Family Affairs

6x8 Demo at Lowdermilk Park 

This past weekend my dear nephew/son, Win, married his beautiful bride, Heather,  at a garden wedding attended by lots of family from 'home'. I hosted the little boys and their parents who left yesterday at 3:30 AM, and I am still catching up with myself . 

Haven't found the time to paint except on Monday morning when I met my students, Beth and Linda at Lowdermilk Park to paint plein aire. This is by no means a finished painting, as the lesson was more about eliminating elements of the scene to create a better composition and dealing with the constantly changing weather elements. Sun, clouds, wind. Values, of course. 

 Don't forget to sign up for my last class of the season at the Von Liebig.

See my pages at the head of my blog for information or email me.

Thanks for your visits and your comments. You keep me going.

Heather Davies Cottrell and Winthrop Sheehan Cottrell
April 14, 2012

Matlacha Ice Cream Shop

It's amazing how many photos I have of yellow cottages and buildings. This little place is in Matlacha, Florida a teeny town between Cape Coral and Pine Island. All of the little shops along the main road are painted bright colors. I love it.

This morning I went on an Orchid Tour at Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge out in the Everglades. The Guide who led the tour is a wildlife biologist and photographer who also works at the Naples Zoo. He knows everything about the flora and fauna and it was a fabulous trek through the swamp, which is very dry at the moment. Afterward they gave us a nice lunch of hot dogs, chips and a soft drink while we listened to another guide talk about the work they're doing to save the panthers. A single male panther needs about 200 square miles of habitat. The whole tour was fascinating and it is free. You just have to sign up ahead of time. If you're a Florida voter they need your support. 

Can you see the gator?

Stonington Cottage

SOLD

This little summer home is perched on a ledge of rock in Stonington, Maine which is at the 'down-est' part of the Downeast Deer Isle peninsula. It's one of my favorite places in the world and there are many. Yesterday I did another 'booth sitter' gig at the Mercato Fine Arts Festival which was wonderful.  This very cool residential neighborhood is built around shops, restaurants, a movie theatre and Whole Foods.  I brought home delicious macaroni and cheese and Swedish meatballs from the vast hot food bar there. Awesome day!!