Sunday, May 27, 2012

What Season Is It, Anyway?

This must be New England. Here I am, less than three weeks ago, taking a break from painting to pose in my new summer hat in New Castle. Mary Byrom, coordinator of the southern chapter of the Plein Air Painters of Maine, took the pic.

About a week later, I'm painting in Perkins Cove in my winter hat, knitted by my friend Ruth. I have a heavy wool sweater under the windbreaker, too. It was a chilly, gray day! The picnic table was a handy place to put my paintbox. (Thanks for the photo, Marcus!)

Even on a dark day, there are interesting things to see and paint. These boats always seem to be here, waiting for someone to paddle them out to a lobster boat.

On land, you might see folks hanging out around the back of a pickup truck to chat. It's not much different on the water.

There's work to do, too. On a previous sunny day, the Michelle D heads out to pull traps.

Even though the Cove is full of working boats, the scene is peaceful and gorgeous. I still haven't finished that painting I started..... I'll just have to go back.

Saturday, May 12, 2012

Painting in Maine

A couple of weeks ago, I was painting along the water in Wells, Maine. It was a cold day, so I set up with the truck door open to keep out of the wind as much as possible. Notice the guy picking up rocks.  

Last week was warmer, so several more folks showed up from the Plein Air Painters of Maine. We came back to Wells, along the sea wall. My old station wagon was back from its trip to the garage.  

This summer, I'll be painting often at Tarbin Gardens in Franklin, New Hampshire. This is one of their magnolias, which lost many flowers in the frost after the 90-degree weather brought them into early bloom.

Even in early May, some daffodils were still in bloom.

Tulips, too, were in profusion that May day. I ran out of time after taking many photos, so I'll be back to paint in Tarbin's five acres of plants, trees and flower gardens soon!