violet's legs have grown!

 

I wonder if she will recognize me when I return home?

 

I should be home by the end of the week!

 

I must check the weather before I leave Florida.

 

I don't want to be caught up in a snow storm.

 

I hope to drive for four days to Maine starting on a Monday.

 

Traveling on Friday, Saturday, and Sundays is more expensive in the hotels.

 

 

Lady Violet is biting her Mom Lily in the mouth!

 

Lily looks like she is enjoying this play!

 

I am so glad to see Lily's hair growing back!

 

 

I will be painting in New Smyrna Beach for the next few days!

 

I am enjoying this perfect Florida weather before I head back to Maine.

 

Good night.  Thank you for the painting sale.

 

 

 

 

"Church Street Cottage on Beal Island" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or

black with gold.  Shipping included in the price.  Sold.  Thanks!!

 

    I have wonderful memories of pink fireweed and wild roses growing around this

 

appealing cottage by the sea.  I decided to paint it!

 

I was more than halfway finished painting the scene when I realized there was no door!

 

I created a door!  

 

Much better now.

 

 

Grandmother Poppy seems to love curling up with Lady Violet.

 

 

Very cute!

 

 

They look like great friends.

 

Robert says he takes Lily and Poppy on a 2 mile walk.

 

These two dogs walk quickly and can walk far.

 

Then he takes out Monet and Lady Violet for another walk.

 

Monet takes a longer time, stopping to sniff, pulling sticks out of bushes,

 

marking many areas, and walking slower.

 

Lady Violet loves Monet's pace.

 

They do well together.

 

He said it is a lot less stressful to take two outside at a time.

 

He says Lady Violet is eating three times as much now.

 

He can not pick up Lady Violet now.

 

Thanks Robert for the photos!

 

 

I saw this bird at the Orlando Wetlands in Christmas, Florida at sunset.

 

Good night.

 

"Mosquito Heaven" 8x6 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping is included in the price.  Located under Florida heading in Paintings above.

 

   I hiked into my favorite forest in Florida at the Orlando Wetlands.

 

I carried my painting equipment with both hands stopping occasionally to adjust it all!

 

I walked till I saw a scene I remembered vividly.

 

How many times had I walked under this curved old oak tree?

 

I sprayed myself down with Deet 40 including my face, hair, and feet!

 

This place has always been a haven for the mosquitos!

 

I painted fast because I was a little fearful of being there!

 

There are all kinds of wild animals and snakes.

 

I did not see any thankfully!

 

The sunspots kept changing.  

 

I found this painting difficult to paint.  I kept squinting down to see the darker values.

 

I admired an air plant growing on the old oak.

 

I also loved the green vegetation growing on the oak.  The tree has character.

 

What caught my eye was the arch created from the trees.

 

 

Here is my new easel!  

 

I ordered the watercolor tray instead of the stick attachment.

 

The palette is wonderful.  There is a palette lid!

 

The easel is called the en plein air pro easel.

 

What I love about this easel:  It doesn't rock or move!

 

My open m box easel always shook while I painted.

 

Plein air painting is difficult enough to not have a shaking easel!

 

I will do much more plein air painting now!

 

 

I walked for miles around the marsh areas searching for birds to photograph.

 

I will be very sad when houses are built on this land.

 

 

I thought this was the best shot!

 

Lovely white egret taking flight!

 

 

Lady Violet loves her Grandfather Monet.

 

 

Grandfather Monet seems to tolerate Lady Violet's puppy ways!

 

Robert says Lady Violet pulls on their ears, tails, and gets them in a choke hold!

 

 

They do seem to enjoy her.

 

Here is Lady Violet with her Mother Lily.

 

 

Grandmother Poppy loves to curl up with Lady Violet.

 

That is so cute.  Thank you Robert for the photos!

 

I miss you all.  I will be coming home soon weather permitting in a few weeks.

 

Good night.