Hurricane Larry Kisses Sanctuary

Hurricane Larry Kisses Sanctuary

at Maine Audubon's East Point Audubon
Sanctuary, Biddeford Pool, Biddeford, Maine,
painted plein air September 10, 2021,
23" x 17" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper,
$900

Taking Flight Through Goldenrod

Taking Flight Through Goldenrod 

at Maine Audubon's East Point Audubon
Sanctuary, Biddeford Pool, Biddeford, Maine,
painted, plein air September 12, 2021
28" x 20" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, and graphite on 300 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press rough
100% cotton extra white watercolor paper,
Brush with Nature Auction valued at $1,200

The set up with the art of the beginning. I paint yellows and, once dry, various blues over that to get the various greens in the scene, hence, no greens are used or mixed on the palette, simply blues layered over yellows on canvas.

The seaside setup with a bird ready to take flight.

Goldenrod Path to the See Study

Goldenrod Path to
the See Study

at Maine Audubon's East Point Audubon
Sanctuary, Biddeford Pool, Biddeford, Maine,
painted, plein air September 11, 2021
12" x 9" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade
proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough
100% cotton extra white watercolor paper,
framed, $400

Storm Leaving Goldenrod Study

Storm Leaving
Goldenrod Study

as Hurricane Larry passes far to sea
at Maine Audubon's East Point Audubon
Sanctuary, Biddeford Pool, Biddeford, Maine,
painted, plein air September 10, 2021
5" x 7" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade
proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough
100% cotton extra white watercolor paper,
framed, $150

The plein air setup
with surf edges of Hurricane Larry...

Spectacular massive surf...

Thank you Larry...

See Goldenrod Sea

See Goldenrod Sea

at Maine Audubon's East Point Audubon
Sanctuary, Biddeford Pool, Biddeford, Maine on
September 4, 2021, painted, September 8, 2021
12" x 9" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade
proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough
100% cotton extra white watercolor paper,
framed, $400

Tidal Pool

Tidal Pool

at Maine Audubon's East Point Audubon
Sanctuary, Biddeford Pool, Biddeford, Maine on
September 4, 2021, painted, September 7, 2021,
12" x 9" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade
proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press
100% cotton extra white watercolor paper,
framed, $400

To See Goldenrod by the Sea

To See Goldenrod by the Sea

at Maine Audubon's East Point Audubon
Sanctuary, Biddeford Pool, Biddeford, Maine on
September 4, 2021, painted September 6, 2021,
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade
proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough
100% cotton extra white watercolor paper,
framed, $150

New Land from Fagradalsfjall

New Land from Fagradalsfjall /
Nýtt land frá Fagradalsfjalli

part of the massive lava flow
solidifying at the active volcano
seen on August 6, 2021, painted August 30, 2021
20" x 14" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade
proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough
100% cotton extra white watercolor paper,
framed, $700

From Desert to Snow to Snæfell

From Desert to Snow to Snæfell /
Frá eyðimörk yfir í snjó að Snæfelli 

based on a photo taken by me on
location in the desert highlands of Iceland
on August 6, 2010, painted on August 28, 2021,
24" x 18" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and graphite on 140 lb. Arches cold press
rough 100% cotton watercolor paper, framed, $1,000

The Face of Fog in the Highlands...

The Face of Fog
in the Highlands 2020/2021
Andlit þokunnar á
hálendinu 2020/2021

based on a photo taken on location of Herðubreið
on August 6, 2010, painted on August 28, 2021,
20" x 14" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and graphite on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $800

Apples Orchard Memories Study

Apples Orchard Memories Study

as part of the Three Rivers Land Trust event,
Painting the Working Farm, Springvale, Maine, July 2021
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, graphite and Uniball
waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano
Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton
extra white watercolor paper,
framed, SOLD at the Land Trust auction

Pick a Ripe One

Pick a Ripe One

at the lower orchard at McDougal Orchards,
website HERE, as part of the Three Rivers Land
Trust event, Painting the Working Farm,
Springvale, Maine, July 2021,
5" x 7" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $150

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Pick a Ripe One
haiku by Bruce McMillan

Which one? Too soon? No.
Well, maybe. Naw. But which one?
Snap and snap and snap.

