Coastline Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Harbor, Maine

Had a great time over the "perfect weather" Memorial Weekend. One of the high points was painting in the Botanical Gardens at Boothbay Harbor http://www.mainegardens.org. I've been trying to get there for nearly a year. My plein air painting friend, Melissa, and I spent a day looking for a great site in the general Boothbay area with a white house, lupine, and the ocean. But, once we saw the gardens we settled for some stunning plantings and vivid color. While we didn't get to paint lupine, the gardens were showing off some yellow Ladies' Slippers and many, many pink Ladies' Slippers! I've never seen so many and they will fade soon. Also, a lovely display of art in the main building, including one of my favorite watercolorists, Joan Plummer. And more, the gardens are planning a week for plein air painters (July 18-25) with an opportunity to show and sell at the Visitor Center.

Ice House, Hollis, NH

Friday was a perfect day for painting in watercolor outside. The sun was shining. The air was warm and dry. I drove to Hollis, NH and met up with the NH Plein Air Painters. Early in the day, I painted this ice house next to an apple orchard that is in a town(?) park. After a lovely lunch at a diner in Milford, NH, NH artist Sharon Allen and I painted a local landmark, a lighthouse on a lake. I have a general idea of where it was. The wind picked up in the afternoon, and I struggled to keep my easel from flying away. Having said that, the bugs were fierce and that's unusual on a windy day. Must remember my bug spray next time! The painting went together quickly and I'm fairly happy with the final.

Weantinoge Plein Air

Getting ready for the next paint out with the Weantinoge Land Trust. They created this beautiful poster that will be updated as the new sites are announced. Next paint out is at Hunt Hill Farm in New Milford. Beautiful property with rolling hillsides, barns and a Christmas Tree Farm. The associated Silo Gallery has offered to show some of the paintings of the land trust properties in January 2011. Hope the artists come out and paint. The last (May) paint out was well attended . . . weather wasn't too great!

Sping Flowers Have Arrived!

Spring is a beautiful and refreshing time of year! It's hard to focus with all the new things growing and all the beautiful colors popping up. I'm enjoying my little flower garden that, this year, rewarded me with outstanding tulips! I planted some beautiful pansies, also. Yesterday, I had the idea I would paint in my own yard . . . and I did. Somehow I managed to paint other things and not the flowers. I think I'm afraid I can't make a painting as beautiful as the experience of seeing the flowers first hand. But, in the winter months, a beautiful painting would be a feast for the eyes. and the colors energizing.

Laurel Ridge Farm/Daffodil Fields

Had to make a quick trip to Laurel Ridge Farm and see the daffodils. This farm is a site for the CT Plein Air Painters, and is spectacular this time of year. I marked my calendar for April 8 (to keep watch) but this is the first chance I've had to get there. Friday may be the only time I have to paint on location here as it is a bit of a drive for me. Very early morning seems to be the best light. There seems to be more whites this year, but maybe the yellows have come and gone.

I drove down the road and the farmer was using an ATV to round up the cows.

Spring in My Little Garden

Not wanting to be totally a landscape painter, I planted a few lovely things in my garden. These beautiful tulips are stunning in the morning light. I planted these bulbs about three years ago, and I'm surprised the deer haven't lopped off their heads! Gourmet salad threats for deer. I also planted some pansies, deciding this year to plant them in groups and by theme. I want to continue my flower watercolor series. Oscar the cat came to visit me. I'm looking forward to having fresh herbs and some lettuces and greens. While he has his eyes on the birds at my feeders, I'm sure Oscar has plans for some of my herbs, too!

Went back out to Smyrski Farm after work today. Have thoughts of at least a dozen more paintings there. I made five paintings, but only one will make it into a frame. Made plans to go to Lily Preserve on Sunday.

Spring in New Milford CT

This looks like a morning photo, but is late day. Stunning view looking down Lake Lillinonah. Yesterday the wind calmed late in the day, and I came across this scene after I completed another painting. My painting of the day was satisfactory, but I painted in watercolor and thought about painting in oils. I didn't stick to my original thought for the painting and was disappointed with the final product. So, today I must make a decision . . . paint the daffodil fields in Litchfield or give this scene a try or paint right here at home. Springtime in my own yard is pretty, too!

