"Red Buoy"

10x8" oil on canvas panel

Here's another quick oil sketch from my Maine photos. This is marker #2 just off Marshall Point. I took the photo for this while out on a puffin cruise. The amazing thing is we actually saw puffins! They were pretty far away but we did see quite a few. It was the "sunset cruise" so the light was beautiful. I must confess I wasn't that interested in the birds, they were sort of far away. I was more interested in taking pictures of buoys.

The Burlingame Paint Out is coming up at the end of the month so I tried to get out and paint on Tuesday. It was a lovely sunny morning but I was unable to find anything inspiring to paint. I looked around for two hours before giving up. I've learned that unless you find a composition you're excited about it's not worth setting up your easel. I'll give it another try next week.

"Weskeag Bridge"

10x8" oil on canvas panel

I had to put myself in a precarious position to get the photo for this one. Maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but I did have to climb over a guard rail and then part of the way down a steep slope. One slip and I would have been in the water, washed under the bridge and on my way out to sea!

"Queen Anne's Lace"

8x10" oil on canvas panel

The abundance of wildflowers is one of the most beautiful things about the summer landscape in Maine. Most of the grasses and flowers in California have turned brown or gold by early summer due to the lack of rain. The time for wildflowers in the west is usually early spring.  I'm pretty sure the flowers in the painting are White Yarrow. I know there's not a lot of detail in this painting but if anyone knows what kind of flowers these are I'd love to know.

Update: Thanks so much Susan, Judy and Merci for letting me know that the wildflowers are Queen Anne's Lace!

"Three in a Row"

8x10" oil on canvas panel

This is a group of joined houses in Tenant's Harbor, Maine. I drive by this scene countless times every summer while staying in Port Clyde and I've always thought it would make a good painting. I'm having fun doing quick oil sketches from the images I took this summer. I'll be posting more soon.

"Port Clyde Cove"

11x14" oil on canvas panel

I'm doing a few Maine paintings to transition back to painting larger. I've been having fun attempting to paint fast and spontaneously. Some of the paintings haven't worked out but I like this one. It's nice to have room to experiment with brushwork.

"Stonefish"

10x8" oil on canvas panel

I went to the San Jose Museum of Art today and checked out the Eric Fischl exhibit. I was reminded how important it is to actually see art in person. Like most people, I primarily view paintings online. Seeing his work was inspiring, especially because the exhibit was directed at showing his working practices. 

I also discovered an artist I'd never heard of before by the name of John Register. He paints lonely Hopperesque scenes in a very meticulous way. Great light and mood in his work.

"Outboard"

8x10" oil on canvas panel

I haven't posted in a while due to the holidays, but I'm back! This is one I did in December before things got crazy. 

"Three Rowboats"

16x20" oil on canvas

"Driveway After Rain"

10x8" oil on canvas panel

"Daybreak"

8x10" oil on canvas panel

"Dining Room Table"

10x8" oil on canvas panel

"Lobster Bouy"

10x8" oil on canvas panel

"Rowboat with Oars"

10x8" oil on canvas panel

I really like the look created by a wide angle lens.

"Seaside Inn"

10x8" oil on canvas panel

Painting this made me want to paint more umbrellas.

"Red Shacks on Dock"

10x8" oil on canvas panel

I had to sneak past a "keep out" sign for this one.

"Twin Beds"

8x10" oil on canvas panel

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This is the front bedroom in a cottage called the Nanatuck. As lovely as it is, it's a challenge to sleep past 6am in this room due to unobstructed morning sun. I like to get up early, but not when I'm on vacation. Needless to say I settled in a slightly darker room with a slightly larger bed.

"Shack with Bouys"

10x8" oil on canvas panel - sold

This shack is on the docks in Port Clyde. 

"Port Clyde Fishing Boat"

8x10" oil on canvas panel

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I decided to experiment with medium on this painting. I usually don't use any medium at all, just odorless mineral spirits to thin the paint a bit. I think the medium gives the painting a different look, the paint goes down smoother. I find when I'm painting every day I need to change things up and experiment. Trying something new keeps things interesting and provides opportunity for discovery.

"The Preacher's House"

8x10" oil on canvas panel

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The white house is the preacher's house, I heard his kids singing gospel songs as they mowed the lawn. This is another from Port Clyde, Maine.

"Rowboats"

8x10" oil on canvas panel

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I found these colorful little rowboats at the dock in Port Clyde. I love painting rowboats, they have such strong abstract shapes. I like the colors in this one too, I may have to do it bigger.