Summer Travels

A trip to Ireland this summer was an amazing journey to a foreign land that didn't feel that foreign...we loved the whole country and the people. Only one painting so far has come from that trip, but I'm sure more will be painted soon!

Giants Causeway was one of my favorite stops; natural formations of stone that look like a giant playing with his blocks. Many hexagonal shapes and sizes. Ballycastle, Northern Ireland.

Water, water, water

I have been obsessed with water since I moved to Maine over 20 years ago...growing up in the Midwest where lakes were far and few between (or hard to get to like downtown Chicago Lake Michigan), I have thoroughly enjoyed the easy access here. These paintings are my most recent.

Old Port Summer Eve

Sea Glass Hunting

Sunday Afternoon Walk

Spring at Tidewater Farms

Kayaking the Coast

Today, a cow

Well, I am trying to do a better job of "quick" paintings. It forces one to be "looser" which a lot of artists strive for. Many times I get too bogged down in details. My friend K Dana Nelson is doing the same thing. She is amazing. Here's my 2 hour cow.

Happy New Year 2016!  A new year always brings a chance to start fresh. What changes are you making? I guess my changes are ongoing. Life is a journey, right?

"Captured Colors" Art Show at Skillins - Coming on January 21 - February 17

5 Artists are displaying our work together -- There will be an Artists' Reception on Sunday, January 24 1PM - 3PM. Come meet the artists - refreshments provided.

I'm working on a couple of paintings that will be in the show. Then I have other choices to make!

"Commercial Street" 11 x 14 Oil $200

"Waiting for Spring"  11x14 Oil  $225

"Coming Home from School" 11 x 14 Oil $200

"Sailing on Casco Bay" 16 x 20 OIL $275

 

 

 

 

2 HOUR PAINTINGS

Well, Here is is, middle of winter! 2 feet of snow on the ground, and more falling...I have been painting, but a different kind of painting than I normally do. These are acrylic -- quick, fun paintings that I have been sharing with all kinds of people -- students for a night -- art, wine, and fun. My students are non-painters. Some would describe themselves as "stick figure painters". But they come, and are willing to pick up a paintbrush for (sometimes) the very first time since grade school. I give them kudos -- it's hard to get outside of one's comfort zone, and for many this was WAY outside the zone. Here are a sampling of some of the paintings over the past few months. All are acrylic and take less than 2 hours to paint. For pictures of my students, go to www.facebook.com/spiritedpaints 

Haiti Paintings

oh, fall is definitely here. I love summer in Maine; but I get very little done, I'm too busy enjoying the weather. I should learn how to paint plein aire and enjoy the weather at the same time. I find the beach is too windy for my paints. Well, the good thing about cooler weather is that I buckle down and get work done. There is an art show I want to get into this year -- lots of competition; I am trying a couple of different subjects that are out of my usual comfort zone. It feels good to try new things. Here are the entries. Wish me luck!

Haiti - Remote Village - 11x14 Oil SOLD

Haiti - Bringing back the food and water SOLD

Haiti - Laundry Day SOLD

Spring at the Maine Shore (11x14 oil $200)

Fiesta and apples SOLD

wow...where does the time go? I paint, I forget to share. I have been working on Spirited Paints a lot, so my own work has been rather sporadic. (to see what Spirited Paints is, go to the website www.spiritedpaints.com)
Here are some quick acrylic 8 x 10s that I did for a gift shop in Harpswell (Maine) near Cundy's Harbor. I had a fantastic time Memorial Day with a friend and daughter. We went up to Campobello Island which is actually part of New Brunswick, Canada. The funny thing is you have to drive through Maine to get there! They combed the beaches for treasures, and I painted. Two of the lighthouses are there: East Quoddy and West Quoddy (one in Campobello, and one in Lubec, Maine)
Hope you are having a good summer!

Lobster fisherman and East Quoddy

West Quoddy

This is actually Pemaquid lighthouse, near Damarascotta

and...the Portland Head Light