Garden Tour - North River

Each year I am invited to paint at a property on the Garden Tour organized by the Cliff Rogers Library.   It is their biggest fundraiser and it draws an impressive number of people.   Who wouldn't want to stroll through the very prettiest gardens in the local area and support this lovely small independent library as well.    I look forward to tour day each year and getting to capture the beauty of these gardens. 

I was assigned an expansive garden in North Marshfield that abuts the North River.   The mature plantings were perfectly balanced with many of the specimens in full bloom.   I chose a border planting that had a black wrought iron fence and gate as a backdrop.   I included this lovely woman as she admired a very unusual clementis that had purple bell shaped flowers.  As for the painting, the thick paint application that I like works particularly well for lush and vibrant garden scenes like this one.

Garden Border Bells

Soule Farm Community Gardens

The True Grit Art Gallery Annual Plein Air Event is officially in progress!   For the event painters capture Middleboro scenes during the month of October for their November show. 

Meadow at Soule Farm

A painting friend suggested Soule Farm in Middleboro, MA.  This town treasure was the perfect setting for autumn plein air and there were several scenes that attracted us here.  From the grassy meadows, the antique farmhouse, various barns and farm storage, to sheep fields, community gardens, and of course their two very friendly resident goats, each vantage had a beauty all its own.

For my first painting, this Irish girl couldn't resist the sheep in the meadow.   They were quite a distance away, but that probably helped my composition by widening my view (and options).  At one point the "shepherd" with his border collie moved the herd to an adjacent field which was a bit closer.  It was fascinating to watch!  In this fast paced world; stopping and witnessing that simple farm scene felt like a modern day pause, a transport back in time.  It was a gift really.

My second painting depicts a portion of the community garden amid a wide patchwork of individual garden squares.  A rustic corral was build around the space, an obviously a labor of love.  It was labelled "Green Acres."  Although most of the flowers were a bit spent, I took liberty with my colors and pumped up the blossoms.  This painting was loose and so much wilder than the pasture.  In fact there is so much paint on there that it will probably be wet for the show!

And speaking of the show, these paintings and many more will be on display in November 2024. Thanks to theTrue Grit Art Gallery for coordinating such a fun event!

Garden Tour Paint Out

Side Garden Dogwood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was that time of year again.   June means garden tours in some places.  Painters are often invited to set up in the gardens for an added cultural dimension.   I love participating in them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, this is a redwood tree.  I was lucky enough to score a painting location on a spectacular pond with shade from a WWII era redwood tree.   The gardens at this home on the Cliff Rodgers Library Garden Tour were just beautiful, and truly, the star of the show was this unique tree.  They are rare in Southeastern Massachusetts.  In fact, the property owner shared that she believed there were only two others in the area, one in Braintree, MA and one at the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain, MA.    

Funny thing is, I did not paint it.  How could a 11x14 canvas convey its size and majesty.   I am including a picture with human figures so you get an idea of the mass.  As for what I did paint, it was a peaceful garden vignette from the side of the home.   The Koosa Dogwood was in bloom and had the maximum contrast against the shadow side of trees along the road beyond.

As always, the experience was so pleasant with dozens of garden tour participants, and unsurprisingly, a fair number who painted as well. 

Garden Tour Splendor

 

 

 

 

 

Words cannot describe the beauty of the gorgeous garden where I painted recently.   It was part of a garden tour and deservedly so.   The garden lovers, myself included could not get over the many stunning scenes at this riverside oasis.   Peonies were the star as it was the third week of June and there were hundreds of blooms decorating every square foot of garden space.  I stood along a small pathway that led to the backdoor of this cedar shingle antique (circa 1740).  The underbrush mulch was dark and warm, yet the walkway was also bright and warm - sort of breaking the color temperature rules of painting.  I wanted the garden to dominate, but the house was so enticing that I gave it a bit of attention too.

Garden Tour Splendor

Flowering Woodland Shrub

Daphne

                                                                                                                                                                                               We were deep into autumn and the temperatures were dropping.   I (suddenly?) realized that I hadn't been outside painting enough.   Soon it would be so cold that I would think twice about venturing out ...brrrr.   This was a good incentive for painting out now!  
This painting depicts a beautiful woodland shrub that is not as well known as our common azaleas and rhododendrons.   I loved the variegated leaves and the cruciferous blossoms of this shrub called Daphne.   Its cool bright/warm dark scheme results in a lively depiction of a day of full blue skies.

Watercolors in Barbados

People on the Beach - Watercolor

I am an oil painter, and oil paint is a very forgiving medium. If I make a mistake or don't like my result, I can easily paint over the mess and mostly salvage the painting.  

Waterlilies in Watercolor

Watercolor on the other hand is, to me, the most difficult medium.   I have the utmost respect for water-colorists that can produce clean, lovely gems that look effortless.   I say all this because I brought my watercolors on vacation and  I don't have much to show for it.   

