Yep. You instantly relax looking at the calm water and those beautiful lobster boats. What is it about the serenity of calm water? I would like to be here. Now. Also love the like hitting the shoreline, so pretty – Maine is stunning!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Years ago we rented the most wonderful cottage in Port Clyde, Maine. It was situated on the ocean, actually, rather close to the ocean. There were several cairns (sets of rocks stacked high) – I think they’re so peaceful. Some people used them as markers since way back in time. On the cottage porch railing they just looked so nice. They calm your thoughts… or perhaps that was the ocean. I want to go back, and never leave. That cottage is no longer available to rent. We feel fortunate to have rented it a few times. It was like a movie set… stunning, especially the time spent around the wonderful fireplace! It was a rustic cottage (no heat), and just a short walk to Marshall Point Lighthouse or the Port Clyde General Store!
If you build some of these along the coast, or anywhere else, be sure to knock them down after you’ve enjoyed them… part of the LEAVE NO TRACE movement to leave nature as it is, and to have only the true trail markers left behind…
To see more photos of the inside of the cottage (rustic), click HERE…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Monhegan, Maine. The most wonderful place in the world! Beauty as far as the eye can see. Good friends from years past. Hiking trails that lead you to the most remarkable areas. I could take photos there forever!
If you haven’t been there before, click on the links for more info… the Island Inn is our “home away from home” (I like to call it)… there is something familiar and wonderful about it. It’s filled with wonderful memories, and memories still to be made, more people to meet and food that I dream about until the next year!
Usually on Monday’s I post a Featured Artist, that will continue next week – This week I am posting photos! Enjoy!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
What can I say? I love this place. It’s gorgeous. It’s peaceful. It’s a little bit of heaven on earth!
Enjoy your Sunday!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
I guess you could call this “taking a personal day” – there is a lot happening today!
This photo was taken back in 2008. My parents had just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and they joined us in Maine. We had the best time… rented the coolest cottage on the ocean in Port Clyde, then headed to Monhegan. In this photo I zoomed in and cropped out the surrounding area… they were standing on the rocks looking out towards the ocean at sunset. Gorgeous isn’t it? I know they would like to be back there right now… as would we!
Maine is such a special place. I told Fred the first time we went… that I didn’t feel like I was supposed to leave, ha ha… What a place!
Hey, happy anniversary mom and dad! So this is your 56th Anniversary?!!!! Wow! Congratulations!!
Love you more than anything! xoxo, me
Oh! And a happy birthday to my sister Bridget who was born X-0 years ago this year! Woohoo! It only gets better from here, trust me 😉 !!!!!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Robert Pollien has some wonderful work at the Dowling Walsh Gallery, and guess what? If you’re in the Rockland, Maine area you are in luck! There is a show including Robert Pollien, David Vickery and Connie Hayes that begins this Friday!
Spruces on Great Head, Mount Desert Island is a wonderful piece by Robert. His trees have such character, they take on a life of their own. This is a wonderful scene that really makes you wish you were there, snow and all!
UPCOMING SHOW at Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland, Maine: June 6 – 28, 2014. Opening receiption June 6 from 5-8PM!
Read a blip about Robert from the Dowling Walsh website:
Robert Pollien received his M.A. in painting from Trinity College and his M.F.A. from the University of Pennsylvania under noted Maine painter Neil Welliver. Following Penn, he attended the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture.
In 1992, Robert Pollien became the first Artist in Residence at Acadia National Park. Pollien was awarded a Maine Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship in Painting in 2001. And in 2004, he was awarded Carina House Residency on Monhegan Island.
Robert Pollien’s work was included in Art of the Maine Islands by Arnold Skolnick and Carl Little.
Robert lives in Bar Harbor, Maine on Mount Desert Island. He paints landscapes of the Maine Coastline, working from direct observation.
Artist Statement
“My paintings are generally small, compact and simple. My goal is not to portray the land in an overly picturesque manner, but to paint the landscape in a way that rings true.”
All images via DowlingWalsh.com used with permission…
Catch you back here tomorrow!
F L A S H B A C K !
O n e Y e a r A g o: Red’s Eat’s – Wiscassett, Maine
T w o Y e a r s A g o: Charleston Gardenias
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Benefits of Green Tea!
