From Iconic Stonington

From Iconic Stonington

on Church Street in Stonington, Maine
painted plein air on Sept 24, 2018
during surprise rain showers that rained
while painting, so I went with it, and the splashing.
8" x 10" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and
Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and
permanence, and #3 graphite on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold
press fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $135.00

Plein Air Brandywine Valley Spotlight

Plein Air Brandywine Valley 2018
October 28-November 4
 
I'm among twenty artists featured in the online posting of the Plein Air Brandywine Valley 2018 Spotlight online HERE. And below...

Bruce McMillan, Shapleigh, Maine
Spotlight 09/18/18

 
How did you first learn of and when did you start painting plein air?
I learned of painting by going to a museum as a youngster, beholding the French impressionists, I saw the results of what portable paints could do, take you anywhere. I was in my sixties, beginning my watercolor journey, when I discovered how watercolors could easily go anywhere.

What has helped you develop as a painter?
My then nine-year-old grandson's advice guides me. When observing a painting he was working on, a gallery scene, a figure standing to the left of a hanging painting, the hanging painting, and then the descriptive label on the wall, not to the right beside the painting but above the painting, I asked him why he'd put the label above the painting. He crossed his arms, looked at me with a frown and explained, "Grampa Bruce, it's a painting; you can do anything." I think of his words every time I paint.

Describe something unusual or challenging that happened when painting outdoors.
It was the end of a day painting plein air in Stonington, Maine. The sun was dropping, and I'd packed it in. Driving along the shore, the light got dramatic, the clear low-in-the-sky sun behind me, late afternoon fall sun streaming into the harbor full of lobster boats, more than any other harbor in Maine. I pulled onto Green Head, beheld the view, so many boats, the light bright, and islands in the distance. I wasn't done for the day, almost an hour of daylight left. The sun was setting so I pulled out a 7" x 5" watercolor block for a quick sketch. But the sight was too breathtaking. I pulled out a huge, full sheet, 30" x 22", and propped my watercolor palette on the rocks. Quickly, I set up my watercolor palette on my tripod, and settled into my folding tripod chair. For the next fifty-five minutes I drew and painted totally focused. I was in the zone, racing against the setting sun. This brief window of time pushed my drawing to be loosely certain, my painting, sure and bold, my brushes flying. It was a fast fifty-five minutes when darkness descended. That painting was selected for the gallery's window at the 2017 ArtinME exhibition in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.

I had a similar experience when painting at the 2018 Castine (Maine) Plein Air Festival. With the sun setting I painted two studies of the harbor looking towards Blue Hill. Again, there wasn't much time. I respond well to time constraints. It pushes me. These two paintings were quite satisfying, and both sold at the event.

In 2016 I painted at Brown's Head Light on the north side of Vinalhaven Island. I was into the zone, painting variations of the lighthouse overlooking the Fox Islands Thoroughfare. I posted all but one of the variations on my blog. Later, when submitting to the Port Clyde Art Gallery's Third Annual Invitational 10 x 10 Show, I included the one I'd deemed not good enough to post on my art blog. It was Best in Show, which led me to ponder, are we the best judges of our art?

Can you tell us about some of the settings and places where you have you painted?
I'm drawn to coastal locations, islands and remote places. There aren't many of us painting plein air in Iceland. I painted a plein air view of the landmark hill Stóri Dímon. Fortunately, I had a frame with me. That painting still hangs today, a thank you to my dear friends and hosts, in their summerhouse, having traveled only three-hundred feet from the hill where it was painted to the wall of their summerhouse.

Among the locations I've painted at in Maine are Acadia, Bass Harbor, Boothbay Harbor, Castine, Cliff Island, Cobscook Bay, Criehaven Island, Jonesport, Kennebunk, Kennebunkport, Monhegan Island, Ogunquit, Owls Head, Rockland, Schoodic, Shapleigh, Stonington, Vinalhaven, York; many locations in northern Vermont; coastal and inland Florida; at Grand Manan Island, Ottawa, and Whitehall Island, Canada; many places all around Iceland, including islands off the coast; Lugano, Switzerland; and Venice.

