Marginal Way Study Unstudied

Marginal Way 1 Study

rocks along the shore in Ogunquit, Maine on June 25, painted June 25, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Marginal Way 2 Unstudied

rocks along the shore on June 25, painted on July 6, 2023,
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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Red, White and Blue in Perkins Cove Too

Red, White and Blue
in Perkins Cove Too

Ogunquit, Maine on July 1, 2023, painted on July 3, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

The Art of Gallery Chat

The Art of Gallery Chat

at the Barn Gallery Open Juried Show 2023 in Ogunquit, Maine on July 1, 2023, painted July 2-3, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

Composed - Photo Essay

Composed
at the Gallery Opening
Photo Essay by Bruce McMillan
at the Barn Gallery Open Juried Show 2023 in
Ogunquit, Maine on July 1, 2023

1
Thoughts Expressed

2
Color with Wine

3
The Bjarneyjar Four Framed Again

4
Observation Looking Up to Fall

5
Flowers Flowering in Color

6
Those Two Framed Green Works of Art

7
Gallery Focal Point

8
The Art of Conversation

I was fortunate
to have two watercolors
included in this juried show,
October to Fall Study 2 HERE
and The Bjarneyjar Four HERE.

Tide on the Margin 3 Studies

Tide on the Margin Study 1

along Marginal Way, Ogunquit, Maine painted plein air on June 25, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Tide on the Margin Study 2

along Marginal Way, Ogunquit, Maine painted plein air on June 25, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Tide on the Margin Study 3

along Marginal Way, Ogunquit, Maine painted plein air on June 25, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

My plein air setup on one of the 39 benches along Marginal Way, Ogunquit, ME.

On the Margin by the Way

On the Margin by the Way

along the Marginal Way seaside walk in Ogunquit, Maine painted plein air on June 25, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

Standing Drawing, Sitting Curves 4 Studies

Standing Drawing,
Sitting Curves Study 1

at our Kittery, Maine Drawing Group on June 12, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Standing Drawing,
Sitting Curves Study 2

at our Kittery, Maine Drawing Group on June 12, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Standing Drawing,
Sitting Curves Study 3

at our Kittery, Maine Drawing Group on June 12, 2023, 5" x 7" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and permanence, and graphite on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Standing Drawing,
Sitting Curves Study 4

at our Kittery, Maine Drawing Group on June 12, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

Attitude Nude Study

Attitude Nude Study

painted at our Kittery, Maine drawing group on June 19, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$250

June Nudescape

June Nudescape

at our drawing group in Kittery, Maine on June 12, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

Pemaquid Sky Space

Pemaquid Sky Space

by the light keeper's house at Pemaquid Point Light, Bristol, Maine, painted plein air on June 21, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Pemaquid Light Hopper View 3

Pemaquid Light
Hopper View Study 3

at Pemaquid Point Light, Bristol, Maine the same place Edward Hopper stood in 1929, painted plein air on June 21, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed, $500, for sale online at my art blog at my art blog
$500

Pemaquid Light Hopper View 2

Pemaquid Light
Hopper View Study 2

at Pemaquid Point Light, Bristol, Maine the same place Edward Hopper stood in 1929, painted plein air on June 21, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Pemaquid Light Hopper View 1

Pemaquid Point Light
Hopper View Study 1

with a fog bank rolling out in the distance at Pemaquid Point Light, Bristol, Maine the same place Edward Hopper stood in 1929, painted plein air on June 21, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

Goat Island Light Left Right

Goat Island Light
Keepers House Left

in Cape Porpoise Harbor, Kennebunkport, Maine on June 11, 2023, painted June 16 and 22, 2023 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150 - SOLD Art Guild of the Kennebunks July 2023 Exhibition

Goat Island Light Right

in Cape Porpoise Harbor, Kennebunkport, Maine on June 11, 2023, painted June 16 and 22, 2023 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150 - SOLD Art Guild of the Kennebunks July 2023 Exhibition

Goat Island Light Sunset

Goat Island Light Sunset

in Cape Porpoise Harbor, Kennebunkport, Maine on June 11, 2023, painted June 16-17, 2023 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$300

Goat Island Light Study 1

Goat Island Light Study 1

at Cape Porpoise, Kennebunkport, Maine painted plein air on June 10, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Goat Island Light at Cape Porpoise, Maine, originally built with a sloped cylindrical shape in 1835 was rebuilt with a vertical cylindrical shape in 1859.

Botanical Gardens Pond Adventure

-- Unique Dual Art Essay --

Botanical Gardens Pond Adventure

painted together with Bruce McMillan and Erica Qualey, plein air, June 10, 2023, 15" x 11" (w x h), watercolor, graphite and ink, on 140 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper.
NFS

Erica's website HERE and Instagram HERE.

When I arrived at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Harbor, Maine on Saturday June 10, 2023 to participate in the New England Watercolor Society plein air event, I set up my tripods. But I discovered that I had the lid to my watercolor tray, but the tray with all my watercolors was still two hours away at home in Shapleigh. While chatting with Erica Qualey, a talented artist, she asked me, "Want to paint together?" "Together?"

1
photo: Denna Ball, thanks Deena (website)

Erica is left-handed. I'm right handed. We could paint on the same paper standing side by side.

