Day 47

I spied this pumpkin, (among many others) perched on a stone wall when I was out walking this morning....a fine time to break in those Inktense pencils...I LOVE them. It was a bit difficult to get used to the colors, they have non paint names, like "Willow", no new gambogue or aureolin. They are very handy to use, just a brush and some water and we are off. They can be used for painting on silk also...I think you need a fabric medium for that. I am so excited!

Day 46

This is a pen and wash for Doug and Bills Pen and Wash Challenge on Wet Canvas. (thanks for the reference photo Doug). After several hours of work, I still did not finish.

These are supposed to be Morris Men, I had no idea what that meant, so here is the link on wikepedia if you are interested. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Men.

Day 45

My intent with this was to do a watercolor of an architectural subject, and to NOT use ink to save it. I managed to not fiddle to much also. Still not loose, but leaning...


After careful observation, it is clear I need a brush up on perspective! I just downloaded a book into my nook that should do the trick, but I will have to read it and practice!

Day 44

Wet in wet watercolor is fun, and it just has to come out loose! This little flower is the last of a bunch that grew up in cracks and crevices out front. We planted them two years ago, and their seed seems to have taken.

An earlier attempt at a plein air pastel is happily burning in the wood stove. I sprayed it first with fixative, then I realized it was not possible to post it, it was really ugly...so off it went, and what a great feeling! The fixative made it burn extra fast.

Day 42 and 43

The height of land on Route 17 offers a spectacular view of Mooselookmeguntic Lake. My intent for this plein air was to capture the mood of the cold windy day...well, to me it looks like there is ice on the lake. I am still having trouble rendering accurate values when I am outside. Umbrella is on my Christmas list.


Over the last few years cairns have mysteriously appeared around town. Unlike in most places, they are not trail markers, in fact if you follow some they lead right to Weld Pond!

Day 41

We have promised for years to get up and greet the day on top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, this year we did it. In fact, we were 45 minutes early.

There were a lot of people milling around, taking pictures, chatting. Right before the sun rose, everyone found a comfortable position and it was quiet, just like church. There was this glorious sunrise, and behind us there was a full moon. As it became lighter, people slowly left, and everyone was smiling.

This pastel is the first sunrise I have done in years. I remember I used to be obsessed with doing very intense India ink studies of sunsets, with the typical mountains and boats in silhouette.

Day 40

There are a cluster of old inns in Boothbay Harbor Maine that must compete for the most glorious flowers. Most are built on steep hills, and I wonder how many people really enjoy them, you need to park that car and walk!