Why do you paint plein air and what attracts you to compete in Plein Air Brandywine Valley?
I applied to Brandywine because fellow artist Alison Menke recommended it when we were painting at the Castine (Maine) Plein Air Festival 2018 in July. When asked of all the plein air events she's participated in, and she's painted in many, which one was the best, without hesitating she said, "Brandywine, Bruce you must do it."

Share anything about PABV or about you as a painter that others will find interesting.
My background, an honored fortunate career in children's books, forty-three of forty-five photo-illustrated, fine-tuned my way of looking at things through a camera's lens while traveling up and down the world, from up in Iceland and Alaska, and down to Antarctica. Thus, my journey with watercolors has a visual basis, but is a complete departure from the pictorial to the freedom of painting, and painting loosely, keeping it fresh.



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Tuesday October 30, 2018
Marshalton Inn, 1300W. Strasburg Road, West Chester, PA
Artists at work 4-6 pm, and 6-8 pm browse the finished artwork

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
November 1, 2018
The NOCTURNE, a special event during Plein Air Brandywine Valley 2018
Artists create their works at night in West Chester, Pennsylvania
Awards to be given for the best painting and photograph
Brief video featuring the Nocturne (1:32) HERE
The music is, hmm, amusing. I had no idea that painting at night could be so dramatic.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
The Plein Air Brandywine Valley Opening Reception, tickets only, is on Friday, November 2, 2018 at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library HERE. It will continue Saturday and Sunday, Nov 3-4, open to the public.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
The twenty artists featured in the spotlight are:
Mick McAndrews, Downingtown, Pennsylvania, watercolor
Jacalyn Beam, Greenville, Delaware, oil
Don Shoffner, Narberth, Pennsylvania, watercolor
Daniel Jay Freed, West Chester, Pennsylvania, oil
Lois W. Sellers, Springfield, Pennsylvania, photography
Cynthia Rosen, Vermont, oil
Annie Strack, Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, oil
J. Stacy Rogers, Lewes, Delaware, oil
Jim Salvas, West Chester, Pennsylvania, photography
Julie Riker, Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, oil
Henry Coe, Parkton, Maryland, oil
Ellen Gavin, Millville, New Jersey, oil
Carol L. Douglas, Rockport, Maine, oil
Randall Graham, West Chester, Pennsylvania, oil
Bruce McMillan, Shapleigh, Maine, watercolor
Beth Bathe, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, oil
Debra Howard, Crisfield, Maryland, oil
Judy McCabe Jarvis, Flourtown, Pennsylvania, oil
Al Richards, Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, oil and watercolor
Lissa Abrams, Baltimore, Maryland, oil

Three Seats in a Dinghy

Three Seats in a Dinghy

below Green Head Overlook in Stonington, Maine
painted plein air on Sept 24, 2018
10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and
Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and
permanence, and #3 graphite on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico cold
press fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $135.00

Low Tide Lobsterboat

Low Tide Lobsterboat

seen from Green Head Overlook in Stonington, Maine
painted plein air on Sept 24, 2018
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, including sales tax + shipping $135.00

Little Used Dock

Little Used Dock

on Indian Point Road in Stonington, Maine
painted plein air on Sept 23, 2018
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.
Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $135.00

Tide Going

Tide Going

at Sand Beach Point, Andrews Island offshore,
in Stonington, Maine painted plein air on Sept 22, 2018
16" x 12" (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, including sales tax + shipping $325.00
Artist's Views from Sand Beach
in Stonington, Maine

The Plein Air Set Up in the Trees

 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Other Artist's Views
from Sand Beach in
Stonington, Maine

