Ascension

This evolved out of my efforts towards a monthly challenge  piece, for girlsjustwannapaint.blogspot.com-
Our theme was "Intentions" this December,  and mine is simply to move upward in all human endeavors, and as an artist, to just keep on getting better....

 

Happy New Year,  and may your "brushes of choice"  take wing!

I originally painted in Water Colors, and loved it's freshness, translucency, and potential for conveying the energy of nature through almost calligraphic brush strokes. (My first love will always be drawing, and I can't help but draw with paint).   Lately I have been working to retain those qualities in the background of my oil paintings,  only going thick with the paint in foreground areas...

This is another study from Watchic Lake in Maine,  this little classic red power boat has been moored there as long as I can remember.  I was delighted on kayaking over there to find her name is "Lightening", lettered in jazzy script on her sides.

Lakeside Retreat

I had the good fortune to travel up to my family cottage in Maine, and also Monhegan this summer.
It was a series of delightful working vacations, "plein air"oil painting, some jewelry making, and helping with the upkeep of the cottage itself.  I will be posting a series of  interrelated pieces that were inspired by  the beauty of coastal Maine....

A painting of one of my favorite birches just off the dock at the cottage, and bracelets in the surrounding colors of the birches, pine trees, water and sky.

My daily experience of the beautiful New England coast,  influences almost all of my work. As a point in case, the two flanking necklaces pictured here, are from a series I call  "A Walk on the Beach",  and the center piece, from 

"Tropical Treats";   Recent works from the collection I'll have at my booth (# 16), at the North River Arts Festival this weekend in Marshfield Hills,  MA,  Saturday and Sunday  10:00 to 5:00.  It's a really lovely event that has something for everyone.... 

                                                                      And a closeup ...

Gone Fishin'

This is my recent effort to paint one of the many beautifully carved fish for the benefit of Scituate Town Library, which was actually designed by my Dad, many moons ago...  I loved the texture of the carving, and the grain of the wood, and so used transparent gesso and glazes to let those aspects show through.  I was hoping for an initial impression of an unusual pattern on a the fish, that on closer inspection reveals itself to be a coastal view at twilight.  And so it is titled "Twilight Swim"-   Currently up for silent auction at the "Mill Wharf" restaurant at Scituate Harbor...