pastel playtime
I closed out my favorite month with a gift to myself: a 3-day pastel workshop with Terry Ludwig, renowned artist and the maker of Terry Ludwig pastels. Hosted by the Boothbay Region Art Foundation, the workshop was held above a gallery in Boothbay Village. I was joined by BFF Kim Traina, and made new friends during the lively and inspirational class. Terry began by saying the first item on the supply list is a sense of humor. His self-deprecating wit and wise-cracking manner put everyone at ease, even though I felt under-equipped without an easel or an armload of pastels. He frequently...
Read Morecollecting moons
October is my month, and it’s filled to the brim with everything right now. Today’s full moon coincides with the preview opening of Collect at Maine College of Art, their fall art sale that supports both scholarships for students and the artists participating. I’ve included Seven Moon Sonata just for this auspicious occasion: I also have two pastels done during a residency at MECA’s Pace House, Flea Island and The Pace Barn. While retrieving the original art for Collect, I visited the Jamie Wyeth show in Boston as a guest of Luna Press publisher, Nancy F. W. Passmore,...
Read Moredrawing with color
I live just up the hill from the TEIA, otherwise known as “the club.” I’ve drawn it many times, including this commission for an island wedding that took place on the porch, “Island Vow.” It was my pleasure to lead a 2 day Drawing With Color workshop there recently. Rainy skies didn’t darken our creative spirits. We gathered inside to discuss our intentions, color properties, and materials. Ralph brought a pristine box of pastels he’d had for nine years, untouched. Johanna brought these vintage chalk crayons. Pastels do not go bad! Amid the din of a...
Read Morelook and learn
Getting out to see current exhibits is always a refresher. I jumped at the chance to chaperone Susannah Green’s French 4 field trip from Portland High School to the Portland Museum of Art recently. She intended to expose the class to the French Impressionism on the second floor, but many students were mesmerized by the Richard Estes work in the main gallery. His work is photorealism extraordinaire, yet on close inspection, reveals brushwork and fascinating layers of perception. I’m fond of this one in particular because of the phone booths. I grew up at the Red Doors Motel, where...
Read Morepace yourself
When I got word from Maine College of Art that I’d won a three night residency at the Pace House in Stonington, Maine…I did a jig of complete joy. A break in the action is always welcome, and Stonington is a quiet village. But did I have any clue how amazing the Pace House is? Let me tell you. The four hour drive from Portland slowly unties your burdens, across miles of open fields, rounds of hay, glimpses of ocean, and past curious flea markets. Upon reaching the yellow farm house, I felt blessed beyond belief. The rooms are filled with lively works by Stephen Pace, who became...
Read MoreOcean Park visit
I had the honor of visiting Ocean Park last week for the first time. This historic seaside community near Old Orchard Beach, Maine dates back to 1881, built for the purpose of interdenominational assembly, where people of all ages still come to vacation, learn, worship, and play. I made a presentation in Jordan Hall about my work and process, specifically for Here Come the Humpbacks! by April Pulley Sayre. I even shared this peek of my messy studio, taken at the end of a long day of drawing humpbacks, early winter twilight outside. I introduced a pile of my supplies I brought to share: hard...
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