2

Erica paints with a round (pointed) brush. I paint with a flat brush. Erica sketched with her pencil. I sketched with my ink pen. Different styles were merging.

3
photo: Denna Ball, thanks again Deena (website)

We painted at the same time, both brushes on different parts of the paper, and we painted taking turns; it all flowed.

4

It was a beautiful scene overlooking Slater Forest Pond with spots of color everywhere.

5

And it was truly surprising how well we worked together, having only met on that day. The time went by so fast. We were having a great time painting, so much fun, our minds totally engaged.

6
See a 7 second time lapse video of the painters flurry of activity painting...

7

We both agreed that it was a blast, and a unique way of thinking when painting. Perhaps one might compare it to two pianists improvising while playing on one piano sitting side-by-side. To see two accomplished painters doing this watch the Alvaro Castagnet and Joseph Zbukvic Watercolor Demonstration on You Tube HERE (24:58).

Once again, this time the disaster of having left my watercolor paint behind, my everyday thought proves true: The secret to a successful life is to take what seems to be a disadvantage and turn it into and advantage. (Thanks Erica)

A Painter Somewhere There

A Painter Somewhere There

by the overlook Bridge Pond at the Maine Coastal Botanical Gardens, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, painted plein air, painter Jo graciously loaned me a Winsor & Newton field set (4" x 5" with half pans) on June 10, 2023, 10" x 8" (w x h), watercolors and ink on rough extra white watercolor paper, touched up later at home with my full tray watercolor set, framed.
$300

The plein air set-up with Jo's graciously loaned Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Field Set of 14 half pan assorted colors

Looking Back Overlook Bridge Pond

Looking Back
Overlook Bridge Pond

at the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, Maine, painted plein air June 11, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

I forgot my watercolor tray, sheesh, a two hour drive, whoa, and another New England Watercolor Society Artist, Jo, graciously loaned me her spare Winsor & Newton tiny 4" x 5" set, and I painted it with this new to me colors and touched them up with my familiar colors later when I got home. Thanks Jo.

Machigonne II, Sunset Too

Machigonne II, Sunset Too

On the Casco Bay Ferry from Portland, Maine to Peaks Island painted plein air on June 1, 2023 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$150

Stroll, Stride, Harborside

Stroll, Stride, Harborside

on Commercial Street, Portland, Maine, with the iconic Custom House in the background on June 1, 2023, painted June 2-4, 2023, 17" 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed.
$700

Artist's Note:
I'm always intrigued with "people watching" walk. The matching gait by people walking together is the same gait, subliminal communication, with their steps matching, either both legs swinging in unison with the same left-right legs, or both legs swinging in the same unison but both outside/inside legs matching their gait, like this strolling pair I painted above, inside forward, outside lift, all in subliminal conversation, her cell phone tucked in her back pocket. -Bruce

CUSTOMary Steps with Hopper

CUSTOMary Steps 

by the Custom House on Commercial Street, Portland, Maine, on the National Register of Historic Places, on June 1, 2023, painted June 4, 2023, 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 lbs. Fabriano Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper, framed, $300, for sale online at my art blog

Edward Hopper
Art Series Conclusion
Portland, Maine

Custom House, Portland
Edward Hopper (1882-1967, American
Watercolor on paper, 20" x 14" (w x h), 1927
Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, CT

Portland's grand, granite Custom House, built after the Great Fire of July 4, 1866, from 1868 to 1872 as a fireproof structure, looks virtually identical today as when Hopper saw it 96 years ago in 1927. It's architecture is distinctive and remains on the US National Register of Historic Places. Though in Maine and painting many coastal scenes, Hopper's familiarity with painting New York city scenes perhaps played into his choice to paint this urban Maine scene of the Custom House and slope of Pearl Street. The building with the chimneys is the Knight Brothers brass foundry located on the corner with Custom House Street. It was formerly The Friendly Inn, run by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. This building is long gone, replaced with a large glass-windowed building.

Edward and his wife Jo stayed in nearby Cape Elizabeth that summer, painting his many works of the coast and Lighthouse at Two Lights.

Cars and Rocks
Edward Hopper (1882-1967, American
Watercolor and graphite pencil on paper,
20" x 14" (w x h), 1927
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY

In 1927 the Hoppers purchased a used 1925 Dodge and drove to Maine. Jo didn't consider Edward a very good driver. She eventually got her driver's license despite Edwards attempt to thwart this.

Christmas Card - 1929
Edward Hopper (1882-1967, American
Collage on paper, 6" x 3", 1929
Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, NY

After Edward and Jo Hopper spent their 1927 and 1929 summers at Cape Elizabeth, Maine amid the lighthouses and his paintings of them, their 1929 Christmas card was a collage of a lighthouse by Edward.

Strange but True Fact: Of the many Edward Hopper paintings and sketches, there are landscapes, cityscapes, and seascapes, there are men and women, his wife Jo his main model, but hardly none, if any, of children in his art painted when he was an adult.

Sketched when Edward Hopper was a teenager, 13-17 year-old, circa 1895-1899

Study of a Crying Child
Edward Hopper (1882-1967, American
Graphite pencil on paper,
3" x 5" (w x h), circa 1895-1899
Whitney Museum of Fine Art, New York, NY