Break in the Storm-Van Buren

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.