1
Weir Island to Isle Haut
Jill Hoy
Stonington, Maine
Oil on canvas, 28" x 20"
Artist web site HERE

2
Off Sand Beach
Ruth Kaldor
Oil on panel
Cabot, Vermont
Artist web site HERE

3
Sand Beach
Leslie Landrigan
Watercolor
Artist web site HERE

4
Sand Beach 1
Janet Ledoux
Oil on wood, 12" x 12"
Biddeford, Maine
Artist web site HERE

5
Plein Air Painters, Sand Beach
Marc Dalessio
Oil on linen (on gatorboard), 12" x 8"
Artist web site HERE
 

6
Past Sand Beach
Nat Dickinson
Oil, 2015
Asheville, NC and Deer Isle, ME
Artist blog HERE

7
Island View
Linda Packard
Oil on panel, 6" x 6"
Bangor, Maine
Artist blog HERE

Stonington Harbor Mansards

Stonington Harbor Mansards

painted plein air on Sept 24, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $145.00

The Plein Air Set Up with a Mansards View

Dinghies at Green Head

Dinghies at Green Head

in the harbor at Stonington, Maine painted
plein air from Green Head Overlook on Sept 24, 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
gifted to my generous Stonington hosts

The Plein Air Setup

Into an Island Breeze

Into an Island Breeze

seven lobsterboats facing into a slight
wind in the harbor at Stonington, Maine painted
plein air from Green Head Overlook on Sept 24, 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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $235.00

The setup Monday afternoon, September 24, 2018

Just Two Lobsterboats

Just Two Lobsterboats

painted plein air on Sept 21, 2018
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. Arches
cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $135.00

Then, just one lobsterboat
came by to unload some gear,
so I had to stop for a bit.

Beyond Low Tide to Mark Island

Beyond Low Tide
to Mark Island

off Sand Beach Point in Stonington, Maine
painted plein air on Sept x, 2018
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.
Arches cold press rough 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $145.00 SOLD

 Painting by the sea in the trees

One Above Three

One Above Three

lobsterboats seen from Granite Street
in Stonington, Maine painted plein air on Sept 20, 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, including sales tax + shipping $115.00

First I painted a watercolor
of the scene without the boats,
posted yesterday.

Then I painted the scene
with only the boats.
With a painting you can do anything.

To Below Granite Street

To Below Granite Street

in Stonington, Maine painted plein air on Sept 20, 2018
11" x 11" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam, and
Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness and
permanence, and #3 graphite on 140 lb. Fabriano Artistico
cold press fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $210.00

 

The setup

The location and art

Tucked in by the Sea

Tucked in by the Sea

below Church Street in Stonington, Maine, painted plain air as darkness descended on Sept 19, 2018, 10" x 8" (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

Fog Rocks

Fog Rocks

during sunset at Sand Beach in Stonington, Maine
painted plein air on Sept 18, 2018
10" x 8" (w x h), Daniel Smith, Schmincke Horadam,
and Winsor & Newton watercolors, selected for light fastness
and permanence, and and Uniball waterproof fade proof ink on
140 lb. Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $135.00

 

Dinghy by Three Rose Hips Studies

Dinghy by Three Rose Hips
Study 2

on a foggy day at Green Head
overlooking the harbor in Stonington,
Maine painted plein air on September 17, 2018
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 fine grain 100% cotton extra white watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $135.00

Dinghy by Three Rose Hips
Study1

on a foggy day at Green Head
overlooking the harbor in Stonington,
Maine painted plein air on September 17, 2018
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.
Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor paper
framed, including sales tax + shipping $135.00

A Party of Four at Midnight

A Party of Four at Midnight

At the Public Dock in Stonington Maine painted plein air in the midnight fog on September 16/17, 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 Artistico cold press rough 100% cotton watercolor paper, framed.
$625.

Setting up for the nocturne in the fog
at the Public Dock in Stonington, Maine

Rebekah Sitting Studies

Rebekah Sitting Study I

at our Kennebunkport, Maine ART group
painted on September 14, 2018
8" x 10" (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, including sales tax + shipping $135.00

Rebekah Sitting Study II

at our Kennebunkport, Maine ART group
painted on September 14, 2018
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. Arches cold press fine grain 100% cotton watercolor
paper framed, including sales tax + shipping $135.00

A Sampler of our ART group
This is a random sampler of art in progress at our figure ART group in Kennebunkport, Maine, seven of the nineteen artists with a live model on September 14, 2018. It's an eclectic group, fine artists. We relish our time together, enjoying music, chatting, feasting during breaks, all the time focused on our art.
 

