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.

Day 29 - 30/30 Challenge - Lopaus Point

Day 1 of Pastel workshop with Michael Chesley Johnson at Acadia Workshop Center. An overcast day, too breezy down at Lopaus Point to work on the south side with the beach...so here we are at the marsh.

I'd like to direct you to my Etsy page. Please consider purchasing a painting because, a. Christmas is coming, and these little paintings really make nice gifts, and/or b. the mermaid needs to buy some picture frames for the big solo show and selling a couple of these little guys would be a BIG help!

I'd also like to suggest that you sign up on the right side of this page for emails (not every day), and the follow button to get notifications when this blog is updated (for this month nearly every day, most times, not so much).

Day 6 - 30/30 Challenge - Cup of Beer

Cup of Beer at the Beach, watercolor, 5x8, in my watercolor sketchbook, NFS

Summer is quickly disappearing and a day at the beach is a treasured thing. As I read a book I noticed this cup of beer on a "neighbor's" mini-picnic table. It was so golden, and captured the feel of the day perfectly!

Though many of these paintings won't be for sale right away, I'd like to direct you to my Etsy page where I'm having a little sale. Please consider purchasing a painting because, a. Christmas is coming, and these little 6x6s really make nice gifts, and/or b. the mermaid needs to buy some picture frames for the big solo show and selling a couple of these little guys would be a BIG help!

I'd also like to suggest that you sign up on the right side of this page for emails (not every day), and the follow button to get notifications when this blog is updated (for this month nearly every day, most times, not so much).

Get more info on the 30/30 challenge go to Leslie Saeta's blog by clicking here.

First Plein Air of 2014 - Fire Island Lighthouse

A Trip to the Lighthouse and the Ocean

Saturday was (finally) a beautiful day. I had heard that the [Fire Island National Seashore’s] boardwalk to the Fire Island Lighthouse had finally been rebuilt and was open for walking! I packed up some painting and drawing supplies (tried to keep it light) and off I went.

I'm always so happy when I cross the Causeway

This post Sandy landscape always freaks me out.

Pretty new boardwalk on National Seashore property. 

(Looks like recycled plastic. Really beautiful and clean.)

YAY! Walking up to the lighthouse and the lens building.

This is the boathouse behind the lighthouse on the bay side. 

I love this composition, but standing here on the boardwalk is awkward and blocks the path for people. So, I'll take the reference shot and move on.

Cool stuff on the bay beach. I love old rusty stuff like this. Looks like a big winch. 

I wonder what its story is?

I came back up and found that I could sit in this spot, on the edge of the boardwalk, out of the way.

FIRST PLEIN AIR SKETCH OF THE YEAR!

(In my sketchbook, NFS)

Then I walked down the beach almost to Kismet. It was windy, and a little cold, but not terribly uncomfortable. I did think that the barefoot people with their feet in the ocean were pushing the envelope, but we really need some spring around here!

This is a really creepy photo for me. Hurricane Sandy stripped away all the dunes, scrub pines and other vegetation. This used to be a dune...not flat as you see it here. You could see the lighthouse and the roof of the keeper's quarters, but not the whole building.

Sand carved by the wind.

That huge dune, sticking out all by itself, is all that's left of the primary dune line in this (approx 1 mile+) section. (Looking west.) 

Walking back along the Burma Road.

I have to go back to the lighthouse. It is my favorite place.

I really enjoy the colors and the graphic-ness of the building, sky and surrounding area.

My happy place. I could sit on this bench all day and watch the sky go by.

Drawn on-site and painted at home from memory.

(In my sketchbook, NFS)

And I was entertained by this little whirlwind of purple and red racing 'round and 'round the lighthouse with her father and brother. (Drawn on site and painted at home from memory.)

Bye-bye Lighthouse - See you soon!

Rhode Island Adventure - Painting Number One - Point Judith

Point Judith Lighthouse, watercolor

10.75"w x 8.75"h, $150

Click to purchase in my Etsy shop

A couple of weekends ago, I popped up to my aunt and uncle's home in Rhode Island for the weekend. I wanted to explore and paint some of the beautiful places near their home, and with the leaves changing, it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

Saturday - First Stop, Point Judith 

Usually when I go to Rhode Island, it's either raining (summer) or freeeezing (winter). The last time I was at Point Judith it was December, freezing, and the wind was blowing like a hurricane. There are pix of us (somewhere) huddled around the base of the lighthouse, out of the wind.

Very "Hopperesque" isn't it?

I was delighted this time when, despite some clouds, the sun peeked through enough to get some great pictures for future reference AND I was able to do a small watercolor!

Almost finished!

Those shadows on the middle building changed completely in less than an hour!

For more info on Point Judith, click here.

Next Up: Ninigret National Wildlife Refuge

Day 30 - 30/30 Challenge - Painting 25 - Teddy Roosevelt Park

Summer's Over

10.25" x 8.5", watercolor, $85

Soon to be in my Etsy shop. If you are interested, please contact me below.

Puffy clouds, blue. blue skies, warm sunny day in late September. some of my favorite things.  I confess, I did see another local artist paint this scene at Teddy Roosevelt Park in Oyster Bay, a week or so ago...I just loved it, so I went and painted my own rendition. (Thanks Noel Darvie!)

When I wasn't painting, I watched people put their boats in the water for one final fling around the bay, or read a book. (Chocolat, by Joanne Harris - Yes, the same story that was made into a movie with Johnny Depp & Juliette Binoche. She's an excellent writer.) 

I afraid this may be the last of summer for real this time.