Winter Barn

Winter Barn, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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I sold my motorcycle recently, but on my last (and very cold) ride back home, I stopped by this barn which I have seen numerous times over the years. It's often hard to tell if anyone is still here, and I suppose it's one of the reasons I like it so much.

Overpass No. 2

Overpass No. 2, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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Today's painting is also from the holiday drive home this past weekend. In Maine, the bridges are all painted this great green that really stands out at sunset.

Overpass No. 1

Overpass No. 1, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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Driving home from Cape Cod last weekend, I was struck by the light on the highway overpasses. I've noticed it before, but since we were driving at sunset, it was even more remarkable. I think it's largely due to the big band of orange (in New Hampshire. In Maine it's green) stretched out across the sky in front of you. You drive at it for a long time and when the sunset lights it up, it's quite lovely--for a piece of highway steel.

Wellfleet Evening

Wellfleet Sunset, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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We had a lovely trip down to Cape Cod for Thanksgiving. I love being on Cape Cod during that time of year and imagining the Mayflower out in the bay, nearly 400 years ago!

Private Road

Private Road, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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The sign just out of view says, "Private Road, No Turn Around", but hell I'm an artist. I can't be kept to the same rules and regulations as the rest of the world, right? Besides, it was a great place to see the sunset. And since the property also just out of view is on the market for nearly 10 million with Sotheby's, I figured I could always say I was a potential buyer if anyone asked what I was doing there.

Cape Sunset

Cape Sunset, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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In my collection of sunset photographs and studies, I have lost track of where I was when I took them. Thankfully, most of the time I seem to be in one of two places; Cape Elizabeth and Cape Cod. And though I can't be certain, I would imagine that a sunset like this one might look almost the same in both places. Thus, the title of this painting is purposely non-specific!

Cape Farmhouse II

Cape Farmhouse II, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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I was tempted to make a painting of just the red wagon seemingly abandoned in the front yard of this Cape Elizabeth farmhouse, but loved the contrast of the sunset on the house and chimneys above.

Sails at Sunset

Sails at Sunset, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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We worked with sunset images at our last workshop class this past week. I am struggling to complete the piece I started in class to use as an example. I saw a lot of great sunsets this past summer while working aboard the Frances on Casco Bay, but often was too busy to snap a photo. So here' s a little bit of imagination coupled with an ounce or two of memory, with a photographic reference or two thrown in for good measure.

Cape Farmhouse, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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I pass this farmhouse here in Cape Elizabeth each afternoon on my way from the studio to pick up my son at his daycare. Throughout the month of November, I seem to drive by just as the sun as setting, and earlier this week I finally remembered to bring my camera and leave a little early so that I could spend some time photographing.

End of the Day

End of the Day, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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There was a time when even in November this would have been a common scene on Casco Bay; two windjammers plying the waters late in the afternoon.

Field Corner, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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We're fortunate in many ways for where we live here in Maine. From our back door we're able to walk for many miles through the woods and retired pastures. In the winter we can literally ski out the back door. It also affords lots of great little views like this corner of the field not far from home.

Tinmouth Barn, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009 SOLD

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It's been a while since I've been over to Vermont--so close and so far away--but it is a different world altogether. Dairy barns like this one in Tinmouth are everywhere, and it's hard to know which one to paint first!

Hauling

Hauling, 8" x 6", Oil on Panel, 2009

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When I worked on Casco Bay this summer, I was always aware of the fact that my job was a summer job--and part-time at that. Now as I sit in my studio and write this on a cold November afternoon, from time to time I can hear the low din of a lobster boat still working out on the water.

Light on the Lightkeeper's House

Light on the Lightkeeper's House, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009 SOLD

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Late in the afternoon on Monhegan, we would either enjoy the sunset from the porch of the Island Inn or hike to top of the hill to the lighthouse keeper's house. Both views were spectacular and the light on this antique home was always fantastic. (And it really allows me to use my tube of Cadmium Red too!)

