Gabriel on the Rhodes

Gabriel on the Rhodes

Oil on Wood

10"X10"

Old boat. New young owner. A match made in heaven. This is for Gabriel. 

August Beach

August Beach

Oil on Wood

6"X8"

This is for the Cranberry Island Historical Society's Auction Wednesday, 4p.m. Bid early. Bid Often.

August Air

August Air

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

A big breeze blew the sailors on their way this morning. I retrieved the car from the boatyard and went to the postoffice to mail a painting to Ohio. Then the car wouldn't start, so Rosie and I had a nice walk home, arriving just in time to watch the ICs race right off our beach. It is evening now. The house is quiet and sweet solitude fills every room. The wind has died down, leaving August in the air. 

Dry. Crisp. Clean. And full of possibility.

Remnants of a North Wind Roughs up the Shore

Remnants of a North Wind Roughs up the Shore

Oil on Wood

12"X24"

SOLD

Orange Rock in the Surf

Orange Rock in the Surf

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Our day on the island begins and ends with a walk on the beach, with trips in between to go for a row or walk the dog, or throw old food to the sea gulls.

Everything moves but the rocks, props on a stage around which water dances creating new choreography with each wave, the change of tide, time of day, and passing cloud.
Always the same. Always different.

I can't get enough of it.

Orange Rock Mid Tide

Orange Rock Mid Tide

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

The beach is a new landscape every hour of every day. Low tide, mid tide, high tide. Rocks uncovered, pools created, ebb and flow, waves and wake. Endless opportunity for new discoveries. Always changing, always new. Metaphor for life? 

The Sailors Return

The Sailors Return

Oil on Wood

6"X6"

The sailors came into the harbor flying their bright yellow spinnaker on a perfect afternoon. Before they arrived home, I scurried over to the studio to paint, holding on to the enthusiasm of the last few days. And then I did this. . .

Beach Rocks

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

...which seems like a good idea. Thus ends a week of solitude. 

Sea Glass in the Window

Sea Glass in the Window

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

Dusk

Dusk

Oil on Wood

12"X12"
What could be more beautiful on a cold morning in the studio than Bach's Cantata BWV 4 ?
Or remembering  moments of my visit to a friend yesterday. A new wonderful thing is waiting to be discovered everyday, she said. Something simple. Experienced for the first time, or the same old thing seen in a new light.  Sundown. When the day gets gathered up and made into memory to be played over and over for all the years to come. I am going to hold on to that.

Summer Breeze

Summer Breeze

Oil on Wood

12"X12"

As I was heading for a ferry Wednesday afternoon, a stiff breeze was blowing through the Weibel's house signaling their imminent arrival. The simple beauty stopped me in my tracks, taking me right out of my self and back to the island and its healing powers. 

Since then the weather has turned wet and gray. I was reluctant to leave the warmth of the fire last night to go hear poetry and music at the church, where neighbors of all ages  read and sang and spoke from their heart.  It too healed the body and soul, as did the friends and neighbors who cooked and called while I was down for the count over the weekend. 

We come here thinking we are alone. Turns out, you know that thing about "No man is an Island?" It's true. Island is about community. 

Maine Beach 1

Maine Beach 1

Oil on Wood

12"X12"
A word about friends, relatives, and perfect strangers who keep the likes of me going.
Thanks.
Your notes of appreciation for what goes on here are appreciated more than you know. This is a solitary business. Aside from the dog's comings and goings, it's mostly Me, Myself, and I in the studio. And much of the time I am not at all sure what I am doing. It's good to know you are there. Seeing, Reading, and Responding.

Making Waves

Making Waves

Oil on Wood

10"X10"

My mother used to call it, "making significance." The urge to make a mark, leave a trace, do something meaningful. I don't need to rock the boat, but creating ripples would be good. Making waves and adding a little beauty to the world could occupy me for a good long while.

Mid-Tide

Mid-Tide

Oil on Canvas

18"X24"

Light on the Horizon

Light on the Horizon

Oil on Wood 

7"X15"

SOLD

Ebb Tide

Ebb Tide

Oil on Canvas

18"X36"

"Ebb tide -  the period between high water and the succeeding low water." 

Laundry Left Behind

Laundry Left Behind

Oil on Wood

10"X8"

Labor Day is all about leaving. Being left. And what is left behind.  I am looking forward to a weekend of warmth and reflection. Of all the Love we gathered up from June to September filling us up to overflowing for all the months to come.

Sullivan's Library

Sullivan's Library

Oil on Wood

14"X11"

Favorite summer memory. Being at the Sullivans. Always fun. Always festive. Always an occasion for celebration. 

Heading Home

Heading Home

Oil on Wood

6"X8"

There's always a little melancholy associated with leaving the island. The window boxes we planted in June are in full bloom and everything that was broken has been repaired. Little annoyances that loomed large at the beginning of the summer seem insignificant in the end. The air is fresher, the beach more pristine, and the mountains even more majestic than ever. It's time to pack up the paints and the dog and head for home. One last day to soak it all in. And then we're off.

Fog 3

Fog 3

Oil on Wood

12"X12"
SOLD
The wind has shifted East and a light drizzle has been falling all day. The sailor says, "nothing good ever comes out of the East." But that depends what your definition of "good" is. I could wander around in the grayness of it all for a long time happily,  finally having found a way to soften the color without everything turning to mush. Am going to continue on in this vein. Until the sun comes out.

Fog 2

Fog 2

Oil on Wood

12"X12"
SOLD
The light couldn't be more beautiful. Warm grays, everything soft and dreamy. Suits my quiet mood but I am sorry for the sailors who are out somewhere wishing for a raucous wind.