Artist Renee Lammers

 

Festus is doing great.  He has so many toys!  He keeps busy.

 

Today I visited him many many times during the day.

 

I could play with him all day long!

 

I was feeling very guilty spending so much time with Festus so I took three dogs to the beach.

 

Robert took Lady Violet by herself later to the beach to work on beach manners.

 

Monet, Lily, and Poppy enjoyed today so much.

 

Then I climbed the stairs to visit Festus for a few hours.

 

The funny thing about Festus, he stands up while doing his business in his litter box.

 

He is a cowboy after all!  Or does he need a larger litter box already?

 

 

 

I am sharing photos of Festus I intend to paint.

 

I am working on a commission painting today.

 

Yesterday I was framing a large painting, packaging it up, and shipping it off to Texas.

 

Luckily Festus seems to be fine playing by himself for an hour at a time.

 

He eats three tablespoons of wet cat food and a little dry food twice a day.

 

He has a cute little belly now.

 

He is not guarding his food anymore.

 

 

 

 

It is nice to turn off the lights at night and curl up with little Fesus.

 

He is quiet all night until he hears Robert and the dogs get up at 6am.

 

Festus decides it is time to play!  I put him on the floor so he can run around.

 

I am able to sleep later.  He curls up next to me after an hour of playing in the morning.

 

We get up, I clean up his litter box, give him fresh water, give him his wet food.

 

Then I run downstairs to give the dogs a treat and take them outside!

 

It does take more time taking care of cats and dogs.

 

The big question:  Have the dogs met Festus?

 

The girls come upstairs to see him.  They all know someone new is in my room.

 

Poppy saw Festus through the door.  She didn't bark.  None of them bark.

 

That is a very good sign.  Barking would frighten Festus.

 

I am going to let Festus adjust to his new surroundings.

 

Then I will slowly introduce him to one dog at a time.

 

 

Many people have asked me where they can buy one of Festus's relatives?

 

I purchased Festus from www.TheZenlion.com   She is one of the nicest ladies.

 

There are many scammers out there but she is genuine.  

 

She has one male red left.  Festus's Brother is still available.

 

Give her a call and tell her Festus sent you.  That should make her laugh!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

I met Festus's Mother, who came from Moscow, Russia.

 

I told her Thank you for Festus.  

 

She was a quiet gentle beauty.

 

 

I met Festus's Father, also imported from Russia.

 

He was handsome.

 

 

 

 

I put Festus in a traveling box for a few moments. 

 

He wanted to sit on my lap for the 6 hour drive from Vermont to Maine.

 

When Festus heard the sound of classical music, he settled down, and started to purr loud!

 

Romeo and Juliet's Part one symphony was his absolute favorite.

He purred when I petted him, rolled around, and kneaded with his paws.

 

He loves to travel!

 

 

Last night he slept right next to me.  

 

He was very quiet except for a few chirps, peeps,and loud purring!

 

This morning I told Festus he had to brush himself everyday.

 

He didn't like this idea.  He bit the brush!

 

 

He caught a horse wrangler this morning.

 

He pounded him with his back legs.

 

 

Then he punched him a few times.

 

Festus wanted to know where the horses were hidden?

 

The horse wrangler did not answer.

 

I left Festus with his prisoner.

 

I am taking the dogs to the beach!  

 

Good night.

 

Meet Festus, our new little Maine Coon cat!

 

I hope to pick him up tomorrow. He lives in Vermont with his giant parents!

 

 

Festus is a very lovable little boy.

 

For the past few days we have had a baby chipmunk in the house.

 

He ran all around the house peeping.

 

My dogs were fascinated but they didn't want to hurt him.

 

Lady Violet watched him under the piano, or behind the refrigerator while she wagged her tail.

 

Monet sat on my lap a few times after the chipmunk sprinted by him!

 

I think they will enjoy Festus.

 

Festus has been raised around smaller dogs.

 

 

 

 

Here is Festus as a little tike.

 

All kittens have blue eyes at first.  Then their eyes change color to green or yellow.

 

Robert thought he was very cute even though he is not a cat person.

