e.e.cummings

The GJWP challenge this month is a quote from the 

e.e. cummings poem

Maggie and Milly and Molly and May.
"For what ever we lose (like a you or a me)
it's always ourselves we find in the sea. " 

You can read the entire poem and an analysis of it here. 

"Soul Searching" 

6 x 6 

A good long walk on the beach

works wonders for all beings. 

Perhaps it is finding ourselves that is the attraction! 

Happy Fourth of July Celebration!  

Have fun and be safe. 

Dog Heaven

Dogs have as much fun on the beach as people do.

And they make lots of new friends.   

"Dog Heaven"

11 x 14 

I used cad red medium acrylic 

to do my "map" for this one......

I like to let some of it show through.

A "Charmed Life"

My mother used to say that I lead a 

"Charmed Life".

I have to agree with her! 

Especially when I get to meet and know incredibly talented,
creative, and charming woman. 

Wednesday, my Garden Club met at the home of
Kris Brennan, the owner of Designs Outdoor.
She is a stone sculptor.

Every where you look, there is a surprise

all over her amazing property. 

She has a turquoise front loader! 

How cool is that? 

Scroll down to her name here to read her fascinating story. 

Then yesterday my friend Joan Brancale and I got a chance 

meet Beth Dacey, an incredible oil painter.
She, like Joan, uses vintage family photos for her inspiration.
We gabbed about art, galleries, materials, marketing, families, pets, etc.
and got to see her awesome studio on Harrison Ave in Boston. 

It was incredibly inspiring and we're excited to have a new friend! 

This is a commission she is working on. 

I guess three IS a charm!
Because today I heard the wonderful news that my
friend Page Railsback
won the Copley Society's
Fine Arts Work Center Residency 
for the month of September in Provincetown.
I am so happy for her.
She is so deserving of this!

Lucky me to have these dynamic
people in my life. 

First Day of Class

Yesterday was our first "One Hour Painting"class 

in the awesome new Firehouse classroom at NRAS.

On the first day, we spend a lot of time getting to know each other, 

talking about the materials and the "One Hour Painting approach". 

I wanted to get them painting as soon as possible,

 so I did this really quick demo, talking the whole time,

which you all know, is not easy!   

8 x 10 

 my quick demo 

The new classroom in the Firehouse is awesome

and they are an eager and fun bunch! 

The work they did (in less than an hour) was amazing. 

I can't post them all, but I do want to share this one

by a gal who has NEVER painted before! 

Bravo Rosie! 

New Surface Challenge

I found a linen panel I'd ordered from Utrecht 

a while ago and gave it a whirl today.

"Day Camp" 

8 x 16 

As much as I appreciate the soft, textural feel of it,

I can't seem to get those juicy deliberate strokes

I like so much.

close up

My friend and fellow teacher at NRAS

Sue Charles 

does beautiful paintings on linen.

This makes me appreciate her talent even more. 

Flag Day

Happy Flag Day! 

Lunch Break 

10 x 10 

There is a lot going on here

 so it was difficult to break it down in to big shapes. 

The figure is a bit awkward, but I love the stripes. 

I'm afraid this is one of those paintings that is almost better upside down!  

NOTE:

The sun is out! 

Have a great weekend and don't forget to stop by the 

SSAC Arts Festival!  

Heaven!

We've had three rainy days in a row and I've been in heaven!  

While I was "away from my desk" last month, 

I had so many ideas simmering, 

I couldn't wait for this time in the studio.  

Surf's Up

9 x 12 

I had some fun with this today.

Exploring some new "groups of beach people" ideas. 

It's always been a favorite subject of mine.  

Here are some of my better ones from the past:

Two of Each 

6 x 12 

Guy Time 

9 x 12 

Lazy Day Line Up

8 x 16

Low Tide Line Up 

8 x 16 

Kids and Dogs 

8 x 16 

So many opportunites.

So little time! 

Time to Play

Summer's here, the pressure is off,

and I'm excited to be able to "play with paint" again! 

I got a new tripod 

for my Canon Power Shot SX30 

(thank you Karin Jurick!) 

and set it up on the deck at the beach.

The 35X zoom gives me subject matter galore! 

"Party of Five" 

9 x 12 

 Just playing with figures from photos, 

in preparation for the PKR "Figure in the Landscape" workshop 

I'm taking in July. 

My goal is to be able paint something like this

en plein air from the deck by the end of the summer! 

Quick, spontaneous, fun. 

Note:

The South Shore Art Center 

Festival of the Arts 

is this weekend in Cohasset, MA. 

An incredibly well orchestrated, art filled event. 

There is something wonderful for everyone! 

My small piece will be in the Juried Show under the tent!  

Busy Beach Day 

8 x 10 

Do Stop By! 

Finally!

A rainy day with nothing pressing on my To Do list.
May is a huge "transition" month that wreaks havoc on any normal routine.
We've finally moved to the beach where I've been dying to set up
and organize my summer "satellite" studio
and get back to painting!

 Cello 

WIP

8 x 8 

Oh man. Am I rusty!

I thought doing a quick study of Cello
would get me back in my groove.

What was I thinking?

EEESH! 

Needs work, but at least I'm back at it! 

June 1 - GJWP posts

It's the first of the month again! 

That means the Girls Just Want to Paint 

post their paintings! 

This month we chose Thayer Academy for our topic

 because we are having a show there in November.  

"Outside Classroom"

6 x 8 

On my way home from Boston on a gorgeous spring day

 a few weeks ago, I visited the campus to get some ideas. 

This scene brought back fond memories of classes outside! 

What joy!