69. Winter in the Studio: Little Big Skies, the first installment

Storm at Sea, 6x6

I feel like I just slipped into this series - unintentionally beginning something that I am not sure where it will take me.  This is the beginning of the my Little Big Skies paintings.  I had painted another painting of this scene on this panel and didn't like it.  So I sanded it down (like I do all paintings that I don't like, unless I wipe it down before it dries), and was going to put it in the pile of canvases when I thought:  why not try it again?  So I did, and I really liked it.  Actually I love it.  There was a freedom and painterliness that I had been reaching for. 

Then I  thought, I am liking this small size a little better now, maybe I should try it again.....

Storm at Sea 6x6

This is the second in the series (although it was really a series in my mind yet)  I liked this one well enough to paint a larger one from it (more on that later).  

I felt like I was getting somewhere now, so I painted another big sky painting - or a "cloudscape" as my sister Rachael like to call them!

Layers of Light 6x6

While I do like this one (I didn't sand it down after all!), it is not as lose as the first that I fell in love with in the very beginning...

 So another one:

Big Clouds 6x6  (Little Big Sky #4)

Now I am thinking of this as a series.  I can't wait to start the next one!

So I asked my husband to cut some panels for me - he cut 20 panels and I have clear coated them 3 times, and sanded them all down.  A bit of work, but they are my new favorite support!  What to do in Maine in the winter?  PAINT! 

68. Painting in Winter: In the Studio

We have been living in Maine 7 months!  And so here we are, in the midst of our first winter in Maine.  While it is cold, it is not unbearable - even though this has been one of the coldedst winters in 50 years.  Surprisingly, at least to me, I have found that I really like the winter season!  I like the 30 degree days better than the 5 degree days, but I love the season - the stillness,  the clearness of the skies, the stars that dazzle and the moon that glows on the snow. 

I have been painting steadily in my studio, which is probably another reason that I am loving these winter days so much.  I have been dividing my time between still lifes and landscapes.  The landscapes are developed from sketches , plein aire paintings and photos.

Here is a series of peonies that I have been working on.

It is interesting what you learn from working in a series - painting basically the same thing over and over.    I can look at the finished painting and decide what I liked about it - what worked, what I want to lean in on in the next painting.  These two paintings are very similar set-ups, but  painted at a slightly different vantage point and on slightly different size canvases.  the first is 8x10 and the second 9x12. 

I realize that I can also vary the materials - the surface that is is painted on, or the size.  Or sometimes the cropping of the subject.  This one is 6x6, painted on primed panel.  So it was very slick to paint on.  I cropped the subject - so it has as slightly abstract feel.

The next three have the same vase - but different backgrounds and different size canvases. The first is 8x10, then 9x12 and the next 12x12.

The next two are a different vase - a pewter mug. I had never painted pewter before - so that was fun.  The second one I limited myself to 20 minutes.  I was participating in a challenge to complete a 20 minute painting every day.  

My last one may in fact be my favorite one - I was trying to keep it all much more tonal  - so that the backdrop and  the horizontal plane were similar in color and value. I love the quality of light in this one - warm and glowy.

67. Progress in Maine

An update on the our progress in Maine.  The renovations on our farmhouse are ongoing!  Here is an action shot taken on October 7.  We removed a window in the wall (you can see the new infill framing behind me) It should have been such an easy project!  Unfortunately we discovered that the the window had been installed without flashing and that someone had covered over rot with new siding.  So we uncovered, re-framed, re-sheathed and re-sided the wall, pretty much the entire wall,up to the top.  I have no idea why we did not discover mold. 

We took out the lower window (in the basement) and insulated that wall.  We rebuilt the door and added a layer if insulation in it as well.  We also poured two new grade beams replacing portions of a rotten perimeter beam.  23 bags of concrete!   I am very good at mixing concrete now...not a skill that I was really seeking!  In the photo you can seek that Lee spot primnes over the nails, but we ran out of weather warm enough to paint the exterior.  While it is still getting up into the 50's, it is not warm enough to paint.

We have also installed new kitchen cabinet - the counters will be delivered on Friday.  It will be very nice to have a sink and functioning range again.  As I write, Lee is framing the master closet.  This afternoon we will hang sheetrock.  Needless to day, I have not had much time to paint!

