Monday, June 1, 2009

Monhegan & Manana Islands painting for sale






Here is my favorite Monhegan painting. I've always wanted to paint this scene..........for years! It's the view overlooking the front of the island from the lighthouse looking down at the graveyard, the field (once a saw a wedding in that field), village, the Island Inn and then Manana Island beyond. It's fun going to the island in October after the summer people leave. There are less people and the colors of the grasses and water are unique to the season. For those of you unfamiliar with the Monhegan, it is a small, rocky Island ten miles from the nearest mainland and scarcely a square mile in area. It is accessible only by boat and there are no cars or paved roads on the Island. Since long before the explorer John Smith visited it in 1614, it was known to Native Americans as a prime fishing area, and today its economy is still ruled by those who make their living from the sea, fishing and lobstering. The year-round population has seldom exceeded 65 in recent times.
For more than 100 years, Monhegan has been a summer haven for artists and other visitors who appreciate its isolation, the beauty of its wilderness areas, its quiet relaxed atmosphere, and its unhurried pace.
Outside the village and harbor most of the island is wild . About 17 miles of trails, often steep and strenuous, lead through wooded areas and over rocky ledges up to the highest ocean cliffs on the Maine coastline.
I'm offering it framed or framed. Please contact me if you're interested. It's very reasonably priced.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Monhegan Roses (SOLD)



Here's another painting I have just completed of some gorgeous roses on Monhegan Island which is right off of the coast of Maine. Monhegan is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. My aunt had a home there for years. I wish it was still in the family but unfortunately it's not. I've always wanted to paint so many beautiful scenes I have seen on that island. Finally, I've got a little time now to fulfill that dream.

I'm also working on an 11x14 of the view of the island from the lighthouse, overlooking the graveyard, hotel and Manana Island.


"Monhegan Roses", 6x6, unframed oil on masonite, $375.00

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Horse and mule in training






















As many of you know, I train horses and dogs in addition to painting. Here is an Icelandic Horse and a mule that presently reside here for training.

More foxes














I think we're running a fox kit day care center. There were 7-8 kits in the backyard yesterday, all jumping, chasing, etc. Very entertaining. The cute girl on the top had her photo taken by Mary Fournier, a friend who is also a phenomenal professional photographer.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Henderson's Marsh, 11x14, oil on masonite (SOLD)


Here's a painting I've just completed of a beautiful view (with a little artistic license) down the road from our place. I see it when trail riding my horse and always think someday I need to paint that scene, it's so beautiful this time of year. I have it very reasonably priced unframed.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Foxes






We have a litter of seven fox kits nearby this year. They're about three to five weeks old now and just adorable. They live under a barn and come out to sun themselves in the middle of the day. This might have to be a future painting. Hmmmmmmmmm........

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

How to personalize your commissioned painting






Here is a perfect example of how to personalize your commissioned painting. My clients wanted portraits of both dogs and weren't sure what they wanted for a background. I suggested their yard or a favorite play spot . They take their dogs to a specific park for a daily run so I took photos of their dogs at their home and the park . When discussing the park photos with my clients I learned the pond, red barn and dogwoods were important to them. I took a bit of artistic license and composed the painting so that all of these were incorporated into the background with the dogs. Although it was an overcast and rainy February day when I took my reference photos I knew the client wanted more of a spring like painting so I added the daffodils, dogwood trees in bloom along with a sunny day.