© 2021 Bruce McMillan

Up to the Lower Orchard

Up to the Lower Orchard

entering the lower orchard at McDougal Orchards,
website HERE, as part of the Three Rivers Land
Trust event, Painting the Working Farm,
Springvale, Maine, painted plein air July 12, 2021
10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed,
SOLD at the Land Trust auction

Matisse's Apples Leave

Matisse's Apples Leave

in the lower orchard at McDougal Orchards,
website HERE, as part of the Three Rivers Land
Trust event, Painting the Working Farm,
Springvale, Maine, painted July 2021
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, and Uniball waterproof
fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold
press rough 100% cotton extra white
watercolor paper, framed, $150

Apple Orchard Memories

Apple Orchard Memories

in the lower orchard at McDougal Orchards (HERE),
Springvale, Maine, as part of the Three Rivers Land Trust
event, Painting the Working Farm, painted July 2021
14" x 11" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, graphite and Uniball waterproof fade proof
ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed, $500

Leaving Stykkishólmur

Leaving Stykkishólmur

on the way to Reykjavík, about
to cross the Snæfellsnes mountains,
Iceland, on August 13, 2021, August 20, 2021
10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton
extra white watercolor paper, framed, $300

Fagradalsfjall's New Lava Studies

Fagradalsfjall's New Lava Flow
Solidified Study 3

from a hike up to the new volcano erupting
in Iceland on August 8, 2021, painted August 16, 2021
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, using Icelandic glacial melt water on
140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $150

Fagradalsfjall's New Lava Flow
Solidified Study 2

from a hike up to the new volcano erupting
in Iceland on August 8, 2021, painted August 16, 2021
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, using Icelandic glacial melt water on
140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $150

Fagradalsfjall's New Lava Flow
Solidified Study 1

from a hike up to the new volcano erupting
in Iceland on August 8, 2021, painted August 16, 2021
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and
Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
using Icelandic glacial melt water on 140 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $150

The Road to Esja Study 1

The Road to Esja Study 1

Mount Esja as seen from Mosfellsbær, Iceland
on August 10, 2021, painted August 12, 2021
12" x 9" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, using Icelandic glacial melt water, and Uniball
waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold
press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $500

The Road to Esja Study 2

The Road to Esja Study 2

Mount Esja as seen from Mosfellsbær, Iceland
on August 10, 2021, painted August 12, 2021
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, using Icelandic glacial melt water, and Uniball
waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold
press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $150

Sunset Daylight Leaving a Peek

Sunset Daylight
Leaving a Peek

on a cloudy overcast evening at Seltjarnarness, Iceland
on August 5, 2021, painted August 8, 2021,
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, using Icelandic glacial melt water, and Uniball
waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold
press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $150, SOLD

This painting elicited a plethora of comments in Facebook postings including, "Cool!; Love it!; Very Dramatic, Bruce!; Beautiful; Cool that you used water from the glacier." And the most intriguing one:

"These colours resonate with Goethe's colour theory and his "sunrise spectrum". The same way of looking at colour as Turner did in his later years." -Saraja Saraja, Wairoa, New Zealand

It prompted my curiosity.

Goethe's Color Theory: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, both a writer and a scientist, published his 1,400-page essay on color in 1810. "Goethe realizes that the sensations of color reaching our brain are also shaped by our perception — by the mechanics of human vision and by the way our brains process information. Therefore, according to Goethe, what we see of an object depends upon the object, the lighting and our perception. Above all, Goethe appreciates that the sensation of complementary colors does not originate physically from the actions of light on our eyes but perceptually from the actions of our visual system." (Source HERE)

So, Goethe sees colors as formed from the interplay between dark and light, unlike Isaac Newton's theories that color is composed of white light and can be reduced down to the varies colors, as with a prism.

Okay, if Goethe sees it this way, news to me. I simply paint. And whoa, a Joseph Mallord William Turner reference? "The same way of looking at colour as Turner did in his later years."  So I checked out Turner sunsets painted when he was 65-year-old or older.

1
Sunset Over the Lagoon Near Venice
Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), British
Gouache on paper, 7" x 11" (w x h), 1840
Tate Museum, London, England

Hmm, looking at this I note the strong orange, and a light touch of the warm blue in the sky and the cool ultramarine blue in the water. Turner has a light approach here, as the scene likely was, while I was in a almost completely overcast dark cloud.

2
Sunset Amid Dark Clouds Over the Sea
Joseph Mallord William Turner (1775-1851), British
Watercolor and chalk on paper, 13" x 9" (w x h), circa 1845
Tate Museum, London, England
(This was among the works of art damaged during the 1928 Thames flood lower floor of the Tate Gallery, the central part of the drawing is noticeably blotted.)