 

I suggested Festus would help with any mice or chipmunks in the house.

Someone asked what would happen if Festus was not a mouse catcher?

 

I reassured them Festus would get the job done!

 

I am off to find a litter box, harness, and cat toys!

 

Good night.

 

"In The Pink" 6x8 oil on copper   Sold.  Thank you.

 

  I drove to Mount Desert Island once more to paint in Charlotte Rhoades Garden.

 

I selected this beautiful pink zinnia to be the star of the show!

 

Then I worked on creating an S curve through out the painting.

 

I used counter balance by making a dark background behind some lighter in value

 

zinnias and then used a lighter background behind some darker zinnias.

 

I do think this seems to create a more dynamic impact on the viewer although they may not

 

notice this happening.

 

The little yellow butterfly landed on the pink zinnia just for a moment.

 

I tried quickly to capture her!

 

I think she was in the right place at just the right moment.

 

 

 

   I was invited to a green cottage on the ocean by an art patron renting the cottage.

 

I asked permission to hang laundry!  She had fun watching me select different pieces to hang.

 

She took a photo of me.  We both had a good laugh.

 

 

  I will paint this soon!

 

I think the laundry was beautiful!

 

The light was perfect.

 

 

Here is the painting on the easel.

 

 

The cat even allowed a few photos!

 

 

Here are the zinnias I painted.  I moved them all around for the painting.

 

 

Our little apple tree is always the source of interest for all our dogs right now.

 

They reach up for the apples and eat them.

 

They even stand up on their hind legs to reach an apple.

 

Monet likes for me to select apples for him.

 

I brought home many new dog toys.

 

Last night at 1:00 am they were still playing with their toys.

 

I heard Monet talking and a lot of dog toy squeaking.

 

Lily was running around with a green large frog toy in her mouth squeaking it as

 

loud and as many times as possible.  Lady Violet wanted every toy Monet had in his possession.

 

It was a late night golden retriever party!  I had many good laughs over the dogs last night.

 

They are very funny.  

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Soirre" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you very much!

 

   I drove over an hour today to paint zinnias at Charlotte Rhoades Garden!

 

The flowers were worth the drive.  Lovely!

 

 

I do love my little 8x10 open m box easel. 

 

I just hold it on my lap.

 

I design my own zinnia field taking one zinnia here and one over there.

 

I rearrange them to create a unique design.

 

I make one larger to be the center of interest!

 

I love to push them all together.

 

I added flying insects at the end.

 

 

"Pretty Lady" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

This is what I painted last night!

 

 

"Orange Marmalade" 7x5 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame included in the price.

 

The common consensus is Dundee, the orange Maine coon cat looks mad in this painting.

 

I think he was mad because I was trying to pet him more than once!

 

He doesn't like a camera either.

 

He sure is fussy.

 

I may try to make him look more peaceful.  

 

I have not idea how to make him more peaceful.

 

 

"Schoodic Secret Path" 10x13 oil on copper 750$ framed in either gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame included.

 

I tweaked this one.  It looks better now.

 

 

Monet was trying out a new bean bag doggy bed.

 

All of the dogs have been having a great summer!

 

 

Little Hunter Beach in Acadia National Park today!

 

This is a pretty little cove.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Day Dreamer" 5x7 oil on copper 350$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipping included.

 

 

"Scavenger Hunt" 7x5 oil on copper Sold. Thanks.

 

 

Milo was very pleased to open two new birthday presents!

 

Ted said he really plays hard with toys because he never had any when he was young.

 

 

Ted said Milo is the best dog ever.  He never gets any hot spots.  He has very good genes.

 

He swims everyday for hours.  He protects Ted if a dog or stranger comes near him.

 

He can't imagine life without his Milo.  He said Milo was the best gift he ever received.

 

Milo is so relaxed and happy now.  What a difference a great dog owner can make for a dog.

 

 

Meanwhile Lady Violet has discovered apples on our tree!  She pulls them off and brings

 

them inside the house to eat!  Robert says the apples must be ready!

