Sea Glass in the Window

Sea Glass in the Window
Oil on Canvas
8"X8"

Between walking the dog, rowing, trips to town, watching sailboats racing, and feeding the sea gulls refuse from last night's lobster dinner, I make 5 or 6 trips to the beach most days. I never come back without a pocket full of sea glass. White, green, lavender, blue, even a red or two, and bits of broken china, I have Mason jars full of these treasures collected over the last 20 years. Garbage, tossed around by the sea and sand for who knows how many years, transformed into small jewels catching the summer light, hanging on threads in my window.

Waiting for Wind

Waiting for Wind
Oil on Canvas
8"X10"

Last night one of my oldest and best friends came over from Islesford to spend the night. We were right back where we started from. Sitting around the kitchen table kitchen eating and drinking and talking about absolutely everything that matters most in our lives. We hardly noticed the weather, but sometime during the night, a storm blew through taking with it the high winds that had swept the island all week. This morning was still. Quiet. Calm. The water had changed from deep blue to a soft, pale gray and the air was warm and soft. When the sailboats showed up to race, they drifted around aimlessly in slow motion waiting for the wind to come. Time had stopped and we watched in awe feeling as if we had gone back to another century, placed right in the middle of an old French Master's painting.

Airing Out

Airing Out
Oil on Wood Panel
10"X10"
This morning began early with an errand. I needed to bring new paintings to the gallery on Islesford, a short boat ride away. That meant first digging out the rowboat outhaul which had been buried by the last high tide. Next there was seaweed sewn onto the line to remove. Then a nice row on smooth water to the whaler which started after several tries and I was off to the neighboring island. After a short visit with Dan and Cynthia Lief at the Islesford Dock I headed back to pick up my mail and get a few things at the store where half the town was standing around chatting about nothing in particular. By the time I rowed home and put the boats back on their moorings, it was lunch time. People always ask what we do here. There's your answer. Not much. Takes all day.

Across the Line

Across the Line
Oil on Canvas
8"X6"

A walk to the town office on the neighboring island of Islesford took us right past this perfect display of color and form. Art is everywhere I look, just blowing in the breeze, waiting to be discovered. Like the ladies who turned up at a friend's for lunch today. They all had a lot to say and each was special in her own way. Usually we are riding by each other on our bikes, in a hurry to catch a boat, or hoping to beat the weather home. We got way beyond the standard, "when did you get here and how long are you staying?" And it was good to get out and talk to someone other than myself or Rosie for a change.

The Sailors Set Off

The Sailors Set Off
Oil on Wood Panel
4"X4"
SOLD
A big wind blew in last night. Doors slammed, windows rattled, the dog jumped in bed, and the air was dry for the first time all summer. After a year of talking about it, long lists of groceries procured, and the boat provisioned, the sailors sailed off the mooring. Down East to Canada. Rosie and I watched until they went over the horizon. A little sad and exhilarating at the same time. We walked to the store, stocked up on my favorite foods returning home looking forward to holing up with my old self for a time.

Back on the Line

Back on the Line
Oil on Canvas
16"X20"

A 30th birthday visit to our daughter in New York plunked us right into the heart of Brooklyn on a steamy summer day. We swooped in. Surprised, Celebrated, and Reminisced into the night on her roof overlooking all of Manhattan, with family and a few good friends. The next day we swooped out, away from the hubbub and back to our little island life. Another momentous family occasion carried forever within.

Jan's Parlor

Jan's Parlor
Oil on Wood Panel
10"X10"

Just knowing the Obama's were in the neighborhood this weekend put everyone in a celebratory mood. We all hoped to catch a glimpse but mostly we were glad the fog lifted Saturday and that the family could see where they were. What I wished more than anything was that they could be left alone to absorb the majesty of the mountains, sea, forests, and sky that surround us here. And to absorb the tranquility that comes with just being, with no agenda, or commentary, judgment, or plan. To go with a gentle breeze blowing back in time, going nowhere in particular.

Cloud on the Horizon

Cloud on the Horizon
Oil on Wood Panel
12"X12"

Waking up to a warm and windless morning yesterday, we went for an early morning row. The sky was completely clear and the water smooth like glass. It being low tide we went around the ledge and on the way back checked out the osprey sitting in her nest on top of the spindle. Then, just above the mountains, a huge puffy cloud appeared, its billowing shape reflected across the water. I was reminded of all the artists through the years that have seen this very same phenomenal sight and been inspired to paint from it. All of us connected in awe of a passing cloud.

Clothes on the Line

Clothes on the Line
Oil on Canvas
16"X20"
Amping up the canvas size again. Little by little. Out of my comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory. Trying to trick myself into thinking I can. I think I can I think I can I think I can.
When the sun shines bright, and warm fog comes and goes, and the temperature is perfect anything is possible.

Business at the Boatyard

Business at the Boatyard
Oil on Canvas
8"X6"
SOLD
There's always something going on at the boatyard. While we were rowing around the harbor the other morning, a boat was being launched, so we stopped and watched the action. Then we participated in the banter that followed. Something always needs fixing, or improving, or admiring. An island boatyard serves up all those things. With a generous helping of good humor.

Laundry Blowing in the Breeze

Laundry Blowing in the Breeze
Oil on Canvas
12"X12"

Yesterday morning the sun came out, the breeze picked up, and a lot of laundry got hung out to dry. The weekend's rain was pumped out of the boats and with it went all the soggy thoughts we had been having. Nothing lifts spirits like a little sunshine, a row to town, and a basket full of clean clothes to start off the week.

Summer Reading 1

Summer Reading 1
Oil on Canvas
8"X6"
It was gray, foggy, and raining most of the weekend. Warm, but wet. Indoor weather. Along about April I start collecting books I think I will want to read on the island. I never know which ones will be the ones that will capture my imagination until I am here. So I keep a stack next to the bed and try them on as the days go by. A few favorite lucky stones from the beach keep the book jackets from curling in the moisture. And then there's always the island library which is full of unexpected treasures, discarded paperbacks, and the friendliest librarian on earth. I made this painting with that in mind. It will be auctioned at the Cranberry Island Library Fundraiser, 3 p.m., July 22, at Heliker-LaHotan Foundation, always a rousing good time in a lovely setting.

Going Postal

Going Postal
Oil on Canvas
6"X8"
SOLD
Going to the post office is a big highlight of the day. You never know who you will run into. Or who will be at the counter, for that matter.

Lavender Laundry

Lavender Laundry
Oil on Canvas
12"X12"
Yesterday I rode my bike to the dock to pick up the mail. It was a warm sunny day so I was pretty sure I'd see some colorful laundry blowing in the breeze at Sam's house. I wasn't disappointed. Next time I probably should ask first before boldly prowling around in her garden which is one of the prettiest on the island, not just because of the colorful laundry but because of the lovingly tended flower garden blooming against the backdrop of blue chairs and bright white house.

Betwixt and Between

Betwixt and Between
Oil on Canvas
12"X12"

We messed around with boats all morning. Rowing to town, fine tuning the out haul. It was hot and both Rosie and I liked standing with our feet in the icy water. The next thing we knew it was lunch time. Then to the studio and now it looks like rain is headed right for us. A whole day of life has just happened by. That's the thing about this island. You never know what to expect. Hot then cold. Sun then rain. Change comes quickly and without much warning. Each day is a bunch of little days rolled up into one. Making the most of it most of the time.

Where There's Laundry There's Life

Where There's Laundry There's Life
Oil on Canvas
12"X12"
It's as simple as that.
SOLD