Friday, May 31, 2013

Day 31: Farewell


After a full day of cleaning, packing and saying goodbye to the island, we are ready to go back home.  Lucy the dog is not excited about getting on the ferry, and may have to be carried on board in her kennel, Cleopatra-style.

This woman sometimes comes to the ferry and plays a sea-chanty on her accordian for those departing the island.  Where else would this happen?  Anyway, it's great fun, and makes people want to come back, I'm sure.

Well, we have to go.  We may not ever be able to do something like this again, but the fact that we got to do is at all is really quite fantastic. 

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Day 30: Looking Through


I just liked the idea of being able to view the ocean through the window of this house.  I think this was/is a family summer home.  No doubt many people have stood at the window and gazed out at the ocean view over the years.

This afternoon we said goodbye to new friends, Sue and Anneliese.  We hope to catch up with them some time in the future--each is from Vermont.  Before coming to the island this month, I had done a lot of thinking about ageing, and especially how, as we grow older, we are not expected to be courageous--we are no longer warriors, culturally speaking.  But that's not true.  Sue and Anneliese are warriors.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Day 29: Two Boats and Manana


Today is my husband's birthday, so we will be having a civilized dinner at the Island Inn.  This is the view from said Inn, at 6 pm--Monhegan harbor, and Manana Island.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Day 28: Ashore


A common sight here.  Little boats pulled up on the beach, practical transportation for fishermen who set anchor in the harbor, and then need to get to shore. 

Monday, May 27, 2013

Day 27: Serious Fire Potential


On the dock, at the ferry landing.  The road on the left leads up to what's happening on Monhegan--Main street and the store, library, etc.  But for this strange and fleeting moment, what?  Serious Fire Postential, and a gas can full of gas--oh, the irony.  I passed it at my own risk, and lived to tell.

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Day 26: Upstairs Fisherman


Two fishermen live here--a husband and wife team, although the wife is now having to go to the mainland with her son so that he can attend high school.  It must be really hard to maintain these two separate lives.  They come home to the island on week-ends, when they can.  Anyway, I love the fisherman's gear, and laundry, up high, like flags.

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Day 25: Rooftop and Adirondaks


I have painted this house in several different views over the past few years.  I like the way it just kind of peeks up over the rocks and brambles, revealing its interesting roof line.  There are always a few white adirondaks in the yard, waiting for someone to come and claim them for a nap, or for gazing at the harbor.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Day 24: Road to the Ferry


This road goes uphill, somewhat, and just over the hill, a steep decline to the harbor, and the ferry.  Everyone walks this road at some time, both coming and going.  I feel sad about leaving in another week.  But also very lucky to have spent an entire month here.

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Day 23: Hanging Basket


There is a real love for flower gardens here, and the fertility of the soil, I guess in part due to the abundance of seaweed dug in, makes for a gardener's dream.  But for now, it's still early in the season, with some really cold nights, so hanging baskets will have to do until the weather warms up.  I started to put the reflection of the house across the way in the windows, but time would not permit...so you'll have to use your imagination.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Day 22: Main Street


This is Main Street--a gravel road that goes through the center of commerce.  Our cottage is right on the road, so we get a chance to watch all the activity--who leaves on the ferry, who shows up, etc.  It's amazing how really nosey one can become after a few weeks of peace and quiet!  I love the shadow cast by the big chestnut tree, reminding me of the Longfellow poem memorized in the 8th grade--"Under the spreading chestnut tree, the village smithy stands...."

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Day 21: Red House-Another View



Another look at the amazing "Red House."  There are a surprising number of houses with complex, multi-roof designs.  But for this one, it really is still the "redness" that intrigues me.  Some day I would like to stay here for awhile, right on the water where I can watch the boats come in to the harbor from the front porch.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Day 20: Shadow from the Lighthouse


Back at the lighthouse in early morning sun. The shadow on the left side of the building is the lighthouse itself--you can kind of imagine it looming up. As I mentioned in an earlier picture, everyone paints these buildings, and for good reason. They are always different at different times of day.


Sunday, May 19, 2013

Day 19: Bedroom at Elva's


Today started as a rainy day, so I decided on this interior--our bedroom, looking into the bathroom, where the sun is now coming through--rainy day is over!  I love the contrasts I see here, both inside and out.

Saturday, May 18, 2013

Day 18: Forsythia


It is pretty early for most blooming spring flowers--lilacs will wait until June, as will most bulbs--but forsythia is realy in its glory.  Once again, in a basically neutral colored landscape, this bright yellow is most impressive.  And, as always, it is short-lived.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Day 17: Rooftop


 
This house reminds me of Hawthorne's "The House of the Seven Gables."  I can only imagine what it would be like to able to build a summer house that looks like this!  Anyway, it is not in great repair now, but still is so interesting.  I would love to see the inside sometime--maybe do some interiors.  This was the first time I ever saw this roof when it didn't have at least one gull sitting on the chimney.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Day 16: Blue Door


I have painted several versions of this blue door.  In June, the flowers are more colorful.  But the blue of the door appeals to me.  I have never known anyone to actually be at home here.  I wonder who they are, and when they come.  I think I could live here. (Sorry about the paralax in the photo of the painting.  I do have my limitations!)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Day 15: Fish Beach


Fish Beach is a very utilitarian place for the fishermen to do the messy business of piling excess junk and things they may need "some day," which probably means NEVER.  It is piled with ropes, cans, torn up life preservers (?) traps, never to sail again boats, nets, etc.  I have cleaned it up for the picture, but it is really  just crammed with stuff--but it's Fish Beach, tucked away behind these buildings, and everyone accepts it as it is.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Day 14: Down the Lighthouse Road


And while I had him in the outfit, why not another picture?  Economy of means is my motto.  The white buildings of the Monhegan lighthouse are behind him, in deep shadow. 

