Artist Renee Lammers

 

"Stonington Gunlow Cove" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold.

 

  I reworked this painting that was started on a grey day. I went back, took a better photo

 

on a sunny high tide day, and repainted the whole thing!  

 

 

My two Nephews flew to Maine from Florida to dog and cat sit while we are on vacation.

 

What could we do on their first day in Maine?  Climb the Beehive in Acadia National Park.

 

I didn't know if I could do it.  We did it!

 

 

This is the most difficult hike in Acadia National Park.

 

 

 

Here was the view of Sand Beach.

 

 

Tim wore cowboy boots!

 

 

We made it to the top!  520 feet!

 

 

We made it down in one piece.  I told them to look up.  That was the mountain we climbed.

They were both astonished!

 

That was the most extreme climb I ever did!

 

 

I took them to Thustons Lobster Pound.  I ordered two 2.54 pound lobster dinners!

 

They were very happy.  One of them said it was the best dinner of his life!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

"Deer Isle Inspiration" 8x10 oil on copper 650$ framed in your choice of gold or black with

gold and shipping is included.

 

   I left the house early. I was not hungry at all.  In fact I was not hungry the entire day!

 

I just drank water.  Sometimes I do that..fast all day long and paint.

 

At 10:00am I left Monet and Lady Violet in the backyard with plenty

 

of water.  Lily and Poppy like to stay in the house with Festus with the air conditioner running.

 

I was driving to Stonington when laundry flying around caught my eye.

 

I was lucky a man mowing his lawn gave me permission to paint.  He said the lady who owned

 

the house was a school teacher.  She came out and reached for her jeans.  The man yelled to her

 

and then she saw me.  She smiled and laughed and walked to me.  She said her life was like a 

 

fairy tale now.  I liked that.  She was excited about the laundry being painted.  I told her she had

 

out done herself designing the laundry line for  me to paint.

 

 

My Mom told me she really likes to see the photo of the painting and

 

the scene to compare.  THe light is always changed by the time I finish

 

the painting.  I worked on the painting for a hour once I returned home.

 

Mostly I tidy up the painting and may restate the lights.

 

 

"Stonington Andy's Wharf" 8x10 oil on copper 650$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

 

I was very thankful for the 100$ plein air umbrella that shaded me 

 

during the heat of the day!  Well worth every cent!

 

 

I soaked my feet twice today at Sand Beach.  That water is freezing!

 

I could never go into the water all the way.

 

I didn't see anyone else in there either.

 

 

It was a very nice day.  I appreciate Summer in Maine so much!

 

 

I had to jocky for a painting spot in Stonington.  There was a watercolor workshop.

 

Painters were everywhere it seemed.  I thought they were very good artists. I had never

 

heard of their teacher.  Makes me realize how many artists there are working!

 

 

 

I am going to paint with one of the best artists in America tomorrow at 5:30am.

 

I hope I paint well and don't fall down and embarrass myself.

 

  I will need to be up at 3:30am to be there on time!  UPDATE:  I set the alarm but could not wake

 

up.  Festus started to kneed his claws on me to help.  I slept till 9am.  Oh well.  Early morning

 

painting with a master will have to wait another day.

 

Good night.  Thank you Robert for making dinner tonight!  Much appreciated.

 

 

 

"Stonington's Green Cove" 8x10 oil on copper 650$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

   What a beautiful day it was yesterday in Stonington, Maine.

 

This is what I painted first!  I did tweak it a little in the studio.

 

 

 

"Stonington Islanders" 8x10 sold. Thanks.

 

  Here is the finished painting.  I am very pleased the painting will be in the original

 

homeowner's Grandson's collection.  Lucy and Mel Collins were the first homeowners

 

of this house in the foreground.  

 

 

Lucy and Mel Collins are in this photo.  Lucy is the lady on the most left side.

 

Mel is the gentleman dressed up in the black in the center.   I think he was a Captain of a 

 

lobsterboat.  His brother was also.  

 

 

Here is another great photo of the original homeowners Mel and Lucy Collins.

 

Now their Grandson will own the painting.

 

 

 

I painted on the deck of very nice people I met recently.

 

Their deck is shaded so it was cool!  In fact I was shivering towards the end of the painting.

 

It is a luxury to shiver on a July day!  I need to paint 40 lobster boats in the harbor then the

 

painting will be complete.

 

 

"Martin's Cottage on Little Deer Isle" 8x10 oil on copper 650$ framed in gold or

 

black with gold.  Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

   I decided to work on the cottage painting again during the same time before the sunset.

