Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Rainy Day Dining Porch . . .

Rainy Day Dining Porch
in the Woods
at my home in Shapleigh, Maine on April 30, 2014, sketched on May 1, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 144 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Red Pine Cone

Red Pine Cone
in the woods behind my home in Shapleigh, Maine
on April 24, 2014, sketched on April 29, 2014
6" x 4", Winsor & Newton watercolors, white crayon wax resist,
on 144 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

From the Woods

From the Woods
walking home on the ponds woods road in Shapleigh, Maine 
on April 24, 2014, sketched on April 29, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, and clear wax resist, 
on 300 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
painted entirely with a large round brush, a #24 Princeton 4050R,
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping


Note: I get asked about wax resist, a technique that I learned while at the John Singer Sargent watercolor exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. He was great with it. It's simply clear wax on the paper to repel a watercolor wash, great for highlights, great for birch trees, great for any whites and highlights. I've used white Crayola crayons, which works fine on white watercolor paper. But the last time I ordered art supplies I got some of these: Susan Scheewe Watercolor Resist Sticks, clear wax crayons. Clear wax is preferred because it can also be used over a wash already laid down to preserve that color. As of this posting, April 2014, Dick Blick had them, a pack of four, for $4.09 and Jerry's Artarama had them for $3.37. The edge of a block of paraffin works fine, too, and even a clear candle.

Sunday, April 27, 2014

A Warbler Rocks On

A Warbler Rocks On
a Yellow Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum hypochrysea)
on a pile of rocks in the back fields behind my home
in Shapleigh, Maine on April 21, 2014, sketched on April 27, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

DPW The Busy Challenge . . .

The Busy Challenge
from The Daily Paintworks by Carol Marine
 
Manhattan Mayhem
from a reference photo, below, by Carol Marine taken in Manhattan during her
April 2014 trip east and sketched by me on April 27, 2014
NOTE: I used warm colors in the scene, yearning for
warm days, and kept the mayhem of the background busy,
the focus on the black Nissan Altima, which is curiously
a continuation of the Nissan Bluebird line;
this bluebird has evolved New York City style.
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper.
I painted this entirely with a Winsor & Newton #12 round, Sceptre Gold II brush.
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
See the Challenge with all entries posted at Daily Paintworks HERE

Lily White . . . and poem

Lily White Bloom, Lily White Curls
two Lilium Longiflorum flowering set out on my deck in
Shapleigh, Maine on April 21, 2014, sketched on April 27, 2014
10" x 8", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 144 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping


Lily White
by Bruce McMillan
 
Lily 

white is 
seen as
pure, yet,
pure white
is the
mix of
all the
colors, 
it's a 
rainbow 
to keep
in mind.

Poem text and photo copyright 2014, Bruce McMillan
contact
Bruce McMillan for use and permissions

Saturday, April 26, 2014

Harbinger of Summer

Harbinger of Summer
an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) on
the ponds walk behind my home in Shapleigh, Maine
on April 24, 2014, sketched on April 26, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 144 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Thursday, April 24, 2014

Early Spring Fort Ridge

Early Spring Fort Ridge
in Shapleigh, Maine on April 24, 2014, sketched on April 25, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Flicker in a Wood

Flicker in a Wood
a Yellow-shafted Flicker (Colaptes auratus auratus) in the Fort Ridge woods 
along the ponds walk behind my home in Shapleigh, Maine 
on April 20, 2014, sketched on April 24, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 144 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

After the Ice

After the Ice
at the first pond on the walk behind my home in
Shapleigh, Maine on April 20, 2014, sketched on April 22, 2014
8" x 6", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Monday, April 21, 2014

Last Snow

Last Snow
on the ponds walk behind my home in Shapleigh, Maine
on April 20, 2014, sketched on April 21, 2014
10" x 8", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 144 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Lily Lilium Um Flowering

Lily Lilium Um Flowering
a Lilium Longiflorum flowering in a pot set out on my deck in the
early morning after an inch of snow on a sunny day Shapleigh, Maine
on April 16, 2014, sketched on April 20, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Sunday, April 20, 2014

