Painting a Day - Portrait of Steve

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.