Artist Renee Lammers

  

 

 

Interesting to see a white background compared to a darker blue background.

 

 

I found this white vase at Goodwill for 1$.

 

The flowers were grown by Robert.

 

 

I like the energy in this one.

 

 

Some of them take over an hour to paint and some 15 minutes.

 

 

 

 

Thank you for the person who donated this oak table to Goodwill.

 

I am the lucky new owner for 50$!  

 

We do not often buy furniture.

 

I have longed for a little round table for years.

 

 

I calculated when Lily will have her puppies.

 

The earliest date is September 2 at 54 days to September 10 at 63 days.

 

I thought it was sweet here when Monet placed his head on her back.

 

He seemed to be giving her comfort.

Lily is eating smaller meals all day and night.

 

 

A few hours earlier I saw Poppy laying on Lily.

 

I think they know Lily will have puppies soon.

 

Lily has been dining on dry puppy food mixed with ground pork, ground turkey, kidney

 

beans, tomatoes, sweet potato, broccoli, french bread for grains, apples, pears, and

 

cottage cheese.

 

She likes slices of cheese with crackers if someone offers.

 

 

Have a great night!

 

"Seal Harbor Sunset" 14x20 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping included in the price.

 

 

   I worked on this painting for a few days from a computer monitor.

I have painted so many plein air sketches of this scene. 

 

 

"Sweet Peas" 14x16 oil on copper 750$ framed in gold or black with gold

 

600$ unframed.  Shipping included.

 

Finished!

 

I worked on this painting for 27 hours.

 

Most of the effort was done on the face, wiping out the face, and reworking the face.

 

The young girl is a granddaughter of an art patron.

 

 

At one point here was the face.  

 

I had too much texture from overworking the face area so scraped it out.

 

I will add more freckles and soften the curves of her face.

 

I like the hands and the arm.

 

The painting has been quite a challenge.

 

I prefer to work from life when I paint portraits but she is in Nova Scotia.

 

 

   Monet is besides himself with all the new doggy toys!

 

He let the girls play with the toys too.

 

He is being more gracious.

 

 

Lily had a very light dinner tonight.

 

She let her Mom and Dad have her dinner.

 

I will try to give her another dinner later.

 

She is not due till September 2-10.

 

 

Lily wondered why Monet and Poppy were rolling around in the grass!

 

 

I predict Lily will have 8 puppies!

 

Robert came home with a baby pool.

 

He is all ready to have puppies.

 

 

We discovered a dory on the beach a few days ago.

 

 

Monet was funny today.

 

The dogs have been snacking on apples from our tree in the backyard.

 

Today Monet smelled a ripe pear from our tree.

 

He stood under the pear tree barking and looking up into the tree.

 

I decided to check for ripe pears.

 

I watched where he wanted me to look.

 

Sure enough!  There was a tiny ripe pear.

 

I handed him the pear and he ate it!

 

The other dogs smelled his breath.

 

The other pears were still firm.

 

Here is the photo Monet was running in circles just for fun.

 

I love when dogs do this.

 

 

I thought this was a beautiful scene!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Dory Study" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping included.

 

   I found myself in Stonington painting a dory en plein air.

 

This can be a very tricky thing to do.

 

Why?  Because the dory swings around in circles!

 

I watched the dory first for a half an hour wondering if I should try to do this.

 

I decided it would be a good thing for me to do even if it did not turn out.

 

The more I do studies of dories on location the better my studio work of dories will be.

 

I learned a few things while I was working.

 

I learned the colors are much warmer than I thought they might be.

 

There is a big difference in gradation along the side of the dory.

 

The dory was facing into the sun.

 

This made the dory half sunlit and half in the shadow.

 

I tried to see if the interior of the dory was brighter in saturation or was the hull in the sun?

 

I decided the interior was warmer and brighter.

 

Along the water line there were highlights where the water separated from the boat.

 

 

 

I met a very pretty deer today.

 

 

I saw the sunset at the Pumpkin Lighthouse.

 

 

This morning I gave Lily, Poppy, and Monet a bit of French baguette.

 

Then I gave Lily the last red delicious apple.

 

Poppy gave me a sad look until I shook the apple tree in the backyard.

 

She found two fallen apples.

