Karen Pettengill -About her paintings and methods

Top Shelf Aucton for Maine Discovery Museum

2011-10-26T20:34:00.008-05:00

It's been along time between blogs. Summer is a wonderful memory of many warm and bright sunny days...one of the best summers that we recall. We were busy every week. Now the crisp fall air is here and filled with smells of wood smoke, cooling earth and molding leaves. Things are winding down. We 're closing up the yard for winter and have a new garden shed to store plant pots, outdoor furniture and tools. Last week I made a delicious caribou stew, courtesy of a coworker whose husband got it during a hunting trip to Labrador. It was the first of many slow cooked comfort foods to come.

Every year at this time the Maine Discovery Museum's Annual Fall Gala and Auction in Bangor comes around. This show title is called, "Top Shelf" and was so named for the wall shelves painted by Maine artists invited for this year's show . The dinner gala is a big event in Bangor and I'm very excited to be included. The date for the gala is November 19.

It's always interesting to see what other artists chose do for their pieces.

I decided to paint a scene of Schoodic Point in Downeast Maine. We traveled through Acadia National Park in August and went just a little further north to this remote region of the park. It was one of my favorite locations....especially this beach on Frenchmen's Bay facing Cadillac Mountain in the distance.The clouds were so low and puffy we thought we could reach up and touch them as they floated overhead.

For info on how to bid for your favorite shelf go to http://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/

Two special pieces are offered on Ebay..one of them is donated by author Stephen King!

An afternoon in Shapleigh

2011-06-08T20:11:00.007-05:00

My work keeps me pretty busy and it's interesting but I really look forward to my days off, especially when the weather is so nice. Steve needed photos of a new listing in Shapleigh so we made an afternoon of it.
While he was at the town hall gathering information I took Koda for a walk through the sweet park in the village center. I was surprised by a pair of handsome Canadian geese with a family of seven fluffy gray sygnets. Dad and mom walked toward me with threatening looks as I approached them for photos. You can see the pond and bridge in the photo of the geese. The gardens and gazebo are beautiful too. From the poo covered sidewalks I'd say they own the place for now.
When Steve finished we headed north to Limerick to pick up lunch, then we found a quiet lakeside spot on West Pond in Parsonsfield to eat.
The bottom photo is of old Mousam Grange which is across from the town hall and the park.
I'm inspired by the scenery in Maine and paint these places in my head..getting to the studio is quite another thing....

3 Phases of the painting "Native Son"

2011-05-24T22:07:00.015-05:00

Here are three phases of an acrylic painting called, "Native Son", which was completed two years ago.
I couldn't get the photos set up correctly on this blog so the first phase is actually the one on the bottom . The canvas has been covered with a terra cotta underpainting which is just like the papers and panels used in my pastel paintings. The warm tone makes the cool color palette in my work sparkle. It's rare that I paint on a white or light toned background.
I paint with a big brush(house trim painting size)
and use all the tips and edges for blocking in and shapes right down to the smallest areas including the mooring line. The only time I use a small brush is for my signature. I found that this works for me because I have to move my whole arm to get what I want...there's more energy in the strokes. Yellow was added midway then white and green mixtures were scumbled over areas of the boat. I used a dry scumble of greens on the water for depth and reflections.
The scene is from memory. When I was a kid we lived near Casco Bay and these islands could be seen from the beach where I spent many summers. How fortunate I was....

The outboard motor was my favorite thing to paint..love the shape of it, especially the little prop in the sun.

The clouds came from a photo I took in the California desert around Palm Springs.

The skiff....well... she was on dry land in the middle of December...

Who's your Buddy now.

2011-05-17T09:58:00.004-05:00

This is 'Buddy' a handsome mixed breed dog owned by a friend. He reminds me of a German Shepherd in this portrait, especially with his large upright ears and coloring. His direct gaze speaks to his personality which I'm told is strong and energetic but lovable.
This guy loves to run and he has just the right home for it with a big beautiful field on the owner's property and plenty of pesky wildlife around to keep him entertained..like a family of foxes.
His new mother loved him from the start, but he was a handful and his dad wasn't quite sold on the idea. It took a little time but Buddy worked his way into everyone's hearts and now his dad takes him everywhere.
This is acrylic with touches of casein mixed in, painted on a terra cotta toned panel. I started using toned pastel papers several years ago and use that same underpainting for acrylic and casein. You can see it peeking through in the background and in areas of Buddy's chest and neck. I like the warmth and cohesive quality of this method.

Photoshop experiments

2011-05-10T17:31:00.009-05:00

The pastel panels I ordered should arrive tomorrow and until that happens I'm playing with recently finished acrylic paintings in Photoshop. We've had this program for about 12 years now and it's been really helpful when it comes to altering paintings for the "What ifs". I'm never satisfied with a finished painting...there's always something I should've done differently and this program gives me a chance to try it. I've also found that by flipping a painting horizontally distortions are easy to spot. That's come in very handy since there's no mirror in the studio and dragging some of my paintings down spiral stairs to the bathroom is an accident waiting to happen.

Here are three versions of the acrylic painting 'Puddy' and it's interesting how the hues and tone values change the feeling. One of the applications makes him look like he's moving.

These are my favorites..

Cape Porpoise In Winter Light

2011-04-25T07:18:00.003-05:00

Easter was a great day for Steve and I. We had a good hike in the morning then a short break before going to our son's home to celebrate the holiday and two family birthdays. The weather was cooperating for a change so we had a cookout prepared on their new hot dog cart that will be set up in Freeport this summer. Check it out on Depot Street.

After such a full day I like to go to the studio in the evening to paint. The act of painting has become almost like an act of meditation. I think it's the result of painting more often in the past two months and just getting into a rhythm. I care less and less about little mistakes and let them be.

I liked the roof shapes in this scene of Cape Porpoise, the dock with the light bouncing off the poles and the land across the cove. This little harbor will be busy soon...I like to remember it this way.

A walk in the woods

2011-04-24T13:27:00.008-05:00

On Easter morning we decided to take a short hike on a new trail here in Pownal, cleared by volunteers of the Royal River Conservation Trust. This organization received grant money to install two bridges and extend a public trail system connecting Bradbury Mountain State Park to Pineland Farm in New Gloucester. The new section includes a beautiful wooden and steel bridge that spans the Chandler River and was just completed about a month ago. The trails are all open, free to the public, for hiking, mountain biking, cross country skiing and horse back riding. We are fortunate to live in a place where these natural amenities are at our doorstep and can be enjoyed every day.

We met like minded neighbors who were hiking with their two boys and were just as impressed with the work as we were. We plan to go back often this summer and bring our family members too. Koda enjoyed the walk and gave me a happy face on the bridge.

One of the photos shows an ancient piece of farm equipment left there long ago. Many of the original farm's stone walls are still intact and run everywhere through the woods down to the river. They are covered with rich

green lichen now and mark off old cow pastures.

Tight Quarters - New Harbor

2011-04-15T19:15:00.007-05:00

New Harbor is just outside of Pemaquid Village and is unique in that there are two separate harbors in the town.

This one is narrow, deep and stretches inland to the right and out of frame. It's more protected from the open ocean than the other larger harbor out of frame to the left and around a V shaped peninsula. There are several docks on both sides of this gut with many pleasure craft and working boats moored or tied up all through here. I actually left out three other boats that were jammed into the photo shot, but even so, these four remaining boats are pretty snug in the scene. While we were here the ocean swells rolling in from the mouth of the harbor tossed the boats up and down, swinging them precariously close to each other. I wanted a composition that would convey a sense of tight quarters and moving water. The jostling maneuvers must be exciting to watch on a busy summer day.

Friendship Harbor in the Fall

2011-04-12T08:38:00.004-05:00

Two years ago we drove up the coast and took some roads out to coastal peninsulas we'd never visited before. It was a sunny October afternoon so we decided to check out Waldoboro and continue on out to Friendship. I say 'on out' because Friendship is fairly remote and way off the beaten path..our kind of place. The village was very quiet as expected and the summer homes were tidy and buttoned up tight. Only the local residents live there year around..and maybe a few city transplants. I wondered if the locals look forward to this time of year or miss the people from away...easy answer. Down on the docks it was business as usual with fisherman bringing in traps and securing equipment for the coming season. The original founders of this area sure knew what they were doing when they settled here because the harbor is a well protected cove and the water is calm. I heard alot of men talking but couldn't see them, but I did capture one of their companions sunning himself next to a truck. He got up and wondered up to see me. Acrylic 5 x7.

Pemaquid in Red

2011-04-07T07:19:00.006-05:00

I've done a second study of a summer home in the village of Pemaquid because the porch, window and barn shapes really intrigue me, especially in strong sunlight. The organic tree shapes help break up the geometric forms of the buildings that really are on this property. I think the cast shadow of the tree in front of the barn draws the eye behind the house creating more depth. This is a birch panel that started with a bright green under painting..it pokes through in parts of the lawn and in the trees behind the house. I'm not sure what I'm looking for, but it's interesting to experiment with unusual color combinations using everyday scenes like this. Maybe I'm addicted to color..?

Painting Maine

2011-04-02T07:06:00.005-05:00

Blueberry fields are stunning in the fall when the leaves turn a brilliant crimson .The feeling I have for a scene like this is difficult to capture in a painting. Red and orange paints don't do it justice and my ability to execute it. This field is on a back road in Union, just inland from Camden and Rockland. We were there two years ago for a long weekend enjoying the countryside and celebrating my birthday.

We visited Savage Oakes Vineyard which isn't too far from this spot. Their grapes and blueberries grow side by side on a sweeping hillside way up behind the tasting house. We bought a bottle of their blueberry wine and saved it for the family's Thanksgiving dinner. It was so delicious..that bottle of wine defined this time and place as well as any painting.. This is 8 x 8 deep birch panel.

Spring Travels through Maine

2011-03-30T11:24:00.007-05:00

While a possible snowstorm heads it's way to our neck of the woods we'll count our blessings and enjoy the bright sunshine of the past few days..Take'em while you can is our motto!

Winter still has a small grip..but it's weakening and spring is definitely on the way.

Steve had a property to show near the New Hampshire border on tuesday so I went along for some photos of the region....and lunch.

We drove into Rochester, New Hampshire, for a quick bite and stopped on the way back for photos in the pretty village of Alfred and a few other places. The light was perfect for cool shadows and reflected sun. This antique shop's windows are packed with old books and intriguing pieces..we'll have to go back and check it out another time. The mansard roof and dormers remind me of a big fancy victorian hat. The steeple located on Main Street in Rochester stood majestic with the wispy airbrushed looking clouds behind it. New England is still a beautiful place even after a miserable winter.

So many scenes to paint..time just flies...

Painting a Day-or every other day

2011-03-26T07:35:00.004-05:00

The Painting a Day has turned into more like a painting every other day but I'm satisfied. I've done more paintings this month than usual and it's been a challenge to get myself up to the studio after working all day.

This little study is of a summer field next to the Basin Recreation Area in Evans Notch..located right on the Maine New Hampshire border. The sky was breathtaking that day...so blue and wonderful cloud formations.

We love this region and go there often. There's a National Park campground that looks inviting too.

The campsites are private and wooded..with hot showers and a small lake nearby. Hiking trails, kayaking and sitting by a fire at night sounds pretty inviting right now.

5 x7 acrylic and available for $75 including shipping.

Painting a Day-Puddy in the Leaves

2011-03-23T07:08:00.004-05:00

This fellow's name was "Puddy". He was a big beautiful cat owned by a friend. I used a wonderful photo supplied by her for this portrait study of him walking through the leaves. She has a good eye for photography. The view of him from above and texture of the leafy matter around him made for an interesting perspective and contrast in textures. There was a pretty maple leaf sitting on his back in the shot but it might've drawn too much attention from the main subject so I left it out. I have another photo to work from for a second study and will try that too. This one is for MJ and I hope it brings back fond memories of this special family companion.

Painting a Day-Alburquerque, N.M.

