Just Show Up

Almost Winter 6x6 oil on panel

I had the most fabulous time Saturday at BookStock, a meet and greet at the Winslow House featuring panels of  authors which included readings with a plethora of local writers. I had no idea!!
Meanwhile, I put in some studio time and realized again, that all I have to do is show up and the work gets underway. It's a delicious feeling for an artist. Thanks for your visits and comments. They make my day.

Parrsboro Panorama

Parrsboro Panorama 6x12 watercolor

This is the ever changing view from our cottage at Second Beach. As the tides change the wind comes up and the scent of the water and air is heavenly. All the flags fly straight out. Almost as soon as the tide is high the wind dies down. Wind, Water ocean smells. Heavenly!

Don says, "close the door, it's cold."   ;D

Parrsboro Cottage 4x6

Parrsboro Lighthouse 4x6 pen and ink

Ahhhhhh......Parrsboro. 
Indescribable, but you can imagine. We had relaxing and fun week at the cottage, took some day trips, ate great seafood, read books and just looked out at Cape Blomidon and the beautiful view.
Even after all these years, I have never tired of the stunning (really-even though that's an overused word now-it applies here) vistas everywhere.
This sketch of the lighthouse is one of the better ones I did this week. Also did a couple of watercolors and took a thousand more photos ;)  I HAD to ;)
Stay tuned.....

Parrsboro

View over Five Islands

We didn't realize how much we needed this vacation but it's been a beautiful week! We packed up the car and the cats and took off Sunday morning arriving in Parrsboro around 7:30 PM in a hard rain. I awoke Monday morning to the sound of pouring rain outside my window which meant..... sleep some more ;)  Needed that. We read all day while we listened to the rain and watched the tide come in. Bliss. 
Tuesday dawned clear and sunny and the weather has been great every day since. Yesterday, we drove from Parrsboro up through Pugwash and along the Northumberland shore to Pictou and back down through Truro and home again. 238 miles. As always, Don has to stop or turn around or back up so I can take yet, another picture, which he cheerfully does. He now brings his book with him to pass the time. I plan to paint tomorrow and post something by Saturday. 
We're heading home Sunday, relaxed and refreshed and ready to work.

Outside the Box

8x8 acrylic mixed media

I can finally reveal my Outside the Box piece which was great fun to do. I can't do better than this photo because of the glare on the iridescent paint. The color is much more vibrant than it shows. I drew the dragonflies and then decoupaged them on and painted them with a shimmery acrylic paint. I'll have to think of something different for next year because I want to keep everyone guessing.
By the way the closing party is tonight at North River Arts in Marshfield Hills. Be there or be square.
Don and I and the 'girls' are heading to Parrsboro, Nova Scotia tomorrow for a week. A little slice of heaven. 

Skimming Aquidneck Island

Skimming Aquidneck Island 6x6

SOLD

Yesterday I escaped to my studio and painted this sailboat on an evening cruise off of Aquidneck Island in Tiverton, Rhode Island. I tried to make the light glow as it shines through the sails and catch the sparkle on the water at the same time. I keep my brushwork to a minimum and try not to paint over a stroke once I lay it down. 
Today I drove to Provincetown to drop off a miniature painting for the member's show. I did the usual stroll and checked out the always fascinating scene in town. It was overcast with beautifully scented breeze off the Bay. Heaven.