End of Summer Blues

End of Summer Blues

22 x 30 watercolor

There is no place on the planet I would rather be in the summer than the coast of Maine. I can't say that for winter so as the days grow shorter and the nights are cooler we are all reminded that the loveliest time of year will come to an end soon...
I was challenged to do a larger watercolor so with a giant pen and brush and a tiny travel watercolor palette my farewell to summer.

Art Abandonment—Sunday August 24

Sunday afternoon, on my break from the gallery, I abandoned some art around Portland Maine. 

Trader Joe's, LeRoux Kitchen and the Maine Surfers Union.

Plein Air painting—Two Lights, Cape Elizabeth Maine

Another beautiful day here in Maine so we spent the morning painting at Two Lights. Sporting my latest handmade Scrunchie, I did a quick 8 x10 oil study of the view across to Richmond Island.

RIP Jorge Royan artist

I met Jorge at the Usk Symposium in 2012. We took a class from Nina Johansson who had us take painted impressions from the streets and manhole covers and then swap with someone to then use as a background to sketch on. I ended up swapping with Jorge and while we sketched together on the hot July morning in Santo Domingo DR he kept reminding me that he gave me really great backgrounds to work with. Laughing, we fell into the rhythm of the pure joy of sketching.
He invited me early on to join the Sketching Workshop group on FaceBook and I immediately accepted. He created a diverse and dynamic group that thrived on the love of sketching, along with sharing ideas and giving feedback. Jorge continued to always challenge himself and in return would challenge us. His absence is deeply felt among us.
My deepest sympathy to Jorge's family for their loss.
Rest in peace Jorge Royan

A lovely summer day in Maine

Richmand Island from Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, Maine

8"x 8" quick 60 minute oil study

Yesterday started out with Plein Air painting at Kettle Cove, then a bit of that daily to-do stuff, but finally ended with Sophie and I and all the other people and dogs of Willard Beach watching the amazing cloud show and then the full moon rise—WOW.

Portrait practice

Sketched a few portraits on my day away from the gallery and those intimidating canvases. 
Artist/Television news photographer Bill Barton and reporter Jana Barnello of Channel 13 in Portland Maine.

Still...

Still walking, still drawing horizontal things around my house and though I am still avoiding, one out of the three commissions is done…and they love it! Now, I think I will go take a long walk…