Lily's Curl

Lily's Curl
a Lilium Longiflorum flowering in a pot set out
on my deck in the early morning after an inch
of snow on a sunny day Shapleigh, Maine
on April 16, 2014, sketched on April 20, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 144 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Lily Bud

Lily Bud
a Lilium Longiflorum budding in a pot set out on my deck in the early morning
after an inch of snow on a sunny day Shapleigh, Maine
on April 16, 2014, sketched on April 19, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 144 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Friday, April 18, 2014

Trumpet Bloom Lilium Longiflorum

Trumpet Bloom Lilium Longiflorum
in a pot set out on my deck in the early morning
after an inch of snow on a sunny day Shapleigh, Maine
on April 16, 2014, sketched on April 18, 2014
10" x 8", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
Note: I love painting big white blossoms on a sunny blue sky day with all their colors.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

The Ice Out Pond Flag . . .

The Ice Out Pond Flag
Ice, Shadow, Underwater
at the edge of the hemlock needled ice on the second pond
on the woods walk behind my home in Shapleigh, Maine
on April 12, 2014, sketched on April 17, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, and clear wax resist 
on 300 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Oh, Deer

Oh, Deer
an Eastern While Tail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus borealis)
on my lawn as seen out my bedroom window in Shapleigh,
Maine on April 15, 2014, sketched on April 16, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 144 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping



Bliss . . .

Bliss . . .

. . . is being at the beach
painted from memory
using only a huge
number thirty round while
imagining what lies
beyond, friends, family,
adventures, wondering
if I might ever see
a Rothko at the Tate.

Sketched on April 16, 2014 for the Daily Paintworks Challenge,
Bliss by my friend Brenda Ferguson on Saturday April 12, 2014:
"Whether through color, subject matter or treatment, your challenge this week
is to create a painting that exemplifies JOY for you."
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 144 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press extra white watercolor paper
Also online at the Daily Paintworks Challenge HERE
where you may also leave a comment
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Monday, April 14, 2014

Brenda, Kathy and Carol . . .

Brenda, Kathy and Carol
After Lunch, Artists in
Freeport Maine
Brenda Ferguson (blog), Kathy Mallat (site), and Carol Marine (blog)
browsing in Freeport, Maine on April 13, 2014, sketched on April 14, 2014
8" x 6", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico 500 soft press extra white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
Artists Bruce, Carol Marine, and Brenda Ferguson
with the iconic L.L. Bean Boot, size 410
according to the Bean information
Note: Bruce and Brenda have
taken Carol's Workshop

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Deicing for Liftoff

Deicing for Liftoff
at the second pond on the ponds walk behind my home in
Shapleigh, Maine on April 12, 2014, sketched on April 13, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico 500 hot press extra white watercolor paper
 
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping 

Friday, April 11, 2014

Still Pond Ice Receding

Still Pond Ice Receding
the first pond on the walk behind my home in Shapleigh, Maine
on April 9, 2014, sketched on April 12, 2014
9" x 7", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 400 lb.
Arches cold press natural white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Edge of the Pond Ice Out

Edge of the Pond Ice Out
at the first pond on the walk behind me home
in Shapleigh, Maine on April 9, 2014, sketched on April 11, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 400 lb.
Arches cold press natural white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Thursday, April 10, 2014

The Last Petal Curl

The Last Petal Curl
of a tulip flower in a pot set out in my yard in Shapleigh, Maine
on April 2, 2014, sketched on April 10, 2014
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 cold press archival watercolor paper
 
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Tulip Petal's Parting Curl

Tulip Petal's Parting Curl
in a pot set out in my yard in Shapleigh, Maine
on April 2, 2014, sketched on April 9, 2014
9.75" x 8", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico 500 soft press extra white watercolor paper 
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
Note: The grays are a mix of  ivory black and Chinese white. 
I just got some neutral tint to try as a variation of ivory black.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

Tulip Departing in Snow

Tulip Departing in Snow
in a pot set out in my yard in Shapleigh, Maine on April 2, 2014, sketched on April 8, 2014
10" x 8", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico soft press traditional white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Monday, April 7, 2014