Monday, May 13, 2013

Day 13: In A Dory


My husband is being a good sport and posing for me here.  It is not always possible to find a willing fisherman who would like to sit still for a while.  I think, given another chance at it, he would be a ship's mate of some kind.  He, like so many men, fell into "making a living" instead of following his interest.  Of course, more and more women find themselves in this conundrum today--but historically, men have been sent out into the workforce, even when they have proven to be manifestly unsuited.  I hope this way of living changes.  Anyway, he seems at home here--he likes the fiserman's outfit.

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Day 12: Harbor and Manana Island


Manana Island, a tiny land mass just across the harbor from Monhegan, is another of many favorite painters' subjects.  It is rugged and different in every light.  This view is in the evening, just before the sun goes behind and turns it very dark and forboding.  In the morning light, it is green and cheerful, but after sunset, all bets are off.  The Coast Guard has a fog signal on Manana, and we lay awake on several stormy nights listening to the signal, and wondering what it would mean for a fisherman who couldn't make it to shore in time to hear that low, hoarse sound--the difference between life and death. (Also, today is Mother's Day, and I heard from my kids.  It is a great honor for me to be their mother.  We have learned a lot from each other.)    

Saturday, May 11, 2013

Day 11: Buoys At Home


In a landscape dotted with all these gray shingled houses, the buoys stand out like Christmas decorations.  It's really so simple, but adds so much color.  And then, there's the practical aspect--what are you going to do with your buoys?  Hang them on the corner of your house, of course.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Day 10: Library


This is an effort to pump up the color, which, upon deeper thought, was kind of silly.  The library is not blue, and the sky was not yellow--although value wise, yellow was pretty accurate.  This little library is a jewel in the island's crown.  It has a surprising number of books and collections, and is absolutely charming.  It's the perfect place to hang out if it's raining. 

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Day 9: Adirondak


The library lawn has a lot of these white Adirondak chairs.  They look like sentinels keeping guard.  In the spring, when the grass is an incredible acidic green, the chairs look especially crisp and white.  I believe these were donated by the Wyeth family--and no, I didn't see Jaimie.  (Well, OK, I did see his house, and someone was moving around in there, but I left him alone--I hope he appreciates my discretion.)

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Day 8: Passenger Gull


Gulls, gulls, gulls!  They are everywhere--especially when the fishing boats come in.  I think they are looking for a nice, easy fish snack.  It looked to me like this one was hitching a ride.  On the back side of the island, at the headlands, the gulls are nesting.  They make their rookeries in the steep cliffs.  They are a little protective, and don't like to be bothered--so we don't bother them.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Day 7: Studio


The owners of the cottage we're renting are hosting the Carina Artist Residency recipient this year, so they have converted one of the bedrooms into a studio.  Lucky me--although not the recipient, I do get to work in the studio.  They left this twin bed in the room--I guess if the artist gets tired...?  The sun coming through the window in the morning is very strong and lights up the room like crazy.  I loved working here.  It was quiet and I didn't have to clean up after a day's work!  (Just close the door.)

Monday, May 6, 2013

Day 6: Red House


Another favorite subject for a lot of painters.  I have often wondered about weathering a really bad storm in this house--it must be quite the experience, since it sits so near the water.  And then, there is the idea of painting your house red that I really like--something so bold.  Maybe it will never be swept out to sea because of its "redness."

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Day 5: The View Between


I just happened upon this view in the early evening, tucked between two cottages--just this little boat.  Probably the property of whoever owns the cottages--his or her parking lot, as it were.  There are tons of little views like this, around every corner, or where you would least expect something awesome--surprise!

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Day 4: Lighthouse 10 am


Everyone I know paints the Lighthouse--or rather, its attached buildings.  The shadows at various times of day are just too wonderful--can't resist it.  Besides, the view from here, where the center of the community, the harbor, Manana Island and the vast ocean can all be seen at once is so beautiful.  And sunset from this vantage point is unbelievably beautiful.

Friday, May 3, 2013

Day 3: Living Room


We have rented Elva's cottage--a part of the old post office.  It is a circa 1950s 3 bedroom house, and is really adorable.  This is a view of the living room with the sun streaming in at about 4pm.  Part of the appeal of the island for me is this cottage, which takes me back, in a strange way--sometimes I feel like I'm 10 years old again.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Day 2: Winnies Worry


Walking down "Maine Street", I saw this little dory--very beaten up, and holding a lot of rainwater--I guess that means it doesn't leak.  It's name is "Winnies Worry".  The "Winnie" referred to is Winnie Murdoch, wife of John.  Together they own and run a B&B called "Shining Sails."  John also fishes, and so, this little boat gets him out to his fishing boat--but I think the title is fitting.  I would worry, too.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Day 1: Carina


This year (2013) I am spending the entire month of May painting on Monhegan Island, Maine.  I have set a goal for myself of 1 6x6 oil on panel painting each day, and then 6 larger canvases spread out over the month.  I expect this will be a rich and rewarding experience.
 
For day 1, I chose this quick view of the little grocery store on the island, just a short distance from the cottage my husband and I rented for the month.  Because this is "low season" and there is not a lot of tourist activity yet, people tend to wander in and out of Carina.  If you are lucky, the ferry has brought supplies from the main land--veggies and various essentials.  If you are not lucky--well-- make do with what you have.  There are no vehicles allowed, with the exception of these working trucks, which are pretty banged up, but get the job done.