cemetery study - 14x11"

I just got back from helping my son move from one house to another in Portland, ME - it was scorching hot there as well. This cemetery is at the Little Compton town common and the day I painted it was quite foggy - in fact I didn't totally finish it because the fog rolled back in as I was nearing the end. I find that I like the abstraction of the scene and will probably not do too much more. I had a great drive back, even Boston was pretty clear.

cityscape underpainting - 22" square

I am just beginning this (duh) but figured I would post it anyway since I am so behind in posting this month. I worked at the gallery today and, in addition to doing this, I managed to break a back tooth (sigh). Of course it is too late to call the dentist so I will have to suffer through the weekend (their office is closed on Fridays). At least painting takes my mind off pain - plus I am going to visit my son in Portland on Sunday which might distract me as well.

couple (in odd light)

The last few days have been quite cool and rainy - I decided that there was enough natural light to grab a decent photo of this but it still looks weird. Oh well, shades of the season to come.

open studios thanks! & sandbar couple - 14x11

The open studio tour this past weekend was wonderful! I must apologize for my spotty posting this month but it really was a lot of work to get ready for it - I framed 64 paintings of various sizes. I sold quite a few paintings and just completely enjoyed the contact with those who attended the tour. I usually make all of my sales through a gallery and I don't even know who has purchased it let alone why or what they thought. One tends to work in a bit of a vacuum with no real input - there are always self-doubts and insecurities (at least for me) so it was wonderful to speak with people who appreciate my work. Anyway, I was totally tired yesterday; I got the remaining paintings unloaded from my car, cleaned the studio and took a short nap. I had done an underpainting for the new painting on Friday so I would have something to work on during the show but then didn't do a thing until this morning. I should be back on track fully by tomorrow. And thanks to all of those who came to the show.

morning boats - 16x12"

I am hoping to finish this painting today but continue to prepare for the open studios this weekend......every task seems to lead to another so finishing this might not happen.

summer day at the point - 16x12"

I finished this one and then worked on various finishing details and tasks associated with the open studio....it was a gorgeous day here and I got to spend much of it outdoors while I was doing these tasks so I was happy.

finishing stuff and starting stuff

I have been lax about posting things but that is the way it goes sometimes. Getting ready for the open studio, framing things and life in general does not always synch with blogger. My daughter is safetly in Austin for grad school and I continue framing and painting. Yesterday I went out with my painting buddies to the middle of Westport Harbor - we parked (the correct word?) the boat on a sandbar and painted for more than an hour.......then returned to shore and cooked hamburgers on the grill, drank a bit of wine and talked about our respective weeks. I would have to say it was as close to paradise as I can imagine. I found myself just wishing to put down spots of color on my canvas, no structure, no nothing.....appreciating the goddamn beauty of the place and the night without worrying about the state of the world for a change. So, this morning, I started a picture based on the color sketches I did yesterday...........obviously just a beginning.

Virus attack and Marge painting on the marsh - 8" square

My computer suffered a virus attack early saturday morning as the kitty brought in a nearly dead bird and I was still somewhat sleepy - what a bummer! The virus held my computer hostage as it demanded a credit card payment to reinstall antivirus software. I did something really stupid and put my credit card number in; I mean the graphics were somewhat convincing and I knew my virus protection had lapsed. Thank goodness that my bank declined the charge and sent me a fraud alert. To make a long story short I paid to have the virus removed and Norton 360 installed, cancelled that card and just got my computer back this afternoon. Anyway, this is a small study of a fellow painter painting on the marsh in the harbor at Westport Point.

reworking - 24x12" - Boathouse Row

I did this painting a couple of years ago and then varnished it to rework some areas without realizing that the varnish would yellow. I have always liked the feel of it so I pulled it out and sanded the yellowed area so I could finish the painting. We shall see - today was a "down" day since my daughter left for Austin for grad school. Despite the fact that she has lived far away quite often, I always go through a bit of a wrenching period after she has been home and then leaves again. The last couple of days were spent assisting her in her packing and readying - I was pretty distracted.

red boats - 14x11"

I began this one plein air at Tripp's boatyard in Westport and have to finish it when the light ground has set up enough for me to paint the metal thingys that hold the boats up. I found myself laughing out loud when I was considering leaving some of them out for design reasons - I realized that at least indicating them was important or the boats would actually appear to float like some sort of fantasy illustration. It is the last two days before my daughter leaves for Austin so I am helping her get ready (in a limited way) - I will really miss her.

Island Park morning - 12x9"

I got out very early this morning and was so satisfied that I didn't do things I SHOULD be doing but just painted. I ended up having to finish this at home since I didn't bring enough cad yellow light with me and the light changed incredibly quickly. When you paint outdoors a lot you become really tuned in to the light of day and how even a week changes the sun's angle and intensity. I just love the entire thing.