June paintings in August

Noon Islands, 9 x 12 oil on linen mounted to board, 2010 (Somesville, ME)

Okay okay, I am late. But two recent occurrences inspired me to get on with it: a flurry of comments on some of my old Maine paintings on Facebook, and Alex posting her recent Maine paintings both here and on Facebook. Today was overcast but bright, perfect for shooting art, so I finally took the shots and am now posting the pix of my most recent Maine sketches. These are from June when Alex and I went up to Mount Desert Island and stayed with Diana in Somesville (see two posts back) We had a short but highly productive week of plein air painting (four nights/five days?) These are some I did on that trip, and are AS IS. I did no more work on them in the studio. In fact, I can't bear to do any later retouch at all these days...it all happens on site and in the moment or not at all.



Houses by the Sea, 12 x 16, oil on linen mounted to board, 2010 (Stonington, ME)



Porcupine Islands, 12 x 18, oil on linen mounted to board, 2010 (from Cadillac Mountain, Acadia National Park, ME)



Alex Tyng Painting at Beaver Pond, oil on linen, 12 x 9, 2010 (Acadia National Park, ME)
Funny thing is that I also did a painting of Beaver Pond. It was fun to do but it ended as a confused mess. Alex wanted to keep going with her piece for another 20 minutes. I had a palette full of fresh paint and extra canvas so I speed painted this baby, more as a way of passing the time than with any serious intention. Wouldn't you know, this one was the keeper!


Reflecting Pond, oil on canvas, 12 x 16, 2010 (Somesville, ME)
Yes, that's the library in Somesville. It was the last painting of the last day!

Some recent plein air paintings of Maine

Since Nancy Bea posted, I've been on Mount Desert Island for two weeks, and got a few chances to paint with Diana there. So I thought it was time I posted a few of my paintings from my 2010 Maine travels so far.These are from Mt. Desert:
Morning Light on Apel Camp, 14" x 18"
First Glimpse, 14" x 18"
Marsh at Pond's End, 18" x 14"
Wind Gust Over the Ripples, 12" x 18"

Business Trip... to Maine!

Alex and I (Nancy Bea here) made a quick visit up to Mount Desert Island to stay with Diana while taking care of a little gallery business (Alex and I each have two galleries in Maine that exhibit our work, one is the same) and of course, PAINTING! Which is our business, for real. We stopped in Freeport for coffee and a little L.L.Bean-ing. Notice my business-like attache case (really, an archery set!)

Diana and her sweet dog, Tucker, welcomed us warmly!



Our first day of painting was a total pleasure, despite my easel becoming marooned!



We painted in Stonington one day and did some business with our mutual gallery there, gWatson. Here is Ron Watson talking with Alex.



Lupines were everywhere! It's a very floral time for coastal Maine.



Painting on the side of Cadillac Mountain one early evening was truly a highlight of the trip! Diana's gorgeous hair was flaming:



We worked hard all the hours we could. I came home with eight pieces or "sketches". Here is Alex with her Cadillac piece:



Happy sigh! I wish the rest of the MLG had been there with us. We'll do that soon, I hope. Farewell till we meet again, in Maine!

Where I want to be. . .

Around this time of year, when I'm hemmed in by snow and busy with work deadlines and back-to-back art events, I find myself thinking of Maine. I realize this has nothing to do with the reality of Maine at this time of year; Maine is colder than Philadelphia and usually gets a lot more snow. What I'm really dreaming about is summer in Maine--the greens and blues, the balsam-scented breeze, and my beloved Long Pond.

I recently completed a portrait of my friend Nan that epitomizes that feeling. It's called Right Here.