Little Red Upstaged, who would have thought?

Sorry gals, but I think Allison Hill, from Monhegan Island, has you beat.

This little wagon tends to be the mountain cart of all wagons, an all terrain, off road vehicle for sure.

Maybe Deb and Melanie will get some ideas, creative as they are, and modify theirs before next summer?

Monhegan - After a few touch ups

Here are just a few of the 12" x 16" paintings that were produced on Monhegan Island and have now received a few touch up finishing strokes. I can't wait to get into some larger scenes based on these paintings, but first we are off to California, guess it will have to wait.

Monhegan Paintings First Round

Just a couple of images of some Monhegan scenes.

These are all 12" x 16" and they all still need a few tweaks, some more then others but it gives the overall feel of the place.

Again because of the lack of drying time, needing to get these back across the ferry then on to a plane, I did hold off on some heavier finishing strokes, reserving them until back in the studio.

Also unlike a Plein Air painting competition, I did not push to finish them as much as gather as much information as I could. There were way too many great scenes to pass up on by spending too much time on one place. Plenty of time in the studio to do that.

Next trip out, more time and larger canvas'.

Monhegan Island - Words cannot Express

After many years of travel through out the US and Italy, besides Venezia which I do hope to return to someday soon, and of course California which has its own absolute beauty, Monhegan Island is probably the most enchanting, picturesque, step back in time, place I have ever been fortunate enough to experience.

This little one by two mile island has more diversity and charm and character than one can imagine.

Wether it is under full sun or cloud covered, hence the Monhegan gray, it is absolutely charming. I have truly enjoyed the sunsets along the California coast but there is something to be said for the sunsets over Manana Island which sits between Monhegan and the mainland. It must be something to do with the air and atmosphere of the Atlantic ocean, the light is really amazing.

View from the 4 th floor window at the Monhegan House.

Having the chance to chat with some locals and those that have been visiting the Island for many decades, like my friend Janet, who has been making trips to the Island since she was a little girl, there is definitely an allure that keeps you coming back here. This is a working island and not just a tourist locale, and even after the summer season comes to a close about 40 people will endure the winter and stay on the island. I can only imagine how beautiful it is under a blanket of snow.

Not only is it a great place to paint, it has been attracting artists since the mid 1800's, folks like Henri, Redfield, Hibbard, Hopper, Bellows, Connaway, just to name a few. Staying at Monhegan House up on the top floor also adds to the overall experience. This is where all the artists tend to stay at one time or another. I went with Tim Bell and Brett Weaver but was able to hang out and paint with a few others as well. Caleb Stone, Kevin Beers, David Kasman, Allison Hill, Diane Scott, Cynthia Edmunds, Beth Rundquist, Walter and Ann, as well as about a dozen or more I didn't get a chance to meet. Everywhere you look you will inevitably see an artist set up painting.

This trip I was only able to spend 5 days on the island but will surely extend my time as well as the size of my canvas' in future years. I ended up producing 24 paintings, varying degrees of finish, knowing that it was too cool for appropriate drying time as well as smaller studies to be used this winter back in the studio.

The last day before we left Tim and I took a break at lunch and went to Don Stone's studio and was fortunate enough to spend a couple hours with he and his lovely wife Sara. Thanks so much to Mr. Stone for sharing his beautiful studio, wonderful art collection, and his life! What a treat that was.

I will definitely have more to add as this all settles in, however I need to get packed up for California, so no real time to sit and reminisce just yet, but I will.

Monhegan Island 2010

Absolutely amazing!

As I prepare to depart this morning to head back to the midwest, I can honestly say, I will definitely be back.

What an incredible experience that I will cherish for many years to come.

More to write when I get back to the mainland.

Monhegan Island Bound

In all of my travels over the years I have only made it as far as Port Clyde when it came to Monhegan Island, ME.

Well, all that will change on Tuesday.

With how much I have enjoyed painting the East coast as well as Apalachicola, Florida's Forgotten coast, earlier this year, I am jacked about finally getting over to Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine.

No cars, not all the homes have electricity, gravel roads, small fishing wharfs, little harbor, boats, big rock cliffs, light house, and all that on a 2 by 1 mile area, surrounded by water! Can't wait. Artists have been going there since the mid 1800's. I have been told that once I go I'll be going back again and again, year after year.

I am sure I will have a lot to add about this during my trip back in mid September.

Until then . . .

Summers End - KAFA

As much as I hate to say it, summer for me seems to be coming to a close. No rush to get to winter yet but now that the kids have gone back to school, days are actually growing a tad bit shorter and God forbid if we get one more rainy day here not sure what I will do. Not much of summer actually, way too much rain, seems like spring. My poor son Ross has been on the rider mowing grass every 5 days or so, even in August! I am looking forward to a beautiful fall.

Seeing that school is back in session KAFA, Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art, had their grand opening of the new school, which has moved from Kewaunee up the lake to Algoma, still Kewaunee county, so the name remains the same.

I was giving a workshop up there last week so I was able to attend and must admit it looks to be a great location for the school.

It is right on the river with a view of Lake Michigan, actually in an old sign painting building, hence the paint on the floor which is a wonderful added effect. A nice long space with a couple of great large working areas as well as numerous work stations. It'll be exciting to see how it all comes together. With Norma Bell, owner, and Craig Blietz, the director, I have no doubt it will be fabulous.

Here is a little YouTube piece that Channel 11 News did while I was there:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdaoENS-YY0

Wishing you all at KAFA a great year!