Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Midnight Sun with Music in Iceland

Midnight Sun with Music in Iceland
looking east from the music festival near Drangey Island
on June 27, 2015, sketched on June 30, 2015
12" x 9", Turner watercolors, using free samples from  Jerry's Artarama,
Ultramarine Deep, Alizarin Crimson, and Cadmium Yellow and Maya Blue
and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $170 plus $9.35 sales tax plus $15.65 shipping = $195.00

Monday, June 29, 2015

Looking Southeast in Hólar...

Looking Southeast in Hólar, Iceland
from Trausti's Laufás Summer House
sketched plein air on June 27, 2015 while sitting on the driver's seat
of Trausti's Ferguson TE20 working tractor over fifty-nine years old
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, #3 graphite,
and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
NFS - Gift to Laufás


Another view of Laufás Summer House, the approach. Trausti was
born in Hólar and had a farm with milking cows just below his summer house.

I thanked Trausti for his hospitality for the two-night stay at his summer house
with a gift watercolor of the mountain view from his window. I'd found
a frame at the flea market in Sauðárkrókur. He immediately hung
it in the window; the mountain would be there
even if the fog rolled in. Note the tractor.

I painted plein air comfortably from the seat of his still working farm tractor,
a Little Gray Fergie T20, made sometime between 1946-1956, over
fifty-nine years old. More about Little Gray Fergies HERE.
Photo by Björn Jóhann Björnsson

The painter's view looking southeast on a year when
there's much snow in the mountains.

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Plein Air Hat Heading North...


Plein Air Hat Heading North
in a Car on the Ring Road in Iceland
on June 26, 2015, sketched on June 27, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors,
and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

 Plein air hat on a stop ten minute ride in from the ring road
over Kolugljúfur gorge with the Víðidalsá River.
Photo by Björn Jóhann Björnsson

Turn around and see...
Plein air hat on Bruce by Kolufossar falls in Iceland. 
Photo by Björn Jóhann Björnsson
 

Thursday, June 25, 2015

One Icelandic Lupine

One Icelandic Lupine
(Lupinus nootkatensis) by the pond, Vífilsstaðavatn,
located in Garðabær next to Reykjavík in Iceland
on June 25, 2015, sketched on June 26, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Midnight Bands Play Over Iceland

Midnight Bands Play Over Iceland
looking across the sky from an Icelandair Boeing 575
approaching Iceland on June 24, 2015, sketched on June 25, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, on 140 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Five Sour Cherries Ripening

Five Sour Cherries Ripening
on a cherry tree in my yard in Shapleigh, Maine
on June 23 2015, sketched on June 23, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors,
#3 graphite, and wax resist on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Tom Back to Shore

Tom Back to Shore
in Boothbay Harbor off mid-coast Maine
on June 10, 2015, sketched on June 23, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press rough 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Monday, June 22, 2015

Gulls to a Boat

Gulls to a Boat
by a private island off mid-coast Maine
on June 10, 2015, sketched on June 22, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press rough 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Above the Tide

Above the Tide
over the sea by a private island off mid-coast Maine
on June 10, 2015, sketched on June 21, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors,
and #3 graphite on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Friday, June 19, 2015

Three Figures

Three Figures Front
Nora at the weekly Friday morning figure drawing group
in Kennebunkport, Maine on June 19, 2015,
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors,
and #3 graphite, on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00


Three Figures Left
Quick sketch, Nora at the weekly Friday morning figure drawing group
in Kennebunkport, Maine on June 19, 2015,
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00


Three Figures Right
Quick sketch, Nora at the weekly Friday morning figure drawing group
in Kennebunkport, Maine on June 19, 2015,
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

All three sold together:
framed, sold framed, $170 plus $9.35 sales tax plus $15.65 S&H = $195.00

One Flying Away

One Flying Away
on a private island off mid-coast Maine
on June 10, 2015, sketched on June 19, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Manscape

Manscape
at the weekly Wednesday evening figure drawing group
in Kennebunkport, Maine on June 17, 2015,
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Island in Lobster Claw Colors

Island in Lobster Claw Colors
on a private island off mid-coast Maine
on June 10, 2015, sketched on June 17, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Strathmore
500 Series Premium cold press 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Watercolor's Color Inspiration


I found a very small lobster claw on the rocks. It caught my eye because it was so blue.


When I picked it up and turned it over it was the traditional cooked orange. I was reminded of an exercise I'd done in my Bahamas Susan Abbot painting workshop last February. We painted using only two colors, a primary and a complimentary. I'd used blue and orange.
 


So I painted the island, the spot where I'd found the lobster claw, using only the colors of the found claw, orange and blue, selecting Prussian Blue and Cadmium Orange,the familiar colors I'd used in the Bahamas. I was surprised at the greens that I got from mixing the two. Yes, these were the only colors used. Cool, eh?