 

It made a huge difference.  I spent so much time on the cottage that the foliage was dark because

 

the light had changed.  Now the cottage and foliage are in the same light.

 

 

Here is the painting before the second session.  Big difference.

 

 

 

 

Monet doesn't mind too much to share his bed with a cat.

 

 

Monet use to enjoy sleeping downstairs to guard the house.

 

Now Monet sleeps upstairs in Robert's room and lets Festus guard the house downstairs!

 

Festus prefers to be on watch instead of sleeping in my room.

 

He has grownup to guard the house!  I would not have imagined this when he was little.

 

 

It was cool enough the colors were brighter and the sun helped a lot!

 

 

The tide was very high from the full moon!

 

 

The sunset was wonderful at the Pumpkin lighthouse on Little Deer Isle.

 

What a wonderful day it was for me!

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Stonington Thursday" 10x13 almost finished. I need to work on my lobster boats!

 

   I set up to paint a new view for me in Stonington.

 

I was given permission by the home owners.  They are very selective who they allow on

 

their property.  I felt very honored.  They have 360 degree views.

 

 

It was very exciting to see the sun again!

 

 

Festus was funny last night.

 

I was brushing and trimming his hair.

 

He put his feet out!

 

 

I guess he was being helpful.  He was extra cuddly.

 

 

At 11:00 at night Festus hoped into his kitty backpack.

 

I told him it was too late to go out hiking.

 

He sat there giving me his sweetest looks hoping.

 

I told him there are bob cats and bears outside!

 

 

He fell over inside of his kitty backpack.

 

All the dogs rushed over to see him.

 

I ran over.  I picked him up and set him down but he still sat inside the backpack.

 

He was determined.

 

 

Here is the whole view today.

 

Nice clouds.  Good night.

 

 

 

"The Martin's Cottage" 8x10 oil on copper 650$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame are included.

 

    I went to Stonington but ended up at Little Deer Isle to paint this white cottage.

 

I have admired how the white wood work glows in the sunlight.  I could sit in the shade and

 

work.  It was a peaceful place to paint.

 

   I had a call from a plein air artist I have not seen or heard from in at least ten years.

 

I can not say we were ever friends.  We painted together at a plein air event.

 

The reason why she called me was to gain information on how to sell paintings.

 

In my experience people who reach out to me for 'help', normally do not

 

paint on a regular basis, do not take workshop to further their craft, do not read marketing

 

books, will not pay for marketing help, and have very little knowledge how a business works.

 

They want to ask me a lot of questions, take up an hour or more of my time, and never tell me thank you.

 

I have decided to tell them to hire someone to help them.

 

I think it is a better idea.

 

Time management is key!

 

 

 

I spend my mornings outside in the garden.  Festus is in his cat penthouse.

 

I pet the dogs.  It is a nice way to start the day.

 

 

I stayed as long as possible to see the sunset tonight.

 

I saw lightening.  This was the last photo I took there before I knew it was time to leave.

 

 

It was very foggy today in Stonington.

 

Have a good night!

 

  

 

 

"Stonington Serenity" 8x10 oil on copper  Sold. Thanks.

 

   I drove the hour to Stonington to paint plein air.

 

I asked permission to paint on a deck with the view I wanted to paint.

 

I managed to get all my painting equipment down on the deck.

 

I worked tediously on several houses in a 8x10 oil on copper panel.

 

It was difficult work.  It was not a lot of fun.

 

Painting houses is much better on a larger panel.

 

I put the painting in a pizza box for safe keeping for the drive back.

 

I came into the house and set the pizza box on a table.

 

Festus came running top speed and landed on the pizza box!

 

I grabbed the pizza box and Festus hopped off in a chair.

 

I opened the box to find the painting had been touched by the cardboard.

 

The painting had texture and paint moved from the incident!

 

I sat down right away and took a brush to soften the moved paint.

 

I worked on it for a half an hour.  I think it was back to it's orginal state!

 

Then I worked on it for another few hours refining the painting.  Looks better!

 

Goodness I was surprised at how many things can happen to a wet painting!

 

It just never ceases to amaze me!  I have had an incredible amount of crazy

 

things happen to wet paintings.  I was very glad this painting was saved.

 

Festus said he was sorry.  

 

 

 

   I saw the Victory Chimes in the harbor today!

 

 

We have very little color here in Maine because of the heat.

 

Everything seems to be a shade of grey.

 

 

 

    I wonder what will happen to tomorrows wet painting?

 

I can't begin to imagine!  It just makes me laugh!

 

 

I hope you have a great night!

