Visit to a Sketcher's Garden

I hadn't gone sketching with the group in awhile.

We visited a member's country/woods garden.

The first image was a warm up, a rather chaotic response to 

a beautiful tangle of ferns and foresty plants

and an array of vivid colors in late afternoon sun.

Then, a more tame vignette, which is actually 

a sketch from a sketch using my photo as reference,

once back home.

The observer's eye, brain, & hand, 

like the body, gets out of shape without practice

and I felt it. 

Motto for the day:

Make sketching more of a priority because

I love the whole experience!

(To "Unknown" who asked permission to download 

some of my paintings for her studies: 

I appreciate that you asked.

I would ask that you not to do it. 

I feel vulnerable about my sketches being

on someone else's computer, & used, 

without me explaining my process & teaching.

Also, since I do sell paintings, it's awkward to 

have them be used, even though I know that's a risk

of posting them on the Internet.

And, I always encourage students to not get 

too tied in to some one else's work, but to experiment,

study techniques, watch demonstrations,

& let your own voice, experience, practice 

& responses develop.)

Travel During the Pandemic. Summer of 2020

A sketch from a journal sketch (see post of July 2...)

For years my favorite back road trip was up to

Skowhegan & Jackman, ending in Quebec City.

The Canadian border is closed, & I stay home a lot these days.

But road trips are still possible.

From Belfast to Brooks, Dixmont, Winterport, Hampden.

This is organic farm country in towns like Montville & Monroe.

Roller coaster ribbon roads. 

Forests, farms, scattered country homes,

occasional views of distant fields, faraway mountains.

Here & there, political signs appear on the sides of the road,

but I try not to look at them.

This is not the coastal route with its crowds & cars,

Its clusters of restaurants & hotels.

For a short time the world feels safe, normal & familiar. 

Beautiful.

The radio is off & I drive slowly, glancing, occasionally stopping.

I am told I will be able to visit Québec & other cities again.

In the meantime, how lucky I am to be here.

Maine Country Road Trips

Road trips in the countryside from Midcoast Maine. 

An idyllic corner on earth.

This is the region of many small, organic farms, 

2nd or 3rd generation of back-to-the landers:

Blackbrook Farm, Many Hands Farm, 

Sunnyside, Aqua Terra, Royal View Farm...

Many of the farms supply the food coops 

in Belfast & Brooks &

 sell their produce at farm markets and

the beloved Common Ground Fair in Unity. 

The views from the hilly roller coaster roads 

leading from Belfast to Unity, Brooks, Jackson, Monro

take my breath away!

A frequent road trip out of Belfast: Route 1 South.

Last week, like a kid on summer vacation

I was so excited to drive down to Rockport with a friend.

While she went to the doctor, I sketched out the window

of a café. Then we went to the Guini Ridge Nursery

across the road road to buy plants. 

To do a little farming of our own! 

For other posts on Farmers Markets and The Common Ground Fair, click on these in Labels.