The weather has been unbelievably nice here in Florida. Warm, sunny days, just perfect for painting outside. Recently finished an 8x10 of Hermit Island, Maine. Primarily the fence at the top of the rise coming out of the tall grass as you look down over the beach and beyond. That epitomizes Hermit Island for me. I have some other fine photos that I want to turn into paintings soon of Hermit Island.
Begged my mother to take me camping there as a teen until she finally relented. We lived just across the cove from Hermit Island and she first suggested I pitch a tent in the back dooryard as the view was practically the same. It wasn't the view, or even the beach so much, I whined, but the fantastic mix of cultures (i.e., people) with fascinating stories and backgrounds that one met when aloud to go to Hermit Island and hang around awhile. So, my mother rented a campsite for a week or weekend (I forget, but I think it was a week) and my best friend, Susan, and I went and hung out there.
It was so quiet and sparsely filled with other campers at the time (this was many years ago) that we were able to sunbath on the western side of the campsite undisturbed. One day we somehow managed to get our hands on a bottle of wine and drank it while sunbathing there in blissful privacy. I don't know what happened with Susan (I think she fell asleep, too) but I for one had too much wine, fell asleep, and ended up with second degree burns all over my front side. Don't remember if I ever confessed to my mother that we had the wine, seriously doubt it. Probably told her we were so tired from playing and swimming (we were like 15 I think) that we fell asleep drying off in the sun. She didn't leave us alone there nights (damn good thing, I'm sure) and that was my most vivid memory, though I did meet a rather interesting boy from Canada with an exotic (french) accent. Actually, I think he only spoke French. Ah, yes, Hermit Island. Lucky one's who have been there have memories.
So, I've been painting a lot lately. Some abstract, mostly realistic paintings of Maine. I am very close to done with the Sebasco Harbor Resort 8x10 I've been working on below, but just not quite happy enough with it yet. We'll see. It may end up being something entirely different. Some of my paintings do that. Start out as one thing and end up as something beautifully and entirely different. Never sure when it's done until it's done. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but when it's done one just knows. This one isn't quite, but very, very close.
Next I need to finish "Dryng the Nets" West Point, Maine painting. I am reluctant to finish it as I am liking it a lot. In fact, I am liking it so much that I am sure I am going to want to keep it. I am thinking of painting this (or a scene very close to this) on an 11x16 canvas I have on hand. Painting the background yesterday of the sky and ocean, but haven't made up my mind about which one I want in the larger version. After I make one for myself (I never paint the same thing twice) then I will finish the smaller and decide which of the two I want to keep. One of the hardest things about being an artist is deciding which works to sell and which to keep. We want to keep them all, of course, because each is filled with a part of us and our memories.
Had this beautiful red bird visit the island the other day. Can anyone identify him? I can't. I am in northern Florida on the gulf coast. Any guesses?
Well, I need to get going. Have a safe, sweet, wonderful week, friends. Thanks for following the journey. More later :)
Check out this shot of a great blue heron I got last week on the river. I think she is tending her chicks but cant tell for sure. The osprey I posted a pick of last week is doing fine and I saw her two chicks this morning on my way in. Didn't have any batteries in the camera so couldn't get a pic of them but they are getting really big!
Pretty slow week on the island. Ive been painting. Captain's been fishing. Same as usual. The days have been sunny and warm but the nights have been very cold. Still nicer than freezing in Maine all winter. I'm not complaining :)
So, here are the three paintings I've been working on lately. They still aren't done yet but they are progressing.
Here is the Hermit Island one I am working on. Just need to put some light green and golden grass in the foreground and this one is done. . .
and here are Drying the Nets at West Point and Sebasco Harbor Resort in progress ...
Then here is a little acrylic flower piece I made. This one is in testing stage right now as Im not sure it will hold up to the heat in Florida. We'll see :) It's just 2.5 x 2.5" and cute as can be :)
That's about it for now. Not too much going on. Also working on a needlepoint. Oh, and never got my package of goodies from Vista prints. Will likely go to the fish market today to see about putting some cards, postcards, and art in there, though. Hope the owner is there. She hardly ever is.
Have a wonderful week, friends. Thanks for following the journey. More later.
It's cold in Florida this morning but yesterday was as pretty as any summer day in Maine. I painted all day long and really enjoyed the day. Even shot a short video showing people what it's like out here on the island. Can't seem to upload it here at the library but I'll try to get it posted next time I come in.
So, I haven't received the rest of my things yet from Vista. I'm sure they sent them out but my mail is being forwarded and is taking forever. Wanted to get a few more things I had ordered before going back to the fish market to see about selling my art there. We are going ashore soon, so may stop in even if it hasn't arrived yet.
I've been painting some Maine scenes recently as I need to get stocked up for next season. Here are three that I have started. First, we have Drying the Docks at West Point.
Then we have Hermit Island .....
and finally we have Sebasco Harbor Resort.
The painting at the top of today's post is another one that started out to be something completely different. I think it's happier being just what it is now which looks suspiciously like Malaga Island, Maine which I live right across from and love dearly. Malaga seems to end up in many of my paintings. I may add something to this one but not sure. I kind of like it just the way it is.
Also, I wanted to post a few good photos I got recently on the river. Here is one of an osprey that just happened to come out exceptionally clear. Love that you can see every little twig in the nest. This nest was built on top of a no wake sign in a rather busy channel in the river. Guess this osprey likes to see what's going on....
In this next shot I captured several birds including a great shot of a blue heron. This is on a place called Bird Island which is just a little tiny island in the river that is always chock full of all different types of birds. One can hardly pass by here without getting a good photograph or two. Wanted to share this one.
Then, check out this amazing sunrise shot I got the other day over the marsh. The sky really looked just like this. Don't think I touched this photo at all. As I have said before, the sunrises and sunsets here are absolutely beyond belief.
Here is one of the full moonfrom the campsite a few nights ago. It was hard to get a good shot of the moon but I love this one because the moon is shaped like a heart. That's really because I don't have a tripod and was a bit unsteady but I still love the effect. I am calling this my Moon Heart.
Oh, I also finished my graphic illustration of what a facebook friend helped me identify as a Great White Heron on the creek near the camp. Got a great photograph of this and worked on it all day when it was rainy recently. I kept the more simplistic beginning I posted last week as I like the Asian look of it. Like this finished version, too. May offer both in one form or another. I think the original simplistic one would look great on a tote bag. Here's the finished version.
So, that's what I've been up to lately. The captain has been doing a lot of fishing (can't believe a commercial fisherman fishes on his time off, but he does), and a little hunting for wild boar.He also rebuilt our fire pit and now it is big enough to roast a pig over if he can find one. Also big enough to cook a three or four pot/pan dinner over which I love.
Have a safe and wonderful week, my friends. I appreciate your support and encouragement and enjoy reading your twitters and fb posts even if I can't always respond due to the fact I am still working with my pay as you go phone. Thanks for following the journey. More later :)