I decided to start my summer in Maine with torturing myself in a life drawing group. Here are the results. When I was doing this, I felt like I had forgotten how to paint. The model and the other artists were so kind to me and encouraged me to come back. I am just going to keep after it and show up on Wednesday nights with my paints, crayons and an open attitude. I have to admit that when the timer when off for the pose, I was so grateful to be free of the stupid painting that I was working on.
Painting out side. I am working in Friendship, Maine. I picked one of my favorite houses that is on the way to the beach.
This is what I learned painting outside:
*There are NO secrets in a small town.
*Make it work. If your back is killing you because your rickety table is too low, use a boat support as an easel.
*Make it work, if you didn’t bring enough paints, use what you have.
The audio selection on the water included:
*Dogs barking their heads off
*Seagulls laughing at their own jokes. They think they are hilarious. They crack themselves up.
*Roosters.
*Lawnmowers, many of them
*The deep rumble of a lobster boat starting up.
*Seagulls at a comedy club.
More things I learned:
*Sunscreen. Buy it, put it on, don’t be such a dumb-a** . Seriously, my ears are bacon now.
*Just get started. Don’t worry too much and play.
*Fishermen help painters.
*Make it work. Use what you have. Use what is around you.
*Bring Sunscreen.
*Bring bug-spray.
*Hang in there.
*Paint dries really fast in direct sun.
*Show up tomorrow
This is the start up sketch of the paintings.
This is quite a change from my studio in Houston. I have taken over a big portion of the back porch. I want to dare myself to use all of those paints!
Here are the first three paintings that I have made. They will be part of a show in Rockland, Maine in July at Art Space.