They work because they're at opposite sides of the color wheel; it was a fun exercise...again.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

You Are What You See

You Are What You See
Host and guide Susan checking three gull eggs
on a private island off midcoast Maine
on June 10, 2015, sketched on June 16, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Saturday, June 13, 2015

This Spot Taken

This Spot Taken
by a Herring Gull on a private island off mid-coast Maine
on June 10, 2015, sketched on June 13, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Looking East Island to Island

Looking East Island to Island
from a private island off mid-coast Maine
on June 10, 2015, quick sketched plein air with 

the Plein Air Painters of Maine, web site HERE,
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press rough 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Photo by Bruce below using camera painting motion of plein air painter
and leader of the Plein Air Painters of Maine, Corinne McIntyre, (1931-2023)
her web site HERE, painting on a private island
off the coast of mid-coast Maine, June 10, 2015

Island Plein Air Breeze

An ocean breeze blows
among bright sunbeams
as plain air echoes
to plein air paint flows

in Prussian blue seas
from an island brush
to canvas with ease,
no hurry, no rush.

poem and photo © 2015 Bruce McMillan
not for reuse without permission

June 10, 2015
A sparkling spectacular day 
photo by our gracious island host, Susan 
Plein Air painter of Maine attendees
on an island off mid-coast Maine
from where you can view seven lighthouses.
Left to right: Kenneth Harvey, Ken Carlson, Corinne McIntyre,
Kathy Baribeau, Margaret Canepa, Ed Buonvecchio, Tom Whittle,
and Bruce McMillan

 
2
I went hiking with our gracious host, Susan, to the nesting area
for Black-back Gulls and Herring Gulls on the south end.
We had to step carefully, there were
eggs and chicks everywhere.

3
Two newly hatched Black-back Gull chicks and two to come,
likely hatched as you read this. I was thrilled to photograph
the birds, especially the gulls by the sea and in flight, also
photographing catbirds, an osprey, and Canada Geese.

4
Meanwhile back at the center of the island the painters were painting.
Ken Carlson splashed some watercolors into the boathouse.

5
The seagulls watched.

 
6
The palette knife of Tom Whittle mixed his paints on a board...

7
...in front of the open sea and sky looking north from the island.

 
8
It was a great day, enjoyed by all,
though the natives were not sure of what to make of
The Plein Air Painters of Maine.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Rose Hip Jammed

Rose Hip Jammed
a Rosa Rugosa bud blooming with the rose hip quite visible
in my garden in Shapleigh, Maine
on June 7, 2015, sketched on June 9, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press rough 100% cotton watercolor paper

framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00
also on the Daily PaintWorks Weekly Challenge - The Rose Challenge HERE

Under a Yellow Rose

Under a Yellow Rose
in my garden in Shapleigh, Maine by Bruce
on June 7, 2015, sketched on June 9, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press rough 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00
also on the Daily PaintWorks Weekly Challenge - Roses HERE

Monday, June 8, 2015

Bína's Birthday Roses

Bína's Birthday Roses
Jakobína "Bína" Vilhelmsdóttir in Reykjavík, Iceland from a
reference photo taken in Shapleigh, Maine by Bruce
on June 7, 2015, sketched on June 8, 2015
9" x 6", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $170 plus $9.35 sales tax plus $15.65 S&H = $195.00
also posted on the Daily PaintWorks Weekly Challenge - The Rose Challenge HERE


 
Skype Reference Photo
of Jakobína "Bína" Vilhelmsdóttir with her birthday roses on June 7, 2015
in Reykjavík, Iceland taken in Shapleigh, Maine by Bruce

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Before Blueberries

Before Blueberries
flower stages on the over-forty-year-old highbush blueberry bush in my yard
at Shapleigh, Maine on June 5, 2015, sketched on June 7, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, #3 graphite,
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Saturday, June 6, 2015

One Happy Yellow Rose

One Happy Yellow Rose
in my garden in the yard in Shapleigh, Maine
on June 5, 2015, sketched on June 6, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Friday, June 5, 2015

Three Trees

Three Trees
in the back field seen on a ponds walk behind my home
in Shapleigh, Maine on June 4, 2015, sketched on June 5, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press rough 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
No Monkeys Here

Three proverbial trees
grow by a wood where they
see no evil, none, and
they hear no evil, nay;
they speak no evil too.
After all, they're trees, hey,
they don't monkey around.
At least that's what they say.

poem © 2015 Bruce McMillan
not for reuse without permission

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Wednesday Drawing Group, Austin

Wednesday Drawing Group, Austin
at the weekly figure drawing group in Kennebunkport, Maine
on June 3, 2015, sketched on June 3, 2015
4" x 6", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Strathmore
cold press 100% cotton acid free watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Spring Point Light

Spring Point Light
in South Portland, Maine, seen while aboard the Casco Bay
ferry Machigonne II from Peaks Island to Portland, Maine
on May 28, 2015, sketched on June 1, 2015
10" x 8", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Strathmore
series 500 premium hot press 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, sold framed, $170 plus $9.35 sales tax plus $15.65 S&H = $195.00

Monday, June 1, 2015

Spring Point Birdhouse Light

Spring Point Birdhouse Light
seen in my imagination aboard the Casco Bay
ferry Machigonne II to Peaks Island in Portland, Maine
on May 28, 2015, sketched on June 1, 2015
7" x 5", Winsor & Newton and Holbein watercolors, and
Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Strathmore
series 500 premium hot press 100% cotton watercolor paper

framed, sold framed, $100 plus $5.50 sales tax plus $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Today's art is inspired by the Daily Paintworks Surreal Challenge
and is also posted online at the Daily PaintWorks Surreal Challenge HERE

and also inspired by my Grandson Teague's words:
"It's a painting; you can do anything."