Week-long Workshop

I wanted to share some photos from my workshop on Mount Desert Island, Maine, that ended last weekend.

This summer in Maine has been WET! It has rained almost continuously since June-- a worrisome sign of climatic change. The ponds and lakes of Mount Desert were full to the brim, so full that the water level is just under the trees, and hardly a rock is visible along the shore from a distance.

Apart from being concerned about the implications of this weather, I had more immediate concerns that the workshop week would be one long rainstorm--but luckily there was enough sun to give some variety to the weather. One completely sunny day allowed us to paint in two prime locations, Ocean Drive and Cadillac Mountain. On cloudy, foggy, damp days we painted at the Beaver Pond across from the north end of Eagle Lake, and Somes Landing. We painted at many of the key locations on MDI.The talented and dedicated participants worked hard and we all had a lot of fun.

I'm so glad I was able to work with my painting partner and long-time friend Diana Cobb Ansley in planning the workshop.We stayed in her historic home in Somesville, and she provided hospitality and made sure things ran smoothly. Every day for lunch she ordered delicious gourmet sandwiches from Mother's Kitchen which we brought along for picnics on location. She also knew the best restaurants on MDI for dinner. By the time I got home, I actually felt that I had had my fill of popovers!

We're looking forward to doing this again next year. There are so many themes for plein air landscape workshop, and so many more painting locations on MDI.

Where the Action is

Last week I went to the Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland, Maine, to the opening of the Monhegan show. Looking around at the crowd, it was hard to believe this country is in the middle of a recession!

First of all, I must reiterate that this gallery space is worth seeing--and it keeps getting better. There are three rooms (each as big as an average storefront) downstairs, and now there is an equal amount of space above it, on the second floor. This means the gallery can hold several exhibitions simultaneously. The crowd poured in the door and went every which way depending on which shows they were interested in. The artists range from N.C. Wyeth, George Bellows, and Andrew Winter to Peter Poskas, Jon Redmond, Connie Hayes, Colin Page--famous artists to emerging artists. Wine, cheese and delicious finger food was served. I had a great time chatting with other artists, art lovers, and collectors. Maine artist Mary Cupp traveled two hours to the event--it was nice to see her there.

Here I am beside one of my paintings in the show. This one is of Monhegan village and the Island Inn, from the lawn of the Monhegan House. The photo was taken by artist and friend Diana Cobb Ansley.

everyone loves GOOD NEWS

This is the title of the Fischbach Gallery's summer group show. What is good about the news? you might ask. Well, your glass can be half-empty or it can be half-full. Some aspects of the economy seem to be showing a glimmer of hope--art, for instance. It could be that people just get tired of doing without all the luxuries that make life more than just subsistence. . . or it could be that people are actually feeling that the stock market is on its way up and they can start spending again. Whatever the reason, collectors are venturing out again.

Some of my work will be in the show, namely Maine landscapes. My work ranges from sweeping aerial vistas of the Maine coast to smaller, more intimate views of places, and some in-between.

everyone loves GOOD NEWS
June 2 - August 14, 2009
Fischbach Gallery
210 11th Avenue at 25th Street,
New York, NY 10001

Tel: 212-759-2345

info@fischbachgallery.com

www.fischbachgallery.com

Consider the Lobster!

Toast to Lobsters, oil on linen, 22" x 30"

Maine and lobsters. An obvious connection, maybe too obvious, but Ron Watson, owner/director of the gWatson Gallery in Stonington, Maine had the brilliant idea of putting a new creative spin on this universally recognized connection. He asked a group of artists, including some well-known ones, to participate in a show all about lobsters. Anything goes, as long as the Maine lobster is the theme. The response from the artists--and the public--has been overwhelming!

The exhibit will open June 26th and run until July 11th. There will be an informal reception on Friday, July 3rd, 4-7 p.m., along with First Friday Night event at the Stonington Galleries.

Another great thing about this show is that it has become a benefit for the local lobster hatchery! There will be an event connected with the benefit, tentatively scheduled for July 10th. Check with the gallery for updates.

"Monhegan" Show at Dowling Walsh Gallery

For the second year in a row my work will be included in the summer group show, "Monhegan," at Dowling Walsh Gallery in Rockland, Maine. Starting this year I'll also be one of the artists represented by the gallery.

This can't help but be a good show. The island of Monhegan is a microcosm, a jewel of a place. It offers rugged and varied terrain, and a fascinating combination of architecture and natural beauty. No wonder so many excellent and accomplished artists have painted there in the past, and are still painting there. I can't wait to go back there in September to paint for a week with my fellow Maine Landscape Guild-ers.

The Dowling Walsh Gallery is located on the main street of Rockland, just across from the Farnsworth Museum.

There will be an opening reception on Wednesday, July 15th, 5 - 8 p.m. Please come if you can!

PLEIN AIR PAINTING WORKSHOP on Mount Desert Island, Maine

PLEIN AIR PAINTING WITH ALEXANDRA TYNG
MOUNT DESERT, MAINE, JULY 26th to AUGUST 1st, 2009

Thomas Cole and Frederic Church First popularized Mount Desert in the mid-1800s. Their works inspired families from New York and Philadelphia to make the journey by steamer to "rusticate" and enjoy the untouched beauty of Mount Desert Island. Artists will be painting outside in a group for approximately 3-5 hours a day. Sites will vary from the spectacular summit of Cadillac Mountain to the rugged shores and quiet lakes and ponds of Acadia National Park. The group will focus on plein air painting techniques and strategies. Participants will stay in the Abraham Somes III house built in 1800. Daily critiques, individual instruction, and demonstrations will be provided. Alexandra Tyng and Diana Ansley will lead the group.

Tuition is $500.
Lodging and lunch is $575.

For further information on the lodging, travel arrangements, and the daily schedule, or to enroll, contact organizer Diana Ansley at 703-960-0612 or at DianaAnsley@aol.com.

Opening Night at Fischbach Gallery

To backtrack a bit, I wanted to post some pictures from the opening of my show, "Above and Beyond." Yes,this is really late because the show has already closed, but it was such a fun evening. I want to thank all my family, friends and fellow artists who attended. Your presence was very much appreciated. And I want to also thank Larry DiCarlo and the people at Fischbach who worked so hard to pull the show together.

Summer Show at gWatson Gallery

If you are in Stonington, Maine this summer, please consider stppping by the gWatson Gallery to see the summer group show. Three of my new aerial landscapes of the Deer Isle/Isle Au Haut area will be in the show.

The gallery is a charmingly renovated old building right on Main Street in the center of town. The owner, Ron Watson, has recently purchased the entire building to create a lovely street level gallery with storefront display windows, and two gigantic new condos on the upper floors.