Self Portrait Contest Voting

Jerry's Artarama
2nd annual Self Portrait Contest
Voting in two phases 1) Online 2) Judged
See and vote for my self portrait.
Voting closes April 13, 2014.
(It's a simple click.)
Snowshoeing Photo Break 
Click HERE 
About the contest HERE

Viewing Art

Viewing Art
Anonymous woman at the Banks Gallery (HERE)
during Art Walk Friday in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
on April 4, 2014, sketched on April 7, 2014
9" x 6", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Fabriano Artistico hot press traditional white watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Saturday, April 5, 2014

Shelby, Bobbi and Don

Shelby, Bobbi and Don
in the Piscataqua Fine Arts Gallery of Don Gorvett HERE
during First Friday Artwalk in Portsmouth, New Hampshire
on April 4, 2014, sketched on April 5, 2014
6.5" x 5", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite,
on 300 lb. Fabriano Artistico Series hot press traditional white
watercolor paper painted using a Princeton #12 round

unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

A Fallen Petal's Reveal

A Fallen Petal's Reveal
of a white tulip set out in the sun after one petal fell
in Shapleigh, Maine on March 27, 2014, sketched on April 1, 2014
10" x 8", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 cold press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Thursday, April 3, 2014

To First Base

To First Base
at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts ready for opening day, April 4, 2014,
sketched on April 4, 2014, 8.5" x 6", Winsor & Newton watercolors, 
#3 graphite, on 400 lb. Arches Natural White cold press watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
and to get To First Base you may purchase it.


Note: I have fond memories of going to the Red Sox games with my grandfather, Frank Harold McMillan. We'd start the day taking the bus trolley from 6 Winter Street in Dorchester, the second walk-up where they lived, and to the Isabella Stewart Garner Museum, when it was free as stipulated in her will, and he'd regal me with stories of the eccentric Mrs. Jack.
     Then we'd walk by the victory gardens in the Fens on the way to Fenway Park and he'd chat with the gardeners. Finally we'd arrive at empty Fenway Park early to watch batting practice and have hot dogs for lunch. We could sit anywhere, an empty stadium for the game, usually on the third base line looking down the first base line, and we'd watch the Red Sox lose.
     But we'd watch Ted Williams hit a home run. My grandfather would point out all the little things about Fenway, like the Yawkey's initials, the long-time owners, painted in Morse code on the scoreboard. When a foul ball flew over us I asked him if he'd ever gotten a foul ball, never. In all the years he'd gone to Red Sox games he never got a baseball but he caught the memories and could talk about all of the old time players going back to the 1920s. 
     But as a kid visiting Boston from Bangor, Maine, it never dawned on me that all the Red Sox Players were white until years later. The Red Sox have the dubious distinction of being the last major league baseball team to add a black player to the roster, infielder Elijah Jerry "Pumpsie" Green, in 1959, twelve years after Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier and the year before Ted Williams retired. In 2012 Pumpsie threw out the ceremonial first pitch on Jackie Robinson day at Fenway Park and later in April attended Fenway Park's 100th anniversary celebration. How things change. I wonder what my grandfather would think of Big Papi's swing and smile? We got to first base, on to second.

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Below the Bloom

Below the Bloom
of a white tulip set out in the sun in Shapleigh, Maine
on March 27, 2014, sketched on April 1, 2014
10" x 8", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 cold press archival watercolor paper
 
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping

Tuesday, April 1, 2014

What White Tulip

What White Tulip
set out in the sun in Shapleigh, Maine
on March 27, 2014, sketched on April 1, 2014
10" x 8", Winsor & Newton watercolors, #3 graphite, on 140 lb.
Strathmore Series 500 cold press archival watercolor paper
unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping
Note: This was painted entirely using a large Princeton size 24 Round 4050R 

Beach Towel

Beach Towel
A beach scene seen in my imagination using appropriate paper
10" x 5.25" (7" x 5" in 10" x 8" framed),
Winsor & Newton watercolors on Berkley & Jensen 2 ply white quilted paper towel


unframed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $10 shipping


Note: This was painted entirely using a large Princeton size 24 Round 4050R

Also Note: By the way, it's April first, wink, wink.