Central Fire Station, Portland, Maine

In the Old Port Today, did a little drawing of Central Fire Station. Opened in November of 1924, I love the style of this old building right on Congress Street near City Hall and Lincoln Park, the site of Occupy Portland. Occupy Portland was recently closed down by order of the City, but was an excellent example of cooperation with all parties and ran relatively peacefully. It was very cold, time and temperature building said 44, but with a strong wind it felt like it was in the low thirties. When the weather warms a little, I hope to spend lots of time drawing and painting in Portland.

Parsons Marsh 6

 Back to painting, got out today to paint at Parsons Marsh in Kennebunk.  This is one of my favorite places to paint, it was pretty cold and damp, after all it's February in Maine.  I often give myself an unplanned challenge when I set out to paint on location, today I forgot my Spectra Fix casein based fixative that I use to paint with my pastels.  So I tried plain water, it worked pretty well, but took much longer to dry on this super damp day.  This was not a great thing as I got really cold waiting for it to dry.  Only lasted about two hours as it was getting dark and I was chilled to the bone!  I  usually finish on location, but I may spend a little more time on this one in the studio.

"Parsons Marsh 6" pastel on Wallis paper, 12 x 24

Saccarappa Falls, back to drawing

Back to drawing on my walks.  We are having a very mild winter here in Maine and I've been very busy with projects. It's definitely time to get back to walking and drawing.  Today was a very gray day and I took a walk to visit a new artist friend's studio in the Dana Warp Mill in Westbrook. Really enjoyed talking with her and her work. As painters, we are often so solitary in our studios, it's great to make connections and chat about all things art to share and learn new things. This is the view behind the Mill of the Presumpscot River and Saccarappa Falls.  A fabulous building to have a studio! I finished the drawing and it started to mist and was about 35 degrees, so I finished the watercolor painting back in the studio after my walk.

Drawing-Goose Rocks Beach, Kennebunkport, Maine

Took a long walk on Goose Rocks Beach today, 52 degrees with a strong breeze on a Maine beach in January.  We've had very little snow or cold weather this winter so far.  Getting back to work after a holiday break, so starting up with some drawing, hope to get out to paint tomorrow. This is a nice little watercolor sketchbook by Canson 5.5" x 8.5" cold press with Pitt Pen.

Sold Kettle Cove 13

My solo pastel show closed at Art House in Portland, Maine.  This piece sold to some dear friends.  Painted this on location on a very cold and damp winter sunset.  Kettle Cove is a favorite State Park for lots of locals, the most fabulous sunsets!  A successful show with four large paintings sold and the first solo show of my pastel work.


"Kettle Cove 13" pastel on paper, 9" x 24", 2011, SOLD

SOLD Scarborough Marsh 54, Katahdin Lake 17, Golden Road 1

 Galleries working hard to find new homes for my paintings, three this week! Another sale from my pastel show at Art House in Portland, Maine.
"Scarborough Marsh 54" pastel on paper, 12" x 36", SOLD

and at North Light Gallery in Millinocket, Maine,

"Katahdin Lake 17" acrylic on canvas, 10" x 10", SOLD

"Golden Road 1" acrylic on canvas, 6" x 12", SOLD

thank you new collectors and Art House and North Light!!!

Bradbury Mountain State Park

 Hiked up Bradbury Mountain in Pownal, Maine and did a drawing at the summit. Beautiful ice crystals along the trail, some looked like Christmas ribbon candy. The sun is very low in the mid afternoon, but the light was beautiful. It was 35 degrees, a great day for being outdoors and in the woods. I just switched from Sharpies for my drawings to Pitt Pens after a recent discussion with other artists about fading with Sharpies. Pitt Pens are India ink and should be more permanent. I loved the way the Pitt ink flowed on the watercolor paper, even in the cold.
http://bradburymountain.com/