Island Inn. Monhegan Island. Maine. Vacation. Heaven! Wow, back in 2009 my mom and dad, Fred and I rented a cottage in Port Clyde, then we came to Monhegan for a few nights. What a dream! My dad had recently had knee surgery, so those of you who have been to the island know what a challenge that can be. Right as you step off the boat you have a rather steep hill to climb. He did it, no problem. (Dad, you were a sport. You had to pass on the hike through Cathedral Woods, but you stayed mighty busy. I’ve told you all about a sketch book that he surprised me with. Full of fabulous ink/watercolor sketches of our time on Monhegan and a few other things. I cherish that book!
The island is such a fabulous place to just be… to do what you want to do… you see all kinds of people, lots of artists and bird watchers. You meet the most interesting people and life long friends on the island.
This is the day we went hiking. Mom found a great walking stick… part way through Cathedral Woods she said, whew! That’s far enough… Noooo Mom!! You have to see the “reward”… the peacefulness of Cathedral Woods cannot be matched anywhere in my opinion. But when you get through that trail to Squeaker Cove your jaw drops. Wow! Mom was thrilled that she went the entire way! The beauty is breathtaking!
F L A S H B A C K !
O n e Y e a r A g o: Charleston Wine & Food (2013)
T w o Y e a r s A g o: Brilliant kitchen tool: The Microplane!
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Artist to watch… Ken DeWaard!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
As promised… more Monhegan artist photos… this is the last batch until I can get there again to take more photos!
Fred and I watched David Kasman (above) paint one afternoon and it was fabulous. This man is good. Really good. We didn’t want to bother him until he was finished… then I walked up and asked him WHO ARE YOU? He clearly didn’t set up, fumble around like I might do… he set up, got to work, painted away… and it was fabulous. It’s in our Monhegan Collection!
In this photo you see Kevin Beers painting off by himself (top right). On the bottom left hand side of this image is artist Caleb Stone giving a student assistance during a workshop. This is the one cool sight that you will see over and over on Monhegan. Groups of artists painting. Some are in workshops, most are just artist out painting like Kevin…
We caught the last half of Tim Bell painting this gorgeous drop dead painting… Tim has the ability to set up, paint an entire painting without getting a drop of paint on him or on anything else. He neatly puts everything away, and when he leaves… there is no trace! This striking painting… in our Monhegan collection!
Kevin draws a crowd when he paints because he paints on such a large canvas. It’s interesting to watch each artist paint. Artists all have different techniques, yet they all turn out fabulous paintings. Which just proves there isn’t just one way to paint. Do what’s best for you!
A lot of people (me) like to set up out of the way, like out on a cliff somewhere… but I would say there are many more confident painters here… like Tim, he’s comfortable painting anywhere.
Joe Fidler! He sets up and paints anywhere… he goes with the flow, doesn’t worry about things. Paints nice painting. Needs a website 😉
Maine is such a great place to paint. You can be close to others, off by yourself or somewhere in the middle.
F L A S H B A C K
O n e Y e a r A g o: How to make homemade hot chocolate mix (using water)!
T w o Y e a r s A g o: How to make hot chocolate from scratch!
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Bowtie pasta with sundried tomatoes and scallion cream!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Remember a few weeks ago, I mentioned that for the next few weeks I was going to post some images of artists painting on Monhegan Island (Maine)? Well last week, I forgot! (It must have been because of the cold weather??)… well, here it is… this week and next, and then back to normal posting.
This is artist John Oat. Nice guy, we met John several years ago. Fabulous artist. Here’s the link for John’s website… I love the painting DASHING, what a happy dog!!
Walt Pasko… painting his heart away on Monhegan!
Tim Bell painting on the wharf – Monhegan Island, ME
Who? Who? Who could this be? Hee…
F L A S H B A C K
O n e Y e a r A g o: Lake Flato Porch Houses!
T w o Y e a r s A g o: How to make iced tea!
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Sugar fix! Whew!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
There is a beautiful cottage that we have rented several times in Port Clyde, Maine. It’s called the “Periwinkle” cottage and it’s situated right on the ocean. I would call it rustic (no heat), but there is a fabulous fireplace and the view is earth shattering! Truly!
Today’s house plan… is the periwinkle. We always thought it would be so cool if we could build a house similar to the Periwinkle, but a little less rustic, and a little less space. Maybe 1 guest room upstairs, a 3/4 bath and a storage room/room for treadmill… something that would still give it this overall appearance from the outside. There were a few areas inside that weren’t useful spaces… those I would love to redesign to make useful. This plan is amazing. Fred and I are no architects (trust me, ha), but we kind of drew out the plan on our last visit, here it is…
The ocean is located on the side of the house with the living, dining and bedrooms… big windows, wide doors all make sure you don’t miss the gorgeous view!