 

Monet ate many apples.

 

Then I decided to give Lily a cup of cottage cheese.

 

Poppy wanted a taste.  I gave her a tablespoon in her bowl.

 

Then Monet wanted some too!

 

I put a tablespoon of cottage cheese in his bowl.

 

Then they were all three sitting near me happy.

 

Poppy started it first.  She came over to me and talked.

She put her front feet on my chair.

 

Monet threw himself onto my lap and nibbled on me.

 

Lily leaped up into the air over the top of Monet and landed right into my lap.

 

I gave her a hug and gave her a few kisses.

 

They all wanted to go to the beach!

 

I asked them, "Do you want to go to the beach?"

 

They all barked and hopped around!

 

We enjoyed the beach.  I am very grateful for their company.

 

We sure do have a good time.

 

I was framing and shipping paintings.

 

I went to Deer Isle to reframe a fallen painting for a art patron.

 

Then I was painting and taking photos all day.

 

What a great day it was!

 

The colors are becoming so rich!

 

Good night.  

 

I dropped off a commission painting in Deer Isle.

 

They had an important visitor who was the speech writer for Margaret Thatcher.

 

The only thing I thought to ask, "Was she nice?"

 

Of course he answered yes.

 

I am not a very good conversationalist.

 

I answer questions and tell stories.

 

I am always afraid to ask questions.

It isn't that I am not interested.  

 

I am just afraid I am going to ask something too private.

 

I don't spend time socializing because I am always painting.

 

I wish I was a better conversationalist.

 

 

I do ask a few questions.

 

I want to get better at socializing.

 

It was a pretty day in Stonington.

 

 

I once read if you want to speak well with people you must practice.

 

Starting a conversation is not an issue for me.

 

My knowledge may be limited to Biology, Algebra, Chess, Art, and Dogs.

 

I don't know very much about current events because I find it so disturbing.

 

 

It seems like there are two ways to speak to people.

 

The first way is the interrogator.

 

1.  Where did you go to school?

2.  Where do you vacation?

3.  Where did you meet you wife?

4.  Are you a Democrat or Republican?

 

Questioning does keep the other person talking but might make them feel uncomfortable.

 

I don't like to make people feel uncomfortable.

 

The second way of having conversations is to tell stories.

 

The other person will then share a story of their own. Hopefully.

 

I prefer this way of speaking.

 

People learn about each other.

 

They only speak about things they are comfortable with sharing.

 

There is less chance of offending someone.

 

 

 

Lily is doing great being pregnant.

 

She has a great appetite and takes long naps.

 

I gave her a nice bath.

 

I trimmed her hair.

 

I think she will be a fine Mother.

 

September 2-10 is not far away!

 

Robert and I looked to buy a baby pool.

 

Baby pools make great places for dogs to have their puppies.

 

There are no more pools available!

 

 

Lily is still finding apples to eat!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"The Good Life" 7x5 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping included in the price.

 

 

"Happy Family of Zinnias" 5x7 oil on copper Sold.  Thank you.

 

   These are the two paintings I did today plein air in Charlotte Rhoades Garden.

 

What a perfect day to paint.

 

The gardener was more than thrilled by me painting and talking to garden guests.

 

I think this made me feel very welcome.

 

I can tell how happy I was today painting.

 

 

Everyone was heading up Cadillac Mountain for the sunrise!

 

I was amazed at the craziness involved!

 

If I had wanted a parking spot, I would have needed to be there by 1:00am, and maybe

 

I would have been lucky!

 

I drove up and drove down.

 

Here was a view of Bar Harbor from a parking place down the mountain.

 

 

I may try to park and wait for the sunrise on top of Cadillac Mountain.

 

Painting the sunrise will not be a possibility.

The sunrises too fast!

 

Good night!  

 

 

 

"August Day in Thuya Gardens" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping is included.

 

   I enjoyed painting in Thuya Gardens today.

 

Here are a few photos.

 

 

   The hundred year old apple tree is such an important feature to this cottage garden.

 

 

A four year old girl sat down on the grass right next to me while I worked.

 

She asked me to make green.

 

Then she would say rather cutely, "How did you do that?"

 

She would ask me to make this color and that color and would I make more of that green she liked?