 

 

Hmmm this is what I found as I was bringing up the groceries!

 

I set a few bags down by the front door.  Lady Violet decided the smoked turkey would

 

be good to eat!  

 

 

A wrestling match ensued.  

 

The sandwich bag ripped into two even pieces so we were both happy.

 

I had enough turkey for one sandwich and Lady Violet had a snack.

 

 

I enjoy taking Monet and Lily on outings.

 

They are behave themselves.

 

It is much less stressful to take two dogs out.

 

Robert is much braver. He takes them all our for sunrises at the beach.

 

 

 

Good night!

 

 

 

 

 

"Schoodic Secret Path" 10x13 oil on copper 750$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame is included in the price.

 

    It was another beautiful day!  I packed up my stuff and drove an hour to Schoodic to paint.

 

Blueberry Hill parking area has the most amazing views.

 

The wild roses are growing everywhere.  The fragrance is incredible.

 

I was enjoying painting when I saw my shadow in the foliage.  I laughed!

 

I decided to paint my hat and head into the painting.

 

I have long admired John Singer Sargent's paintings where his shadow was in the painting.

 

Here is one of John Singer Sargent's work with his shadow on the left side.

 

 

The shadow of the artist is not noticeable at first. 

 

After studying the painting for awhile the shadow appears.

 

I worked on my schoodic painting for 5 hours after I returned home.

 

It needed work.

 

Here is painting by Konstantine Koravin where he painted his shadow also on the left side.

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the painting on location.

 

I made many changes once I returned home.

 

I think 10x13 is too large for me to finish on location.

 

I can get the feeling of the painting and finish it later in the studio.

 

 

I climbed onto a granite rock to take this photo.

 

 

A very young squirrel kept me company while I painted.

 

He had a lot to say!

 

There was a nest of baby birds in the wild rose bushes.  They were talkative when one

 

of their parents arrived with a bug.

 

An Eagle few over my head!

 

I saw many Osprey flying with a fish.

 

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

A seagull kept me company while I painted at Schoodic Point, in Acadia National Park.

 

The sun was shining!  Weather was perfect for painting.  Ralph, the seagull, just wanted a snack!

 

"Anything in that box I can eat Lady?"  

 

He took a stab at the Titanium White paint tube.  

 

 

The seagull approved of the painting.  

 

 

"Schoodic Surf" 8x10 oil on copper 550$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipping and frame

is included in the price.

 

   

 

I relocated to Blueberry Path parking area in Schoodic.

 

   Robert loved this one when I came home. He said it was great!

 

 

"Schoodic Wild Roses and Daisies" 8x10 oil on copper 550$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame included in the price.

 

 

I loved the mountains in the distance.  I saw a mint green sky!

 

I may tweak this one.  I ran out of steam towards the end of the day.

 

 

 

 

I almost painted this view!  I might go back to Schoodic tomorrow.

 

 

I saw two artists working along the road in Schoodic.

 

I always stop to introduce myself and ask if they need anything.

 

They were both fine.

 

Who knows?  Maybe they needed paper towels or a water?  Or maybe white oil paint?

 

I think it is always nice to ask.

 

Once I rescued an artist who needed more white paint. I squeezed some on their palette!

 

 

Goodnight!

 

Here is what 50$ of dog toys looks like from TJ Max. 

 

I am grateful their toys are reasonably priced and of good quality.

 

Robert and I removed all of the tags, piled them up on a chair, and opened the door!

 

 

Poppy stood in the doorway admiring the toys from a safe distance!

 

Monet, Lily, and Lady Violet were pleased!

 

They were wagging their tails so hard!  We were both smiling.

 

 

Lady Violet was the first to snag the green turtle.  She ran to Robert!  "Look!"

 

Robert told her, "Oh that is such a beautiful toy!"  Lady Violet continued to wag her tail.

 

Next Poppy came in for a better look.  This was unusual for Poppy!  

 

Poppy likes to pretend the other dogs will attack her if she gets a toy.

 

The dogs won't hurt Poppy but she likes to pretend they are killers with new toys!