You come in the house between the mud room and bathroom on the other side of the house. The mud room used to have a washer and dryer, and could be used for that again. I would also add a wash tub that could accommodate a dog bath easily. From that room you can walk into either the kitchen or the living area.
This is the door you come in… door to the right is a bathroom. Then there is built in storage for pretty much everything which is handy… if you go to the left you head towards the kitchen…
There is a large wasted space that has an old furnace in this area, I would use it maybe as a pantry and eating area off the kitchen…
I would keep wonderful large windows in the kitchen, have drawers instead of cupboards and possibly try to do away with some of the upper cabinets (replace with windows?). I wonder, wonder, wonder if you could lose that wall on the left and have it open to the existing dining room, meaning… OCEAN. VIEW.!!!
You then walk down a short hallway to the dining room. Beautiful expansive windows on two sides. I would probably make this into a reading room, with my desk, some great chairs, lamps. There are built in’s along the wall to the right. I would be willing to part with that if I could have the wall gone and open to the kitchen… Could be quite nice!
Cabinets below, shelves above, useful for displaying and storing. This view of the dining room is taken from the living room…
Great fireplace in this house… totally makes this living room, well that and the windows that look out upon the ocean…
Big, wide door so fabulous! When you open it you get such a fabulous breeze! Large windows throughout. One large center pane that is stationary and then two smaller windows on either side that open.
Great floor plan, I’m telling ya!
Bad shot… when we checked in they had not made this bed… and I didn’t take a photo after we made it, ugh. Note the 9′ wall behind the bed. This is one of the most unique features. You are in bed facing the huge window with the ocean view. That little doorway on the right side of the bed… goes to a closet/storage area if you were to walk straight ahead. If you turned after you passed the wall, you would see hooks on your left and built in dressers on your right. Brilliant!
Two closets with great storage…
If you were to follow the short hallway on the other side of the bed, it led to the master bathroom, but if you turned right after the wall behind the bed, you would see this:
It was so nice. We could put our suitcases on top of the ‘dressers’ and hang stuff on hooks on opposing wall. Such useful space!
This is my mom in one of the upstairs bedrooms… Such great light comes through those windows! AND they have such character!
This is the ocean side view… that sometimes looked like this…
F L A S H B A C K
O n e Y e a r A g o: Featured Artist… Randy Sexton!
T w o Y e a r s A g o: Artist… Colin Page!
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: A walk to remember!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
When you go to my blog and type “Monhegan” in the search box at the top right, you will see many posts appear… so many gorgeous photos, art, and interesting people… Lots of them. The next few Friday’s I’m going to share some of my artists photos from Monhegan. If you are an artist and haven’t been to Monhegan yet… you are in for a treat. There are wonderful places to stay like the Island Inn, or for the more artsy, the Monhegan House. I hear artists love to stay there because they paint all day and talk about art all night. What. Could. Be. Better? Monhegan is a small island about ten miles off the coast of Maine. You take a ferry to get there and there are no cars (except for the locals with trucks for deliveries). You will see easels set up everywhere! It’s a jaw dropping time, truly!
I took this photo the first year we met artist Tim Bell. What an interesting guy! So full of knowledge that he was sharing, I was writing notes like a crazy person. I was like a sponge trying to absorb all of his information. We spoke with Tim a good bit on this trip. A few times I hung out by his easel while he took a short break (very rare for Tim), and everyone who walked by commented (thinking it was my painting)… I did a lot of explaining in those few short minutes, but also got to feel what it must be like if you’re good. Really. Good. For an artist like Tim who receives so much attention, he is the most down to earth person you will ever meet. He quickly became a friend to treasure for a lifetime. Through Tim we met another artist with the same down to earth abilities even though his paintings are award winning time after time… Ken DeWaard. One day it would be cool to all be on Monhegan at the same time. Just think… you would all have a free photographer, ha ha…
Ok, here are some more…
This is the second year we met Tim on Monhegan… he was painting Uncle Henry’s, and what a fabulous painting that turned out to be!
Cool shot, eh? Nice stance Tim! Look at all the artists set up painting. I’m pretty sure this was the day that there were big winds and artists flocked to paint the surf. See that house in the distance? For those of you who aren’t familiar it is owned by artist Jamie Wyeth. He bought it from artist Rockwell Kent. (Cool article about the two of them from Fine Art Connoisseur). What a view it must have. I cannot imagine!