 

She would have sat on my lap if I didn't have my prochade box there!

 

This is what her Mom told me.

 

I believe her!

 

 

I love the light in the garden as the sun is starting to set.

 

 

I tried Indian food.

 

I liked it.

 

Robert is taking care of the puppies.

 

I hope to get up at 4:30am to paint the sunrise on Cadillac Mountain tomorrow.

 

I am going to sleep at 8:00pm!

 

Good night.

 

Some days it is Poppy to let's me know it is time for the beach!

 

Poppy has a way of 'talking'.

 

She makes repetitive sounds, "Yum, Mum, Mum, Him,  Hmm,  Hmm!"

 

She even moves her lips like people do when they are talking!

 

Some days it is Monet who tells me it is beach time!

 

He puts his feet all over me!

 

He nibbles on any skin he can find.

 

He throws in a few kisses!

 

Lily watches.  

 

So far Lily has not had to ask for the beach.

 

 

Here we are hiking down the beach.

 

I think Sandy Point Beach is the nicest beach in Maine.

 

I am glad there is no charge.

 

 

Lily is doing great.

 

She only stays in this cold water for two minutes.

 

She is a smart little mother.

 

She no longer jumps up into the van.

 

She likes someone to carefully lift her into the van.

 

 

What a pretty Mother Lily is going to be.

 

 

This is Sampson, the 11 year old golden retriever, who is the Father of Lily's puppies.

 

He has all his hips, eyes, and heart clearances, AKC, and not a grey hair on his head.

 

 

 

Here is another photo of Sampson.

 

He has very dark red hair.

 

Lily's Sister named Lady Rose (from Monet and Poppy's first litter) had puppies with Sampson.

 

 

Here is Lady Rose teaching two of her puppies how to swim.

 

She had light golds, reds, and a dark red puppy. 

 

Sire was Sampson.

 

 

 

Here is Lady Rose with a puppy they are keeping named Princess Lia.

 

 

Here is Lady Rose's puppy all grown up named Winnie.  

 

She received all her heart, eyes, and hip clearances recently.

 

I think it is safe to say, Lily's puppies will be beautiful.

 

 

I admired the water today.

 

I am thinking of painting the sunrise from Cadillac Mountain.

 

Then I will try to paint in Thuya Garden on Mount Desert Island.

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   I sat on a rock by the restrooms at Schoodic Point for my first painting.

 

 

"Schoodic-Growing Old Together" 7x5 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping is included in the price.

 

   I thought these trees looked romantic.

 

 

  For my next painting, I was here down low, until a wave drenched me and my palette!

 

I heard many people say, "Oh the artist was hit by a wave!  Oh my!  Look!"

 

I stood up.  I had my open m easel prochade in my hands.

 

I grabbed my camera.  My paper towels were tucked under one arm.

 

I climbed back over the rocks.  

 

I was almost back to my car when a park ranger asked me to take down my

 

magnetic signs on my van.  She said advertising businesses were not allowed in a National

 

Park.  I had not thought of this. I removed my signs.  She was happy.

 

I  will posted a photo of this painting tomorrow.

 

I was so busy with the wave and the park ranger that I didn't get a chance to take

 

a photo of the painting.  But here it is!

 

 

"Schoodic Point View" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipping included.

 

 

I relocated to Blueberry Hill parking area down the road.

 

I like it here.

 

It is so quiet.

 

I sat on a log to paint.

 

I worked more on the painting when I arrived home.

 

 

"Schoodic Blueberry Hill Spruce" 5x7 oil on copper Sold.  Thanks.

 

 

I took my dogs to the beach this afternoon before I headed out.

 

I leave the house later to paint because Lily needs a large lunch!

 

The other dogs gave me a very sad look so they were given lunch too!

 

We will all be fat by the time the puppies arrive!

 

The apple tree outside our house is getting pulled on by one or more dogs.

 

They bring the apples into the house.  

 

Lily fought for an apple off the tree today!

 

Monet gave it up not sure what is happening with sweet Lily?

 

 

I also give Lily fresh red apples from the store.

 

Then of course Monet and Poppy have red apples too!

 

I almost had a taste of a red apple until Lily ran over and grabbed my slice!

 

 

 

 

Ted brought Milo over for a visit yesterday.