2011-03-20T22:56:00.005-05:00

This great classic car was parked on a shady side of the street in the Old Plaza of Alburquerque, when we were there last summer. It was in super condition and drew a lot of attention. I loved the front grill and visor over the windshield. That visor is a real nice feature to have on a car in a places like the Southwest where the sun is intense. It was 113 the day we drove into Tempe, Arizona, and that was a little overwhelming for New Englanders like us, but we found a sweet hotel with a nice refreshing pool and free drinks..that made it easier to take.
The grill on this car kind of looks like a smiling face to me...very welcoming I thought.
We traveled on some sections of Old Route 66.
It isn't at all like it used to be but I'd like to go back to this region some day...
This is called, " A Friendly Face in Alburquerque", acrylic 5 x7
My husband might not let me sell this one.

2011-03-19T07:19:00.005-05:00

A scene from lake side in Jefferson Maine last summer. My son and his family rented a cozy little cottage for a week and the weather was fabulous the entire time. They invited us for a cookout that included a boat ride down the entire length of the lake which is about 9 miles.

This region is just a short ride from busy Route One but often overlooked by out of staters.

We love sitting by the campfire on a summer evening and watching the sun go down..just listening to the water gently splash on shore. There's nothing like a few toasted marshmellows to round off a good barbeque.

Acrylic 5 x7. Available for sale.

Painting a Day - Portrait of Steve

2011-03-15T08:22:00.006-05:00

This is my husband Steve. He was sitting on a bench at the top of a mountain in New Hampshire during one of our short vacations when I took this great photo. We had just received news that our brother in law had died unexpectedly and our moods had turned somber. The White Mountains are a region we head to frequently to recharge our batteries. The natural beauty of this National Park always puts things in perpective for us so we couldn't have been in a better place to process this tragedy.

Steve thinks I flatter him here..not so. I hope his strength and character come through in this study even a little. He's been knocked down pretty hard by a rare auto immune disease and bounces back every time it hits. On this fine day, with the warm sun on our backs and a breathtaking view of the valley and mountain range stretched before us..we were feeling pretty lucky....

Painting a Day- Dusk in Bristol

2011-03-13T07:12:00.005-05:00

I painted this small study of sundown on a winding road in Bristol. There are more great scenes from this area near Pemaquid to paint such as New Harbor, and Chamberlain to name a few. My husband's family once owned a small cottage in that area. It would've been nice to have it now...it was right on the water.

We have dinner guests this evening so I won't post another painting for two days.

As you can see painting telephone and cable lines isn't my forte.

Acrylic 5 x7.

Painting a Day-The Contender

2011-03-12T08:23:00.005-05:00

The regimen of painting a day is catching on. I'm starting to feel that I have to paint or the day isn't complete.

These small works are enjoyable and easier to manage with my full time work schedule.

This cow is snoozing in the sun in one of the exhibitor barns at the Fryeburg Fair. Farm animals are brought there to show and then sell for meat.

I think one day humans will discover that animals weren't necessarily put on this earth just for our pleasure and use.

5 x7 acrylic and available for sale. I'm selling these small paintings for $75 each including shipping. Please inquire.

Painting a Day -Rose Colored Sky

2011-03-11T08:18:00.003-05:00

Steve and I have passed by this farm literally hundreds of times and always marveled at the roof shapes and huge size of the place. It was a working farm not too long ago and dairy cows grazed the fields. It sits idle now. I have photos taken of this place from all different angles, even from the other side which is interesting too.

This palette is just an experiment..I don't usually go in this direction.

Perhaps I should've made the field all green...

Acrylic 5 x 7

Painting a Day - Two for One

2011-03-09T09:41:00.006-05:00

I can't seem to get away from color no matter how hard I try....so, here are the next two offerings for the Painting a Day challenge.

There are countless ways to explore hue and tone in images like these and I'll try other studies with that in mind before moving on to a large painting.

Painting scenes from photos rekindles memories of the day trips Steve and I've taken through towns such as Pemaquid and Harrison, featured in these two works. Perhaps that's why the colors are so strong...we've gone through some interesting places in Maine. I'm using this daily painting regime as a way to find my bearings after being away from the easel for a few months and working small takes some of the pressure off.

These paintings will be added to my new website and available for sale.

Shipping will be included in the price.

Painting a Day & Sheets in the Sun

2011-03-07T09:30:00.003-05:00

It's been raining cats and dogs for two days now and everyone I know is talking about the weather. Winter has been long and dispite all the rain we still have 4 ft snowbanks.

I decided to paint something I really look forward to in summer and that is hanging sheets on the line. They smell so fresh and sweet.. I think they absorb the sunlight.

This is on canvas board, a texture that I don't like for acrylic so I'll switch back to gessoed panels that are smooth for the next paintings.

Day two of the challange

2011-03-06T07:29:00.005-05:00

Yesterday was day 5 of the March Painting a Day challenge..but day two for me. I started out of the gate late..so at some point I'll have to paint two in one day to catch up.

This is the fisherman's dock at the end of the point in Cape Porpoise. It was such a great day when we were there last week. The sun was very bright and the water was smooth and calm..just a few ripples with sun sparkling off the peaks. It made for nice reflections of the boats moored there.

The lobster traps lined up and the spot of red in the storage box and buoy added different textures and perspective. Hard to believe that this place is swarming with people at other times of the year. I won't be there then...

Acrylic 5 x 7.

Summer Place-Chamberlain

2011-03-05T08:21:00.006-05:00

Yesterday it was 7 degrees below zero just after sunrise..today it's 34 degrees above and raining! Is it any wonder that people living in Maine experience, "Cabin Fever" and get a little squirrely during this transitional time of year? Perhaps I speak for myself and my husband only....

After a failed attempt at the easel earlier this week(a large landscape) I decided to join a Facebook art group that is challenging a painting a day. I thought this would be a good kick in the pants to get going again but I'm making it a little easier by doing small studies, around 5 x 7 size. I love these small pieces and sometimes a large painting will result from one. The subjects will vary (depending on my squirreliness!) so stay tuned.

The first one is a charming Maine cottage by the sea. We particularly liked this old place and the view was lovely at sundown ..the golden light just touched things here and there. We imagined it is filled will life and laughter during the summer months but the people from away were gone and the home closed for the long winter rest.

Beating Back Winter

2011-01-26T11:18:00.006-05:00

Winter has closed in with a vengeance. The temps are bitter and the snow is getting deeper. We venture out for walks bundled up in our bulky and ridiculous insulated clothing with scarves wrapped around our faces to prevent frost bite. The arctic air stings our eyes making them water. Our dog Koda, whose coat is luxuriously thick, revels in the season. She frequently demonstrates the bracing Scandinavian way of celebrating winter by rubbing her body in an icy white bath. It's so cold that the snow squeaks under foot. During our walks Koda stops often to chew off ice balls that stick between the pads of her feet. As we pass our neighbors' homes their chimneys steadily puff up clouds of smoke from wood stoves and furnaces. Some days the clouds linger in the air but on windy days the fierce winds blow the exhaust away like smoke from a speeding freight train.
What is a painter to do when the scenery provided is mostly white with blue shadows?..or just shades of gray on overcast days? Some painters continue to work outside with kindred spirits who share the challenge of plien air painting in all conditions. It's not for me. I've paid my dues working outside in the four seasons during my earlier life..a comfortable studio is my reward.
The desk is cleaned off and there are prepared canvases and panels asking the question..what next?
I wonder too....

These photos were taken the day after our last big storm.

A Maine morning

2010-11-30T20:30:00.011-05:00

We were up before dawn today. That's kind of unusual for me..being the night owl, but we had two grand children to get off to school 10 miles away. After that pleasant task( Sydney and Tyler were so cute) the day belonged to us, so we headed to the town of Old Orchard Beach on a small errand.

The early morning light gave the passing scenery a soft diffused quality as we traveled south through Portland, South Portland then crossed the flats of Scarborough Marsh and on to our final destination. The air was still and the marsh waters looked almost like glass reflecting the pale blue streaked sky. The village is devoid of vacationers now, and more like a ghost town compared to the bumper to bumper traffic that clogs the main streets all summer. Old Orchard's five mile long beach is a big draw then but the shops and motels are shut up for the winter and the pier is vacant. We noticed some locals beginning to stir and start their morning rituals of jogging, dog walking and heading off to work. Their warm breath formed white clouds in the cold crisp air as they scraped ice off windshields and exercised. Life goes on day and night no matter where you live but for next several months the pace here could be called a hibernation of sorts. We enjoyed our quiet drive through the sleepy little town.

I've included a shot of the marsh, another of the Presumpscot River taken from the highway, and the final shot is a local farm road not far from our home. The sights are diverse, very inspiring to a painter like me, and for those who don't paint too. It's all a typical morning in Maine.

Afterglow-Pemaquid

2010-11-24T00:22:00.005-05:00

Not too long ago we drove to the coastal village of Pemaquid. We were struck by the dramatic skies as the sun started to go down in late afternoon. I was so intrigued by the shadows cast across the homes, and landscape that we stopped many times to take photos. Where would we be without our digital cameras to capture such fleeting moments!

Some may find these areas to be melancholy when everyone leaves for the winter but not us...it's even more beautiful here in the fall. The region is rich with oranges, reds and greens. Put those hues together with old New England homes clad in white or pale yellow and the colors just sing, especially against skies with shades of blue and gray.

Very often when I take a bunch of photos the paintings I make from them don't come right away. The images have to sink in and rattle around a little before I jump in, but I was so inspired by the scenery of this lovely day trip that this one couldn't wait.

Luckily I had a bunch of canvases ready to go with a toned underpainting of terra cotta. The sky here has more yellow in it than the actual painting...
This is 28 x 32 mixed media of acrylic and casein. The blues, oranges and greens in casein are very earthy and have more depth than acrylic and they mix together quite well.

The book or the movie

2010-11-20T23:44:00.011-05:00

I think artists have to figure out for themselves what mediums work best for them, or whether to work in 2D or 3D, what surfaces to use, how to set up a studio, or when and how long to work, and so on. Education, life experiences, desire, and time are some of the things that influence these choices as well.

I really enjoy working at night when it's quiet and so I flip on the radio and let the world music programs on NPR take me away and into the painting zone. Memories of the day fade into silence and my inner voice returns as I go through the same ritual. I put on my apron, squeeze out the luxurious pigments, pick up my brush and begin to paint. It's hard to explain the satisfaction that comes during the time spent in my studio, but let's just say that it gives me a peace that may be similar to meditation.

Someone asked me the other day what I was working on now. I hesitated for a moment, then explained that I had discovered if I talked about a work in progress it takes all the energy and excitement away from the painting but I didn't know why. She hit the nail on the head when she said, " It must be like reading the book before you see the movie."

I won't break my silence now either..

Autumn Sun-Sebago Farm

2010-11-08T19:06:00.007-05:00

The more I paint the more I realize how much my experiences and environment influence my work. This is the best way to describe the subjects that end up in my paintings.

While on a short day trip with my husband, who is a real estate broker and was headed to an appraisal, we passed this grand old farm in the town of Sebago.

It was a fine Autumn day and the brilliant overhead sun cast strong shadows everywhere.

The connected buildings are typical in Maine and were designed to make farm work easier during our long, cold winters. Farmers could move from living space to the barns to care for their stock without exposure to the harsh elements. I love the way the buildings hunker into the ground and settle as time passes.

The lack of detail caused by this kind of sunlight intrigued me so we stopped to take photos for future painting reference.

The maple tree had lost most of it's leaves but those remaining were so bright that they provided reflected light near the house. I find it sad to see beautiful farms like this one not working anymore but the ingenuity of it's design remains as a testiment to the people who lived and worked it years ago..

Acrylic and casein. 12 x 14

Old Shoe

2010-11-03T23:20:00.006-05:00

Arctic air has slipped into Maine and that means we have to face the fact that winter is just around the corner. It's not such a bad thing especially for a painter like me who loves to work in a nice warm studio as I did tonight .

Anyway..now that it's getting colder and all the "people from away" have hightailed it back to the city we Mainers have a chance to enjoy the scenery again..without getting stuck in lines of traffic, and fighting crowds everywhere. The light now is very intriguing too and casts a rosy glow with long shadows in the afternoon. Compound that atmospheric phenomenon with deserted summer homes and cottages and I find great subjects to paint.

