September 18, 2009 - Thinking autumn

The crisp cool air brings thoughts of autumn, and that always makes me think of the wonderful coastal blueberry barrens in their brilliant crimsons and oranges. They aren't there yet, but will be soon. I used to paint them a lot, and then stopped because it seemed so many Maine painters were painting them...but now, with a commission for one in hand, I decided to make a few small studies in preparation for the large one. In doing so I remembered how much I loved the views. These are all 6 X 6" on masonite panel.

August 24 - "Borrowed Views" from Starboard Watch

Working on my greens during this week. It's a color that's always been problematic for me, especially in summer landscape painting...getting the right values especially. These three were done plein air. From left: The Neighbor's Meadow (sold), Summer House (Sold), and Lilies in the Garden.

August 12 - Starboard Watch

I spent the last week, August 11-17 at Starboard Watch in Sargentville, Maine, the home of my dear friends, Bob and Jane. It was a glorious week of spectacular weather and great outdoor painting, looking out over Eggemoggin Reach. Having lived for 13 years in that town, this visit was very special to me. I enjoyed meeting and visiting with fellow house guests Nancy and Deidre of Manhattan, who went home with this little painting, hot off the easel, inspired by my week on Great Spruce Head Island in June. Thanks, Nancy and Deidre...hope you enjoy this little reminder of Maine. I will have more paintings from this week to post soon.

July 11 - 18 Monhegan Island, Maine

The week was a wonderful and challenging experience for me. I tend to be a solitary painter, and I also have had little success painting plein air. But, the color and the light were so inspiring, and the company so encouraging and nurturing that I found myself producing work very much outside my comfort zone.

This photo is from my first day at Burnt Head. It shows the essence of Monhegan, for me.  It was all about the rocks and the water which provided me with an all new palette. The painting here was done sitting on the rocks in gouache on watercolor paper.