 

Milo was sporting a puppy cut.

 

Ted is very particular where he has his dogs trimmed.

 

He gave the lady a 20$ tip.

 

Most of the time while Ted is visiting, he is petting, and talking to Milo.

 

 They have a great bond.

 

 

Ted was protecting Monet's favorite blue unicorn toy.

 

Milo was trying to tear up the unicorn!

 

Milo almost caught a wild turkey yesterday.

 

Ted said he would have cooked it up for Milo.

 

They continue to barbecue chicken and steaks every night.

 

Milo loves to see Ted take the small grill to the porch.

 

Milo licks his lips when he gets hungry.

 

Milo is much more relaxed every time I see him.

 

Ted talks to him using a very soft voice.

 

I am so glad Milo finally has someone to love him.

 

 

Milo always grabs a toy when they are leaving.

 

He tries to put this toy into Ted's car.

 

Ted gives Milo a treat to get the toy back.

 

Then Ted throws the toy back to our yard.

 

I think this is so cute of Milo.

 

He just loves toys.

 

Have a good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Stonington Foggy August Day" 14x20 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping included in the price.

 

   I have been working on this painting for a few weeks off and on in my studio.

 

I was using an old plein air sketch and photos.

 

Dundee, the orange Maine coon cat looks nice in the left corner.

 

 

 

 

 

Lily;s appetite is incredible!

 

One night as I was getting a glass of water, Lily talked me into a baked sweet potato and

 

chicken breast with a bowl of puppy dried food.

 

I noticed Lily was expanding!

 

Ted said Lily had doubled in size!

 

Lily is now in the kitchen if anyone goes there!

 

I had to purchase more apples.

 

Lily was eating unripened apples off our tree!

 

Poppy and Monet get apples and slices of turkey anytime Lily does.

 

Lily is definitely having puppies in early September!

 

 

Lily still has twenty to thirty days left!

 

Robert asked if Lily could have her puppies in his room where she was born?

 

I thought this would be nice.

 

Robert is a good nighttime puppy counselor.

 

Any crying puppy is inspected and counseled.

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   One of my special painting customers is very ill after three surgeries in three weeks.

 

Hospice is taking care of her now at her house.

 

She is lucky to have a friend, Gail, who has the town helping to mow her lawn, bring food twice

 

a day, take care of many dogs, donkeys, and goats, and one teenage girl.

 

My special friend Chrystal will get better now she knows everyone loves her.

 

Her husband passed away a few years ago leaving her with such sadness.

 

Recovering from three surgeries and still grieving over such a loss is difficult to overcome.

 

I thought these photos of the sea might make her feel better.

 

She loves the sea.

 

 

Maybe she can picture herself sitting on a rock by the sea watching ducks.

 

 

   Fog was thick today!

 

Temperatures were in the 70's!

 

 

A seagull was admiring the view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I saw a dory today!

 

 

 

Monet, Lily, Poppy, and I want to tell Chrystal, "We are all thinking of you.  We all love you!"

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was welcomed home with a lot of howling and barking!

 

 

I have been taking them to the beach every afternoon.

 

 

We are so lucky to have them.

 

Poppy insists on bringing a ball.

 

 

Lily is definitely pregnant.

 

She is more vocal.

 

She is more eager for food.

 

I can see her chest expanding where the puppies are located right now.

 

Later the puppies will drop down but right now they should be under her ribs.

 

She is more emotional.

 

Don't try to take a ball away from Lily right now!

 

 

She is also more sleepy.

 

That is a special amber crown collar on Lily ( left).

 

This amber collar is suppose to protect a dog from ticks naturally.

 

It is suppose to give ticks a electrical zap naturally.

 

The scent of amber from the pine sap hardening over many years is suppose to deter ticks.

 

 

I am glad to spend time at the beach with the dogs.

 

 

Monet loves to hold a rock in his mouth!

 

 

Poppy lets us know when she wants us to go home.

 

She will bark, bark, and bark!

 

We would stay for hours if it were not for her constant barking.

 

I had a dog whistle.  Poppy broke it!

 

She saw the whistle on the table, jumped up, grabbed the rope, and slammed it to the ground!

 

The whistle was made of a hard plastic.  It shattered!