66. Boothbay Harbor Painting event

A few weeks ago, I painted at a 7 day plein-aire painting event in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.  It was a great event!  I painted several paintings a day - it was so beautiful there, inspiration was around every corner.  

I was not sure that I was ready to participate in such a demainding painting event so soon after moving, but I decided that I would regret it if I didn't.  So I dove in!  I had set several deliberate goals for myself.  I wanted to find beautiful places to paint, maybe even some that I would be willing to drive back to once the festival was over.  Ocean Point definitely fit that bill - I painted there 3 different times and sold one of them!  I wanted to meet other artists in the area and hopefully find a group to paint with.  I did meet a lot of other artists and have found 2 groups that I can paint with - so happy!  I wanted to paint thing s that I normally don't paint - so boats, rocks, and houses.  As you can see - I did paint some rocks and houses!  Here are some of my favorite paintings from my week in Boothbay Harbor!

Fog at Ocean Point, 11x14  

Before the Rain, 12x12

Rising Tide, 8x10

Afternoon with Zinnias, 7x12

Wisteria Welcome 11x14

65. MAINE

After years of planning, dreaming and saving, we have moved to Maine!  We have been here about 7 weeks now, and while there is still so much to do, I am starting to feel lighter.  We bought an old farm house (1850!) that definitely needs work (a lot of work!!) but is habitable.  The renovations on the house and barn have begun!

My goal for this new life is to paint more than I was able to in Maryland and to focus on the business side of being an artist.  I had planned to start slowly, but I found several opportunities to participate in art events and to exhibit my work here, so I decided to jump in!  Some events have been more successful than others - but I have sold paintings at every event, found beautiful new places to paint and have met other artists.  So I am glad that I found the courage to step forward and join in.

Here are some of my favorite recent paintings!

 Golden Light 11x14

Ready for Ice Cream  8x10

Perennial Border 8x10 SOLD

64. Poppies on a June Day

"Poppies on a June Day"

30" x 30"  

I just learned that this painting has been accepted into a juried show at the crystal Moll Gallery in Baltimore - ad the image will be on the invitation!  So exciting!

 This is one of my favorite paintings ...it has the looseness that I am striving for in the my paintings (but don't always achieve). 

63. Fall Color

"Fall Color"

8x10, oil on linen panel

We have had great weather this Autumn!  And so I have been trying to paint outside as much as possible.  This time of the year, the trees have an amazing variety of edges and such a rich assortment of colors.  It becomes a challenge to balance out all of the reds and ranges with some strategic greens and dark accents.  

62. Quiet Places

"Quiet Places"

11x14

It is raining today, and it seemed like a good day to paint in the studio.  I am trying to get work ready for some Christmas shows.  So, the first thing that I did was make a list of the frames that I have.  The second thing that I did was paint a painting that is a size for which I do not have a single frame! Ha!  So much for my careful forethought.  

This painting (which I do have a frame for) is a re-working of a painting that began as a plein-aire painting, painted out in the field.  But it wasn't working and had been relegated to the paint-over pile (which grows rapidly on some days).  I pulled it out this afternoon to see if I could save it.   

The initial version (2 years old) is below.  

61. Musings after festivals

After having just finished 2 festivals and sold over 30 paintings in less than 10 days (!), I learned a lot about what appeals to others.  Or maybe I learned that I don't really know what appeals to others!  I did realize that, in general, my work achieves my mission:  to lift up the beauty of the natural world and to instill a sense of peace and serenity.  

I also learned that my very favorite paintings and not necessarily the ones that appeal to other or the ones that are purchased. The painting above is one of my favorites - but not one that drew most people into my booth or elicited the most comments.  

I recently went through all of my paintings and took a long, hard look at them.  Some were put in the "to be sanded pile".  I will paint over them.  Some were put in the rework pile.  I am now able to see what will make them a stronger painting.  Others were put in protective sleeves, and my favorites were framed.  I sold a lot of unframed paintings in those protective sleeves - just going to show me that my favorites are not necessarily the favorites of someone else!

I also learned that there are a lot of really kind supportive people out there who are interested in art, and in beauty.  Thank you to everyone who took the time (and braved the heat at the Brandywine Festival!) to come see my work and talk to me.  I enjoyed meeting all of you!  Thank you for your support.

60. Long's Park Art Festival

This is the first time that I have been an exhibitor at this festival - I always thought that it was too hard to get into, so I didn't apply.  Note to self:  you won't ever get in if you don't apply!  I am honored and nervous!  Please stop by and say hello - I will have lots of new paintings.  Actually almost all of the work will be from this year!

