Rachel Looking this Way

Rachel Looking this Way

Model Rachel Eastman at our Art Group
in Kennebunkport, Maine, painted on Feb 28, 20185
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, $100 + $5.50 sales tax + $9.50 shipping = $115.00

That Sun Setting Over...

That Sun Setting Over
a Snowy Field

in the back fields behind my home at Shapleigh, Maine
on Feb 26, painted on Feb 28, 2018
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, $100 + $5.50 sales tax + $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Apple with a Curl

Apple with a Curl

a pink lady organic apple with a miniature curling stone
made from the same Ailsa Scottish granite as the Olympic curling
stones by the dame company that makes the Olympic stones
on the snow in my back yard at Shapleigh, Maine
on Feb 26, painted on Feb 26, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $100 + $5.50 sales tax + $9.50 shipping = $115.00

This miniature curling stone, 3" across and made in Scotland, has been on my kitchen counter for twenty years, a gift from a couple who'd traveled throughout Scotland. It's made from the same granite that the Olympic curling stones are made of, granite from the Ailsa Craig in Scotland. And it's made by the same company that makes the Olympic curling stones, Kays Curling in Scotland.

Kays Curling, manufacturing and exporting the unique Ailsa Craig curling stone to top curling rinks around the world, are the only stones used in competition by The World Curling Federation. They are used in the Olympics.

Founded in 1851, and still manufacturing in Ayrshire Scotland, Kays Curling has the exclusive rights to harvest granite from Ailsa Craig. Ailsa Craig Granite is unique, making it the preferred rock for a curling stone. The web site for Kay Bonspiel, Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, is HERE.
 

That Unbelievable Historic Eighth End

That Unbelievable
Historic Eighth End

John Shuster's reaction to his five score throw
in the eighth end of the Gold Medal curling game
at the Olympics in PyeongChang,Korea,
painted on Feb 25, 2018, 10" 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.
Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
NFS

Every Stone Counts in the Eighth

Every Stone Counts
in the Eighth

Matt Hamilton's throw with John Shuster's sweep as their
stone curls into the rings during the historic eight end of the
Gold Medal curling game at the Olympics in PyeongChang,
Korea, painted on Feb 24, 2018, 10" 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.
Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
NFS

That after the Throw Olympic Curling Look

That after the Throw
Olympic Curling Look

of skip John Shuster of the USA Men's Curling Team
on his next to last throw in the ninth end of their win over
Canada in the semi-finals medal round game at the Olympics
in PyeongChang, Korea, painted on Feb 23, 2018,
before the Gold Medal game.
10" 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. 
Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper 
NFS

Curling That Winning Feeling

Curling That Winning Feeling

At Skip John Shuster's Request via Tweet from Korea...
Jubilation of USA men's curling skip John Schuster with the first
US Men's Olympic Curling win over Canada in Olympic history
at the 2018 Winter Olympics at PyeongChang, Korea
painted on Feb 23, 2018 at the request of John
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.

NFS

I've gifted this commission to Skip John Shuster for all the pleasure he's given us Olympic Curling fans since 2006. I saw the USA Team, which John was on, win the Bronze medal via TV. And two months later I saw them curl live at the Men's Worlds held in Lowell, Massachusetts; didn't get to meet John then, but you never know.

The Reference Photos


The photo John Tweeted me.

"If you painted your rendition of this one,
I'd buy it in a heartbeat! Would like to purchase
many of your works from the past week!"
- John Shuster, Skip, USA Men's Curling Team

I received a Tweet email Tuesday night from John Schuster, Skip for Team USA in Korea! He's asked about me doing a watercolor of the USA first ever Olympic win over Canada the other night in PyeongChang and included a photo. It was after he'd curled at 97% accuracy in his last game! And then he had time to Tweet me in Maine? That's cool, that's awesome. Big smile here in Maine. Go Team USA. We're in the Gold game! TeamUSA beat Canada twice. The headline in the Toronto Star on February 22nd read "Was this the worst day in Canadian Olympic history?" It was that big.

I'd seen John curl live in 2006 in the Worlds held in Lowell, Massachusetts, right after he'd played with Team USA and won Olympic Bronze, but we have yet to meet, only Tweet.

 
The reference photo I then
took off my recording of the game.

