The Farnsworth Museum, Rockland Maine

I took a ride to Rockland, Maine to see the Frank Benson exhibit at the Farnsworth Museum which is also the home of the art of the Wyeth's. 

When I think of Benson, I think of women in white dresses painted against the backdrop of the Island meadows of Maine. These famous works are luminous in carved and gilded frames that I so wanted to photograph, but it's not allowed. 

The real surprise was that Benson was painter and printmaker of shore birds of all kinds. Eagles, ducks, gulls. Having recently painted gulls, with plans to expound upon the bird theme, I was treated, in a short film, to a lesson of him etching plates of copper and limestone and pulling prints. His composition is impeccable.

There is also a Jamie Wyeth and Rockwell Kent show of paintings of Monhegan Island. Jamie's birds carry meanings that are metaphorically representational of human foibles such as the seven deadly sins. Kent's paintings are strong land and seascapes of the island on which he lived and worked.

The Museum itself is a gift from the Farnsworth family through daughter Lucy and is delightful.

I was there for almost 4 hours and it was exhilarating!

Liz

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Merry Christmas to all my faithful readers, friends, and followers. I had a wonderful day with my family and of course my favorite little boys, Colin and Ryan. There was lots of food and desserts. 
Also, we've narrowly escaped 2 feet of snow from a 48 hour Blizzard which knocked out power and closed roads far and wide. Fortunately not our power. We are on the rain/snow line and got mostly a sleet mix and high seas. I'm going to post some photos over on my Not Really a Cleaning Lady blog for those who don't live near the water and haven't experienced it's 'winter mood'.

 Mama and I do the tree together every year

 Auntie Ag gives Ryan and Colin Hess Trucks each Christmas

Pick Me

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Which one should I open first is the dilemma. Ok, the box.

You all know that I suffered the loss of my dearest boy Wendell in October. Don and I couldn't bear the silence and we were lucky to be chosen as parents for these sweet little sisters. Abba (upside down) and Wolfie are amusing and affectionate and kitten crazy! Life is good. 

 

Colin Page Workshop

Colin Page came down from Maine this weekend to teach a workshop at North River Arts Society in Marshfield. It was a smashing success and we even had a SUNNY day Saturday, to paint over at Scituate Harbor! Sunday was rainy so we did still life in the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall which is the NRAS studio. I generally don't do my best work in the workshop setting. Too much going on, for me to completely settle down but, I managed to get three solid studies out of it which is huge. Colin is a seriously amazing painter. No magic, just many, many paintings and lots of diligent work, 'seeing'. He's a great guy too, and we all had a wonderful time! It was great to be able to do both landscape and still life with him as he is proficient in both. I will post more photos(later) of the amazing paintings over at Not Really A Cleaning Lady. So Stay tuned.