Ah, the dark clouds, and a sliver of round sun, the darkness present as with my watercolor.

I simply paint, as I'm sure Turner did. And I find that the more I think about a painting before I start, working it out in my mind, I tend to go in the direction I want as I explore with my brushes...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Facebook posting and comment between an art friend, a fabulous true artist and myself, both paintings, mine and hers, coincidentally posted August 9, 2021:

Elizabeth Kelley Erickson:
Totem of sunsets inspired by mudflats by Quoddy Head.

Bruce McMillan:
Whoa... can't believe that I just posted this... Sunset Daylight Leaving a Peek... Seltjarnarness, Iceland... the closest part of Iceland to Maine... and Quoddy Head is the closest part of the US and Maine to Iceland... we must run into each other painting at Cape Porpoise.

Elizabeth Kelley Erickson:
That's phenomenal!

Descending Þúfa (Thufa)

Descending Þúfa (Thufa)

Final Study, #3, descending
the 26' sculpture in Reykjavik, Iceland
on July 28, 2021, painted on August 5, 2021
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, using Icelandic glacial melt water, and Uniball
waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold
press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $150

Descending Þúfa (Thufa) Study, #2

Descending Þúfa (Thufa), Study, #1

As you scroll up, you'll see how I sketch, learning along the way, progressing from a detailed study sketch to a painting.

Sea View from a Lava Island

Sea View from a Lava Island

on Heimaey, Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland
on August 1, 2021, painted August 2, 2021
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, using Icelandic glacial melt water, and Uniball
waterproof fade proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold
press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, NFS, gifted

Long Light Eve

Long Light Eve

at Syðsta Mörk, Iceland,
painted plein air July 31, 2021
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for
light fastness and permanence, using Icelandic
glacial melt water  on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press rough 100% cotton extra white
watercolor paper, framed, $150

Noon Sun Over the Top

Noon Sun Over the Top

on Hádegishnjúkur by Syðsta Mörk, Iceland
painted plein air July 31, 2021
12" x 9" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and graphite, using Icelandic glacial
melt water flowing on this mountain on 140 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $500

This is Hádegishnjúkur, the mountain beside Syðsta Mörk that I painted,
on the south coast of Iceland. The name? Hádegishn means noon
and júkur means top, which stands for: the sun is over the peak at midday.

Viðey Island and Beyond

Viðey Island and
the Mountains Beyond

looking across Reykjavík Harbor, Iceland,
on June 28, 2021, painted on June 29, 2021
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and
Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Icelandic water, on 140 lb.
Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $150

Stonington's Iconic Green Head

Stonington's Iconic Green Head

seen from the Dockside Bookstore's Dock,
Stonington, Maine, painted plein air July 7, 2021
14" x 11" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $500

Seaside Forms

Seaside Forms

at Green Head in Stonington, Maine
painted plein air on July 6, 2021
8" x 10" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light
fastness and permanence, on 140 lb. Fabriano
Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton
extra white watercolor paper
framed, $300

When Seaside Houses...

When Seaside Houses
Pop Up and Down

in Stonington, Maine, painted
plein air on Church Street, July 7, 2021
19" x 13" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $700

Dock Waiting

Dock Waiting

at Green Head, Stonington, Maine
painted plein air July 7, 2021
8" x 10" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $300

Boat Boat Rock

Boat Boat Rock

in the east harbor at Stonington, Maine
painted plein air on July 7, 2021
10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $300

Stonington Seaside Shapes

Stonington Seaside Shapes

seen from Church Street in Stonington, Maine,
painted plein air on July 6, 2021,
14" x 11" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Prismacolor waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $500

The plein air set up on Church Street.

Sun Dropping by Sand Beach, Stonington

Sun Dropping by
Sand Beach, Stonington 

in the early evening in Stonington, Maine
painted plein air on July 6, 2021
8" x 10" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $300

Evening Home

Evening Home

in the east harbor at Stonington, Maine
painted plein air on July 7, 2021
10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $300

Likely That Marin House Study 1

Likely That Marin House Study 1

looking down School Street in Stonington, Maine,
based on a John Marin 1924 watercolor
painted plein air on June 30, 2021
10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100%
cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $300

Inspired by:

Deer Isle, Stonington, Maine, No. 10
John Marin (1870-1953) American
Watercolor, charcoal, and pencil on paper,
18" x 15" (w x h), 1924
For sale: $140,000 USD

The plein air setup on the steps of the staff entrance to the Opera House, June 30, 2021.