 

Poppy walked off very proud of herself!

 

She is so smart.

 

 

This is where we like to hang out in the shade.

 

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

   I signed up for the Waldoboro Art Auction to help the Fire Department and Library.

 

Art auctions are the most stressful event for an artist.

 

We were suppose to be there at 7am.

 

I live two hours away from Waldoboro.

 

I decided to sleep at the Walmart parking log in South Thomaston.

 

I only lasted for 20 minutes trying to sleep in the van on an exercise mat!

 

I went into Walmart, purchased one of those new mattress in the box, and hauled it out to the van.

 

All of the security guards at Walmart were watching me.

 

The box was heavy.  I opened it up, let the mattress fall out, threw it inside of my van.

 

Then I hopped into the van and closed the door.

 

I was surprised the mattress started to rise on it's own becoming a full 8 inch thick mattress!

 

Despite the additional comfort of the mattress, I did not sleep.

 

I drove to see the sunrise at Friendship at 5:30am.

 

 

 

 

I sat down on the dock to watch the lobster man work.

 

They were loading up lobster boats with sardines for bait.

 

 

I thought this was an odd way to load the lobster boat with bait.

 

Here the men on the right have been given heavy sardine blue plastic totes.

 

They hauled it over to the other side to give to the blue/green boat on it's left!

 

 

 

 

 

They showed great workmanship.

 

 

I painted the Friendship dory at the historic center in town.

 

 

"Friendship Dory" 8x6 oil on copper sold at auction.

 

The event started at 6pm.  They had lobster tacos!

 

A beautiful red firetruck came to park in the driveway.

 

About ten finely dressed fire service people jumped out of the firetruck.

 

They carried each of our paintings to the tent to be auctioned.

 

They stood in line waiting for hours.

 

I was so moved seeing the fire department helping with the auction.

 

It was unbelievable!

 

They work so hard.  Then to donate their time to sell the paintings...

 

I sat in the very back.

 

 I was not feeling very positive about the painting sales.

 

I had submitted two paintings.

 

 

"Sound of Silence" 20x26 oil on copper.  Sold for 1750$  Thank you.

 

I watched as paintings were sold for 80$, 120$, 200$.  

 

Some paintings had no action.

 

Artists packed up those unsold paintings and left.

 

I was sad.

 

I thought this was going to be very bad.

 

I looked around at the small crowd.

 

There was 25 artist, 10 of their spouse, 12 volunteers, and 10 fire department people.

 

There was maybe 20 people who were bidding.

 

After two hours there was only 10 people bidding.

 

My paintings had not come up yet, it was dark, and morale was bad.

 

Earlier it had been suggested to price the reserve at 1/3 of the painting's price.

 

I told her no.  I wanted to start the bid at the normal price of the painting.

 

I was sitting there in the dark thinking, "No I just didn't want to start a bid for 500$ when the frame

 

cost me 200$, copper and oil paint 200$, gas, and not to forget the commission to the event!

 

My little dory painting sold for the asking price.

 

Then the larger painting, "Sound of Silence" was shown with a light.

 

The fire chief read the brief description about the benefits of painting on copper.

 

I never ever have them read my 'awards or accomplishments'

 

When I am asked to give them this information, I always tell them, "No."

 

Then the fire chief told the reserve price, One thousand seven hundred and

 

fifty dollars!

 

There was absolute silence.

 

He was about to pass when someone help up their paddle!  

 

The police chief sounded surprise.  He said, "We have a bid?  We have a bid for 1750$!!"

 

It sold.

 

I was shocked!  I never expected to sell both my paintings.

 

There was another large painting by another artist that sold for 2000$.

 

There were a few artists who sold both of their paintings.

 

I started to feel very happy.

 

What an interesting event.

 

They allowed any artist to participate for a fee of 35$.

 

It gave artists an opportunity to participate in a plein air event for the first time.

 

I always feel sad to see artists not selling.

 

If it were me not selling?  I would do more workshops!

 

Let professionals help.

 

 

I won't ever camp at a Walmart again.

 

It was noisy.  Campgrounds are much better.

 

What an adventure!

 

Robert is glad I am safe at home!

 

Thank you for a great time at the art auction. 

 

Everyone was so kind.  What a beautiful town.

 

Good night.