This neat little place is on a favorite lake of ours and caught my eye while Steve and I were headed to one of his real estate jobs. I love the roof shape, the tidiness of it and the trees. Even the propane tanks provided inspiration with dappled sunlight hitting them just so. There was an old sneaker laying in the sand in front of the cottage..but I chose not to paint it. The deep snow will cover and protect it and it'll probably be there next summer when the owners come back, just like the old cottage.

This is acrylic 12 x 15

Gone to the Dogs

2010-10-22T22:50:00.011-05:00

Every year the Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor puts on a big auction and gala to help raise funds for their great children's museum. This year they provided artists with a neat wooden storage container that is 24 inches high, has a lid and is suitable for all kinds of things. I'm a little late with mine but finished just in time for the auction and dinner which will be held Nov. 6. at the Bangor Hilton. Preview is at 5, then at 5:30 the fun begins with the "Not So Silent" Auction and a scrumptious 4 course dinner at 7.. Tickets are $50 a person with RSVP by October 29th. For more info click onto http://www.mainediscoverymuseum.org/ . While on their site be sure to check out the fabulous containers painted by all the other Maine artists who participated ..their versions blow me away!

There are so many dog lovers out there that I thought this theme would have broad appeal...4 very different dogs, doing 4 different things...

"Home Grown" Exhibition

2010-09-12T19:14:00.005-05:00

I'm happy to be participating in Skyline Farm and Carriage Museum's Annual Fall Art Show that is coming up right away. The 2010 show is titled, "Home Grown" and features painters, photographers, sculptors and craftspeople from the great state of Maine. As an added bonus Skyline Farm is collaborating with Chef Jeff Landry of the 'Farmer’s Table' restaurant in Portland. He is generously giving his time and talent to present a fabulous Harvest Dinner in the Skyline Farm Museum Exhibition Hall. Jeff will be preparing a feast of foods harvested within 25 miles of the farm. Jeff Landry arrived on the Portland dining scene when he opened the popular restaurant ‘Cinque Terre’ where he served as Executive Chef. He has also served as Executive Chef at ‘Eve’s at the Garden’ at the Portland Harbor Hotel and had a long relationship with the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport. Jeff is dedicated to serving local, organically-produced meals at the 'Farmer's Table' and in 2006, he was awarded Maine’s "Chef of the Year" by the Maine Restaurant Association. He's been actively involved in fund raisers for “Share the Strength”, a nonprofit organization which strives to end childhood hunger. As you can tell from this brief bio, Jeff is a very generous and talented person who believes in giving back to the community. The menu looks scrumptious and will feature mead, beer, wine, artisan cheeses, organic meat, poultry and fresh vegetables made or grown in Maine.
Some of the victual providers will be on hand to talk about their locally made products.

The Fine Art & Crafts Show will be on view the evening of the dinner on September 25, but the artist opening reception is October 2 from 5-7. Throughout the show, which ends on Dec. 4, many weekends will feature artisan demonstrations, a class or two, and guest musicians!

Stop in to meet the artists and see what Maine has to offer. There will be a silent auction of donated items to bid on as well...just in time for your holiday entertaining or gift giving. For more info http://www.skylinefarm.org/

"The Green Monster" is one of several paintings I'll be putting in the show. 20 x 20 pastel on prepared archival foam core. I hope to see you there!

The gift of sight

2010-07-12T10:44:00.005-05:00

This is for my artist friend Gerry Merriman. Gerry and I met while I was managing a small shop in Kennebunk one summer several years ago. Her sister Jane worked in the office of a survey company in the same building and she stopped in one day to tell me that her sister was an artist and made 'flower paintings'. Jane said her sister Gerry was a very prolific painter...with flowers, that is, and that she had hundreds of images of portraits, figures, landscapes, still lifes, ........all comprised of flower petals, leaves, stems, buds etc. She wondered if I would take some for the shop.
Jane mentioned that Gerry had diabetes since she was 12 and because of that had related health issues but continued to paint and create regardless. Needless to say I wanted to meet her and see her work.
Gerry came in the next day and we hit it off immediately! Gerry is vivacious, funny and passionate about her work. Her astonishing portfolio literally consists of book after book of her flower paintings...hundreds of beautiful works. The originals are small...done on 5 x 7 card stock. When finished they are photoed and printed on archival papers. Most images are enlarged to 8 x 10..some are much larger. I own about 10 from notecard size to poster. The images become even more powerful the bigger they are.
Gerry was on the verge of loosing her sight because of diabetes but she received a series of new laser treatments that prevented that from happening. Her short compelling testimony is on the link provided here..and also some of her work. http://wods.radio.com/2010/06/14/mass-eye-ear-patient-testimonials-gerry/
I am so grateful for the special care she's received and look forward to seeing many new 'flower paintings'.

Brick Store Museum

2010-05-05T15:35:00.008-05:00

Today was a glorious day here in southern Maine weather wise. No way was I staying inside to do chores or anything else! My husband had a real estate closing(Yay Steve!) in Kennebunk so I decided to tag along for the ride. Kennebunk's Main St. is still a charming little village area dotted with locally owned shops and businesses, so while Steve took care of business I took a walk. After browsing through a lovely beautique filled with stunning garden and home accessories(I wanted one of everything) I headed up to The Brick Store Museum a few blocks away. The Pastel Painters of Maine 11th International Juried Show will be exhibited there from May 22-June 13 and I wanted to check out the gallery space. I introduced myself to two staff members who just happened to be clearing out for the PPoM exhibition. They were excited about the show coming into the museum which is turning over three rooms for the 60 pastel paintings from all over the US. I'm thrilled to be included in this year's show too!

I wandered through some of the permanent collection and then headed outside to enjoy the garden behind the museum. Spurred on and inspired by a group of plein air painters on my Facebook page (you know who you are)I decided to bring my sketchbook with me just in case...
Steve's meeting would end soon so I drew quickly. The private garden is tucked behind the three connected museum buildings offering visitors a place of rest and contemplation away from busy Main St. I sketched these original old windows and shutters because I liked the shapes and cast shadows.

I'll post one more announcement about the show just before it opens with a reception May 22 4-6 p.m at the museum.

For more info about PPoM and the show http://www.pastelpaintersofmaine.com/

Denzel

2010-04-27T19:57:00.005-05:00

This is one of my first pastel portraits and was done in 1997....13 years ago. Denzel was a Hanovarian- Thoroughbred cross owned by a woman whom I worked for and I did this in exchange for some riding lessons. I think I got the better deal in the arrangement. Denzel's owner Carol, is a superb horsewoman and a very good teacher. I made some breakthroughs while riding for her that I will always remember. Carol specializes in Dressage and still runs her training and breeding facility in a neighboring town. It was inspiring to watch her ride(awesome in fact) and I stopped many times while doing barn chores to catch her during schooling sessions. She had a retired thoroughbred named Gulliver who had competed at Grand Prix level(Olympic) in Germany. "Gully" as he was known, was aged and arthritic but he really loved his job and would perform upper level movements, at the ripe old age of 27, for Carol, that astonished everyone. Carol used Gully as a schooling horse and I can tell you he scared the pants off me a few times during my lessons...he was a master.

It's always interesting to go back and look over past work to see if there is progress in my painting. Just like riding, there are breakthroughs, plateaus and "Gullys".

Red Sky at Night

2010-04-01T23:48:00.004-05:00

Casco Bay and Portland Harbor in particular are beautiful in all seasons but summer to me is best for sunsets. Sometimes the cloud formations and brilliant orange tinged skies of sundown provide great opportunities for painting inspiration.

This pastel painting was done a number of years ago as a commision for a client who spent many summers on Peaks Island which sits just a short distance from Portland's shore. The client's mother owned a small cottage just up the hill from the ferry landing wharf. He recalled many great memories of spectacular evening scenes just like this and wanted to preserve it in a painting. The view here is from the island facing west to Portland Harbor.

Fly Away

2010-03-27T19:29:00.007-05:00

A few years ago a Robin built a nest on a second story windowsill of the gallery I manage. Incredibly the nest was positioned right up against the glass. My crew and I were astonished that a bird would pick such an exposed spot to rear her young. Four beautiful blue eggs were laid and were on view for everyone who came into the gallery. Fearing that the nest would be abandoned I covered the glass with cardboard and left it there for a month. To our great disappointment the window covering wasn't enough to prevent that from happening.. and the baby Robins that we so anticipated were not to be. Through the summer we watched helplessly as the eggs disappeared one by one, but the sturdy little nest stayed perched on the ledge right through a very snowy Maine winter and then into spring, when a Robin, maybe the same one?... returned and lined it neatly with a round piece of plastic. All the edges were tucked sweetly into the bottom of the nest in preparation for the next set of blue eggs, but there were only three this time around. History has a way of repeating itself....

This pastel painting is 17.5 x 19.5 and for sale. Please inquire.

The Green Monster

2010-03-10T21:01:00.005-05:00

This may seem strange but ever since we bought this funny little green toy for our dog Koda I've wanted to include it in painting. It was her favorite as a pup but we took it away because it started to fall apart. I saved it just for this..The weird shape and eyes really get me.

Koda has since moved on to more exciting oral fixation playthings such as Steve's leather mocassins, my shoes and art magazines. If we leave her home alone she'll gather them all up and pile them on her bed until we return. We also have a huge green tennis ball collection for her scattered throughout the house. Koda can bounce and catch a ball multiple times and will do it in front of us to signal "Playtime! Come on you two..liven up!"

Koda makes a great subject and she has very expressive eyes. Sometimes when she narrows them they look very exotic...almost sexy.

This is another pastel painting at 20 x 20 and was photoed with a flash so it appears pixallized and too red. Pastels are difficult to photo because some pigments reflect the light...like little mirrors.

All my work is for sale..except maybe this one.

Playing Hookey

2010-03-06T20:18:00.009-05:00

What to do on an exceptionally beautiful day like today?....play of course. I should've been working in the studio...deadlines are looming and I have work tomorrow, but instead I played hookey.

My husband had some Real Estate business to attend to up the coast so I went with him. He didn't have to pull my leg believe me. We love Orr's Island and Cundy's Harbor and that's where he had to go. Both peninsula's aren't far from here but they seem decades away in the pace of life lived there. It's still very much off season for vacationers but the local fisherman have equipment ready at the docks to load onto their boats. Here are some shots I took this afternoon...Lowell's Cove was a surprise..we've never been through this little area. The cove was dead calm but the colors of the fishing euipment jumped in the bright sunlight. The lobster traps and buoys are painted brilliant colors and indentify the owners.

If this unseasonable weather pattern continues I won't complain..but summer people may show up alot earlier.

Check out the lovely cottage right on the water...what a spot!
Some shots will become paintings...but until then I'm enjoying some sun.

The Vegan

2010-02-26T08:46:00.006-05:00

The final idea for this composition came after ruminating on it for a few weeks. Sometimes paintings come quickly and I rush to the studio to get them down and other times...well.. they may take a while to congeal. I've been disatisfied with the 'usual' and wanted to try something different so the acrylics have been put away for now and the pastels are back in use. This medium is the most comfortable for me and my favorite of all.... there's no hesitation about mixing to get just the right hue or tone when painting because the rich color sticks are ready to pick up and apply to the surface.. Only a handful were used because the terra cotta toned ground pulls the painting together and shows through in many areas. I made the support ground with Colourfix textured primer that was brushed on. Some of the brush strokes show through too adding an interesting texture to the pig's hair and skin.

Influences came from paintings by Grant Wood and Thomas Hart Benton.....and strangely enough, the beautiful blackboard menus I've seen in local restaurants, cafes and a big chain supermarket that uses painted blackboards to advertise throughout their produce sections. I admire the religious icon paintings of the Renaisance as well.

The pig's eye portrays a different feeling than originally planned...it was going to be more of a sneer...but sometimes you just have to go with the flow.

When I showed this to two dear artist friends I got completely opposite reactions about the meaning ...