Top of the Island

Top of the Island, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009 SOLD

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In my landscape painting class last week, I used this slide image from a recent trip we made to Monhegan. It was great to see all the variety in approaches as students made their own version of this particular view, so I was inspired myself to give it a go this week. I do love this house, which is the old lighthouse keeper's house on the island. It sits at the very top of the island with a commanding view in nearly every direction (not a bad gig this must have been). And besides, how many houses do you know with a red roof!?

Just Before Dark

Just Before Dark, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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It's not often that I get to use some of these colors in a painting--or maybe it's more to the truth that I don't often dare to. But I love vivid sunsets like this, and we've had many evenings this past month when the sky lights up just before it goes dark.

Open Water

Open Water, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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One of many places where the Saco River empties out into the lower end of Casco Bay. I would imagine that before the houses and developments and the fill, there were many little streams like this at teh end of the river. Still, there are many of corners to explore at the river mouth.

Inside Passage

Inside Passage, 8" x 6", Oil on Panel, 2009

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Here is one of the hundreds of small islands that make up the coast of Maine (making its cumulative coastline comparable to California's!). But it's moments like this when a little hunk of granite and spruce come together to be more than just an island.

Incoming Sunset, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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It's been raining here all day today, but the sunset yesterday afternoon was absolutely stunning. A great afternoon patrolling Scarborough Marsh for little gems like this view.

End of the Day, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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One of the things I miss about working aboard Frances is being in downtown Portland, especially on the waterfront. Nowadays my job keeps me in the studio here behind our house, and I only see Portland in passing. But all through the summer, I had opportunities for wonderful slivers like this one on Customs House Wharf.

Bow Sprit, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009 SOLD

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The Frances is done for the season, and we won't see her back in the water until next spring. Sailing in the studio is much easier in the winter anyhow.

Afternoon Reflection

Afternoon Reflection, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009 SOLD

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Why is it that we're so drawn to reflections? How can the simple illusion of water acting like a mirror upon an object still hold my attention, even though I'm close to 40! Mine is not to wonder, but rather reflect.

Spurwink River Dusk

Spurwink River Dusk, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009 SOLD

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The Striped Bass have left the coast and my trips down to the Spurwink River are solely for inspiration these days. I leave the fly rod in the mudroom, awaiting their return next spring. Now it's the tide which comes and goes. The tide makes a big difference in the appearence of the Scarborough Marsh, and with a new moon on the calendar, it's more dramatic than usual. Still, I keep my eye out for a stray Striper in the outgoing tide.

Old Port Moment

Old Port Moment, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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Wandering around the Old Port this time of year, provides you with some really wonderful little gems in terms of views. The sunlight in the fall here on the coast of Maine is fairly spectacular. The brick cityscape of Portland really comes alive in the late afternoon, just as everyone is leaving town after work.

Camden Hills

Camden Hills, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009 SOLD

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Though the Franes spends most of her season within spitting distance of her own dock in Portland Harbor, once in a while she ventures downeast to Penobscot Bay. Here, the Camden Hills provide the backdrop on a calm day.

Marsh at Sunset

Marsh at Sunset, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009 SOLD

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I taught my first landscape painting workshop last night. Even though I've been teaching high school art students for years, I was a bit anxious working with a group of adults. It was a cold October night, so I was thankful that our digital projector worked perfectly. Together we each produced a small first painting and then continued our work at home. Here is mine after some time in the studio today.

Between the Two

Between the Two, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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In October, the light here in Maine is really something to watch. I love being out at sunset, with its cold winterish sky and intense orange light. Just as the day is ending everything looks like Michelangelo's ceiling--newly clean and vibrant with intense color.

Sailing by Moonlight

Sailing by Moonlight, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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In late October, even the sunset sail runs out of daylight and the Frances returns home by the light of the moon.

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Changing Light, 4" x 10", Oil on Panel, 2009

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Two of the Portland Harbor windjammers make their way back to the city near the end of a sunset sail.

Heading Up, 6" x 8", Oil on Panel, 2009

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The wind is blowing so hard--not to mention the occasional claps of thunder--outside today, that I'm glad to be inside the studio and not out sailing. But if I was....well....it would be memorable to say the least.

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