Showing posts with label ocean. Show all posts
Showing posts with label ocean. Show all posts

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Where did October go? Bring Back Maine!


Two pastel paintings done at Seal Cove, Oct 2, 2014

It's true. I came back from Maine - bursting with lots of information and memories. Paintings partially finished from a great class with Michael Chesley Johnson, loads of photos to pour over, museum visits to think about and visits with friends and relatives to treasure.

And did I blog about it? Did I say much at all? No, I am ashamed to say, I did not. I got pitched back into the frenzy of deadlines and a new job and catching up with friends and family I didn't see on my trip.

Thursday at Seal Cove

Thursday was so pretty - we went to Seal Cove to paint. The ocean was sparkly and the sun was warm. It was a nice change from the previous dreary days and it was a joy to paint in the sun on the rocks, watching a barge move the moorings around, and listening to the chickadees and the woodpeckers in the woods. (See paintings above.) That's why I like to paint outside - It allows me to relax and enjoy the beauty of nature. I even bring my binoculars and bird book.

Highlights of Maine post-workshop

Friday was such a stellar day! My original plan was to go to Rockland & the Olson House, but I decided to spend the day in Acadia Park and head there in the evening.
On Cadillac Mountain

Jessup's Path near Sur du Mont
The Cave at Schooner's Cove
Thunder Hole

Along the Ocean Trail

Monument Rocks


The weather went down hill as I left Mount Desert (no pun intended), so after a few scenic stops I got to Rockland just as the rain started.
Ft. Knox, Maine

Fort Knox. Looks like they're prepping for a haunted house. This is a pretty neat spot. I'll have to make time for it next year.

Speaking of haunted houses...my favorite falling down house outside of Searsport (across from Hobby Horse Flea Market). I always wonder about the stories it could tell.

I got a hotel room (at The Claddagh Motel) and went into Rockland where I had the MOST STUPENDOUS Lobster Mac & Cheese at The Lobsterman's Restaurant. I was so overcome, I didn't even take a picture!

Next up...The Farnsworth Museum and the Olson House.



Wednesday, January 1, 2014

HAPPY NEW YEAR! The Year in Review and a NEW 30/30 Challenge

Day 1, January 2014 30/30 Challenge
Hazy Light, Point Judith


Happy New Year! And it was a very Happy Old Year!
It's been very busy and exciting!

Here's a recap:
• I've painted A LOT this year.
Probably more than I ever have before. An artist's “bucket-list” trip to Monhegan Island, Maine, two 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenges, several classes and workshops, have not only netted more paintings, but (I think) improved my skills as an artist. I've met some really wonderful new artists and friends.

• Exhibited in three shows
The Art Guild's Member Show at the Graphic Eye Gallery
Concert of Color at Chelsea Mansion with The Art Guild
Port to Port Show at Bridgeport Arts Council with Port Jefferson Arts Council

I've also sold more paintings than ever!
It's always exciting to sell a painting. It's personal - like sending your child out into the world.
I spend a great deal of time, deciding what to paint and getting it right. Sometimes it's quick and seemingly easy and the birds sing and the sun smiles on you. Sometimes it takes planning and agonizing. Some days you go off in the perfect sunshine to one of your happy places and nothing turns out right. Sometimes you go on that special trip and it rains. And you're there. 500 miles from home and you have to muddle through it. And sometimes a little procrastination can get in the way, or you get bored and creative block creeps up and you have to figure out how to shake it off and move on.
So, given all that, the back story, the process, I always hope that that person loves the painting as much as I do.

Where they went to live:
• Everyone's favorite Blue Truck, North Fork, found a new home with a friend – so I get to visit it from time-to-time. Her husband is in LOVE with it and it has a place of honor in their living room.
Evening, Bayville Bridge was also sold to a friend. She bought it as a gift for the gentleman who owns the marina next to the bridge – a perfect fit!
• Quite a few smaller 6” x 6” paintings from the Challenges sold too. Lighthouses seemed to be popular - both Sunset, Orient Point and Pemaquid Point, Maine were also sold to friends. While Green & Blue Summer Day, Jordon Pond & the Bubbles, Clearing Skies Over Oyster Bay, Monhegan Fog, Blue on Blue Boat, and Buoys at the Lighthouse, Bernard all sold via my Etsy shop.
• Prints and cards were also sold via Fine Art America and Zazzle. I'm looking forward to uploading more images and creating new products.

Painted a beautiful new mermaid for Great South Bay Music Festival 2013 (and I'm working on a new one for 2014).

Painted a ceramic plate pet portrait - It was fun to do this again! I'm looking forward to doing more.

What I'm looking forward to in 2014
• As I just mentioned, painting a new mermaid for 2014's GSBMF and doing more pet portraits.
• January 1 starts the first 30/30 Challenge of 2014. See above!
• I'm looking forward to seeing some interesting museum shows. Peter Max is at Nassau Museum 'til February. And maybe, just maybe, I'll get to Boston to see the Sargeant show I missed in Brooklyn.
• I'm looking forward to (hopefully) helping plan some fun art/painting events at the Art Guild. It will be nice to use our building again!
• I can't wait to get back to Maine. It likely won't be 'till late September. As much as I loved Monhegan, I missed Mt. Desert and my friend Gail.
• Painting, learning, creating, exploring!


I'd like to thank everyone for their support!
I'd like to thank my friends and family, everyone who follows my facebook page, blog and emails, for their love and support. Being an artist is often a solitary affair – so your comments and feedback are always important to me. I am thankful and honored to share my work with you. Please share with your friends, come to shows, and tell me how you feel about my posts.

I wish you all a very Happy 2014!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Day 7 & Day 8 - 30/30 Challenge - Catching up!

Today I spent catching up on my paintings! It's really rough to fall behind. I got so caught up in the boat that was supposed to be Friday's painting that I managed to fall TWO days behind! I should probably get started on my Monday painting too! 


Day 7 - Monhegan Fog, watercolor, 6"x6", $45
SOLD!

Sadly, While I was on Monhegan it was socked in fog for most of the two full days. I did however, take lots of hikes and many photos. I'll have enough subject matter to last for months! The rocks here seem so different than Acadia. So much of Acadia is lovely pink-orange granite. Monhegan has black and dark grey, almost purple rock. 



Day 8 - End Of Beach, pastel 6"x6"

One of the last perfect days of summer. My favorite time of year. Very few people taking advantage of the gorgeous day. This group was around somewhere...they set up on beach and disappeared. Probably off fishing. The whole bay was very quiet, only a few people boating or fishing on the dock.