I tried hibiscus, beach people and a couple of subjects from photos I brought with me.  Shown are the "best" ones.  It was a great trip and although it was hard to face winter again, at least my oil paints are waiting for me!

Fenway Farms

Fenway Farms

Over the past few years, venerable Fenway Park in Boston has been improved, expanded and modernized in many ways - at least to the extent it can be.   Its tiny footprint in the middle of the city of Boston may be a drawback, but the special character and electric atmosphere at Fenway more than makes up for its old-fashioned aspects - for example, seat size!

One fascinating upgrade is the addition of a rooftop garden which supplies some of the produce for the wide variety of nice cuisine now available.    Here is a pre-game scene, an hour before sunset, depicting the long rows of mixed greens. What an unlikely location, all surrounded by brick and concrete.  Why the produce is as green
as the dazzling Fenway Park turf!

Aaah - Vacation

Aaah ... Vacation

This patio is a beautiful spot especially in the morning. The arbor juts out to the west from the house, the perfect place to be for a summer vacation morning.   The July greens are lush and moist and the tendrils of the vines stretch for sunlight above the arbor, and things a blooming. 

This is a large painting that was executed in several steps because of all the architectural elements. It was more work than most, which is ironic because the theme of the scene pays homage to doing sweet nothing!

That's not me, by the way. :)

Neon Water Lilies

Neon Water Lilies

The Heritage Museum and Gardens on Cape Cod was the inspiration for this water lily painting.   Our day trip was planned after seeing hearing about an ongoing scientific study of 200 varieties of hydrangeas.   The hydrandeas were very nice but it was the lily pond that grabbed my attention.  When I saw the watery blossoms and reflections, I thought it is no wonder that Monet was so fascinated with pond lilies that he painted dozens of versions of them over his lifetime.  The neon colors reflected by water ripples were simply mesmerizing!

Marshside Birdbath

Marshside Birdbath - Stage One

Last fall I found this old birdbath at an estate sale.   It was in fairly good condition and just needed a coat of black spray paint to spruce it up.   Well it is a big hit with my feathered friends - not only for frequent sips of water but for the activity its name suggests.   The two house finches featured in this painting have a nest in a shrub on my back deck, and are currently working on hatching five dime sized eggs.  They seem to swoop to the birdbath all day, although they always defer to larger starlings.

Marshside Birdbath - Stage Two

It was the end of May and the late afternoon sun had a hazy brightness when I started this painting.  Although it has been raw and damp, this was my kind of day, 65 degrees, not too sunny, and breezy.    The sweet old-fashioned shape of the birdbath caught my eye so rather than packing up for an elaborate paint out, I just set up in the backyard and enjoyed the view.

Marshside Birdbath

Tulips Peaking - Boston Public Garden with Spring Bulbs

Tulips Peaking - Phase One

It was the first week of May and finally it is starting to warm up - and green up.    Tulips beds line the many walkways in Boston Public Garden and even from a distance, the bright colors are a delight after a cold grey winter.  

This creation is comprised of two 8x8 squares that were positioned side by side.   I used "sight sizing", a technique in which the scene and the painting are developed in duplicate (when standing a particular distance from the canvas) such that the eye can move from subject to canvas and the scene looks identical (in theory:)).

Maureen Painting at BPG

It was pleasant and sunny at the start but as the clouds moved in, the light changed, which is as always, a primary challenge of plein air painting.  I wanted to be sure that the peaking tulips were included, but as I often do, I didn't get close enough for them to make a big statement in the painting.     Instead, the old granite steps, walkers and ducks became the more important elements.   The swan boats had just started running so that was a nice backdrop, although they didn't make it into the painting.

Tulips Peaking

Lots of people stopped to watch the progress.   A young Emerson College senior named Marshall stopped by and we had a somewhat philosophical discussion about paint application and impressionism.  He was strolling through the BPG after having just taken the last test of his college days!   I congratulated him heartily and wished him success.   Old enough to be his grandmother, I could fully appreciate this huge accomplishment in the grand scheme of life.  That he was taking time to savor the day in a place where nature and city collide was so nice.. joining lots of others who were taking time to "just be."

Well beyond the two hour mark, I checked the time and realized that my parking meter had expired!   I packed up and headed for my vehicle.   I could see orange tickets on several windshields, including all the adjacent cars!?    No ticket for me! Great day all around!!

Front Fence and Lilacs

Large lilac shrubs mark the property line between two old antique homes in Duxbury.  I was set up across the road in a little park.  The ornate white fence on the left led to the old granite retaining wall of the property on the right.    It was an ordinary scene but once something becomes the subject of an oil painting, it doesn't seem as ordinary.