 

She didn't take a toy but she sniffed many!  Monet had his eye on the yellow tennis ball.

 

Robert encouraged Poppy but she went back over to stand in the doorway.

 

 

Lily chose the green frog. She waited in line to show Robert!

 

Funny but golden retrievers really love to show off their toys.

 

They parade around in circles to show anyone who wants to see them!

 

They get a lot of attention.  We really enjoy giving them toys.

 

 

"Stonington In June" 8x10 oil on copper 550$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping included.

 

I added a few patriotic buntings to the porch in the center and pink laundry to a line.

 

I thought this really improved the design. I also worked on refining the painting for several hours.

 

Plein air paintings just need some tweaking to make it a gem.

 

 

"Stonington Patriotism" 20x14 oil on copper.  950$ framed in black with gold or gold.

Shipping is included.

 

I added Dundee, the orange Maine Coon cat stretching to the painting.

 

I also lightened the house to bright white.

 

I squared up the house lines.

 

I lightened a few pink lupines.

 

I added a few more daisies.

 

Done!  

 

 

"Poppies, Daisies, and Bee Balm" 14x10 white ink, watercolors, on stonehenge black

watercolor paper.  Sold. Thank you. To see more watercolors, look at the top of the page under paintings.

 

There were Robert's flowers he grew for me to paint.

 

He thought the painting was very nice.

 

 

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

 

Lake Alamoosook was very busy.  I walked up to my favorite birch tree with a basket full of laundry.

 

Many people eyed me with curiosity!  I explained to nearby people what I wanted to do.

 

One man close by said he owned a laundry business!  I said, "That is ironic!"

 

Many leaves have grown on the birch tree.  There is a oak tree on the right growing.

 

Leaves and the oak tree really changed the look!

 

 

 

 

I went back to the empty house with the round porch to hang laundry to paint.

 

Everything went well.  I hung the clothesline, hung the clothes, took photos, removed the clothes, and left.

 

I was driving off and looked back at the house. I had forgotten my clotheslines!

 

We had a few laughs about this.  I went back to get the clothesline after a few days.

 

No problem!  Have a good night.

 

 

"Stonington Faded Glory" 20x14 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold, includes shipping.

 

   I was enchanted with this scene I saw in Stonington, Maine a few days ago.

 

There was something very mysterious and magical.

 

I started the painting at 5pm and finished at 3am when Lady Violet nudged me with her nose.

 

She learned this trick from Poppy to make me move.  Lily always stayed up with me but now

 

Lady Violet has been handed the job.  She is also the house guard dog now.  

 

I added Dundee, the orange Maine Coon cat stretching on the rail.

 

I think he would love this.

 

 

"Schoodic Solitude" 8x10 oil on copper 550$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipping is included.

 

   I decided to paint at Schoodic later last night.  Schoodic was in fog.

 

I went to my favorite parking lot at Blueberry something.  I sat on a log to paint this.

 

The smells of the wild roses blended with the salt air is something I will not forget.

 

I enjoyed painting here so much.

 

 

Here is the scene I painted.  I created more of a meandering path.

 

I also added the sun with a halo.  

 

 

The puppies are having a great time in their backyard pen with us.

 

I find them sitting at the end of the yard facing the salt water channel.

 

There are many different types of birds for them to watch.

 

Loons are very busy calling late at night.

 

I saw an Osprey sweep down to catch a fish and then fly to the nest.

 

Sometimes an Eagle will fly by.

 

I have seen a few boats this Summer.

 

 

Lady Violet has turned into a very pretty lady.

 

 

 

Monet's hot spot on his face is on the mend.

 

Poor Monet! 

 

 

Sunset in Hancock last night.

 

 

"Feast For The Eyes" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thank you.

 

Good night.

 

 

I brought Dundee, the orange Maine Coon cat a present!  

 

The present was a bird feather toy.  

 

He sniffed it, patted it with his paw, and laid down to examine the bird.

 

He knew right away it was not a real bird.

 

I petted him too many times and so he bit me.

 

 

He wagged his tail. 

 

 

I forget that Dundee is not like a golden retriever.  He only likes to be petted once.