 

Another very gray day here in Stonington, Maine!

 

 

I thought for a moment the sun was going to come out.

 

 

I loved this little cottage in Deer Isle on Reach Road.

 

The buntings really added a lot to the cottage.

 

I loved the wrap around screened porch.

 

 

I droved down Reach Road to find a public beach I heard about.

 

There were plenty of people.  I saw a fox dining on the beach!

 

Lower left corner.

 

 

I have seen many kits this summer.

 

 

Monet and Festus.

 

 

Framing can be fun with Festus!

 

 

Even the dogs watch to see what Festus is doing?

 

 

He loved all the packaging paper!

 

Good night!

 

I looked at it for a while and decided to remove the foreground boat and simplify the 

 

traps.  Here it is now.

 

 

That is how it goes.  Changes can be made before the color is added.

 

 

I have been working on this underpainting for a 20x26 oil on copper painting for several days.

 

I am glad this part is finished.  I like to do an underpainting when the subject is complicated.

 

Now I will let the painting dry.  I will paint another whole painting on top of this underpainting.

 

I can still change or add things to the painting.

 

 

This large red ball are the dogs favorites.

 

They have five of them but they all disappeared.

 

Robert went around the yard seaching for them.

 

He found one under the trailer.

 

They were so happy!

 

 

I have noticed when Robert takes the dogs into the backyard Festus meows and

 

turns around on the table to get Robert's attention.  Sometimes Festus hops into

 

his backpack so he can go outside too!  Robert is very accommodating.

 

He brings Festus out.  Here he just put him in a cat tent.

 

Festus loves being outside.

 

 

Last night Poppy was giving Festus a few kisses.

 

 

Then Festus cleaned Poppy's face.  They are so cute.

 

 

We have been having many cloudy rainy days.  

 

Robert's flowers are looking great!

 

 

Here are a few photos of Stonington.  Tide was high!

 

 

Have a good night!

 

 

 

Stonington was beautiful in Grays today.

 

 

   A young man working at Greenhead Lobster did me a favor by letting seagulls have a few sardines.

 

This created a wonderful array of flying seagulls for photos and later paintings.

 

What a kind thing to do for me!

 

 

The lobsterman on the right owns the La Bella Vita boat.

 

I find asking permission to take photos well received with the lobstermen.

 

 

Sometimes I drive around searching for Dundee, the orange maine coon cat.

 

I saw him on the right!  

 

He gets around!

 

 

Dundee wanted me to crawl under a van to snuggle with him!

 

 

He was purring loudly and wagging his tail.  I am sure he does coax many people to pet

 

him.  I talked to him for a few minutes without climbing under the van.  

 

 

The Mary Days Schooner made it's way under the bridge.  I heard lots of cheering

 

from the passengers as they made their way under the bridge.

 

Good night.

 

 

It was a rainy night but Festus still wanted to go walking in the yard.

 

Robert always puts Festus in this cat backpack.

 

He just taps the backpack on the floor a few times.

 

Festus comes running and leaps into the backpack.

 

Robert walks around the yard with Festus inside the backpack a few times a day!

 

Tonight I was going outside.  Festus was sitting in his backpack.

 

He had the cutest look on his face.  I told him he would get all wet if he went

 

out for a walk tonight.  He leaped out and sat in the rocking chair.

 

 

The rocking chair was taken out of the van into the house.

 

Festus was the first one in the rocking chair.

 

The van came back home after being in the shop for 29 days.

I am thankful for the rental car during this time.

 

It is good to have the van back!

 

 

Festus was searching for a book to read.

 

 

Robert posed the animals for a portrait.

 

 

Lily is the dog on her back.  

 

 

They look happy.

 

What a challenge to get them all in one photo.

 

 

Stonington's Main Street.  Love the flags.

 

 

 

   It has been cool in Maine this Summer.

 

Have a good night.

 

 

 

 

 

"Stonington's Gunlow Cove" 10x13 oil on copper  Here it is fresh off the easel.

 

 

Then I went back on a sunny day, took a photo, and reworked the painting!

 

"Stonington's Gunlow Cove" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price!

 

  There was a ton of rock weed.  I decided to create more

 

water where there was weed.

 

 

HEre is the painting on the easel.

 

I would like to find out if there is a name for this cozy little harbor to name the painting after.

 

 

My two friends Ann Marie and John with their dog Shackleton chatted with me while I painted.

 

I had not seen them for years.  It was a nice coincidence they were there.

 

Shackleton is a Tibetan Terrier.  I am glad he likes me now.  He was skiddish as a pup.