Weir Farm, Ridgefield, CT

Another stunning spring day here

in CT!! Spent the whole day with a

group of plein air artists at the historic Weir Farm in Ridgefield, CT. A light breeze kept the few bugs away. The forsythia were in bloom and a few daffodils. The tree groups in the forested areas still have their red veiled look. Wet ground and some puddles. I think I heard peepers all day! My favorite view was an apple tree against a stone wall with a huge puddle in front of it. Had I painted it, and I don't know why I didn't, the painting would have not had sky above, but sky in the puddle. High horizon. My friend, James, finished a challenging painting of Weir's studio and the meandering pathway through the field. I struggled to finish my watercolor . . . so tempting to cover the white spaces. I think my early design leaving the barn roof nearly white was a cleaner more exciting painting. But, the painting I finished shows the spring light and color. I may do another of the same scene and keep the graphic design simple but strong. Later in the day, I spent an hour sketching and planning for another trip to this magical place. I have morning sketches and late day sketches. Took some time lapsed images of the final painting and will post "the movie."

Perfect Painting Day!

Stunning spring day today. It must have reached 73 degrees, bright blue sky, and few bugs! Went back to Smyrski Farm in New Milford and painted on the side of the road. The late morning light was nicer than I expected, but the shadows quickly changed and I stopped. I'll go back and finish this painting on a morning when the leaves pop.

My little ink sketches were well worth the time it took to make them. I put a light color wash over one of them and tried to hold to the colors that speak of this time of year, and note the direction of the sun and shadows. The sketches also will be a good reminder when I return to the area and am looking for something to paint.

The paint out days in April are going to be wonderful. I'm looking forward to walking down into the property and viewing the farm from below. It looks like a river runs along side and a swampy area. As today progressed, the mountains to the south turned a periwinkle blue and the mountains to the north went mauve. Lots and lots of animal noises . . . cows, wild turkeys, hawks, nuthatches, etc.

Big "Thank You" to Weantinoge and all who help preserve this beautiful land!

Reminder: tighten the bracket on my umbrella, bring bug spray, bring sun-block, bring extra drinking water.

Plein Air Painting Opportunities

This photo is not mine, but I included it to show the incredible landscape painting opportunity at the Smyrski Farm in New Milford. The Weantinoge Land Trust and the Connecticut Plein Air Painters have joined together to launch a plein air painting event. The first paint out is April 16 - 19 (Earth Day) weekend! What a great way to celebrate this beautiful and mostly natural landscape! The featured land trust property for this weekend is the Smyrski Farm. Plein air artists are invited to participate and can learn more by visiting the Weantinoge Land Trust website and/or the Weantinoge Land Trust facebook page. The Connecticut Plein Air Painters are also posting information on their website. Several paintout dates are planned and unique properties will be open to plein air painters only each time. Later, a juried exhibition art sale/auction will be held. A percentage of the sale of art generated during the paint outs will benefit the land trust. Artists may e-mail me if they have questions, need directions, etc.

Full Moon Last Night

Was awakened by a shining something at about 5:18 am. It should have been the sun, but it looks like a full moon. It's barely 32 degrees temperature outside. And, it's chilly in the house. Yesterday was too warm for the snow to stay stuck to the trees. But, a night ago it may have looked something like this. I used a brown bag, old black marker and a little water, then white out for the moon and snow. As I look out the window the shadows coming toward me are quite blue and the snow where the moonlight is hitting is a lighter blue. I can see the sun about to rise in the east (6:12 am). The sky in front of the sunrise is gray-blue to light yellow-white. The light has not hit the snow yet, and the snow is darker than the sky and bluer by far. Trees on the horizon are blocking the light and look very dark.

Value Study Reminder

The last two times I went out to paint, it was snowy and cold. Both paintings were scrubbed out. I can see I need to go back to basics. Sometimes it helps me see my subject if I do simple value studies using simple shapes. Just move the paint around. Any objects around the house will do, but fruit shapes are much like landscapes. I'm trying to remember to connect the whites, use variety of edge treatments, lightest-light and darkest-dark help define the focal point. These sketches are verticals, something I rarely do. I'm liking the "happy accidents" that I let the paint do its own thing.