On a very personal note. One of my favorite Aunts passed away yesterday at the age of 80 surrounded by her loving family. When I was a kid she was the Aunt who always laughed and played with us. She was affectionate, funny and will be sorely missed. God bless and peace to you Aunt Joan.. I do hope we'll meet to play and laugh again.

Skyline Sleigh Rally

2010-02-06T20:12:00.007-05:00

It's not often that one gets to see horse drawn sleighs up close and in use, but Skyline Farm and Carriage Museum presents that opportunity at least once every year. Today was the day of their annual Sleigh Rally and it was bright and sunny but oh so cold. The temperatures didn't dampen the spirits of the participants or onlookers though. It was a very good turnout of spectators and beautiful sleighs with drivers and passengers cloaked in fluffy fur hats, coats and blankets. All of the horses and ponies had thick wooly coats of their own. Puffs of warm breath from the working horses and the crowd watching the scene filled the freezing air. Luther Gray brought his team of Percherons and his big passenger sleigh so that others could enjoy riding through the snow covered fields behind the farm.

On my way home I stopped again to take shots of a nearby apple orchard. The gnarly tree branches and long blue shadows cast across the snow in late afternoon peaked my interest.

In the grip of a brutal winter like this its hard to believe these crotchety trees will come back to life and produce sweet juicy fruit in 6 months. This orchard will be green and the trees will be loaded with big red apples.

We do what we can up here to keep moving despite the weather conditions outside. Winter can be a season of beauty and enchantment and you can make the most of it..or not...I try but personally.... I can't wait for spring.

Weekend Art Show

2010-01-16T16:03:00.012-05:00

I was invited to participate in an art show at the Northeast Horseman's Trade Conference at the Augusta Civic Center in Augusta, Maine, which is happening this weekend.

Five Maine artists are in the show and they include, award winning artists Beth Carlson from Bath, Pat Wooldridge of Saco, Penny Plumb of Deer Isle, Kathi Peters of Morrill, and me. We're all thrilled to be showing at this venue that features products and services for horse owners and lovers.

The show is open to everyone..not just horsemen and women, so if you're in the Augusta area stop in and check it out. The Civic Center is just off the Maine Turnpike and an easy drive for most southern and central regions.

Attached are some shots of the exhibit.

Winter Wonders

2010-01-14T17:19:00.006-05:00

This region is beautiful in all seasons...even on a cold January day we find the fields, woods and rivers breathtaking and sometimes surprising in the most subtle ways.

The Chandler River meanders through our town and empties into the Royal River which eventually dumps into Casco Bay in Yarmouth about ten miles away. Part of the Chandler follows the road just a mile from our house and is the site of an old dam. A grist mill operated there more than a century and a half ago. None of the antique building remains but it must have been a busy place when farmers from the surrounding area brought crops to be processed.

In spring the dam is raging with melted ice waters that rush down from Runaround Pond just a few miles to the north.

In summer the dam is frequented by local fisherman, young and old alike, who are hoping to hook a brook trout, perch or other small freshwater fish. My youngest son dropped his wormed lines there many times as a kid and proudly brought his trophies home to show us. Most of the little critters were too small to eat so they were carefully released into our farm pond.

Today during our walk with Koda we stopped to watch the water tumbling over the dam as we have a thousand times before. The dams action had produced perfectly round icebergs with slightly turned up edges that looked just like pond lilies...only made of ice. The swirling water must've given them their shape. If I had painted them accurately..it might not be believed.

Tomorrow the bitter temps are due rise above freezing and so the icy rondelles will melt away, but I have photos and proof of the winter lilies floating in the sun..

Blueberry Field - Friendship in the Fall

2009-12-25T21:02:00.006-05:00

In a previous blog I mentioned our trip up the coast. One of our destinations was through a small unspoiled fishing village called Friendship.
It sits at the end of a peninsula just east of Waldoboro. Friendship is very much a working community and the lobster boats were still moored just off the main dock in their well protected harbor. The lobster season was winding down, traps were being pulled and stacked and summer homes were closed up tight for the winter. Friendship bustles with activity in summer but you'd never know it now. Only the local people remain, holding down the fort during the cold long months of winter until the sun warms the earth and the fishing season begins again.
It's interesting to travel through these parts of Maine when the 'People from away" are gone. The true character of a region remains.
We spotted this blueberry field as we headed northeast out of the village. The stark colorless sky of that afternoon, rich brown tone values and textures of the leaves and ledges were hauntingly beautiful and reminded me so much of Andrew Wyeth's melancholy paintings.
It's hard to believe that this field will brim with sweet juicy blueberries next summer, but the plants are there, hunkered down for the winter, hibernating just like the locals until the frost leaves the ground and life bursts forth again.
This is acrylic on prepared wood panel, size is 11 x 24 and available for purchase.

Birdman Cloud

2009-12-12T14:39:00.004-05:00

I'm feeliing guilty because there is a beautiful stockpile of pastels packed away in the studio and they haven't been used in quite awhile. Acrylics have captured my attention, at least for now. Maybe it's because of a too busy schedule and this medium provides instant gratification. This acrylic painting(11 x 14) called 'Evening Clouds', is from a photo I took late this summer. We had some dramatic skies this year due to a weird weather system and this was one of them.

I had to paint it because the darkest cloud formation looked so much like a birdman to me. Nature provides the most interesting images doesn't she? I'll leave the meaning of this shape in the clouds for you to interpret.

I loved the bright yellow white light around the head and wings...couldn't have framed it better myself.

Christmas is just around the corner so there may not be another post until after the holidays.

I wish you and your loved ones the best of everything at Christmas time and a very Happy New Year! Let's hope for peace and prosperity for everyone.

A Taste of Maine

2009-11-29T19:41:00.011-05:00

It's fair to say that my landscape paintings are inspired by Maine so I thought this blog would feature the "before" images that may end up in my work.
We took a three day getaway trip to Camden last week and enjoyed a stay at the Windward House B & B on Main St.. Our room was charming and included a private deck that faced the well known landmark, Mt. Battie. The deck was peaceful in the evening as you can see from this shot with the cresent moon overhead. I sat with a glass of wine in the chill air watching the light fade.

We had a mission the next day to check out one of the local wineries, Savage Oakes Farm, in Union. The
weather was sunny and clear so I was able to get photos with good color and shadow along the way. Our digital camera is my sketchbook and invaluable when it comes to capturing scenes for paintings. The second photo is of the blueberry fields we passed by in the town of Hope. The reds, oranges and purples of the leaves stopped us in our tracks! There were several fields like this on our way to the vineyard in Union. Blueberries are big business in Maine.
Savage Oakes Farm is located on top of a hill on a back road. When we arrived, the tasting room was full and in progress so we joined the group(at 11 a.m. on sunday no less). We were surprised at the number of varieties offered and the superb quality. Their grape wines are elegant and very smooth and they offer two blueberry dessert wines that were also quite delicious.. The farm is open to the public so we walked through the fields to see the animals and vineyard. It was astonishing to see blueberry fields flanking the vineyard..who knew these plants could thrive side by side here in Maine. We bought bottles of Rose and White and enjoyed them with our family on Thanksgiving. Both wines were made only with grapes grown on the Savage Farm.
I'll post other photos of this trip in another blog featuring scenes of detours to places neither of us had visited before(even though my husband is a native!). So much to see..so little time.

Some of these images will show up in future paintings ..maybe you'll recognize a few.

Autumn Tapestry - Campobello

2009-10-28T19:47:00.004-05:00

Several years ago Steve and I decided to take a
fall trip to northern Maine. I've written about it in previous blogs. In middle October we headed up the coast and made a late afternoon detour onto Campobello Island in Canada, which is across the bridge from the village of Lubec.
As it turns out it was the last day that the famous summer cottage owned by President Franklin Roosevelt was open to the public. We arrived late and had only a short time to see it all before the staff closed it up for the season. We were surprised at it's unpretentious size and furnishings.....and it's remote location. The cottage is not an easy destination even today, but in Roosevelt's time a ferry had to transport them across the bay because there was no bridge from Lubec to the island. After our hurried tour of the camp we drove around the island knowing there was only about an hour's worth of light left. Except for a few local families who remain there year around the island was deserted. We felt quite alone, but the autumn light cast a beautiful warm glow on everything..it's a spellbinding time of day and season ...and it seemed that we had the whole island to ourselves .
The narrow winding road took us through a little village where we stopped to take photos of this abandoned old farm. It stood precariously close to the road which wound around the corner and up over another hill behind it. The building appeared to be disintegrating into the ground and looked as though it would fall in at any time. We wondered what life had been like there when the place was built long ago. Across the road and out of frame was a cove with an old wharf and a view of Eastport across the bay. The former owners had been fisherman no doubt. Winters there must have been a challenge but just then, at that moment, the spot was lovely and so peaceful...It was easy to understand Roosevelt's affection for a place like this in summer.

Tray Chic-Maine Discovery Museum Auction

2009-10-10T22:20:00.006-05:00

The "Tray Chic Auction Catalog" is up and most of the tray tables for the auction are ready for viewing...and bidding. The contributing artists put their hearts and souls into the furniture pieces this year which makes it so hard to choose from but I'm putting my money on two that really strike me.

At the last minute I decided to add my reading glasses to the tray before it was sent off. It's impossible to see much or paint without them, and that includes reading the books that I use for reference painted on the table top... so there you have it....Some of my favorite things.

Check out the other great tables in the catalog...the rest are on their way and will be posted very soon...Pick your favorite and make a bid. It's for a great cause because this museum encourages children of all ages(my age too) to explore and enjoy the world around us. The bidding ends in November with a dinner bash at the museum. Check the site for details.

The table was primed then painted with two coats of a high quality latex. The images were sealed with two coats of an acrylic sealer for protection. I signed the bottom of the tray and the table. Good luck with your bids!

Rise'n Swine

2009-09-26T08:13:00.003-05:00

For the Skyline Museum Art Show and Sale this year I asked my carpenter son Eric to build another big bench similar to the one we made for the Maine Discovery Museum last year.
As usual he came through with a beauty made of solid wood. My husband Steve painted the body color corn flower blue then I painted a couple of images to finish it off. ..A true family effort this time. I want the benches to be something the owner will enjoy for a long time so I chose a theme that seemed timeless and slightly whimsical...pigs.
This bench is about 65" high and 32 inches wide. The seat is 23 inches from front to back with plenty of storage underneath for boots, scarves, mittens or other paraphernalia.
The opening reception was last night and judging by the large turnout(and the line of people knocking on the door before the opening time) it was a big success. The museum is open on saturdays from noon - 3 and open by appointment for anyone wanting a private look at other times.

Native Son

2009-09-19T17:13:00.006-05:00

The opening date for Skyline Farm's Fall Exhibition is approaching fast. I'm so excited about this year's show because there are fine craftspeople included this year...I know many of them and the quality of their work is really outstanding. The Museum has made a concerted effort in the past three years to bring artists from Maine into their exhibitions and there is a wealth of talent to choose from here. Metal sculptures and furniture, blown glass, felted wool, jewelry, bone carving, wood engravings, just to name a few of the crafts included. There will be paintings and photography by 12 other artists as well. The artist reception is next Friday evening from 5-7. We hope you will come, meet and talk with the artists and craftspeople and enjoy what Maine art and craft has to offer. Everything is for sale and many of the participants offer commission work. The holidays are just around the corner and this a great opportunity to purchase something very special that's Made in Maine and help support the local economy.

This painting of Billy O'Reilly's working skiff is in the show. A little boat like this may be lacking in the beauty or speed department but it's seaworthy, dependable and used often....Rough and Ready! There are skiffs similar to this one in all the local working waterfronts, sometimes filled with baskets of lobsters or equipment being tranferred from the main boat to the dock. "Native Son", acrylic at 16 x 20.

The Promise

2009-09-10T20:06:00.006-05:00

This fishing boat, filled with lines and nets is part of Billy O'Reilly's arsenal of equipment he needs to make a living on Cliff Island. I took the photo for this a few years ago and the image has haunted me since. The upcoming Skyline Show, "Maine Harvest, Land and Sea", provides a venue for this painting and two others I'll be exhibiting about this subject. These works are part of an ongoing series that was started a few years ago and I'm excited about exploring this subject again.

