I have stood to paint this yellow house in Stonington, Maine for 15 years. I have always
asked permission from the inhabitants living in the Blue house next door. They own the land
I would need to stand on to paint the Dahlias and Sunflowers grown by the people living
in the Blue house. The Dutch man grew the flowers. He was always so nice to all the artists.
He told me once he grew them for the artists for a proper foreground. He told me the owners
of the yellow house did not like his tall flowers because they thought they covered up their
house! Sadly the Dutch man passed away from leukemia a few years ago. His wife tried to
take over growing the Dahlias and Sunflowers but she could not. There lies the garden empty
covered in straw.
The lady who lived in the Blue house was difficult to ask permission. No one was ever
home at the Yellow house to ask permission to paint on their property. Today someone was
home! I could not believe it! I had on nice clothes. I always dress nicely. I put on my hat.
I grabbed a postcard with my website. I walked up to the yellow house. I could not tell where
the front door was. I was calm. I thought I would be more nervous. There was a lady inside.
She saw me. She stood behind the screen door looking at me. She had lovely long silver hair
tucked into a loose bun on her head. She had a pretty face. She listened to me tell her how I have
enjoyed painting her yellow cottage for 15 years so many times, how I had never seen anyone home, and
how I wanted to thank her. She opened the door and invited me inside! My eyes roamed around so delighted
to finally see the interior! She took me on a tour! I met her husband. I was shown the master bedroom's
massive view of 180 degrees of ocean, islands, and lobster boats for as far as the eye could see.
I saw the room favored by her Mother, a tiny room with white washed wood, a tiny bed, quilt covering it,
and a perfect view of a Spruce tree with ocean and islands.
I felt how special that little room was where her Mother once slept. I did not want
to leave that room. Here is the view. It had the best view.
Here is the master bedroom's view upstairs.
She was so athletic for being 85 years old. She had no trouble
with the stairs. She showed me around the top floor. I was so grateful
for the tour. I felt like I won the golden ticket to the Willy Wonka Factory!
Here is the table with the lamp that sits in the upstairs room.
I have painted the lamp many times and wondered what the room would look like.
There were two small beds covered in quilts in this little upstairs room.
There is a panoramic watercolor painting.
There is another room upstairs on the left with views. Surprisingly there are three
bedrooms upstairs!
I took this photo of the view to the left.
Peggy sat in this chair showing me many cards her friend had given her.
She let me pick out a few to keep but I chose just one. We shared an hour
or more together talking about artists. She said her Mom said she had a
taste for beauty. "Lust for beauty".
I left the yellow cottage filled with gratefulness. I felt so fortunate to have met
Peggy. I am going to paint a miniature yellow house painting and give it to her
as a gift for taking me on a tour! I hope she will like it. Good night.
