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

oil on panel

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

oil on panel

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.

Day 10: Fish House Vinalhaven

oil on panel

4"x5"

Back to Vinalhaven, and my seeming obsession with fish shacks. They just look so intriguing to me. We take the ferry from Rockport, and then we have to be careful to get back to the ferry in time, since we're always on foot. This was a beautiful, sunny day, but still, that heavy mist is in the air. I love the islands.

Day 9: Potential Picnic

oil on panel

5"x4"

We're at Pemaquid Lighthouse today--it's been so overdone, I decided to do a quick little painting of this picnic table on the lighthouse grounds, with just a bit of the ocean peeking through in the background. This is a wonderful place to visit, with dramatic rocks and views of the famous lighthouse--I'm sure I'll re-visit and paint a more traditional scene--but now, on with the picnic!

Day 8: In The Surf

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4"x5"

My grandson, Max, in the waves at Popham Beach. I guess you can see by now that we have our favorite places! Max is a scientist in the making, like his Uncle Max, and loves finding little creatures and observing the natural erosion that occurs in this most beautiful of locations. Me--I just like sittin' in the sun!

Day 7: First Sail

oil on panel

5"x4"

As the summer people arrive in Maine, we begin to see an amazing number of sailboats--always beautiful with their white sails against the blue water. This is a quick oil sketch of just such a scene at 5 Islands. The little boat is a tiny skiff--probably just 6 feet long--this provides transportation to land for the de-boating sailors. It reminds me why I am not, nor will I ever be brave enough to attempt sailing!

Day 6: Ferris Wheel

oil on panel

6"x6"

Every summer, Smokey's carnival comes to small towns in Maine. I'm fascinated with the overnight set-up and some of the nefarious characters who seem to find sanctuary with the carnival--anyway, it's part of our "stay-cation" this year. My grandson won a little stuffed animal at one of the games, so he's really excited.

Day 5: Vinalhaven Parking

oil on panel

4"x5"

Parking problems are of a whole different nature on Vinalhaven--no cars, just boats, and of course, the ferry. In the summer, it can be so congested as to be scary. Vinalhaven is a real Maine fishing village--pretty hard scrabble when the summer people go home. Not as friendly as some of the other islands, but very beautiful.

Day 4: On The Dunes

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4"x5"

We're back at Popham Beach today. This is the walkway to the beach--over the gorgeous dunes. I love this walk, with the fence, beach roses and the dune grass. You can imagine, just over the end of the walk--a vast expanse of beach and ocean, an island about 3 miles out, with a lighthouse. Perfect. Where will we go tomorrow?

Day 3: After Work

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4"x5"

This is a view of some fishermen's skiffs tied up at Five Islands--one of our favorite "stay-cation" places. You can always see these little boats (they leave the big fishing boats out a distance from the docks and piers for obvious reasons) especially in the late morning or early evening hours. They always look like companions to me--like they know each other. You can eat the freshest Maine seafood available right on the pier at Five Islands--it gets two thumbs up!
Watch for this and all the other 29 paintings of Maine to be available for bidding on e-bay.

Day 2: Fish House Low Tide--Tenants Harbor

oil on panel

5"x4"

Tenants Harbor, Maine, is a fishing village and a major place to get a ferry to the various islands, including Monhegan, which is a virtual gathering place for painters in the summer. I like it especially in the spring and fall, when there are few people, and you really feel the hard life the fishermen/lobstermen lead. I liked this beaten up shack at low tide--the ultimate isolation. But, during the summer, this is a hoppin' place. I believe the Wyeth (as in Andrew) family often summered here in the early years when N.C. Wyeth was in his heyday. If you come here, please note that there are not many places to park, and the locals can be put quite out of sorts if you park in their driveways, or in front of their mailboxes, etc.

Day 1: Cool Shadow

oil on panel

5"x4"

I'm back in the daily painting routine--finally. This year I worked on a series of large paintings, and they took lots of time! I have really missed doing these little guys. My project for the next month is to do 30 little paintings of Maine--vacationland! So, if you have been reduced to a "stay-cation," come along with me. I'll take you to my favorite places here in Maine!

This painting is of my young grandson, Max, at Popham Beach. It was a really hot day, so he was providing himself with some shade. I think he was wondering where his shadow went! My husband and I have been going to Popham Beach for 15 years--we love it. And, it somehow always offers a sense of renewal. This painting will be available to bid on e-bay in the next day or so. Enjoy!