To the Gold Celebration

To the Gold Celebration

after USA's 5-3 handshakes with Canada
in the curling semifinals at the Olympics in
PyeongChang, Korea, painted on Feb 22, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
NFS

Best comment ever: Skip John Shuster just Tweeted about this watercolor from the Olympics, still glowing with this win and anticipating TeamUSA's first ever gold medal curling game in Olympic history: "Wow Bruce...thank you so much. It's gorgeous." On the Gold medal game guys...

Two Eggs on Snow

Two Eggs on Snow

organic eggs on fresh soft new
morning snow in my yard at Shapleigh, Maine
on Feb 18, 2018, painted on Feb 21, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $100 + $5.50 sales tax + $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Shuster Curls Last Stone

Shuster Curls Last Stone

in the eighth end of Team USA's 8-4 win over Switzerland
in the round robin at the Olympics in PyeongChang, Korea
painted on Feb 20, 2018
6" x 4" (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.
Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper 
NFS

Snow Greets Today

Snow Greets Today

outside my home in Shapleigh, Maine
on Feb 18, painted on Feb 19, 2018
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, $200 + $11.00 sales tax + $14.00 shipping = $225.00

Dressed at Undressed

Dressed at Undressed

Hara and Elizabeth chatting at the opening
reception for the tenth annual Undressed exhibition
at f8 Gallery, 5 Spring Street, Kennebunkport, Maine
on February 17, 2018, painted on Feb 18, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $100 + $5.50 sales tax + $9.50 shipping = $115.00

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
 Photo using slow-exposure camera
painting motion of attendees at the
Undressed exhibition opening reception
at f8 Gallery, 5 Spring St., Kennebunkport,
Maine on Feb 17, 2018

At the Opening

by Bruce McMillan

Art, wine, chit and chat,
artists, lookers, mixing, while
art observes it all.

Text and photos and art © 2018 Bruce McMillan

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

At the f8 Undressed Opening
(with a little story)

Thanks to Brad Maushart, artist in our drawing group and f8 Gallery owner.

1

It's an art party with art from our figure drawing group.

2

Well attended.

3

There's a bow tie on the artist, really.

4

Always a still life of refreshments...hey, it's an art party opening.

5

Lively conversation.

6

My art was on this wall, three small watercolors. I passed by a nice young couple wearing knit caps. He was a flooring contractor, nice couple. They were playing a game...

7

He liked one work of art on this wall, his favorite, and it was up to her to guess which one. She'd missed three times. She pointed to one of mine, the top left one, and asked, "This one?"
    He replied, "You're getting close." He pointed to another one of mine to the right." "This one."
    It was, Model Relaxing Study II, a watercolor of Rachel Eastman from our figure drawing group in Kennebunkport, Maine. See it HERE.
    They looked at me.
    I said, "Really, you like that one? Why?"
    He said, "I like the simplicity, the minimalism, the sweep, the motion. I like it."
    I said, "I have to words to say to you." I paused. "Thank you."
    Their eye's popped and they smiled.

8

Familiar fine artists...

Martine Standing Studies

Martine Standing Study 1

with model Martine at the
Kennebunkport Figure Drawing Group
in Kennebunkport, Maine, painted on Feb 16, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $100 + $5.50 sales tax + $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Martine Standing Study 4

with model Martine at the
Kennebunkport Figure Drawing Group
in Kennebunkport, Maine, painted on Feb 16, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $100 + $5.50 sales tax + $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Curling Pause before...

Curling Pause before
a Shuster Throw

with John Shuster, skip of the USA Men's team, in a curling
match at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Korea,
painted on Feb 16, 2018
7" x 5" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and
Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and
permanence, paraffin wax resist, and Uniball waterproof fade
proof ink on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold press fine grain
100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
NFS

Curling Olympians Becca and Aileen...

Curling Olympians Becca and
Aileen Ready to Sweep

Becca Hamilton and Aileen Geving don't need to sweep
Nina Roth's winning throw at the Women's Curling match
in their upset win with Great Britain, score 7-4, at 2018
Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Korea, painted on Feb 15, 2018
10" x 7" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and
Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and
permanence, #3 graphite and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink
on 140 lb. Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, $120 + $6.60 sales tax + $10.40 shipping = $137.00
SOLD

Where it landed, perfect, forcing Great Britain
to make their last stone a perfect shot
to tie, and they missed,
USA vs GBR 7-4 .

