Studio painter

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.

Summer Art Scene-Freeport Square Gallery

The summer art scene in Maine is very exciting and July is a busy time. My work will be in two shows that open within the next 12 days. The painting 'Midnight Auto' was accepted into the Pastel Painters of Maine 9th International Show at the Chocolate Church, 798 Washington Street in Bath, and the second is an exciting show curated by Bruce Brown of the Center for Maine Contemporary Art out of Rockport. Mr. Brown will be choosing one piece of artwork out of three submitted by each member of the newly formed Freeport(Maine)Creative Arts Initiative. This fledgling organization was started less than a year ago and has expanded to a whopping membership of over 80. FCA is an energetic and eclectic mix of local artists who are painters, sculptors, photographers, potters, musicians and writers. Obviously not all will be in this show but it will be very interesting to see which pieces submitted end up in the exhibit. I'm curious about which of mine was chosen.
Freeport Square Gallery, 140 Main St, Freeport is Maine's newest and largest gallery in the state with over 6,000 square feet of exhibit space in the former Copeland Furniture building. Kathleen Meade, the founding member and chair of FCA, along with five other members have partnered with art minded businesses to start this exciting private venture. The FCA show will have the first shot in the new gallery and opens July 13 with an artist reception and runs through 27th. Given the FCA activity and the new gallery in town Freeport is sure to make it's mark on the Maine art scene. As an artist who's lived in this area for over 30 years all I can say is it's about time!
The PPoM show in Bath opens with an artist reception on July 10 at 4 p.m. followed by a painting demo with Signature PSA member Doug Dawson who will present the awards. Dawson's work is atmospheric with a specialty in nocturnals(my favorite). He will conduct a plein aire workshop in Wiscasset the following weekend.
All work in both shows is for sale.
For more info
www.pastelpaintersofmaine.com
www.freeportusa.com
This is a pencil study of a Childe Hassam summery painting...appropriate I think.

The Cob in Winter

Several years ago I decided to get out of horse ownership. It wasn't an easy decision but it was the right one for me. Regardless....I'll always love horses and cherish my memories of the great experiences we had together. Unfortunately there are few photos of my horses that are suitable for reference in my art work( we didn't have a digital camera then)...so, I rely on my horsey friends to get good shots of their wonderful equine companions to paint.
The photo of this Welsh Cob mare reminds me so much of the winters here with my own mares. Their coats became thick and woolly in preparation for our notoriously long cold season in Maine. The luxurious fur fluffed out on especially cold days and it was such a treat to bury my face in their soft warm necks...in my mind I can still smell the hay and fresh clean scent of them...
This is a 10x12 pastel on terra cotta Colourfix paper(what else!)..Available for purchase as well..

Green Apples

One of my grand daughters, Sydney, is the thoughtful, tow-headed girl in this piece. The scenery is the view from the front yard of the house you see in my painting 'Summer House-Parker Head'. I wanted a more expansive landscape beyond her so I opened up the trees and removed rock formations that are actually across the marshy inlet. Also the apple tree is closest to the viewer and much larger in the photos I worked from. The shots were taken during a family picnic and the kids were having a ball playing around the tree and stuffing fallen apples into the crevice left by an old injury.
The bright green colors of the unripe apples and the halo of golden hair, hit just right by the sun, caught my eye......
I realized recently while looking at this image with a fresh perspective, how feminine the tree form is...an interesting revelation to me, since it wasn't intentional.
My grandchildren are so sweet and innocent at this young stage in life. They have so much to learn and experience...will they be tempted by the forbidden fruit?