Burnt Island Scientific Illustration

Five days of drawing, examining, painting, and EATING! My week on Burnt Island was an intensive one. We worked in several mediums, both indoors and out. Carolyn Nichols was our talented illustration/art teacher. Elaine Jones was our science teacher. I highly recommend these courses for Maine teachers.

our 'classroom'

Here are some of my sketches and experiments. There was a wonderful book on Beatrix Potter that I also used for inspiration - I love her work.

Visual Arts Teacher ~ summer time behind the scenes...

an art teacher's kitchen sink in summer

I'm working on several paintings right now which is such a luxury ... no, not a luxury, it's essential. I am enjoying this time immensely. When I need a studio break, I slip into the role of 'Summer Time Art Teacher' which translates to restoring Elmer's glue bottles. Did you know that I could probably sculpt an Elmer's Glue bottle with my eyes closed in the dark - a scary thought.
Next week I'll be heading off to Burnt Island for a week of Scientific Illustration through the Department of Marine Resources - I can't wait!

Here's another summer time pic. We have been in 'this old house' for 22 years and we are siding the LAST WALL! - WAHOOO! When you are capable and hardworking you do the work yourself... it just takes a while...

Fingerless Monkey Mitten Pattern ~ Snow Day Artist Design

Fingerless Monkey Mitten Pattern is almost ready to go! This pattern will be available soon in my Etsy Shop, Ravelry, and Craftsy.

Old Hallowell Day - Visual Meditation

'OHD - Visual Meditation'

Here is my painting for the Harlow Gallery's Summer Member's Show. The Harlow is celebrating along with the city of Hallowell as the lovely and inspiring city turns 250 years old! 


I took the route of being inspired by 'Old Hallowell Day' - can you SEE the 'OHD' in my piece? 


The opening is Friday July 6th, 5-8pm - see you there!

Poppyville, and Girls in the Coop

Poppyville - my flower garden

Though I had to replant much of my vegetable garden - THANK YOU for having all the seeds I needed Johnny's Seeds! (the first planting must have rotted then vanished without a trace after the flooding we got over a month ago - those were NOT Johnny's Seeds), my flower garden is thriving. It is once again looking like something Dr. Seuss would dream up.

Wanda, Fonda, Cindy, and Mindy - interchangeable names

My Barred Rock chicks are out of their cardboard box and in the coop.


My studio is cleaned up and I have been working on a watercolor I will call 'Visual Meditation - OHD' - for the Harlow Gallery's summer member's show. The 'OHD' stands for Old Hallowell Days. I'll post the piece when it is done.

Happy Father's Day

Me and my Dad, 1962
..next door at Mrs. Havemeyer's swimming pool, Irvington, NY 

Happy Father's Day - to everyone. It has been a beautiful day here in Maine. We had strawberry shortcake for breakfast - to celebrate Father's Day.
I spent the day cleaning my studio and checking in on the baby chicks I got a few days ago. The 4 Barred Rock chicks spent the first two nights in my studio, I moved them to the coop yesterday. 
School is out for the summer! - just a bit more cleaning and I'll be ready to paint!