59. Cloud Revisions

 Final Version

This painting has been in my studio for several years, most of the time facing the wall.  I need one more large painting for upcoming festivals, so I thought that I would try to rework this painting.  I am really happy with this version.  I like the path and the warmth of the last light of evening permeates the atmosphere of the painting.

I reworked this version in order to lighten the sky and change the direction of the path - it was parallel to the angle of the clouds.  And I wanted more texture in the foreground grasses.

This is the initial painting - it was too blue.

58. First Morning Light

First Morning Light 

oil on panel, 8"x 8"

I have spent a lot of the summer finishing up large studio paintings in order to be ready for two festivals - and also to escape the heat!  This has been a really hot summer.  It was fun to change size scales so dramatically -  30x40 to 8x8.  I like this one enough that I could see taking it to a larger size!

57.Artist Statement

I paint in oil to satisfy my own personal need to create.  It is a thrill for me to get lost in luscious color, compositional arrangements and mark-making.  Painting allows me to center myself, and to let the chatter of the world slip away. 

I love to paint landscapes, especially those of beauty: the golden light of dusk, clouds building on the horizon or leaves backlit by the sun.  In response, I lift up the splendor of the natural world as a reaction against the ugliness so often found around us.  Often, this might be a scene that might be overlooked:  a pond, a field at dusk, or a simple tree.  I want to capture that moment of beauty and my place in that moment.  When I am successful, my work reflects an elusive moment of peace and serenity in an otherwise chaotic world.

These moments of beauty are for me a glimpse of the “thin spaces” – those small gaps through which I can touch the edge of heaven.  I feel closest to the “Divine” when I am painting outdoors. Even when I am in my studio painting, I am still exploring for those ephemeral moments of grace that transcend my worries of everyday. 

My hope is that my paintings bring a moment of serenity to my viewers as well.

56. Reworking

Below are three paintings that I have recently"reworked".

The top or first version is the reworked painting - for reference you can see the prior version underneath.

 Long Shadows, 8x10.  I felt that the sky in the version below was "dirty" and did not lend the kind of light that I was aiming for.  The version above feels more like a summer morning.

 I like the basic composition and color scheme of the one below - I was not satisfied with the brushwork though.  I am much happier with the finished version!

 The barn is obviously the center of attention in this painting - but it was kind of boring!  So, I added some details - windows, doors, etc and brightened the front face of the barn.  The foreground got a little more definition as well.  Better now.

55. On the Way Back

I painted this on the Way back from picking up work at a gallery. Hence the name! 

I had passed a park where I thought that I might paint, so I turned down a road in order to turn around (rather than shooting a U on the highway!) Before I could turn around, I found this lovely scene. I painted until catastrophe struck: a fly bit my dog, (who was under my easel), he jumped up and bumped into me, and I bumped into my jar of mineral spirits. So I stopped painting. 

When I got home and looked at the painting, I decided I really liked it, just as it was.

54. Bucks County Plein Aire event

 I just finished a weeklong event painting in Bucks County PA.  While it was their first year to host the event, it was very organized, and everything seemed to go smoothly.  I sold 5 paintings at the event!  I painted 10 altogether.  I will be posting those later this week.  Here are the 5 that I sold:

 " Dancing Allium",  8x10  This was painted during the "Quick Paint" event.  They are usually 2 hours - but this one allowed only ONE hour to complete a painting!  I was really nervous about this event (I kept thinking to myslef:  just don't think about it!)  I liked the way that I turned out and it sold!

 "Shadow Play"  9x12  Painted at the Mill at the George Washington Crossing Park  This was my favorite painting from the event

  "Before the Storm"  12x12  This a terrible photograph!

 "In the Shade"  9x12  Painted early in the morning at Peace Valley Park, a particularly lovely place, deserving of its name!  Another bad photo though!

Into the Blue Hills 9x12  I was lost when I found this place to paint - simply a road in Buck County.

53. Dusk at Central Park

 This is a large commission of Central Park.  There are 2 panels - each is 40"x 30" .  So the final painting is really large!  I am not sure that I would have tried such an ambitious painting without the commission - that is one of the things that I really like about commissions!  This is still not finihsed.  But it is fun to see the progression, I think.