Front Fence and Lilacs

Watering Can with Carrots






Watering Can with Carrots

This week I was sorting through seeds and planning my 2016 vegetable garden.  I guess I am officially "thinking Spring."   I was remembering last year's buckets of tomatoes, a bumper crop.   I typically take pictures of even mildly noteworthy things so I was sure there must have been some summer harvest photos.


Composition Thumbnail

I found a decent photo of some freshly pulled carrots piled in front of my old watering can.   I used that shot as inspiration for this painting, at least for color and shadow.   The photo's overall composition was lacking so I re-arranged the objects on a 3x3 sticky note trying for more pleasing shapes.

Back Bay Front Garden

The squares of green space in front of each of the exquisite old properties in Boston's Back Bay may be small, but most are neatly manicured and dressed up with flower boxes, planters and stonework.   This property is located next door to Newman Prep School and is an example of these 'mini" formal garden.   The warm sunlit brick is a stunning backdrop for the greenery.

Creek Zen

Once in a while, everything seems just right, and a better painting happens.  It has only happened occasionally to me before; that is when things flow with minimal struggle and the end product looks just right.   Fortunately it happened during the Camp Hill competition, and the painting won an award.

I'm a morning person and for this painting, I was all set up by 7:30 and ready to paint.   The location was the Yellow Breeches Creek close to where I had painted the "Barn at Dusk" the evening before.   The light was - of course - completely different since it was twelve hours later.   

Creek Zen in Progress

The creek was crystal clear if you looked straight down to the colorful, rocky riverbed, but if you looked upstream the dark green underbrush on the far shore was reflected perfectly.   The dark bushes and their reflections were so perfectly matched that the shoreline was practically imperceptible.  Conversely on the right-hand shore, the shrubs and grasses were brightly lit by the full strength low morning sun.   Likewise the reflections of these bright yellows and green were just as bright and strong.   Bright on the right shore, dark on the left.    Nice contrast but they needed to be integrated.    To rectify this sharp imbalance, I added the vivid gold-green tree bow overhead with the thickest juiciest palette knife strokes.


Creek Zen

Okay and then?   A fisherman with red sleeves waded into the calm pool of water upstream and started to cast.   Perfect timing.   The painting needed it.   Distant figures are three or four dots of color.   The reflections are the same dots pulled down into the dark water in one, long careful stroke.





Camp Hill Plein Air Festival Quick Paint

The most challenging and exciting event at the Camp Hill Plein Air Festival was the "Quick Paint" event.   Participants stood in line at Willow Park to have their substrates stamped between 9 and 10 AM.   At 10:00 AM, each painter commenced with their creation somewhere within a prescribed Camp Hill  geographic area. 

The first thing I did was to pop the stamped painting board into a one inch black frame that I had covered with blue masking tape.   I didn't want my thick juicy paint getting smeared during the framing, so I did an inner frame before starting to apply color.

I chose a beautiful old brick home with a glass conservatory that was located a couple of blocks up from Willow Park.  I stood across the street so that I would have a nice long view and be able to include enough surrounding elements.  The first step was a careful (relatively tiny) drawing in paint of the home.     I spent the largest percentage of time on its interesting rooflines and the glass conservatory.   As the center of interest, I wanted it to be realistic and accurate.  Each panel of conservatory glass was reflecting something different and I improvised a bit to balance other color masses.  

Quick Paint Entry Ready for Judging

Once I had the home done, I picked up my palette knife and buttered on my cool transparent darks letting the streaky colors mix on the surface.     The skies were partly cloudy and the trees, shrubs and lawn were spring green to the max!     Again I scooped the color with the palette knife and spread it onto the surface in wide thick strokes.    When the 11:45 alarm sounded, I still hadn't applied the final color on the home or the foreground shrubbery. (I didn't mention yet that I had set alarms on my phone for 10:00 AM (start), 11:00 AM (halfway point), 11:45 (finish-up), 12:00 Noon (frame).) With 15 minutes to go, a slight sensation of panic gripped me, which is really funny when I think about it now.  My husband took some videos of the progress of this painting, so I have strung them together in the following movie.

https://youtu.be/6LkXEanjwd0

At noon, I took the painting off the easel and peeled the blue masking tape off the inner frame.   This ensemble was then inserted into the wider outer frame. 
Done!... with ten minutes to spare.   I grabbed my easel and painting and headed down to the park, setting it up amid an array of fabulous quick paint works.   It was truly amazing to see the quality and freshness of works that were done in a mere 120 minutes.

This was undoubtedly the most fun I have ever had painting under a deadline.

Camp Hill Plein Air Festival Paintings

Barn at Dusk

The Susquehanna River Valley is just as picturesque a place as can be, the iconic farms with tall silos, cattle on rolling hills, and distant hills fading into the distance with light shades of blue.     It wasn't hard to find some stunning scenes!

