Mountain Day

The road in.....

I had hoped to post this last night, however I was way too tired. I tried listing a few things in my Etsy shop, but when my typing kept coming out like gobbledygook, I knew a blog post was never going to happen.

So, we climbed our mountain on Saturday. Who climbs mountain in Maine in May? Well, I guess that we do! We should have known what we were in for when we saw all the roads that were washed out on our way in. There was still a bit of snow and ice in the woods and on the trail, and for quite a while we were hiking up the run off - which at times was more like a river. However, we eventually made it to the summit. It was a misty grey day, so not much for views. The mist parted momentarily for us to catch a glimpse of the Crockers, but we were pretty shrouded in the rest of the time. My 11 year old has reached the high point in every New England state, so now he is obsessed with climbing at the 4,000+ footers in  New England - he planned this trip! A long, long wet hike - that ended with three tired little boys and a very wet and exhausted pooch.

I just realized I have less than two weeks to prepare for my next local show. I promised them a bunch of still lifes (more about that later) so I had better get to work on them! I can't believe the kids will be out of school in just a few weeks. It is going to be challenging to figure out how to get my painting time in when all three of them are at home. Today would have been a lovely plein air morning, however I am off to teach reading skills to kindergartners....I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday (for those of us in the US) weekend......

We Remember

We Remember

SOLD

We are off to climb a mountain......

Hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.
And thanks to those who have served our country.

Kelsey Arboreteum - Heather Patch

Kelsey Arboretum - Heather Patch

This is one of my favorite spots in the little arboretum around the corner from my house. There is a wandering little path (called "Heather Patch") to a wooden bench at the edge of beautiful little patch of heather. The heather always reminds me of our honeymoon spent in Scotland. I can't wait until the patch is in full bloom.

This came out a bit dark. I am finding these landscapes really, really difficult- and it is making me realize that it is important to push myself out of my comfort zone and get out there and paint them as often as I can. I hope the practice will help me grow.

My worst nightmare (!) happened while I was working there today....someone actually showed up in this quiet little spot. It was a dad with his little girl and they came over to talk to me and see what I was painting. I was at that early stage in the painting, just roughing in a composition, where it looks like absolutely nothing at all but a bunch of messy bright red lines - I was mortified to have anyone see it! But the little girl was really cute and asked a lot of questions, so I was brave and didn't run away  ;-)

Grey Day at Stiles Pond

Grey Day at Stiles Pond

If you can't beat 'em, join 'em....right?
I got tired of waiting for a nice day  ;-) This is another local body of water.

While I hope that we see the sun at some point around here, for now I will just count my blessings and say a prayer for the people of Joplin.....

Intertwined - New Painting SOLD

Intertwined

Relationships Series

6x4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper
SOLD

One more pepper painting!
I am really enjoying the shapes, colors and shine of these peppers. I will be taking a break from them now - I have some paintings I need to get done before the next local show. But don't be surprised if the peppers show up again.....

Piquant - (or The Peppers Have a Name!)

Piquant

Relationships Series
6x4 inches

acrylic on watercolor paper

Yes, it is the same painting as in the last post (and I am actually working on another painting of these peppers!) - but I finally have a name and a price, so I decided to create a new post because I needed a clean link for DailyPaintworks.com

I didn't get much painting done in the last two days - definitely a family weekend. Between soccer games, a little town fair in the town where my husband grew up and a long rail trail bike ride, the brushed remain untouched...all the more incentive for a productive week coming up! And I did get a few ideas from the fair for a few more paintings to add to my Carnival Series, so look for those soon.....

"Piquant" - $33 includes shipping and handling in the US

(please contact me for international shipping)

Long Peppers

Just had to post this one.....I've been having a tough time finishing it,  not really sure why. And now I don't know what to name it! It is part of my Relationships Series, but the right title hasn't come to mind yet.
But it is done, so I am going to post it - and hopefully have a name for it tomorrow.....