I like to remember flowers that are given to me by painting them. Here are two flower arrangements that Philip gave to me that I painted. Click here for link to Flowers by Mary.
Flower arrangement paintings -Catherine
Category Archives: Catherine
“Patience” at Taylor-Bray Farm -Catherine
Sheep, goats, and cattle enjoying a warm morning at Taylor-Bray Farm in Yarmouth Port.
My mind was set on painting the sheep grazing in this pasture. Then I noticed the sunlight highlighting the foliage on the trees.
I went to work on the the foliage. (This is were I only needed to make color notes on my canvas of the foliage so I could get back to painting the sheep).
The light changed quickly, and the sheep moved to the back of the pasture, ugh! I didn’t take the time to block in a few of the sheep that made up my composition. It was time to stop… WIPE IT OUT! Yes, it’s o.k., it is my painting and there will be others… Continue reading “Patience” at Taylor-Bray Farm -Catherine
Plein Air Painting on Monhegan Island -Catherine
“Monhegan Island… a Maine plantation”
If you are looking for an east coast “plein air” painting destination with panoramic ocean views, well maintained hiking trails, and you want to feel totally immersed in art history and culture, you should check out Monhegan Island. (Monhegan Island click here).
I can see why this island is an artist and an art collector destination.
(Monhegan Island Light click here ).
A short ferry ride from Port Clyde, brought Philip and me to a harbor nestled between Monhegan Island and Manana Island. Ray Eugene Phillips made Manana Island his home for many years, living alone, but also knowing that there was a neighborly connection with the islanders across the harbor. (click here for Ray Eugene Phillips).
(My Art Cocoon click here).
Monhegan is alive with a strong sense of community from the people who’s daily routines contribute to making this island flourish. Walking around the island we pass many local and visiting artists painting, and many Island artists provide a seasonal trail map inviting the public to visit their art studios. Continue reading Plein Air Painting on Monhegan Island -Catherine
Frigid morning! & The Cape Codder – Catherine
As expected, there were not many out painting on this windy and cold 32º morning. David Farquhar was surprised, and it was a fun surprise to find this picture in The Cape Codder, December 12, 2014 issue! Thank you David for your enthusiasm! -Catherine
Monhegan Island, Maine – sunrise challenge -Catherine
“Accepting” Britt’s sunrise challenge was the easy part when I was on Monhegan Island in Maine . The real challenge was capturing the amazing sky that morning. You might see from these photos I kind of lost my way.
I kept painting past sunrise and eventually lost my focus. Soon the sun was up, casting wonderful shadows, and I lost my dramatic sky. I’ll keep my focus on the sunrise next time. Click here to see how Britt captured and kept the dramatic sunrise colors back home on the Cape!
Thank you Britt for the sunrise challenge! -Catherine
Taking a risk – painting in Provincetown
The point of this post, for me, is that as we have ventured out into the “art” world, painting outside in public places really opens one up for all sorts of things. One of those interesting things is when people walk by your set up easel and want to see what you are painting. As a beginner, it is really sort of intimidating in a way because the silence can be deafening. Anyhow, this particular day we set up in the West End Lot in Provincetown, looking out over to the wharf and here is the result. Britt
From this lot we had great scenic views and subjects to paint. We ended up facing different directions. I painted facing the open water, and Britt painted Captain Jack’s Wharf. The clouds on this day were amazing. Enjoy the gallery! Catherine
painting two views
Britt facing the wharf
Captain Jack’s Wharf Provincetown
Catherine’s oil painting from the West End Lot, Provincetown
Captain Jack’s Wharf, Provincetown, painting by Britt
A fun day!
Mill Pond – flat bottom boat – plein air – Catherine
Flat boat Mill Pond Landing
Flat boat Apr2014 Catherine
I liked this flat bottom boat at Mill Pond Landing. Click here for link to Mill Pond Landing. The angle of the boat resting on the hill and the tree trunks made strong shadows. I was hoping to capture these shadows to give the impression that the boat was resting on a hill in my painting. I didn’t bother putting in the leaves. I am learning that there are times I just want to work on one aspect of a painting.
You don’t have to put everything that you see in front of you in your painting. My husband, Philip, always encourages me to “keep it simple!” This way I don’t put pressure on myself to complete a painting in one attempt. I can focus my attention on one or two challenges that day. -Catherine
Plein air using a painting umbrella – Catherine
This is the first time I set out to paint with my painting umbrella. No glare from the sun– extra sun protection for me! It was a windy day and I am glad I purchased an umbrella that has wind vents.
Painting umbrella
This umbrella has clamps and rotating arms. For me, that meant adjusting, readjusting, and fumbling (hilarious!)… no fault of the umbrella, it is a great design. Painting a boat in the water on a windy day is another challenge because the wind kept turning the boat around! Snow Shore Landing. -Catherine
Scoop from the coop! – painting my chickens – Catherine
Not only do I look forward to finding an egg in the nesting box, I am enjoying learning how to paint my chickens. Anyone who has chickens for the pleasure of having fresh eggs understands how quickly they become fun, family pets. What I am practicing, is trying to capture the softness of their feathers and personality in their movements.
We have a beautiful hen, named Mona Lisa. Her feathers are a shiny, black iridescence in color. Molly is our country hen, with her spotted feathers. Sadly, we recently lost our Fiona, the colors of her feathers were similar to a pheasant. We’ve all seen white and brown eggs, but Fiona laid a robin’s blue colored egg: Enough about my chickens– back to painting them.
I painted the nasturtiums and coop plein air. The chickens were added back in the studio. Catherine
Continue reading Scoop from the coop! – painting my chickens – Catherine
New to plein air painting – Cape Cod – Catherine
Walking with our dogs one morning, Britt and I talked about how lucky we are to be able to exercise while enjoying the beautiful beaches of Cape Cod. Britt was explaining to me triathlon training. That let me to tell Britt how much fun I am having learning to paint plein air (painting outdoors instead of indoors) with my husband Philip.
I am grateful to my husband Philip for introducing me to the world of plein air painting– encouraging me to have patience and sharing his knowledge of plein air painting with me. Most importantly, making all the times we paint together a fun adventure!
Britt talked about trying plein air painting. Not letting cold, wet weather get in our way of walking our dogs, we decided not to wait for a nice spring day to paint.
We met at Skaket Beach and set up our easels… all bundled up with warm clothing. We accomplished what we set out to do. The fun on this day for me was helping to introduce plein air painting to Britt. Learning how to set up an easel and squeeze out paint from a tube can be challenging in cold, windy weather wearing gloves and bulky clothing.
Back then, close to a year ago, March 2014, we never planned on starting a blog. But here we go…
My challenge to myself that day was to paint rocks. Rocks are difficult subjects to paint for me. Lots of angles and shadows. I set up by some boulders and here is my painting. Catherine