Frozen Sky

Frozen Sky

when the sky wash froze, creating patterns on the paper and
I had to bring it in the house to thaw and then dry the scene
of the back fields behind my home in Shapleigh, Maine
painted on Feb 13 and 14, 2018
14" 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. Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, $250.00
 

1
The plein air setup was fine. The air not so fine.

2
I used a wide brush loaded with water and color.

3
The water and color froze before it could dry.
But the freezing created patterns,
designs like frost on a window pane.

4
Yes, it was frozen on the paper, swirls of blues,
so once inside I was careful to keep it flat
as it thawed and unfroze, maintaining
the swirling sky.
Sheesh.

Meeting in the Light

Meeting in the Light, at Last

a navel orange and a Minneola tangelo on the snow in my yard
at Shapleigh, Maine, on Feb 8, painted on Feb 13, 2018
10" x 7" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and #3 graphite on 140 lb. on Arches
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, $120 + $6.60 sales tax + $10.40 shipping = $137.00
Photo of a Minneola tangelo and apple, in a stainless steel bowl sitting
outside on the snow, waiting for their turn to pose on the snow
in my yard at Shapleigh, Maine on Feb 8, 2018

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

Photo of a Minneola tangelo and apple, in a stainless steel bowl sitting outside on the snow, waiting for their turn to pose on the snow in my yard at Shapleigh, Maine on Feb 8, 2018

A Classic Style
by Bruce McMillan

Art of light within
the dark, a painterly mood,
still life, timeless calm.
 

Text and photos and art © 2018 Bruce McMillan
 

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

Light in the Dark
Still Life

 

1
Still Life with China Vase, Copper Pot,
an Apple and a Bunch of Grapes
William Merritt Chase (1849 - 1916) American
Oil on canvas, 20" x 16"
Private Collection

2
English: Still-Life with Plate
of Apples and Orange Blossom
Juan de Zurbarán (1620-1649) Spanish
Oil on canvas, 16" x 24", circa 1640
Private collection

3
Peaches and Unripe Grapes
Raphaelle Peale (1774 - 1825) American
Oil on panel, 18" x 15", 1815
Private collection

4
Still Life with Apples and a Pomegranate
Gustave Courbet (1819 - 1877) French
Oil on canvas, 24" x 17", 1871
National Gallery, London

5
Still Life with porcelain Bowl
and Nautilus Cup
Willem Kalf, (1619 - 1693) Dutch
Oil on canvas, 24" x 22", 1660
Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid

6
Roses
John Singer Sargent (1856 - 1925) American
Oil, circa 1886

7
Still Life with Apples, Sherry and Tea Cake
Raphaelle Peale (1774 - 1825) American
Private collection
Oil on panel, 16" x 11"

8
Still Life
Fede Galizia, (1574 - circa 1630) Italian, Renaissance
Oil, 1607

A Winning Curling Hug

A Winning Curling Hug

on to the gold with teammates John Morris and Kaitlyn Lawes
of Canada after winning to advance to the Mixed Doubles
Gold Medal Round at the 2018 Winter Olympics in
PyeongChang, Korea,  painted on Feb 12, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $100 + $5.50 sales tax + $9.50 shipping = $115.00
online at my art blog HERE where you may leave a comment

Hamiltons Winning Sweep

Hamiltons Winning Sweep

at the 2018 Winter Olympics during their 10-3 win in the mixed doubles match vs Norway on Feb 10 at the Olympics in PyeongChang, Korea painted on Feb 11, 2018 10" 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. Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper framed.
$300

Empty Bait Barrels

Empty Bait Barrels

on the Cape Porpoise Dock at Kennebunkport, Maine
on Feb 9, painted on Feb 10, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $100 + $5.50 sales tax + $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Matt Hamilton Ready to Sweep

Matt Hamilton Ready to Sweep

in the mixed doubles match vs South Korea on Feb 8 at the Olympics in PyeongChang, Korea painted on Feb 9, 2018 10" x 7" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and #3 graphite on 140 lb. Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper framed.
$300

Becca and Matt Winning Sweeps

Becca and Matt Winning Sweeps

sister and brother Hamiltons from Wisconsin in
the first ever mixed doubles Olympic curling match winning
9-3 with OAR (Olympic Athletes of Russia) in PyeongChang, Korea
on February 8, painted on Feb 8, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, $100 + $5.50 sales tax + $9.50 shipping = $115.00