Billy's property in winter is chock full of equipment like this...and so much more. I'm amazed at the amount of work and resources it takes to bring food in from the sea. This rugged dory along with several others around the property are stored safely on land for the next season's endeavors. They might look clumsy on land but in the water these hearty craft can take on big swells with ease.
Winslow Homer's paintings of fishermen show many of them working on dangerlously high seas in the same type of boats. The bow and stern are pointed to ensure that they ride right over the waves.
This painting and others as well as fine crafts by some of Maine's finest artists will be available for sale through Skyline Farm.

I'll post more info about that very soon with a link to see work by other artists in the show.

There will be an auction of donated works too.....and you can bid on line.

This is acrylic on canvas.

Tools of the trade

2009-09-02T20:18:00.007-05:00

I just finished painting the table and tray for the Maine Discovery Museum Auction..A little behind in my commitments..but it's been a bit crazy this month with so many deadlines coming at once. The base color for the table is Cornflower and the paintings are acrylic with a sealer to protect the images. I really hope the museum does well with their auction in November..I may bid on a table myself. It would great to own one done by another artist. All proceeds from the sales will go to the museum. I had some fun showing a few paints and a favorite small brush that has seen better days..but I love it anyway, scrunched bristles and all. The painted tray sits on top of this.

On to the next projects...The paintings for Skyline Farm and Carriage Museum..and a bench my son Eric just finished building for that show that will have more Tromp l'oeil images too....wonder what to paint on that...hmmmm. Portrait commissions to do also...

The painted tray was featured in a recent blog so check that out if you haven't seen it..some of my favorite artists are represented on that.

Maine Arts Commission Grant Award

2009-08-31T19:22:00.004-05:00

Freeport Creative Arts and the Town of Freeport
Invite you!

Experiencing Freeport, Maine, Showing Our Town through Art-Art Installation Celebration!

Freeport Village Station Main Street Freeport US
Friday, September 4, 5:00PM to 6:30PM
Sponsored by an Artists In Maine Communities Grant from the Maine Arts Commission,
an independent state agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and partners – Town of Freeport, Freeport Square Gallery, LL Bean, Berenson Associates, Key Bank and Freeport Community Improvement Association.
Artwork by members of the Freeport Creative Arts
Highlighting Freeport's history and natural beauty.
James Chute, Sebastian Meade, Becca Case,
Karen Pettengill, Kathi Peters, William Larkins,
Jennifer Moore, Kathleen Meade, Natalie Nye,
Petrea Noyes, and Alice Kirkpatrick.

Meet the artists, see the work!
Refreshments by Dinner at Your Door.
Music by Not Too Shaap!

My favorite painters

2009-08-27T18:04:00.007-05:00

The Maine Discovery Museum's asked 60 Maine artists to paint butler tables with trays for this year's annual auction called, "Tray Chic". What a clever name!

Last year my dog theme was a great success on a bench but this time I wanted to pay homage to painters who's work I admire very much. I have a small library of art books, so two books were chosen for the tray top..There will be a little surprise under the tray on the table top..and that come's later.

Trompe l'oeil, or "fool the eye", is a painting technique that looks three dimensional and I wanted the books to look real...even the tattered edges were added on the upper left corner of the book "Wonderous Strange", that features work by Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, and Andrew and Jamie Wyeth.... one of my most often used reference books. The book of Remington's nocturnal paintings is just amazing..he was so good at capturing the subtleties of night light, regardless of the subject matter.

I'll post more info about bidding on the auction tables as November draws near, which is when the bidding will end. There will be on line bidding for those who can't view them in person at the museum or who can't attend the opening reception and the link will be provided here.

I used cornflower blue as the base color for this piece.

Nothing like a good book to read.

Early Morn on Harraseeket Road

2009-08-24T07:35:00.006-05:00

I'm one of ten artists from the Freeport Creative Arts group to receive a grant from the Maine Arts Commission! This is very exciting news and I'm honored to be included. The grant is for a project called, "Art in our Town", and we were given instructions to provide paintings that would fill a 4 foot by 4 foot space. The criteria for subject matter was left to our descretion but it had to pertain to the Freeport area, past or present.

Within the past 25 years Freeport has transformed from a sleepy little shoemaking town to a shopping mecca largely because of L.L Bean's flagship store and main operations center. Big name outlets, local boutiques, galleries, restaurants, hotels and inns have sprung up all over. Visitors from all parts of the globe make Freeport a favorite Maine destination for shopping and award winning eats, international music provided by Bean's summer concert series and some other attractions such as Wolfe Neck State Park. My favorite part of the area is just a short hop away from all the action(you know me.. a country girl)in South Freeport. You won't find any shopping there or big crowds. It's appeal comes from a decidedly low key village by the sea atmosphere overlooking the harbor and marina of Harraseeket which means "River of Many Fish". Our favorite summer eatery with the freshest seafood around is right on the town dock and we go there often. After dinner we drive up and down the tree lined streets admiring the lovely old homes, or "cottages" as some call them, and abundant gardens. While the main drag in Freeport bustles with people and traffic this area still remains untouched by commericalism. One residence in particular strikes my fancy and it sits atop an outcropping of granite ledges overlooking the entire harbor below. What a spot! The gardens, not fully in bloom when this was painted, wind all around the house and are tucked neatly into every crevice of the massive boulders... I had to paint it...
The paintings will be exhibited in windows of buildings in various locations around town..not sure where mine will be yet..

The opening party and reception is Sept 4, at the new Village Station shopping center, from 5-6:30, with music, and refreshments. Please come meet the artists and non artists who helped make this possible.
This is 4ft. x 4ft. acrylic and available for purhase during the December Winter Gala Event which will be mentioned in a later blog.

I really enjoyed working on this large size ...it's hard to paint small now.

Tied Up

2009-08-21T21:46:00.007-05:00

I've been busy working on a small series of paintings for the Skyline Farm and Carriage Museum fall exhibition and this year the show is titled, "Cornucopia -Maine Harvest from Land and Sea".
I returned to a subject matter that I started a few years ago about a lobsterman from Cliff Island, named Bill O'Reilly.

The Lobstering Industry here in Maine is going through very tough times with government regulations squeezing many out of business and lobster prices at an all time low. The situation is tense in some coastal areas and violence among the fishermen has been reported. ..This is life or death for the men and women who earn a living on the sea and now feel that their livelihood may be slipping away.

The show, which opens at the end of September, is a great opportunity to feature someone like Billy doing what he knows and loves so much...lobstering. Joann Lapomarda, who is Billy's long time partner and sometime Sternman, will be collaberating with me on a statement about their experiences for the show catalog. Some of the photos used as reference material for this work were also taken by Joann.

I'm particularly excited for a another reason as well. Included in this exhibit are many of Maine's finest crafts people. I'll talk more about the show exhibitors in my next blog..so stay tuned...

This painting is acrylic 30 x 24 gallery wrap canvas and will be available through Skyline.

Studio painter

2009-07-23T08:23:00.007-05:00

I really admire plein air painters for their ability to focus during outings and the scenery in this region provides all kinds of opportunities for artists to produce a wide variety of outstanding work. Lots of Plein air groups have sprouted up recently and offer artists a chance to meet other kindred spirits who enjoy painting out doors. The experiences of painting on site infuse work with an honesty that sometimes can't be achieved in the studio. It hones ones abilities of observation just as life drawing does. Dragging art equipment on site, fighting insects, the wind, rain, cold or heat, adds more drama and time than I can manage. I've painted plein air a few times and have to say..it's not for me. I'll stick with my camera for memory references for the time being. The comfort and convenience of the studio provides a place where I can focus completely on my work. (there are enough distractions right now). The studio is a place where I can get into "the zone"....which is solitary and peaceful(not to be confused with lonely), kind of like meditation. When I'm painting everything else is far away.... I believe the sole objective for each artist isn't just a finished work, it's also the individual experience it takes to get there...the journey is just as important and just as individual for each artist. Here are a few photos from a recent drive my husband and I took to a favorite place along the coast not far from here. These will be used for future work. We love this area...fairly lacking in the usual summer traffic.. a real gem.

Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Head....

2009-07-02T18:36:00.009-05:00

I can hear the rain pounding on our roof for the umpteenth time in the past ten days but it won't dampen my spirits because of some very exciting news ..Unfortunately I can't share it with you yet.
I needed a break from the studio and other work, so we took a day trip to a favorite location called Evan's Notch. Its in the foothills of the White Mountains and borders New Hampshire. Route 113 winds back and forth from the northern entrance in Gilead then south to Fryeburg. Part of the road hugs the Saco and Androscoggin Rivers, both of which under normal weather conditions run peacefully through the notch. Not so this year! The torrential rains have swollen the rivers into raging and roiling white water in many areas and low lying regions are in flood danger. We stopped to take photos about half way down and the sound of the rushing water was deafening. On the opposite side of the road waterfalls poured over steep ledges running across the road in some places. Today this part of the National Park looked like a veritable rain forest with lush green undergrowth and trees filling every available space.
When the sun finally does make an appearance(and it will) it will be a glorious sight.

Stay tuned for a posting of a new large painting and an announcement..in the mean time..let it rain..

Garden Path

2009-06-03T21:05:00.007-05:00

This is one of three paintings to be entered into the Freeport Creative Arts Member Show that will be curated by well known American art collector Bruce Brown who has graciously agreed to judge our show for a second year. The exhibition opens on June 14 at Freeport Square Gallery and ends on the 28th, with a reception on June 21 from 4-6.
It's one of my favorite pastel paintings and with the gardens around here flourishing and birds singing all day it seems an appropriate theme. Summer has finally arrived.
A friend's backyard garden provided the scene ..she moved away several years ago and I doubt if the gardens are tended as well, but at the time the climbing roses covered a simple arbor made by her husband. The chestnut tree provided a soothing cool canopy on hot summer days and the inviting stone path led to a view of her horses' pastures in the fields beyond the fence.
I'm still debating which other two pieces will be submitted for Mr. Brown's selection...and then there's the dreaded artist statement to be included...that little project has plagued me recently but I'll let you know which of the two paintings are chosen.

Where There's hope There's Art

2009-05-20T19:11:00.029-05:00

The UMVA exhibition is up and ready for the public to view at Freeport Square Gallery on Main Street in Freeport, Maine. The show runs through June 1 and the artist reception is coming up on this Sunday, the 24th, between 4-6 p.m.. Members from southern most Maine all the way to Bar Harbor submitted work for this show. It includes paintings, photography, encaustic, sculptures in wood, clay and mixed media.

Many thanks to Caren Marie Michel for her help and to Maria Castellano-Usery, Ken Sahr and Nicole Herz for use of their artwork for show PR.

If you're in the Freeport area this sunday please stop in to check out the show, meet some of the artists and share some food and refreshments.
Here's a listing of the artists in the show. Please check out these websites for more artwork by some very talented and dedicated Maine artists.

Reed Altemus, Laura Balombini, Peter Buotte, Diane Dahlke, Claudette Gamache, Varvara Harmon, Nicole Herz, Dorie Klein, Lin Lisberger, Caren Marie Michel, Fred Michel, Susan Morse, Diane Noble, Judy O'Donnell, Steve Pennisi, Liz Prescott, Laurie Rothrock, Ken Sahr, Robert Shetterly, Ann Slocum, Catherine Stakel, Dana Strout, Ruth Sylmor, Dana Trattner, Nora Tryon, Maria Castellano-Usery.

If you're in the Freeport area, please stop by on Sunday to meet the artists, check out the show and share a bit of food and refreshment with us...

Scratching in the Dirt

2009-05-14T14:52:00.007-05:00

Writing my statement has always been a problem and as my work evolves the statement should too. I'm in a transition period right now...kind of like closing one door behind me and slowly opening another, but not knowing what's on the other side. So I attended a small workshop to help artists define their statements...good timing.
It was very interesting to hear the statements of others and they all had a good handle on the reasons why they create or perform. When it was my turn to speak... I was stumped.

The conversations of that meeting churned through my head for several days while I tried to pin down verbally my own reason for painting.