Walk in Harrybrook and Rainy Day Doings

Rainy, dreary, gray . . . looks like it wants to snow. Went for a walk in nearby Harrybrook Park, then settled in updating my website. Also, decided to let go of about half of my dust collection :) and my dining room and studio areas are looking much more inviting!! Marc, however, is painting!!! (Walls)

Painting the Smyrski Farm, New Milford

Woke up and saw a stunning wintery landscape. We had about 6" of fluffy snow overnight. The tree branches had snow all the way to the tippy top. Morning sky was cool blue-gray to pink on the horizon, yellow-white where the sun eluded to rising.

Marc and I spent the morning snowshoeing on one of the Weantinoge Landtrust properties. Temperature hovering around 34 degrees and no wind. One of the trails led us downhill and along a stone wall to a pond; water dark aqua-green and blues, white snow, yellow ochre grasses and something very purple-ish. Distant hills looked periwinkle gray with a mauve overtone. Dog burrs along the trail coming back. Some of the trail was muddy - mudshoeing and puddle-jumping. Our snowshoes, boots and backsides were splattered and caked with mud and snow. Nice hike. Not too strenuous. Probably should have brought lunch. And, should have charged the big camera battery. Glad to have had a back-up camera. Brought sketchbook, indelible pen, pencil . . . sketched places of interest along the trail that could be good painting sites. Still need to shorten the handles of a couple of flat brushes and bring a small w/c kit. On a sunny day it would be faster to lay on a medium wash of color over my line drawings. Hint at where the mid-tone values might be and note the time of day. Really need to bring two colors, maybe ultramarine blue and something like vienna red.

Karen and I spent the afternoon painting the black cows in the snow and the white barns at Smyrski farm in the Merryall section of town. Gave up at 5 pm when the gentle snowfall turned to misty sleet-rain. The grayness of the day brought out the colors, and the brief moment of sunshine warmed up the high areas of the ground snow. The distant hills were in and out of visibility as the snow showers came and went. Might try it again tomorrow. Didn't paint a "keeper" today. Might try again tomorrow.

Lover's Leap State Park on Valentine's Day!

Had a stunning Valentine’s Day! Enjoyed a brisk walk at Lover’s Leap State Park. While this may not be the warmest or most colorful time of year to be at the park, the people who were hiking along its many paths added patches of bright color and warmth to the landscape. Thought it funny that American Indian “cupid” was atop a nearby barn, and came home to investigate the story of this Lover’s Leap State Park.

http://www.curbstone.org/index.cfm?webpage=119

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cupid

February 12, 2010 Getting Started

It's taken six weeks, but I can finally respond to those who ask me about a New Year's resolution. I'm going to use this blog as my sketchbook, and hopefully share some of the wonderful places I go and wonderful people I meet! Add some images. Add some art thoughts. Plein air painting is, simply, painting outside "in the air" in all types of weather. It's a very personal way to see the world.

Yes, I go out in the snow, in the rain, in the sun and in the everything-in-between days. I prefer the perfect day, but in New England (and other places) the weather changes in a heartbeat. The trick is to get outside, and get started.

Today the sun rose in a clear sky. The sky was bright/light aqua with a ramp toward creamy yellow. In front of the sky, tree trunks stood bluish-gray, and the snow beneath them and closer to me wanted to be a grayed cobalt blue. It reminded me of Maxfield Parrish, although I hunted for one of his morning paintings and didn't see the same color combo. The sky was gorgeous blue all day, and in the late afternoon I drove around looking for a view with the last light on the snow, a twinkling bit of yellow-white. The sunset wasn't as beautiful as the rest of the day. Didn't paint today. I dug out a new sketchbook and made plans to paint with another artist on Sunday. The painting shown here is a oil I painted last winter. Some of the sites I looked at today were of the along the Aspetuck River, the ice was breaking up and the water, dark tealgreens and ultramarine blues, bubbled along a zig-zaggy path. I was looking for something like this previous scene, with red berries on the bushes and maybe an evergreen . . . red, green and blue against the snow. While the painting above is an oil, my preference is to paint in watercolors. Not quite warm enough to paint with watercolors outside today. I'm watching for whites in the landscape . . .