A close up of Tim’s set up. I’m not even sure I could lift it let alone hike with it. You wouldn’t believe how organized some artists are… it’s impressive.
GO BIG OR GO HOME. I bet that’s Kevin’s motto. He is the one artist you see walking down the street with a HUGE canvas… he comes back at the same time each day to catch the same light. His work is incredible and talk about a nice guy. We met Kevin the first year and have stayed in touch. The coolest people go to Monhegan!
Ahhh, this artist here… love this guy… HI DAD! He’s a great artist too! He has painted in Port Clyde, Maine when we rented a cottage on the ocean there. What a dream vacation!
This was right in front of our cottage. That cottage was truly a dream!
Ooooh… and who might this be? What?! It’s me… hee…
F L A S H B A C K
O n e Y e a r A g o: Battling Clutter… streamlining your kitchen drawer!
T w o Y e a r s A g o: 2012 Restaurant Week
T h r e e Y e a r s A g o: Utility Canvas Throw – one of my favs!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Stunning! Connie Hayes is an all time favorite of mine. Her use of color is intriguing and draws the viewer in. She’s versatile in her subjects, but one of my favorites are her interiors, they just blow me away! Her paintings make me want to be right there… in that sun filled room, looking out at the water. This painting is still available… I can’t imagine it will be for long! If you’re interested, contact Dowling Walsh at 207.596.0084 or email info@dowlingwalsh.com!
I received her book, Painting Maine: The Borrowed Views of Connie Hayes, as a gift one year. I treasure that book. It is full of amazing paintings. It’s now out of print, but you can still get it online at a few places (Amazon being one)… More about the Borrowed Views concept below…
Here is a review about Connie from the Dowling Walsh Gallery website, written by Stephen May:
Review
“In all respects, Connie Hayes is a fearless, intuitive painter. Her highly colorful, strongly stroked canvases look like the result of an orderly process of sketches, underdrawing and application of paint. In reality, although she sometimes uses such aids before she approaches the easel in her capacious studio, most of the time she starts work on a blank canvas, wielding a 3 to 4-inch wide brush to get going. Then, as she says, she “dives in,” composing the rest of the picture, much of which she may have thought out in her head, balancing images and colors to achieve a satisfactorily aesthetic final result. On some occasions, she says, “the paint speaks to me and I go off in unexpected directions. I like surprises.” This is an extremely intense exercise; Hayes says she gets into a “zone” until the work is finished or set aside for future amendments.
Her subjects range from boats and water to communities viewed from ships or roads, to backyards, house interiors and floral still lifes. “I like not being pigeon-holed, Hayes says.
Her brightly hued colors, which often have nothing to do with the actual look of the original building or boat, are chosen with deliberation, depending on what role she wants the painted object to play in the overall composition. Her radiant blues, blazing reds, and sunny yellows make ordinary scenes come alive and help draw viewers into the painting. Often of late she has utilized more muted colors to achieve the results she seeks.
After a long stint as a teacher and administrator at the Maine College of Art, Hayes has worked at the top of her game since moving from Portland to Rockland in 2005, about half the period covered by this exhibition. Much of her art results from her “Borrowed Views” project, in which she spends up to a week painting in and around the homes of friends all over Maine.
Ever trying new approaches to her art, mindful of art historical precedents and armed with a spirit of adventure, Connie Hayes has many interesting paintings ahead of her. Whether borrowing views or moving about on her own, it will be interesting to see what this thoughtful, gifted painter achieves in the years ahead.”
– written by Stephen May for “A Decade of Views” exhibition, Dowling Walsh Gallery, September 2009
Images via DowlingWalsh.com
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Whoa! This looks like a Marc Hanson painting!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Holiday Hint: Edy’s Peppermint Ice Cream!
Catch you back here tomorrow!
Ahhh, I get a little homesick for Maine each year. No, it’s not my home, but it feels like it should be. It’s a wonderful place, with people who are so genuine. I absolutely love that. They are hard working and honest (honor system to buy flowers, vegetables along roadside stands… and it WORKS!). I’m happy when I’m in Maine… no worries… of course I am on vacation, ha ha… which is so much different than real life!
For such a small island there is something to be seen no matter where you are! This photo is of White Head on Monhegan. To get to it, you can walk down through town, turn at the Monhegan House, walk past the Novelty (if you can keep walking past the best pizza and ice cream on earth), up to Horn’s Hill, past Don Stone’s studio, and follow the path to this gorgeous setting!