I wondered...why are we so different than non artistic people and driven to express ourselves visually? Could it be that artists are closer kin to the individuals who painted animals on cave walls, or who carved the history of their civilization into stone and wood, or made up dances and music that told stories of important earthly events that would be passed down from generation to generation. Our earliest ancient human history has been preserved through those types of visual arts. It was all created by the artists of those times and predates the developement of the written word.

Just think..thousands of years ago, the first artist picked up a stick, scribbled a symbol into the dirt and communicated an idea to another human.

We, artists that is, are moved to communicate visually because there are elements of our existance that still can't be expressed through words. First pictures..then words.

My statement is starting to take shape..but sometimes..it feels like I'm just scratching in the dirt..

My friend Kathi

2009-05-08T18:52:00.007-05:00

This is a recent portrait of me in casein done by my best friend and artist Kathi Peters. Kathi is most well known for her contemporary realist equine work but she is adept in all genres including the figure as shown here. Kathi's in Lexington tonight with her husband Les, attending the opening of her first really important solo show called, "Finding My Voice", at Gallery B and I'm thinking of her now....
Kathi's story is an inspiration to me and everyone who knows her. She suffered a stroke a couple of years ago and has traveled a long and arduous road back to recovery. I'm in awe of the courage and determination she's shown during this period because she's had to overcome many serious physical and emotional obstacles that come as the result of a stroke. One of her most remarkable accomplishments is that her artwork has become more powerful, focused and better than ever.
Please click here to see her story and more of her paintings, drawings and papercuts.
http://www.cobcottage.blogspot.com/
Since her stroke she's become an advocate for other stroke victims and is dedicated to getting the word out about stroke symptoms and warning signs.
I hope she's having the greatest time this evening and enjoying the limelight that she so deserves.

Girls Girls Girls

2009-04-28T19:36:00.005-05:00

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of our next granddaughter and we're just as excited about this little one as we were the first. We had three robust boys in our family..... so girly stuff was not in the picture for quite some time.(I was out numbered on all fronts believe me) It was a huge relief to me when more women finally came onto the scene. First came the three daughters in law and then granddaughters. At last I could commiserate with family members who understood and appreciated the female perspective! The men and boys remain forever perplexed by us...and we them.

Here are two paintings of granddaughters Sydney and Madeline..Kelsey's painting is a work in progress and will be posted when complete. She is tall and lovely and looking forward to being the big sister. She'll be taking riding lessons this summer...horses, horses, horses..
Sydney, with golden hair flowing and wearing her favorite sunglasses looks like a glamour queen in this painting. She's a beauty and so sweet to her little brother.

Madeline seems pensive and thoughtful as a three year old in the graphite drawing..She's now 8 and skis like a champion.

The boys deserve attention so paintings of them are on the way. These aren't for sale...just wanted to show off the girls....

Instead of April

2009-04-23T07:30:00.005-05:00

This painting was posted a short time ago on the blogg called April Bouquet..not quite finished. Here it is all done. I changed the rose bud blossoms to a soft green which is closer to the actual hue..this also breaks up all of the oranges that were in the previous image. I added a lone purple blossom on the left for the same reason and to give it balance compositionally.

I have three new paintings for the UMVA show which is coming up in less than a month..Now to choose frames that will tie them all together..an interesting process in itself.

The Maine Discovery Museum in Bangor has asked me to participate again in their annual fall auction called, "Save Me a Seat". Last year the beautiful bench my son and I collaberated on got the top price in the auction. This year the subject is tables...Time to start thinking about the theme for that...I really enjoy this kind of challenge....and deadlines are a good thing for artists...

Heading Home-Pownal

2009-04-22T20:15:00.006-05:00

I've passed this farm a million times since we moved to this area over 30 years ago. It's a local landmark known as the Knight Farm and is only a few miles from our house. Everday this property changes with the light and the seasons...stoic, vigilant, timeless..a welcoming facade that sits right next to the road as you come up over the hill then down to the center of town.

Sweeping meadows drop down behind it and the attached barn is still straight and impressive. Once a successful working farm the majority of the land was recently donated by the family to a Conservation Land Trust and is now preserved for the public to use for all kinds of recreation and also abuts a state park. The fields are cut and baled every year and small herds of deer often graze there at night. Late one rainy night a large buck ran out in front of my truck, then bounded across the road after just knicking my rear view mirror.

The setting sun hit the windows and car just right and luckily we had the camera with us..I had to paint it..the sky was a million colors..yellow, orange, all kinds of blue...with thin feathery clouds streaking across. A magical moment to me.

This is a study in casein...11 x 14 on prepared plywood.

Where There's Hope There's Art

2009-04-09T21:45:00.009-05:00

The Union of Maine Visual Artists is Maine's largest single visual art organization in the state with over 350 members in three regional chapters. This year there's a big member show coming up at Freeport Square Gallery called, "Where There's Hope There's Art", which opens on May 19 and runs through Memorial Day weekend. So far there are 40 artists from all three chapters in the show.

As the show organizer I am very excited to bring you a few of the works that are in this tremendous exhibition. These talented artists prove beyond a doubt that the creative spirit is alive and well here in Maine. These artists have given permission to use their images for PR..so you get a sneak preview of coming attractions. The work you see here is by, Maria Castellano-Usery of Brunswick, Ken Sahr of Northeast Harbor, and Nicole Herz. There are photographers, sculptors and mixed media artists as well.

All art will be for sale and there's an artist reception(party ..and yes, you can come) on May 24 at the gallery between 4-6 p.m..

There will be another show update on this blog one more time before the show begins.

By the way...Board Members of this organization have spent the past several years producing seven documentaries called the Maine Masters Series which explore the lives and work of significant Maine artists such as Dahlov Ipcar(my favorite), Stephan Pace and Alan Magee to name a few. There are several more documentaries in production stages as well. The UMVA recently received a grant from the Maine Arts Commission to send DVDs of the documentaries to all 185 school systems in the state. The films have been shown nationwide on PBS too. To find out more about the UMVA go to

http://www.umvaonline.org/ and http://www.mainemasters.com/

April Bouquet

2009-04-03T18:58:00.005-05:00

The weather and scenery haven't provided much in the way of inspiration lately. The landscape is gray and muddy, downright depressing if you ask me..so in lieu of that I decided to set up a colorful still life in my studio. A bouquet of yellow roses edged with red, together with pinkish purple chrysanthemums looked so lively and fresh..it was just the thing. The Chinese bowl lined with a lime green glaze adds an interesting jolt of color and the carved cat gives a little twist.

I prefer painting on hard panels as opposed to canvas and this is a 17 x 16 piece of prepared plywood. I covered it with Colourfix terra cotta primer too which adds so much depth and richness to the glazes. I'm still working with casein and acrylic..just love the earthy colors and wet, swishy medium..pastels will have to wait.

This isn't quite finished yet..but it's far enough along so that I can step back for a few days and get a fresh perspective on the final touches. I'll post this again when it's done.

Spring in Maine

2009-03-23T18:38:00.006-05:00

It was blustery and cold today. I can still walk on top of the snow but see bare patches of ground popping through everywhere. On warm days our driveway is like a mud pit..sucks the boots right off your feet. This back and forth season is typical of spring in Maine. Someday soon it will be summer..the change is that quick.

Today is Gracie's last day with us. She goes home to her real family and Koda will be missing her for sure. We, on the other hand, will not miss having a dog, who feels like a 35lb sack of potatoes wedged between us, sleeping on our bed. I posted an ablum on Facebook of the two playing together..real buds.

My website has been updated with new work from the past few months as older work has been sold and gone to good homes. There is a new photo of me on the artist page. (No..it's not Martha Stewart)

I'm coordinating a member show for the Union of Maine Visual Artists in May. It's going to be a great exhibit..so many talented artists in this group. Information about the show will appear here as time draws closer.

In the mean time I'll be working on new paintings for the show and they'll be posted here as well.

The last blog didn't get sent out..don't know what happened there, but scroll down to read it if you have time.

This is a pastel painting called "Keep to the Right" and is a road not far from here. Right now the field is covered in snow, but soon..it will be just like this.

Silver Moon

2009-03-18T20:32:00.005-05:00

I hesitated to put this image on my blog. An artist needs to show consistency in her work and this is very differnet from my ususal style. It's one of my first casein paintings and is a portrait of my Tennesse Walker mare Reggie. She often had a far away look in her eyes...who knows what she was thinking. I always wondered and hoped it wasn't a sadness or longing for something. Guess that's what I was trying express here.

Experimentation with materials, application methods and subject matter are integral to my creative process. The image is mysterious but simple and expressed what I saw in her. It sold quickly so it must have touched a chord with the buyer too.

Maybe there's a lesson in this...

By the way..the reception at the cabaret went very well. One of my favorite paintings sold. Peculiar feeling though..I'm at once thrilled that someone loves it enough to buy it..but tinged with melancholy that I won't see it again.....kind of like what's in this painting.

Artist Reception

2009-03-13T17:31:00.006-05:00

This weekend on Sunday, the Freeport Cabaret will be hosting a reception for me between 2-4! I'm very excited about this event because the cabaret is a popular place for fine wine, food and great music in the Freeport area. I've invited alot of people including family, friends and collectors so I hope that everyone will come and enjoy the party. There will be live music as well..piano played by "Flash" Allen! www.freeportca baret.com
This painting is of a distant view in Aroostook County, Maine...way up country and very rural. The area was known for its large potato farms years ago but has fallen on hard times. When we were at this road intersection we decided not to make the 11 mile drive to Quimby because the sun was going down and we had a schedule. I'll always regret our decision because the soft light lent a mystical look to the distant hills....maybe we'll go back some day to see that little village.
The sky colors and cloud shapes were so unusual that evening..this is watercolor 4.5 x10 and it's part of the 21 paintings in the show.

Afterthoughts

2009-03-09T19:51:00.004-05:00

In a recent blog I mentioned that time away from a painting has a way of making one see things from a fresher stand point.
The door frame in the original painting was too bright and distracting ..I wanted it toned down to a warm gray so a mixture of cerulean blue, naples yellow and cadmium orange was scumbled across it. Titanium white was added to lighten it. .. more yellow or orange on areas of reflected light.
The original orange base proved to be helpful and peaks through the final layer. I didn't want a solid color..a broken surface keeps the eye moving.
The wall partition behind the plant needed adjustment on the end..that was cooled down too and helps to keep the focus where it should be ..on the main subject.
Some of the colors are slightly softer in reality..this photo was taken with a flash..
I just gessoed some hard panel boards in preparation for the next few paintings....There's something I always wanted try..

Just Thinkin'

2009-03-08T08:47:00.006-05:00

I've been focused on Koda as my subject for the past several studies and small paintings. Some of those will be used for larger paintings but I've come to a point where some ruminating has to take place before those happen. This last(for now anyway), painting of Koda, was finished late last night. I was inspired by a Wyeth watercolor of his dog Nell called "The Kass'. Wyeth's painting is very simple but so poignant..Nell is lying on the floor in front of an imposing Pennsylvania Dutch armoire called a Kass that was given to Wyeth as a gift from a grateful client. Sunlight pours in bathing Nell and just hitting the elegant carved details of the cabinet. My house is less grand but this scene of our great room was just right.
This is 11 x 14 casein on Jack Richeson pastel board.

This Is Mine

2009-03-03T22:08:00.003-05:00

I couldn't believe my luck when I saw the photo of Koda used for this painting. The picture was taken about a week ago. I clicked away on the digital as she raced around almost running me over with her beloved soccer ball. The ferocious look in her eyes, the weird angle of her tail, and the flying ears just cracked me up. I dare you to catch her when she has this ball! NO CAN DO!..The only way to get her is to wear her out..which wears me out!
This is 5 x7 casein on heavy card stock with terra cotta Colourfix primer as an undercoat..love the stuff..the dog too.

Koda Under the Leaves

2009-02-28T22:34:00.006-05:00

I've had an idea for this painting of Koda mulling around in my head for a while. Don't know why but the idea of wallpaper designs got me started. My thought was to put her against that type of background and it had to be harmonious and decorative but not distracting. To show more movement and energy I placed the leaves or feathers, whichever you prefer, randomly across the field..as if floating or dropping. Not sure why the leaves or feathers either..just like the shapes and the green harmonizes with her reddish coat.
Koda was reluctant to pose for me..I woke her from a nap but she came through and gave me just the right look. What a clever girl..
This is casein on 11 x 14 Jack Richeson toned pastel board...