Two Pear

Two Pear

two Forelle pears paired

in the snow behind my home at
Shapleigh, Maine on Feb 2, painted on Feb 6, 2018
10" x 7" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and
Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and
permanence, and #3 graphite on 140 lb. Arches cold press
fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, $120 + $6.60 sales tax + $10.40 shipping = $137.00
online at my art blog HERE where you may leave a comment

The Art of Forelle Pears
as seen by other painters

1
Watercolor of Forelle (European pear)
Deborah Griscom Passmore, 1840-1911,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then Washington D.C.
Watercolor on paper, 1900
"She was a botanical illustrator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, specializing in painting fruit. Her work is preserved in the USDA's Pomological Watercolor Collection. She's been called the best of the early USDA artists. She rose to lead the USDA staff artists and she became the most prolific of the group, contributing one-fifth of the 7500 paintings in the Pomological Watercolor Collection."
Fascinating read about her on Wiki HERE
USDA site dedicated to her paintings HERE
 

2
Peeled Red Forelle
Duane Keiser (1966 -), Richmond, Virginia
Oil, 6" x 7" (w x h), 2016
$112.50, Sold
"Born in Beaufort, South Carolina in 1966, after receiving his B.F.A. from Randolph-Macon in 1988, Duane traveled to New York to study at Brooklyn College where he received his M.F.A. in 1990. After a few years in New York, he moved to Richmond Virginia where he became an adjunct professor at the University of Richmond."
Artist's web site HERE
"The blog was launched in 2004. I've posted about 1,300 daily paintings since then. All but a handful have sold. The highest selling price was around $1,500; the lowest was $79."
Duane Keiser studied painting under Raymond Berry at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia and Lennart Anderson at Brooklyn College in NYC. His "A Painting a Day" blog has been written about in numerous publications, including USA Today, The New York Times and, most recently, The Huffington Post. He has exhibited at Fischbach Gallery, Allan Stone Gallery and, most recently, the New York Academy of Art. His work resides in several corporate collections and hundreds of private collections worldwide, including the Gregory Peterson Collection.
Using a makeshift easel made from a cigar box, he made a postcard-sized painting each day and posted them to his blog where collectors could bid on them via eBay. The project is ongoing and can be seen HERE.
Good interview article with the Artist on Huffington Post HERE
 

3
Pear no. 32
Angela Marie Moulton, US, Chicago, Illinois and Idaho
Oil on panel, 6" x 6", 2014
"One of my favorite fruits to eat and to paint, I love the beautiful shape and the soft sweet fruit." -Angela Marie Moulton
Artist's web site HERE and blog site HERE

4
Single Forelle
Frances Vettergreen, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Oil and wax on canvas, 6" x 6"
Frances Vettergreen studied drawing at Alberta College of Art then went on to earn her BFA (with distinction) in painting at the University of Alberta. She has exhibited her work in Alberta and Ontario, taught drawing and painting at Lakehead University in Kenora, Ontario, and is collected internationally. She presently maintains a studio in Calgary.
Artist's web site HERE
 

5
Forelle Pear
Angela Marie Moulton, US, Chicago, Illinois and Idaho
Watercolor, 2016
$12.50 winning bid in ebay
Artist's web site HERE and blog site HERE
 

6
Forelle Pears
Denise Mickilowski, New York, NY
Oil on panel, 10.5" x 9" (w x h)
Boston University, School of Visual Arts, Boston, MA, MFA Painting 1995
Temple University, Tyler School of Art, Elkins Park, PA, BFA Painting 1981
Temple Abroad in Rome, Temple University, 1979
High School of Art and Design, graduated 1977
Artist's web site HERE
 

7
Deux Poires / Two Pears
Martine Paquet, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Watercolor on Saunders Waterford Series
140 lb. watercolor paper, 7" x 5.75" (w x h), 2014
Collection of Bruce McMillan
"These pears are very small, all cute. I had a lot of fun painting their colors. I tested two very heavy papers, a little textured, which reacted well to my many overlays of color. I mostly use Daniel Smith watercolors, sometimes colors Winsor & Newton watercolors, in this case Brown Madder."
Martine has painted a series of fabulously intriguing self-portraits and portraits of her French-Canadian family.
Artist's web blog HERE
 

8
Round Pear
Debbie Denstorff, Louisiana
Oil on linen panel
6" x 6" (w x h)
$150
Artist's web page HERE and web blog HERE