To sit on the ledge and listen to the ocean, watch for whales and just be… in silence… it’s a treat beyond measure. Sometimes the best gifts are the most simple. Quiet. Peace. Beauty.
For the next week, I’m going to keep the posts short… I’ll be back to regular posting the following week! Hang in there with me! I appreciate you visiting, stop by and see what tomorrow brings! Ooooh, I like that, might change my “catch you back here tomorrow”… ha ha…
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Randy Higbee 6″ Squared Show (2012)
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Gift Idea (2011, BUT they still make these!!)
Catch you back here tomorrow! Stop by and see what tomorrow brings… (whatcha think??)
I love this cool building located in Wiscasset, Maine. I would like to live there! Right in the heart of town, a short walk to Treats for a chat and a cup of soup, a tasty sandwich and maybe a treat or two!
This is currently a business, but would make one heck of a house! Do you ever have dreams of packing up and moving on? We are usually ready to jump ship in the heat of the summer… swearing that we’ll move to Maine soon! Then winter comes and the weather is beautiful and we say to ourselves… HOW could we ever leave THIS? A tad fickle perhaps?
Catch you back here tomorrow!
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… Photo weekend: Charleston… A walk downtown…
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Coming Soon, the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure – Daniel Island SC (2011)
You can spot a piece of Henry Isaacs work a long distance away. With all the fabulous artists in the world its pretty cool when an artist develops a style that’s quite different and recognizable. Henry has done just that! Isn’t this piece wonderful? Henry has an amazing website, take the time to check it out!
Gleason Fine Art has an opening reception this evening from 5-8PM featuring Henry’s new work. If you’re in the Portland, Maine area stop in and check it out. If you’re no where near Portland… check it out via their website! Henry Isaacs exhibit runs through November 30, 2013, catch it if you can! This is going to be an amazing show!
Read a bit about Henry from the Gleason Fine Art website:
Cranberry Island artist Henry Isaacs paints with energy, passion, and self-assurance. His style—broken brushwork and a palette of delicate blues, greens, pinks, and yellows—marks him as one of the most recognizable artists painting in Maine today. In person, Isaacs is as engaging an individual as you will ever meet. He is both worldly and down to earth, both witty and self-effacing, generous with his time, and passionate about the dangers of the art world’s becoming overly commercialized.
Isaacs and his wife Donna live in the village of Islesford on Little Cranberry Island, a small island located near the larger island of Mount Desert. But island living in no way inhibits Isaacs from going wherever he’s asked to paint. Recently, this was a commission to paint on the grounds of a large Namibian estate in southern Africa. “New Work” is Isaacs’ first one-person show in Portland, and for this special occasion, he has presented the gallery with nearly 20 paintings, some of very large in scale.
Isaacs has had a varied and impressive education, including the Slade School of Art in London, the Rhode Island School of Design, and the Putney School in Vermont. Isaacs’ teaching career is even more impressive and varied, with stints teaching anatomical drawing at Dartmouth, drawing and painting at the Massachusetts College of Art, and drawing at several European colleges.
Freelance writer, and Portland Newspapers arts reviewer, Dan Kany uses high praise to describe Isaacs’ technique: “Isaacs’ approach to color is based in balancing warm and cool tones. He does this brilliantly with his ubiquitous whites and neutrals, and with his brighter colors as well. Like the French Impressionists, he doesn’t use black. [Isaacs’] handling of paint owes an unapologetic debt to the chunky boldness of the early 20thcentury Modernists and Fauves. The brushwork is strong, but primarily dedicated to the job of pushing paint around the canvas—an activity Isaacs clearly enjoys.”
“Henry Isaacs: New Work” opens October 4 and runs through November 30. Please join us Friday, October 4, from 5 to 8 pm to meet Henry Isaacs. For more information, call the gallery at 207-699-5599, email us at info@gleasonfineart.com, or check out our website gleasonfineart.com. Gleason Fine Art, Portland, is located at 545 Congress Street. Gallery hours are Wednesday – Friday, 11 am–6 pm; Saturday, 11 am–5 pm.
Image: GleasonFineArt.com
F L A S H B A C K
O N E Y E A R A G O… 39 Rue de Jean, a fabulous Charleston restaurant!
T W O Y E A R S A G O… Artist to watch… Betty Anglin Smith! October Skies Show (2011)
Catch you back here tomorrow!
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