 

He might allow you to pet him twice early in the morning when he is not tired.

 

He posed for photos.

 

I gave Elmer, his owner, the bird toy, thanked him for sharing his cat, and left.

 

Elmer said Dundee was very tired.  

 

 

He did look sleepy.

 

 

I painted this scene a few days ago in the fog.

 

Today it was a glorious day.  I thought it would be fun to paint the scene in the sunlight!

 

The lupines were almost gone. I faked many beautiful lupines in the field.

 

 

Here it is almost finished.  The light went down.  I packed up drove an hour home. 

 

Then I worked on this painting for two more hours refining the painting.

 

 

Then I worked on it for an hour tweaking it!

 

 

Finished! "Stonington In July"

 

8x10 oil oil on copper 550$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping is included.

 

 

I am happy with this one.  Sometimes I come home with a dud.  Sometimes I come home with a good one.

 

I develop painting skills working outside and observing nature.

 

I also meet wonderful people who walk by and accept my business card with interest!

 

They say positive things.  Stonington is a very nice town to paint.

 

 

 

 

"Gail's Dream" 20x30 oil on copper sold.  Thank you.  

 

 

"Splash" 6x8 oil on copper  450$ framed in gold or black with gold.  Shipping and frame included.

 

 

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

 

 

"We Have Rhythm" 6x8 oil on copper 450$ framed in gold or black with gold. Shipping included.

 

These were all painted plein air at Lake Alamoosook over a few different days.

 

 

Monet and Lily went to the lake with me one day.

 

Poppy, Lady Violet, Monet, and Lily all went to the beach that morning at sunrise.

 

They are having a great time this summer.

 

Lady Violet is doing very well.  She is attentive to Monet who has an unsightly hot spot on his

 

face.  I am treating the hot spot with a special soap from the vet, Neosporin, and trimming hair

 

away from the area.  I hope Monet's sore heals up or I will take him to the vet!

 

Good night.  Thank you for the painting sale.  

 

 

 

 

"We Have Rhythm" 8x10 oil on copper 550$ includes a frame of your choice and shipping.

 

   Here is a plein air/studio painting finished a few days ago.

 

I studied many different patterns of lake waves after this plein air sketch.

 

I realized there are three foreground waves.  Then there are many little waves in the distance.

 

The pattern of light on the water is in the shape of a triangle.  The highlights can be on top

 

of the highest point of the wave or in the wave itself.   There is a cool blue halo around each

 

diamond shape of light on the waves or in the wave.  Fascinating!

 

I also learned the distant land is much higher painting it on location.

 

The human eye and brain wants that distant land to be larger.

 

In photos this land is much shorter in height.

 

 

It took me a whole day to draw this image.

 

Yesterday I painted the under painting.  I put the painting in a box to dry.

 

I think I will start on another large painting.  This one is 20x26.

 

 

We have decided to keep our 2007 International Oceanbreeze 25 ft 75th Anniversary Model!

 

We both worked very hard cleaning the interior, exterior, fixing this and that.

 

We called a Maine Airstream dealer to see if they could help finance our airstream for the

 

man we basically knocked on our door with a price of 42,000$.

 

The dealer wanted to sell our airstream on his lot and offered us 45,000$.

 

We decided to decline all offers.  We realized our airstream is a rare desirable model.

 

People are purchasing preowned airstreams left and right because they want to go on vacation

 

without staying in a hotel.  They are also using airstreams as a place to stay if they have the

 

covid virus.  Since Robert works in the medical field, he is a Physical Therapist, it seems

 

reasonable to keep our airstream in case one of us gets sick.  Besides we really love our airstream.

 

We live in a very modest house.   We don't eat out at restaurants.  We live very simple lives.

 

We will continue owning our airstream.  We plan to use our airstream more now that it is all cleaned up!

 

What a relief.  We were both stressed out thinking we were going to sell.

 

 

Every Airstream has these badges by the door.  People at campgrounds can tell what kind

 

of unit you have by the badges.  Kind of cool.

 

 

Good night!