 

 

My painting location was lovely. I enjoyed the cool breeze from the water.

 

Lobster boat races were entertaining.

 

 

Here is my Sketch-n-Can sketch.

 

I do a thumbnail sketch before I paint.

 

Look at all that rock weed in the water!

 

 

"Working Hard at Greenhead Lobster" 14x20 oil on copper sold.  Thanks.

 

Here is a painting I worked on the last few days in the studio while it rained!

 

 

 

It was a very busy day in Stonington, Maine because of the festivities surrounding Lobster boat

 

races.  Dundee, the orange Maine Coon cat, the Mayor of Stonington, was at his house.

 

He wagged his tail when I took his photo.  

 

 

The blue house had a coctail party tonight.  I was impromtu invited by the residents.

 

I met three more home owners.  The blue house's view is incredible.

 

They all told delightful stories.  They had a table of treats!  

 

It was fun.  I only stayed an hour. 

 

 

Here is the view after the sunset at the Pumpkin Lighthouse.

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Stonington A Peaceful Evening" 10x13 oil on copper 950$ framed in your choice of

 

frame and includes shipping.

 

Today was my birthday.  I decided to paint at my favorite spot in

 

Stonington, Maine.  The mansard roof house by the sea!

 

I painted today until the sun was almost down!

 

The painting is finished.  I will just refine it a bit in the studio tonight.

 

There were a few little nats that got into the oil paint.

 

They are easy to get out.  I ignore them and worry about it later.

 

Some artists let the painting dry and brush the flies off later.

 

I prefer to remove them while the oil paint is still wet.  Then I make

 

sure the paint is smooth.  

 

 

Look who showed up to wish me Happy Birthday!

 

My favorite cat in Stonington, Dundee!

 

He was waving his tail.

 

 

He lingered around for three minutes.  Then he was off!  Hunting!

 

 

Later I was taking photos on Church Street.  Who do you think I saw walking

 

down the middle of the street!  Dundee!  He greeted me again!

 

 

He was on a mission.  I had no idea.

 

 

Shocking!  He sprayed my rental car!

 

I hope Festus never learns how to do this.

 

Dundee is a naughty little boy!

 

 

I decided to view the sunsetting at Pumpkin Lighthouse on Little Deer Isle.

 

What a beautiful sunset!

 

 

I arrived home late at 9:30pm.  Robert had cooked a giant Paella dish.

 

There was a birthday cake!  He wished me Happy Birthday!

 

What a wonderful day.  

 

I also was pleased to hear my Mom wish me Happy Birthday this morning.

 

I opened her beautiful birthday card.  I loved it.  I will find something to buy

 

with the 50$ gift she gave me.  Very generous!  

 

Good night.

 

 

 

 I was sitting in a new spot along Main Street in Stonington, Maine painting this view.

 

I came home and worked more on the painting in my studio.  I was laughing to myself

 

because there is always something strange that happens when I am out painting!

 

 

There was a young boy trying to break the world record with a pogo stick!

 

Someone gave him a tip.  He was very enthusiastic afterwards!  An hour he bounced.

 

He asked for a glass of water.  Then he resumed jumping!

 

His Father came out on their balcony.  He said to me, "Does that crazy pogo stick bother you?"

 

I didn't say anything because I was thinking.  He said, "It would sure bother me if I was painting!"

 

I laughed and put my hands around me neck pretending to choke myself.  He walked over

 

to the boy and told him there was an artist painting nearby and to "Give it a rest!"

 

Then the young boy came over with his sister to see what I was doing.  He asked me if his

 

pogo jumping bothered me?  I didn't know what to say! I didn't say a thing!  I continued 

 

painting.

 

Then he asked me if he could

 

continue pogo jumping.  I suggested I would be finished in an hour and he could pogo jump

 

all he wanted.  I was impressed he had the nerve to ask me if he could

 

pogo jump after his Dad told him to stop.  I wonder what profession he will have in his future?

 

I stopped painting earlier than the hour so he could get back to his business of pogo jumping.

 

I guess I can cross that off my list...Plein air painting with pogo jumping noise!

 

 

Dundee, the orange Maine coon cat made an appearance.

 

He had enough of that crazy pogo jumping noise too.

 

He sniffed my bag.  I bet he smelled my Festus!

 

He had things to do.  He was off.

 

 

Festus going off slowly.  His owner says he is 12 years old.

 

 

 

I was invited to paint this lovely view in Stonington.

 

I felt honored.  He told me only one other artist has been invited to paint his view.

 

He said I was welcome anytime.  Wow.  The invitation was very special to me!