During the painting competition we could paint up to five plein air paintings, two of which would be submitted (all without he assistance of photography.)   I shared the first painting of the side of the mansion at the Fort Hunter.  Here are three more paintings.

View for Eternity

The Barn at Dusk was done along the Yellow Breeches Creek looking uphill.   Teens were enjoying "surfing" down the swift currents of the creek behind me, along with their dog.  They would slide down the rapids then emerging downstream and walk back upstream for a truly natural carnival ride.  They provided company as well as entertainment:).



Susquehanna from Fort Hunter

View for Eternity was done early in the morning from the back parking lot of a hilltop church looking down the slope of the adjacent cemetery.   I loved the hills and the moist clouds (there was a quick sprinkle).  The colors were cool pinks, yellows and blue  - and sooo much green!

Susquehanna from Fort Hunter was done in the late afternoon.  I was facing west and the sun was sitting high above the hill on the other side of the river.   Whenever the sun peaked though the clouds, there would be bright yellow illumination over the tops of the trees and down the hill.   (Dark patches were the cloud shadows.)

Does anyone know if "America the Beautiful" was written here?   So amazing!

Fort Hunter on the Sasquehanna River

Fort Hunter Mansion

I set out on Day One of the Camp Hill Plein Air Festival with a map, a GPS enabled IPhone and my painting gear loaded into the trunk of my (non-GPS enabled) neon-blue rental car.   One of the Camp Hill Plein Air volunteers (Dianne :)) suggested Fort Hunter on the east side of the Susquehanna River.   I had told her the kinds of things I like when I'm painting (views, water, shade, parking, etc..)  Her recommendation was perfect!   The gardens were pristine and each huge old tree specimen had a botanical tree species marker.



Garden Gate at Fort Hunter Mansion

The Mansion at Fort Hunter is an ornate federal style structure located on the site of the old French and Indian War Fort Hunter.  I walked the perimeter and  learned that it was built in three sections, two sections of which were built with locally quarried stones in 1814.  The middle “cabin” section, built in 1786, and the rear wooden portion was built in 1870.

I wanted a little bit of everything in the scene so I positioned at the east side of the mansion looking down a brick path to the gardens in the back.  The gardening shed and the fence behind it were picking up full light and seemed like they were framed by the elements in shadow.

This was my first time setting up since arriving the night before.   I don't think you can underestimate the impact of logistical challenges when you are attempting to get into a creative groove.  :)   Unfamiliar geography, easel assembly, palette set up, different vehicle....I'm not complaining; it was a blast.   It's just that until the physical issues are resolved, there would be no presentable artworks created!


Sandbox Play

I have always found it fascinating to watch children engaged in free play.    Pail and shovel, sand and water....that's as good as it gets for a little tike, right?   (I hoping so, given the rash of babies playing with PDA's that I have observed lately.  :))  



Sandbox Play

This painting depicts three little people who were busy with sand, cups and buckets while Dad did his own digging.

Painting design was on my mind for this scene because this canvas measured 12x24 inches.    The center of interest was the group of children who were placed to the left of the center line.   As soon as they were added, the horizontal balance was off, automatically weighed to the left.   Once Dad was inserted, he not only added to the story, but he balanced the total composition.  As a background "element" however, he would have to be smaller and less defined.  Further, his placement would have to balance the group of children.    I was imagining a fulcrum between the children and the Dad that would equalize their weight as it related to the whole canvas.

I don't like that my warm transparent darks were contaminated with opaque tones....Before I post this to the shop, I'll have to fix it.   Any other comments?






Local Cranberry Farm

A friend of mine and her husband own a beautiful cranberry farm and she invited me to visit for a paint-out.   She noted that the cranberry harvest was in progress which was music to my ears.   Bogs are harvested one at a time and although I do not profess to know the exact sequence and process, I do know that it is a gorgeous scene once the berries are jarred loose from the plant and float to the top of the flooded bog.

Local Bog - On Site in Progress

Gentle sloping hillsides led to the expansive bogs at the bottom.   Apple trees, cold frames and a rustic fenced vegetable garden dotted the winding country path to the bogs. Some of the massive trees that dotted the property had to be a century or two old.  It was as if I was in a remote rural location instead of a half mile from the busy center of our large town.    

Local Bog

I set up on a slope next to a couple of apple trees to my left, and behind me was the vegetable gardens and domed coldframes which provided a wind block.    From here I had a view of the harvest in progress with two thrasher machines skipping across the watery bog in tandem.     I had hoped for the classic and iconic crimson sea of berries being corralled, but the pre-flood,  maroon bog was stunning as well.  The foliage in the distance and the apple tree next to me provided lots of sunlit color as well.

I was imagining that this 2014 farm scene was probably not much different than it was fifty years ago or more.  It was truly like stepping back in time and a beautiful hidden treasure.