the summer season

We are in the thick of it here in Maine, with high heat and humidity.  The bright fresh greens of June and early July are wilting and taking on tinges of ochre.  Dandelions, daisies, and hawkweed have gone by.  Queen Anne's lace and black-eyed Susans and daylilies are blooming.  I'm already looking forward to fall, and sweaters, and firewood.  Not to mention voting.  The ongoing pandemic has meant that my usual annual painting activities have changed.  I've stayed closer to home this summer, and haven't ventured out to the islands I usually go to, to paint alone and with friends.  I miss them terribly (the islands and friends both) but continue to feel fortunate to live where I do.  A mile down the street is a big open field, mercifully unbuilt upon, with a view out to sea, and I set up by the side of the road and paint there, in fog and heat both.  I'll keep painting that view as the weather turns to fall and then winter.  I'm planning another solo show with Landing Gallery in Rockland, for the spring of 2021, about the seasons and the rewards of close observation of them.  I will also be showing more work about Schoodic and Mount Desert Island with Littlefield Gallery in Winter Harbor, in 2021.  Both galleries continue to keep some of my work up on the walls right now, and both are open to the public most days, with safety precautions, or by appointment when solitary art-viewing is preferrable.  Thank you to everyone who saw the shows this year, virtually and in person, and bought work too.  I appreciate it so very much.

One more item of note about summer doings around here: the annual August art exhibit at the Blue Hill Public Library is happening soon, and three small paintings of mine are included.  This show is curated by Marcia Stremlau and Jennifer Mitchell-Nevin, and they select work from local painters, sculptors, and potters.  I'm so pleased to be participating again this year.  Here's one of the paintings I just dropped off with Jennifer a few days ago:  

​September by the falls bridge, Blue Hill, Maine - oil/panel, 9 x 12", 2019.  There are those early fall colors I'm starting to notice already in the trees.  The show will be up on August 1st.  Proceeds from art sales are split between the library and the artists, a win-win for the enire community.  Thanks for reading, stay safe, and be well!