 

I was grateful.

 

 

"Stonington Main Street View" 10x13 oil on copper.  Sold. Thanks.

 

 

"Arriving into Stoningtons Burnt Cove" 6x8 oil on copper sold. Thanks.

 

 

"Spring at Deer Isle Bridge" 14x20 oil on copper sold.  Thank you.

 

 

"Stonington Patriotism" 8x10 oil on copper Sold.  Thanks!

 

 

"Stonington Roof Tops" 6x8 oil on copper Sold.  Thanks.

 

 

"Stonington Working Waterfront" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thanks.

 

 

"Pemaquid Evening" 6x8 oil on copper Sold.

 

 

"Lobster Tonight" 6x8 oil on copper  Sold.  Thanks.

 

 

"Saturday" 14x20 oil on copper sold.  Thank you.

 

 

"Stonington's Sand Beach" 6x8 oil on copper.  Sold.  Thanks

 

 

   I was down to my last tube of Cobalt Blue.  I spend my dollars on Festus's cat food now!  Well

 

and much of our food and gas!

 

I am very fortunate to have these sales to keep us in food and paint.  Thank you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Magnificient Tail" 13x10 oil on copper 950$ framed in gold or black with light gold.

Shipping and frame are included in the price.

 

   I decided to paint Festus in Robert's flower garden.

 

I started the painting working from a computer monitor.  Then I moved outside

 

to the flower garden to paint the foliage.  It was misting outside but it didn't 

 

bother the painting.  I moved back inside to work from the computer monitor again.

 

Then Robert needed to use my computer.  I just used my imagination to refine

 

and simplify the painting.  I think this is when the real magic happens.

 

Festus posed on the drafting table for a few minutes.  He thought I needed him

 

to model to get a better likeness.  His posing really helped! 

 

 

Here is the painting outside working on vegetation.

 

 

   Robert set down his laundry basket for a minute while he checked on his clothes in the dryer.

 

He found Festus in his laundry basket.  He had to hand carry his laundry to his room!

 

Festus stayed in the basket for many hours.

 

 

Lady Violet stole one of my socks.  I saw Festus swipe at the sock

 

hanging off of her mouth but here they are together.

 

 

   It was a relaxing day yesterday.

 

It was 55 degrees and misting most of the day.

 

 

Lily has decided she likes the new bed.  Festus doesn't mind.  

 

 

Stonington

 

 

Here is Sand Beach in Stonington.

 

Good night!  Happy 4th of July!

 

 

   I have an acquaintance in Stonington, Maine who is interested in learning to paint.

She loves the luminous quality of oil on copper paintings.  I decided to show her how I paint.

 

I only painted a 5x7 because of the time limitation.

 

She was amazed how I use a large flat brush to paint lines.  She said this flat brush

 

created better lines than her tiny brushes.  I hope I inspired her to paint more.

 

I wanted to show her how to simplify.  I told her to paint the larger shapes and leave out

 

the details.  Details like every board of the building are best to be hinted.

 

 

A neighbor's dog amused us all by refusing to move!

 

He planted himself in front of the easel!  I announced he wanted

 

to be painted!  He is striking a pose!  He finally left but reluctanty.

 

 

I saw a young fox!

 

 

I drove very slow.  He was magnificent.

 

 

I prepared a 1950 suitcase for holding paintings.

 

I turned around and guess who was sitting on a painting in the suitcase?

 

Yes it was Festus!

 

He gave me his very best cute look.

 

 

Festus would not get out of the suitcase.  I removed him five times.

 

He has a new game to play.  He stalks the dogs while they are drinking water.

 

First Monet and Lily were drinking water. Festus was sitting on Robert's chair.

He seized the moment, leaping into the air, creating a loud roar, and swiped Monet's tail.

 

Monet ran for his life!  Lily stood there blinking her eyes.

 

A few moments later Poppy went for a drink.  The same thing happened!

 

Festus sprang from his chair and leaped onto Poppy.  He grabbed her waist.

 

He was biting her neck.  Poppy ran into the kitchen where Robert was cooking.

 

Festus rode Poppy into the kitchen.  I was so surprised.  I didn't catch it in photos.

 

He has continued to hunt at the watering hole.  He is pretending to be in a Serengeti.

 

He must be terribly bored.  Now all the dogs look to see where Festus is located in 

 

the house so they can safely get a drink of water!  Monet ran back into the kitchen

 

a few times thinking Festus was after him.  Festus was outside in his penthouse!

 

Good night.

 

 

Here is a nice view from Fifield Point.