Koda's Path

2009-02-28T17:09:00.006-05:00

It felt great to get back into the studio again. I finished up the painting of Koda in the snow and left most detail out of her face and lightened up the tracks. I spent some time recently photographing Koda outside...really interesting shadows and colors to get for future work.... Might at well strike while the irons hot(or cold as I sit here with many layers on)There's another snow painting coming with something different in store.

Beauty and the Beast

2009-02-27T09:43:00.010-05:00

Just getting back to normal here..what ever that is...after a tremendous snow and ice storm swept through several days ago. We lost power for two days but consider ourselves fortunate because there are still people without it! We have a generator and that sweet little machine kept us here and comfortable too...a very good investment..
Not much opportunity to get into the studio however...digging out takes a lot of time....
But there is always a positive side..so I posted some photos taken right after the storm and a day or two since..The snow is still sticking to the north side of the trees even after 5 days. ..the wind really blew and plastered everything. It is quite beautiful around here but very costly and time consuming to clean up..ice dams on the roof, drains to clear, snow banks to push back so we can see traffic when heading out. Steve took an afternoon to straighten up the graceful birches that line our driveway..they were completely bent over, bowing to the snow god. The bird feeders are almost level with the snow..the squirrels are ecstatic.
It's so lovely but exhausting.
By the way my studio is the second floor of our home which is in one of the photos here. I'll post a few photos taken from that perspective on the next blog.
We live in a winter wonderland..might as well enjoy...

Dog Path-winter

2009-02-17T22:28:00.007-05:00

This casein underpainting is of a play break with Koda during a very sunny day last week. On some winter days the sunshine reflecting off the snow is just blinding. It takes a moment for ones eyes to adjust. As I squinted to look for my dog I was struck by the contrast of an orangey red form coming toward me through the bright cool colors of the snow. It was if Koda had materialized out of the light and suddenly there she was. She had completed her mission..her tail wagging happily....time to go in.
I loved the brilliant blue of the deep footprints and Koda's shadow...(what is it about blue...)
There are a few more things to do with this then the finished painting will posted...kinda like it roughed in like this though...it's all I could really see..

The Barn Cat and other stuff

2009-02-15T18:29:00.004-05:00

I came across this older colored pencil drawing of a cat we owned several years ago named McGhee. She was affectionate and sweet but had a screw loose.. Probably the result of inbreeding. She was a bob tail but had the ear tufts, size and coloring of a Maine Coon Cat. Her fur was almost a violet color in certain light..very striking in appearance really.
We took in as her previous owner couldn't deal with her messy habits. I loved her exotic green eyes and high cheek bones...with a face like that all was forgiven...

Just a quick note to mention that I'm on Facebook now..please join if you're so inclined..or just check it out.

One Person Show

2009-02-12T18:29:00.006-05:00

I just finished hanging my show at the Freeport Cabaret. There are 21 paintings in the exhibit and they really look great in a cabaret-bistro atmosphere. Gar, Betsy and their son have done a great job with this cozy place that offers live music and entertainment with fine dining. It's a very nice addition to the Freeport scene. They're hosting a Valentines evening wine tasting party..would love to go but we have another commitment. There will be a show reception for me and the day and time will posted when it's been decided. The show runs until March 31. and a big thank you goes to them for having me.
www.thefreeportcabaret.com
Secret Mooring is one of the works in the show and painted with pastel on gessoed panel. The rough surface really adds some mystery and depth to the image... this technique will be incorporated into more pastel paintings. The little day sailor was tucked away in a tiny Parker Head inlet.

Winter Inlet-Cliff Island

2009-02-05T09:09:00.007-05:00

It's time to get into the show season again and there some great opportunities coming up.
Freeport Square Gallery is hosting an exhibit called 10" x 10" for all paintings or 3D pieces that are 10" or smaller. This is one of four 5" x 7" paintings going into the show.
I found this inlet on a trip to Cliff Island a few years ago. It was December and the summer people were gone and the locals were no where to be seen so I had the place to myself. The dirt road winds down to a lovely curved beach on the back of the island. Ice hadn't gripped the bay yet but I knew it was coming.
When I was a kid my family lived on Casco Bay. It was so cold one winter that most of the Bay froze and people could walk across the ice to some of the islands..(not Cliff though..it's more than ten miles out). There was a beach at the end of our road and I remember climbing over the icebergs that were piled up everywhere..some were a foot thick. That day a group of boys from the neighborhood headed out toward one of the islands and made it back to tell the tale. This winter reminds me of that time. This is Casein 5 x 7..(sorry about the reflection).
There are over 35 artists in the show..come if you can.. it runs for three weeks, with opening reception on Sunday.
I have a one person show at The Freeport Cabaret coming up soon. More on that later...

Bits and Pieces

2009-01-29T22:05:00.007-05:00

This is my kitchen window featuring a partial view of the yard in winter and what I see every morning as the sun moves from east to south east casting light through the evergreens that live beyond our fence. It's been so cold that none of the snow from past storms has melted ..as of today it's waist deep and the snow banks along the roads are like giant white tsunamis. The funny collection on the window sill includes a photo of my oldest son and his wife in an unusual pewter frame, a few antique bottles..I have a large collection of those in other places, a Purina hand held scale hanging on the left and an old brie cheese box. The martini glass holds cuttings of a favorite houseplant waiting to be transplanted. There's also a small ceramic frog basking in the sun...(boy does that sound good), a crystal doorknob and a stained glass pear... These are bits and pieces of favorite things.... mementos of people, places we've traveled and cherished gifts. I left the goose neck faucet in because I like the organic shape and it looks to be leading the parade...
casein 11 x 14
There's just no getting around the winter landscape that surrounds us at the moment and the light and shadows created by the snow are very interesting so there's another snow scene in casein the works.

This is Gracie

2009-01-24T18:08:00.007-05:00

I got alot accomplished today...cleaned up the studio and the house, gessoed some panels to prepare them for painting and started one of those with an underpainting. I've been thinking about the one I'm about to start for quite some time so stay tuned as I work though it.. I'm thinking forward to shows and hope it will be worthy.
While waiting for the underpainting to dry I painted this portrait of my middle son's 8 month old puppy Gracie. She's a rescue from Arkansas and a sweet little dog. Her ancestry is a guess.....the vet says a Jack Russell and Dachshund cross...so she looks like a very long JR with a full length tail. Her big floppy ears are really comical and her markings are definitely that of a JR. We don't know how or where she was found but her temperament is just right for a young family.
I got a nice photo of her with a very trusting look in her eyes...typical of her. The contemporary design of the carpet she was sitting on adds an interesting background as well. The black curved structure in the top left is a rocking chair base.
This is 5x7 casein...and not for sale..I know who'll want this one..

Tweaking Process

2009-01-20T08:36:00.007-05:00

A day or two after I consider a painting finished ...or even longer, sometimes weeks, I find that some tweaking is necessary. The shadows cast by the barn, horse and groom
had to be pulled closer in hue to unify the painting. The ground in the distance was toned down to push it back.. and the bright sunlight on the horse's back needed adjustment.
This process is part of how I work all the time and the biggest help in this finishing stage comes from using Photoshop. I photo the painting in bright natural light then load it into my computer. This is where the real fun begins. I check for tone values by removing the color and making the image black and white, or flip it horizontally (like looking at it in a mirror) to find distortions. This saves so much time and seeing a painting on a monitor is like looking through a different set of eyes..I've included a black and white image that's been flipped to show you.
hmmm.... in another day or two there will be a few more subtle adjustments.
I guess "The Final Touch" is an appropriate title....

The Final Touch

2009-01-18T21:01:00.005-05:00

Choreographer Twyla Tharp got it right when she said , "Art is the only way to run away without leaving home." As the snow piled up outside our house today my head was working out this scene in pastel of the Fryeburg Fair. We enjoy wandering through the livestock barns at the fair, especially where the draft horses are stabled. When I took this photo there were lots of people around oohing and aahing as well as the horse owners and handlers, but I was interested in this twosome who were preparing for a show. I snapped the shot before they moved.
The reflected light and shadows caught my eye and also the way the Percheron's head was framed by the barn opening across the way. This is 14 x 11 Unison toned pastelboard..It's available..
I had a reality check when the painting was finished and shoveled a foot of snow off the roof and walkways in 15 degree temps with my husband ...the painting getaway was fun while it lasted..

The Barn in Jefferson

2009-01-12T08:02:00.007-05:00

We came upon this grand old barn in the town of Jefferson during a drive this past fall. It was a beautiful day and the late afternoon sun hit the roof and front of it in the most interesting way. The road through this area was full of surprises and we stopped often to take photos......but I just had to paint this barn first. Architecturally speaking barns are an endangered specie...at least here in Maine. The huge structures generally fall to ruin because they are no longer practical for storage and are too expensive to maintain or repair....icons of the agricultural age. Luckily this one looked to be part of a exclusive summer camp and had been completely restored. The property behind it runs down to the shores of pristine Damariscotta Lake.
There will be more paintings from this rural region....and definitely more barns and farms in all kinds of condition.
This painting is available. In an effort to make my original artwork more affordable I do offer payment plans....please inquire. Really....I'm flexible and want people to enjoy my original work in their homes.
This was done on 11 X 14 light umber Unison Pastel board...great to work on! It's archival and ready to pop into a frame.

Christmas Greetings

2008-12-23T01:45:00.005-05:00

Merry Christmas
and best wishes
for a happy and prosperous
New Year.

Karen, Steve and Koda

Green Wind

2008-12-14T22:26:00.006-05:00

The full moon these past two nights has been spectacular. I can't remember when it's been so bright and illuminating. Friday night I played ball with Koda and Baxter under the moon's pearly gaze but the scenery was so distracting I stopped frequently to study it. The trees on our property were coated with ice from the recent storm and glistened like crystal. The pines drooped from the weight of it all and looked so graceful silhouetted against the sky. I tried to hold that image for future reference.
I enjoy drawing and painting trees..each specie has its own personality and character that can change dramatically with the seasons and weather conditions.
This is a pastel painting of an ancient apple tree in Kennebunk in summer. It's on the property of a fellow pastel painter who hosted a group plein air demonstration in which I participated. Two of the tree branches are so long and heavy the owners propped them up with beams to keep them from breaking. I thought that was a valiant effort to keep their beloved tree going.
The old apple was a challenge to paint as I didn't want to get caught up in detail...just wanted to capture the spirit of the tree gently blowing in a soft summer breeze laden with the humidity of the day....this was my third try.
I'll think more about the tree shapes and mysterious colors of the these recent moonlit nights and plan for a nocturnal painting of them in the future. The feeling will be quite different from this one and a great way to explore the colors and tone values of night.
Green Wind is still available...I wonder if the tree survived the ice storm..

First Snow

2008-12-10T18:32:00.006-05:00

The weather pattern is a frequent subject of discussion now that we've accepted the fact that Global warming is changing things significantly. So far in Maine this season we've had snow, freezing rain, warm rain, sleet, and bright sunny warm days alternating with almost zero temps and near hurricane force winds. Quite a variety in such a short time..kinda makes me wonder what's next. It must be tough on the local wild animal population during this transition to winter...
Our dog Koda loves the cold snow and leaps through it like a gazelle. My horses used to love it too...Their turnout to winter pasture always involved a good roll and face rub in it. Invigorated by the icy baths they'd leap into the air on hind legs and finish with a spirited gallop down the fence line with tails a' flying. It was a morning ritual that was exciting to watch. I envied their robust spirits.
I never got photos of my horses doing that(what was I thinking?) but this painting was done from photos of a friend's pony enjoying the biting air and first layer of refreshing white stuff.
This image is a reminder of the playful side of animals during weather and temperature changes.
I thought of it while watching PBS TV footage last night of a Badger repeatedly sliding and tumbling down a snowy hill . Who knew they played too...?
This pastel painting is part of the permanent collection at Skyline Farm and Carriage Museum in North Yarmouth.
Koda should provide some great images for future winter paintings...

