Early Morning, Monhegan

"Early Morning, Monhegan"

8 x 8. Oil on Archival Board 

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During an early morning walk I passed this scene. The great thing about returning to Monhegan Island is that things don't change. It's as though everything is in a time warp. The gardens might grow or dwindle, but the structures are always there to greet you.

Getting Your Feet Wet

30 x 40 Oil on Stretched Canvas

Finally finished, and a good experience.  "Getting Your Feet Wet" has two meanings here.  My first really big oil painting, and since I've completed this I'm ready for another...and then there's the obvious meaning.  Meanwhile I'm working on my series "In Your Face."  The most wonderful thing about this thing called painting and creating is what's next.  That moment when your mind starts working on the next project.  I'm so very thankful :-) 

Dog Toss Ballet Redux

6 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

Painting with my 'peeps' at Goose Creek Studio on Saturday, this was the outcome. I fixed up the water a little when I got home, but I'm leaving it as is. A quick study in oil. A very fun day!

Beach Broads

6 x 9 Oil on Archival Board

 

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This is the latest commission I finished and delivered.  It's always a good feeling to complete a painting I'm really happy with.  They don't always go smoothly, but this one did.  I think you get the feeling of the beach and hopefully the joy I had just painting it.

Finding a New Spot to Dig

6 x 9 Oil on Archival Board

This is the last in the series of three paintings of Lucy and Cooper (new friends) at the beach.  They were heading out to find a new and better place to dig....or happily walking off into the sunset, perhaps to meet again another time or place :-)

Father and Son Day at the Beach

5 x 7 Oil on Archival Board

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Continuing on with my beach series, this father and son hit the beach before the crowds.  He had his book and chair, and his son had his toys.  A perfect beach day!

Buckets of Fun

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

 

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Lucy and Cooper once again....This time working hard to fill those pails with sand and, I'm assuming, discussing the day's events; or Cooper is instructing Lucy on the preferred technique of sand play.  This photo of the painting is much darker than the original, and the sand is not so yellow.  Also, there's a glare...Other than that, it's fine :-)    

Ocean Pwer Walk

5 x 7 Oil on Archival Board

Another moment in time at the beach.  This woman was power walking along the shore.  What struck me as unusual was her attire.  Very elegant. These little vignettes are my way of recording what I saw and felt at certain moments.  Lots of surf, smells of salt water, smells of sun on the sand, and the pounding of the waves on the shore.

Summer Romance

6 x 9 Oil on Archival Board

 

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Finding a new friend is always a wonderful thing, but especially when it's a summer romance.  Lucy and Cooper will probably never see each other again, but there is something special to be said for this moment in time.  The interaction, the sharing of pails and shovels (mighty big shovels at that), and two year old conversations, is what it's all about...That "ahhh" moment.  In our crazy mixed-up world, a moment like this is heaven.

Group Walk

5 x 7 Oil on Archival Board

School's out...Summer begins.  A group of college kids enjoying an empty beach.  Lots to talk about, lots to look forward to.  Summer beach series continues....

These paintings stand alone or look really good together.  If interested in purchasing, click this link:
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Girl Talk

5 x 7 Oil on Archival Board

2016 Beach series continued...Two women having a heart-to-heart at the beach.  I loved doing this one!  More to come :-)

Late Day at the Ocean

5 x 7 Oil on Archival Board

Here is the second in my mini-series of beach vignettes.  There were rough seas this particular evening and I caught this woman walking her dog along the surf.    If you are interested in purchasing, just hit the Buy It Now link.  It will take you to my Etsy page of original oils.



Setting Up

5 x 7 Oil on Archival Board

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Summer is officially here, so here is the first in a little series of beach vignettes.  Finding the perfect spot on the beach and setting up all the things that seemed necessary was always a chore.  When I went to the beach as a child, all we brought was a blanket or towel, radio, and suntan lotion...Sometimes, not even that because we all believed that being really red or tan was the goal...   

Beach Walkers

8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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This is my friend and her daughter walking along the shoreline.  I was behind them snapping photos:-)  Lots of my favorite things to paint:  people, shadows, water, sand....Nothing better!

Art in the Making

8 x 10 Oil on Archival Board

 

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Sitting on the rocks above the ocean, listening to the crashing waves, smelling the salt air, feeling that cool breeze; there is nothing like it in my opinion.  That's why I keep painting it :-)  This is a group of artists enjoying the moment.

Maine Plein Air

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8 x 8 Oil on Archival Board

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This artist found himself a great place to set up his easel and umbrella.  He was so caught up in what he was painting, he didn't even know I was there watching him.

Beach Cottage

8 x 10 Oil on Archival Board



Growing up, each summer we would rent a beach cottage for a week with aunts, uncles, and cousins (even though we lived by the bay and ocean).  It was such a wonderful, free time...My cousins and I, out in the early morning to gather snails, (I'm not sure what we did with them once we had them), water play during the day, jumping off the deck into the dunes for hours on end, lots of seafood, and roasting marshmallows by the fire before bed.  Ahhh...the good old days!  This house (although much more upscale) brings back all those memories.

Tidal Pool

9 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

The beach was deserted this particular morning, except for this beautiful woman walking slowly through a tidal pool that had formed.  The early morning sun reflected off her body leaving just form with little detail.  I loved that and really love the way this painting came out!

Island Houses

8 x 10 Oil on Archival Board

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This scene is a moment of Zen for me.  I could move right into one of those cottages and be very happy looking out at the water or simply smelling that salty air.  Another painting using a very limited palette and quick strokes.  The image didn't photograph too well because of the wet paint, but it's pretty close to the original.

If I don't get to post before Saturday, HAPPY, SAFE 4TH everyone!!

Catching Up

8 x 10 Oil on Archival Board

 

 

Another beach scene...Appropriate for Memorial Day weekend, I think.  This woman was power walking along the shore with her dog who got distracted easily.  The dog would get pretty far behind and then have to race to catch up.  It was really cute to watch.  A beautiful, fun day at the ocean.

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, Everyone!  As always, thanks for checking in on my blog and for your encouraging messages.