1
Collage with Elizabeth Kelley
web site HERE
 

2
Oil with Richard Winslow
 

3
Watercolor with Janet Ledoux
web site HERE Facebook Art page HERE
 

4
Drawing with Charles A. Cramer
His book HERE
 

5
Watercolor with Hara Harding
 

6
Watercolor with Ellen Fisher
 

7
Ink with Brad Maushart
His f8 gallery HERE
 
On September 22, 2018 a memorial exhibition of one of our group's late artists who completed his journey through life last summer, watercolor painter DeWitt Hardy, will open at the Barn Gallery in Ogunquit, Maine HERE

Cloud's Shadows Paint Mt. Esja

Cloud's Shadows Paint Mt. Esja

painted on August 8, 2018
17" x 12" (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 including tax and shipping, $300.00

Eight Artist's Views of Mount Esja
(also called Esjan / The Esja), 3,000 ' / 914 m

1
Landscape, Iceland
Ásgrímur Jónsson (1876-1958)
In the background the island Viðey and the mountain Esja
Oil on canvas, 44" x 32" 90 (w x h), 1931 - 1933
"Ásgrímur Jónsson was one of the first artists in Iceland to make art his profession for a living. He was an honorary professor at the University of Iceland. In 1933 he was made Grand Knight of the Icelandic Order of the Falcon. He was an honorary member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Arts and Knight of Dannebrog, first class."
See thirty of his paintings in Wiki HERE
His biography at the National Gallery in Iceland HERE
See his home, now a museum in Reykjavik HERE

2
Mt. Esja
Derek Karl Mundell (1951- )
Watercolor
"Derek Karl Mundell moved to Iceland from England in 1976. He's lived in Iceland since then. He's a watercolor artist, painting and teaching in Iceland."
His web site HERE

3
Mt. Esja from Reykjavik Harbor
Tessa Perutz (1988- )
Oil on canvas, 14 x 11 inches, 2016
Mt. Esja from Reykjavik Harbor
"Tessa Perutz received her BFA from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She lives and works in Brooklyn and Iceland. She's exhibited in the US and UK in multiple solo, two-person, and group exhibitions." Her web site is HERE. Interview with the artist HERE.

4
Klapparstígur (is a street in Reykjavík)
Louisa Matthíasdóttir (1917-2000)
Oil on canvas, 30" x 24", 1983
Reykjavík Art Museum
Louisa Matthíasdóttir is regarded
as one of Iceland's greatest painters.
Her estate web site is HERE
Her work in the Tiber de Nagy gallery is HERE
Her Wiki bio is HERE

5
Esja View
Temma Bell (1945- )
Oil on canvas
"For forty years Temma Bell, the daughter of painters Louisa Matthíasdóttir and Leland Bell, has produced vividly hued, rapidly brushed landscapes, still lifes, and figure paintings, all painted from observation at her upstate sheep farm or in Iceland, her mother's native home."
Her web site is HERE
A gallery show with a self-portrait of Temma is HERE
(She looks a lot like her mother, Louisa)
See Temma's favorite self-portrait by her mother HERE
and Temma's Facebook page HERE

6
Mt. Esja seen from Art Installation
Tussock Þúfa in Reykjavik Harbor
Ruth Kaldor (1951- )
Watercolor on paper, 2016
See her paintings of Iceland HERE
On Facebook HERE Instagram HERE Etsy HERE

7
Álfkona í Esjunni / Spirit of Mt Esja
Johannes Kjarval Iceland (1885-1972)
Oil on canvas
1957

8
The Pond Tjörnin and Mt. Esja
Óskar Thorarensen (1959- )
Watercolor on paper, 2010
See more of Óskar's work HERE
on Facebook HERE and his blog HERE