Sea Smoke- Deer Isle

2008-12-02T20:25:00.008-05:00

Winter is approaching quickly here in the north. Many places are covered with snow and our furnace is running steadily now. We dress in warm sweaters, fleece socks and the bed is piled high with blankets and a down comforter.
Our dog Koda revels in the brisk morning air and seems oblivious to the bitter chill we both feel sinking into our bones.
This pastel painting was done a few years ago and shows the sea smoke that forms over mud flats during a particularly cold morning down east in Deer Isle, which is about 135 miles from here. The photos used for this painting were taken by an artist friend who's lived there most of her life. Her lovely home sits on ocean front property that was part of the old family farm. She tells me she often rises early, sips her morning brew and enjoys a scene similar to this from the back deck.
This location is a few miles down the road from her place. I couldn't believe the photo when she sent it...the land formations looked primeval.... as if never touched by man.
I guess that's what inspired me to paint it. Now, with winter on the way I think of my friend getting up early to watch the sun rise, savoring the view of a magical place like this and waiting for a new day to begin.
This painting is available..if interested just inquire.

Break in the Storm-Van Buren

2008-11-03T19:27:00.007-05:00

It's been a while since my last post..very busy times. With the election looming and a possible Christmas show on the horizon, of which I am the chairperson..time just flies.
This week is the opening of the annual Pastel Painters of Maine member juried show at River Tree Center for the Arts in Kennebunk. www.rivertreearts.org The opening reception is this Friday and I may actually be able to attend..! That would be nice..
PPoM is a large organization of over 160 members who are passionate about painting in pastels.
That's an impressive number considering that Maine is a small state and it's known as, "Wyeth Country", with water colors and tempera being the most popular paintings exhibited and sold.
For this show I chose a painting of a northern Maine community called Van Buren. It's a tiny rural town in Aroostook County that sits just this side of the Canadian border on the St. John River.
When we traveled through there a few years ago these funny little farm buildings hunkered into the ground caught my eye. Some of windows looked like eyes peering out towards the hill. Don't know what the buildings were originally used for..a dairy barn perhaps, but there were no cows in sight and the place was practically deserted. Farming has gone by the wayside and there are many places like this now...still the area is beautiful and very peaceful.
Check out the PPoM web site for other member works, events and workshops..We welcome members from all over! www.pastelpaintersofmaine.com

Hogs and Boars

2008-10-03T21:13:00.005-05:00

This weekend Freeport Square Gallery is hosting a benefit show and sale for the Freeport Historical Society. This is to benefit preservation and perpetual care of the Pettengill Farm Conservation Trust. This farm is not related in any way to my husband's family..unfortunately for us... just a coincidence. I submitted several paintings and studies for the exhibit called "Barnyard Art" and this oil called "Hamlet", is one of them.
This land trust is a 160 acre parcel complete with the original 175 year old farmhouse in a setting straight from a Wyeth painting. The fields and woods around the property are open to the public and contain shoreline on a peaceful estuary only a short drive from Freeport's busy shopping district. Steve and I took a walk down the road to see the farm about a month ago which winds gently through the woods for about a mile before opening up into meadows dotted with ledge outcroppings. I followed hoof tracks all the way in and longed for the days when I had my horse to ride through there too. The road sweeps around to a view of the little white cape stoically facing the inlet. It felt as if we'd been transported to another time and place. What a beautiful location for a homestead.
Sorry to say though...we were shaken from our thoughts by swarms of hungry mosquitoes ..so after taking a few photos we hoofed it out of there and made a mental note to return when the little buggers aren't there.
The Historical Society has plans to rebuild the barn that once stood not far from the house and finish restoring the home interior to use as a museum.
The property will be included in a series of local landscape paintings that I've started.
With so much turmoil in our country and the world today I firmly believe these special places are more important than ever to help keep us sane....yes...hogs and boars indeed....

Fertile Ground Exhibit

2008-09-19T20:31:00.014-05:00

This year's exhibit at Skyline Farm and Carriage Museum is called "Fertile Ground" and includes Maine artists whose work is inspired by farm life and the rural landscape. The opening reception was a tremendous success with many sales that night.
"Going green" is the new catch phrase and more people have become (re)introduced to buying locally grown foods and products so this show should be of great interest.
Sculptor Pat Plourde of New Gloucester uses found metal objects and incorporates them into his exquisitely crafted work of flora, fauna and furniture. Mary Cupp finds inspiration in the people who make a living selling at the farmer's markets that have cropped up all over the state. Ann Stein paints old New England homesteads with surprising energy and character..her bold work breathes with life. Neil Wyrick's surreal landscapes are infused with subtle shadows and delicate color that just catches the magical light of evening and sundown. There are many other talented artists in the show as well. Here's the link to Skyline's on line catalog. www.skylinefarm.org . Check out the silent auction pages of items donated by the show's exhibitors and others who are passionate about preserving the farm's open spaces for the public to enjoy. These wild areas will become more precious to all of us as the world gets smaller and smaller...
I have the privilege of being co-curator for this show with my very special friend and accomplished artist Kathi Peters. Kathi specializes in equine and animal paintings and is included in a new book by Vicky Moon called Equestrian Style. Vicki is famous for her books about the rich and famous and this beautiful publication features international architecture, fashion, and homes inspired by the horse. Click here to view Kathi's very unique take on the horse. I particularly like her Shades of Black series. www.kathipeters.com

Here is one of my very first pastel portraits... seems like a life time ago that this was done....This is Kathi's Tennessee Walker gelding Duster who is 22 years old this year...

Portrait of a young Havanese

2008-09-15T17:48:00.005-05:00

This is a recent commission portrait of a Havanese puppy named Guapo. A bunch of great photos of this little guy were sent to me and I chose this pose because of the energetic expression and sparkling eyes.
How could you not love a mug like this?..He's just a pup but my understanding is that he is socializing very well with other dogs and learning to be a gentleman in public. This breed is known for it's endearing personality and undying loyalty. They also are a good choice for allergy sufferers. I'm sure he'll be a joy to his owners for years to come.
This painting is 5 x 7 size, suitable for desk top display and done with acrylics. I used all edges of a large flat brush to complete most of the image and was able to get all of the detail except for the eyes, nose and mouth which were finished with a small liner brush.
I thoroughly enjoyed working on this and was disappointed when it was done.. looking at him made me smile!
I have another commission coming soon and can't wait to get started on that...it's a completely different subject.

Maine Discovery Museum "Save Me A Seat " Auction Bench

2008-09-04T16:13:00.010-05:00

Well..it's been a while since the last blog but the bench for the MDM auction is finally DONE!
As promised ...here it is.
I chose a theme that appeals to a lot of people, Man's Best Friend, the family dog. We love our dog Koda, the Golden Retriever central in the portrait on the bench back. By her side is Baxter, our youngest son's treasured Jack Russell, and Mocha the Chocolate Lab, who passed away several years ago and belonged to a friend.
Under the seat lid is a little surprise...Addie the Welsh Corgi, who is a trusted and much loved companion to my very best friend and her husband.
I've used the art of Trompe l'eoil(fool the eye) to paint objects in three D on the seat lid and the frame around the portrait..the ball, dog biscuits and leash are all Koda's things. I added the pillow covered with paw prints to finish up the grouping with a touch of whimsy.
The bench is 65" high, 32"wide and 23" deep. Storage under the seat is suitable for hats, mittens, boots, or any canine paraphernalia..dog food if you wish!
The Trompe l'eoil is acrylic for durability and the over all finish is Behr latex enamel..two coats over primer for easy clean with soap and water.
Here is the link to the Auction....bids will close in November.. www.mainediscoverymuseum.org
I hope the winning bidder will enjoy this bench as much as I enjoyed doing it..
It's been a very busy month with deadlines all coming at once. My next blog will feature a new commission and the Skyline Farm and Carriage Museum show, "Fertile Ground", opens Sept. 12 so I must get to framing new paintings for that. More on that show in another blog...

Glimpse of MDM bench

2008-08-22T22:03:00.006-05:00

The bench that will be donated to the Maine Discovery Museum Fall Auction in November is nearing completion and shown here is the base color of cornflower with an area taped off that now has a special image painted there. (it's a surprise..you'll have to catch the next post.)
This project has been really fun so far. The theme chosen for it is popular and should appeal to a lot of folks.
My son Eric did a great job of building the bench and I think the cheerful color will compliment most any entry hall. We may be on to something here...
Stayed tuned...the next blog will show the finished piece...

Change of Plans

2008-08-01T19:10:00.004-05:00

A quick message for change of plans...My tent for the Freeport Creative Arts Sidewalk Festival will be located on the front lawn of Key Bank..two blocks north of L.L.Bean across from the Freeport Square Art Gallery.
Freeport was very busy today..lots of visitors.
Tomorrow night also features the free summer concert series sponsored by Beans...It starts at 7:30..Come, enjoy the sights and sounds of a great shopping district and superb restaurants.

Pine Point Evening

2008-07-31T10:15:00.007-05:00

I have to pinch myself when I realize what a beautiful state Maine is. Visitors from all parts of the globe come here every summer to enjoy the scenery that I live with every day. At times I must admit to taking this privilege for granted.
This painting is of the Scarborough River in Pine Point and the sandy coastline on the far side is called Ferry Beach. The beach is wall to wall people in summer but on the fall day that I took the photos for this the crowds were long gone. I loved the light of late afternoon and the three lobster boats lined up facing west. Scarborough River meanders inland through a protected conservation marsh that provides wetlands for thousands of creatures. Winslow Homer resided not far from here about a century ago and produced some of his most famous paintings inspired by the fishermen of his day.
This painting and others will be for sale during the Freeport Creative Arts First Annual Sidewalk Art Festival coming up on Saturday, August 2. My tent will be on the lawn of Harrington House, the Freeport Historical Society building, just two blocks south of L.L.Bean. Hope to see you there!
This is acrylic on 5 x 7 gallery wrapped canvas.

Moored Off Little Diamond

2008-07-25T21:04:00.007-05:00

I decided to try a little summer marine painting using acrylic. This scene is from a cruise taken on my dad's boat several years ago. He loved the ocean and was a skilled sailor. Every year he took our entire family out on his Grand Banks trawler for a day on Casco Bay. The bay is renown for it's many islands and is a mecca for boaters of all kinds. We'd usually moor off an island and have a cookout on the beach or pull up to a dock in a small harbor for a meal of fresh local seafood. There's nothing like a day on the water with the salt air filling your lungs and unrelenting sun to increase one's appetite. It rejuvenated our senses and everything tasted so good. We all enjoyed watching the variety of boats that traveled the bay from lovingly restored antique beauties to brand new power boats, sleek and built for speed.
These two were quietly moored off Little Diamond Island, a favorite and well known spot for the locals. The water was dead calm in this protected cove and I liked the reflections of the masts and lines on the gently rippled water.
This is 5 x7 .

CHOICES

2008-07-12T21:06:00.006-05:00

Well now.... As I mentioned in a recent blog I was waiting to see which painting had been chosen for an upcoming show. This is the one Bruce Brown picked out of the three I submitted for the Freeport Creative Arts show now on exhibit. Mr. Brown is the former director for the Center for Maine Contemporary Art in Rockport, Maine and he graciously agreed to help us out with our first group exhibition. Many thanks to him. The show runs through July 27 at the Freeport Square Gallery and is quite impressive. There is a wide variety of painting styles and genre along with some very fine crafts, sculptures and photographs....46 pieces in all and everything is for sale.
Please stop by if you're in the area shopping and help support local artists. The gallery is just two blocks north of L.L. Bean on Main Street and is open 7 days a week.
This is pastel and titled "Evans Notch-Gilead"...wish I could've been a fly on the wall....

Pastel Painters of Maine Show

2008-07-11T18:05:00.003-05:00

I just received word that this painting, 'Midnight Auto' won the Jack Richeson award at this year's PPoM International Juried Show at the Chocolate Church in Bath, Maine. It also sold today..That's
all really good news..