Day 17: Lobstering On Vinalhaven

oil on panel

4"x5"

Lots of commercial fishing/lobstering on Vinalhaven, and a surprising number of women now involved in the daily "going out." Each fisherman has buoys painted with his/her own particular color scheme, so the theory is that lobster traps don't get mixed up--I think it's a pretty serious trespass if you haul in a trap that isn't yours.

Day 16: Yellow House Vinalhaven

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4"x5"

Most of the painters I know paint this house on Vinalhaven at some point. It's just so "in your face" on this island where financial disparity is the name of the game. We have many of these kinds of problems--rich people come here and buy their "summer" homes, while the people who live here can hardly afford to live. Anyway, social inequities aside, I took my shot at the yellow house!

Day 15: Tying Up

oil on panel

5"x4"

Once again on 5 Islands--this fisherman just brought in his catch--we watched him clean up his big boat, with hundreds of gulls swarming him for scraps! He then came ashore in his little dory and tied up at the dock. I love what I have begun to think of as the "fisherman's pose"--bent over in the throes of work!

Day 14: Father's Day

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5"x4"

Well, here's an iconic scene--but nice to see. A big guy showing a little guy how to fish. We need more of this kind of thing in our lives--let's just forget about the economy for a day and take a little kid fishing! (This is my beloved 5 Islands, by the way.)

Day 13: Abandoned

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4"x5"

I came upon this scene when I was in Tenants Harbor--I don't think the little boat was really abandoned, but it certainly looked that way. Tenants Harbor can be a lonely place.

On Saturday, we participated in a sidewalk art show, which was a lot of fun. If you just happened to see my work there (Waterville), don't forget to think about commission ideas. If you send me a picture, I will probably paint it!

Day 12: Sunday Afternoon

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6"x6"

Another afternoon at Popham Beach--don't forget we're entertaining a 10 year old grandson this summer. This couple sitting next to us were good sports--they sat still for an hour! I liked their umbrella, which had a flower thing going on...they had a developmentally challenged child with them, and they were lovely with her. Reminds me to be thankful for my own life.

Day 11: Gulls On Monhegan

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4"x5"

Monhegan Island is a virtual artist-magnet--some of the most famous American painters have spent time working on Monhegan--so, it has a rich history. If you are lucky enough to visit (by ferry from Tenants Harbor) you will see what the attraction is. Just so dramatic and picturesque! The Gulls are always swarming around--some people don't like them, but I don't mind. Monhegan is a nightmare in the summer, but after Columbus Day, it goes back to its fishing village status. There is a little school on the island for kids through middle school, then they must leave the island for high school--a real hardship for most families. Anyway, now you know probably more than you ever wanted to know about this island. I love it.