10X10 Art Show in Brunswick, Maine

Friday night, September 27th is the 10X10 Art Exhibit and Sale. My two watercolors are among the 300 works by 150 local artists. This annual benefit will fund an artist-in-residence program in Brunswick elementary schools. Local restaurants have donated hors d'oeuvres. Come join us!

One of Five Islands

This island is one of five off Georgetown in Maine. The outdoor picnic tables at Five Islands Lobster double as studio space and dining room. In October the light is crystal clear and the crowds are thinner. The lobster is tasty. I return every year.

I usually complete my paintings in one afternoon, racing the tide and waiting for the sun to reveal the shadows. Watercolor captures the flow of the ocean. It is also easier than oil paint to take on location.

This year art time double counts as novel research time. One of my new characters is a homeschooled lobsterman, who looks beyond the horizon. Do you recognize this photo from a few weeks ago?

Lobster Boat at Lookout Point 

Lookout Point in Harpswell is my favorite place to paint, only a 15-minute drive from my house in town. As I work, lobster boats motor in, unloading the day’s fresh catch at the dock. Sometimes I bring home dinner along with my painting.

10X10 Art Show 

At Curtis Memorial Library and St. Paul's Episcopal Church 

Next door venues on Pleasant Street, Brunswick, Maine 04011 

Friday September 27, 2013 from 5-8 pm 

(art is $200, including 10-inch-square frame) 

Public Preview: 

Thursday 9/26 5-8pm and Friday 9/28 12-3pm 

 Click here for Online Preview

Painting on the Coast of Maine

Watercolor Painting of Sagahadoc Bay, Georgetown, Maine

At this time of year, I swap my writer's cap for an artist's cap. In late summer and early autumn, the light sharpens, making the colors more intense. It's warm but not too hot to sit outside painting for hours. With my eyes trained on a distant horizon, instead of a computer screen, my vision improves (confusing my optometrist). I hoard sunshine to get through the long winter. Can you believe it's already the end of July?

This year my painting time will double count as book research: my next young adult novel will be set in coastal Maine. Once my kids are back in school, I'll head to Monhegan Island with my art bag and a notebook for a few days. I love my jobs!

The above watercolor of Sagahadoc Bay will be flying to a new home in London. The client is an ex-pat American with a summer house near my home, but we didn't meet in person. She found my blog through my book reviews. Her family wants to bring a part of Maine back to England with them. I'm pleased to see my painting go to a loving new home.

Even after six years of blogging, it still amazes me that two women with similar life stories (my family has lived in England too) can meet almost randomly in cyberspace. Blogging makes the world seem both smaller and bigger. We are part of a community that stretches beyond national boarders. And what a beautiful world it is!

Maine Artists: note that this year state tax returns must be filed twice. General sales tax in Maine is rising from 5% to 5.5% in October. One return is due October 15th and the other (October-December sales) is due January 15th. Sigh. At least this doesn't affect out of state sales.

Sunset and Moonrise on the Harbor

As the sun sets on Five Islands,

Moonlight silvers the harbor,

And colors seep like paint on canvas.

I float in the moment, content.

Blog Watch: congratulations to Pamela@From the House of Edward on the publication of a book of essays from her blog! After a year offline to move house twice(!), Alyson is back at a new blog address: New England Living.

Earth Watch: we had an earthquake last night during dinner! It was only 4.5 magnitude, but since we were about 50 miles from the epicenter, our house rumbled and shook. I had no idea an earthquake could be as loud as thunder. Rather unusual in Maine!