Lobster for the 4th

 Our family has a tradition of having lobster to eat on the 4th of July. It is my mom's birthday. After my parents moved to Maine to live with my sister, we often went up to Maine to celebrate. Most often we bought lobsters and had a big feast. It was a good time for out of town family members to get together for a happy occasion. After she passed away the family gatherings in Maine tapered off, but most of my siblings and I still try to continue the tradition. This is one of our critters. The Maine celebrations also usually included a patriotic cake (decorated like an American flag) with strawberries and blueberries. 

Maine Visit - Heading Home

 We were only up in Maine for a few days. Sitting in my sister's living room I did a sketch of her dog, Toby, relaxing on "his chair." It was done with a simple digital program I downloaded to my phone while I was sitting there. I knew if I moved to get up and get my sketchbook Toby would be off that chair in a second. lol

For a Creative Spark scavenger hunt I sketched an indoor scene. This is part of the bedroom I was sleeping in which was my nephew, Christopher's room. He now lives in Japan. 

We left early enough to make a stop at the Cape Neddick Lighthouse in York, Maine. There wasn't time to do any sketching, but I took a few photos.

Then there was the last obligatory lobster roll for lunch at Bob's Clam Shack in Kittery, Maine.

Maine Visit - Day 2

 We lucked out with our trip to Maine and had really nice weather. On our second day we headed down to the Boothbay area. We wanted to see how the storm had affected that area, and I wanted to sketch. Michelle was more interested in going into the few shops that were open. We were a few days early for the start of the season. That meant no crowds and free parking.

We drove out to Ocean Point. Almost the entire road down along the point had to be completely replaced after the winter storms, and they are almost finished. There was a section that had beautiful pine trees, but all of them were knocked down by the waves.

There is a foot bridge that crosses the Boothbay Harbor which had been repaired recently, so we headed out there to sketch. There were benches which was nice, but the top railing ended up being right in our line of sight. It was foggy and what we were sketching kept disappearing. lol

Chris and Michelle went to go into a few stores and I sat outside what is one of my favorite stores there. They have nice t-shirts. Usually it is a difficult spot to sketch because of the cars and trucks coming through, but it was quiet when we were there. I did go into the store when I finished, but I didn't buy anything.

Just in case you were wondering about our meals up there we made sure to fit in the required fried scallops and clams.

Maine Visit - Day 1

Last week I picked up my sister, Michelle in NJ and we drove up to Maine to visit our sister, Chris & her family. Michelle hasn't been up to Maine for quite a few years, so we decided to visit a few places near Tina that are special. The first day we drove down to Pemaquid Point where the Pemaquid Lighthouse is located. The landscape changed a lot after the strong storms that hit the Maine coast back in January. Huge boulders were knocked off the rocky ledge, smaller boulders moved up near the lighthouse, and the bell house was damaged. Luckily the lighthouse itself wasn't affected.

Both Michelle and Chris sketch, but not to the same extent as I do. They both sat and did one sketch, and left me alone while they explored and chatted a bit while I did two.

This sketch is of some of the trees and rocks between the lighthouse and the rocky ledge.

I also did a small painting of the Pemaquid Lighthouse.

Here is a photo of the three of us...left to right are Chris, myself and Michelle.

Kittery Point

 When I head home from my sister's house in Maine I usually stop for a final lunch at Bob's Clam Hut in Kittery, Maine which is the southernmost town along the coast. I timed my departure so that I could have lunch and have a little time to sketch somewhere before heading south to catch my ferry from New London, CT to Long Island. Watching the time on my GPS it seemed like I had about an hour to do that. I've never checked out Kittery Point so I gave myself 10 minutes to find a location that looked good. I ended up at Fort McClary which is at the mouth of the Piscataqua River which separates Maine and New Hampshire at the coast. The fort itself looked interesting but would involve some climbing up the hill to find a good spot. I'd rather sketch the view of the water which is exactly what I did. There was even a bench for me to sit on. I finished in about 40 minutes and headed for Connecticut. Even with traffic backed up due to an accident I was on time for the ferry.

View from Pemaquid Seafood

 While visiting my family in Maine we drove down to the Pemaquid area for lunch. We sat on the outside deck at Pemaquid Seafood and I did this sketch of the view. I started it while waiting for the food to be cooked and finished it after we were done eating and the kids were running around. It was strange to be down in that area and not visit the Pemaquid Lighthouse. I guess I will just have to go back.

Family Sketches

I recently took a trip up to Maine to visit with family. My niece, husband, and two little ones were visiting from Australia. I wanted to see them as well as my sister and her family that live up there. I was meeting the kids for the first time and had a lot of fun playing with the 1 year old and the 3 year old.

Kiah was sleeping and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to sketch. Unfortunately my backpack with most of my art supplies was in my trunk because with all the extra people in the house, space for anything was at a premium. I had a Micron pen in my purse so I sketched with that but I wanted color. So I looked around and grabbed some of the markers and crayons that were around. The colors weren't the best choices but they worked.

Quinn meanwhile was relaxing on the couch with his dad playing a video game. I sketched the two of them in pencil and didn't bother trying to add color this time.

Roadside America - LL Bean Big Boot

 Sorry to have disappeared. My computer wasn't working and for the life of me I couldn't figure out how to post here from my iPad or my iPhone. After waiting for an appointment for a few days, I took the computer to Apple to be repaired. They told me it was a "vintage model" and after having it for a few days it was determined that it couldn't be fixed. So I bought a new one. I've spent most of this evening trying to get up to speed with the new Mac since things are different.

Anyway it seems that I am back to posting with a lot to catch up on. I did another Roadside America sketch since they were such fun. This is the giant boot that stands in front of the L L Bean store in Freeport, Maine.

Red's Eats

For anyone who has driven through the town of Wiscasett, Maine along Route 1, Red's Eats is definitely a familiar sight. It is on the corner just before you cross the bridge over the river. In season there is always a long line in front, and Jerry and I always make a guess as to how many people will be on line when we pass. The place has been there for ages and the original "Red" passed away sometime in the last ten years but the family keeps it going. Inside the shack there is barely room for two or three people to work.  I think they have the best lobster roll in the area...and maybe one of the most expensive. lol They do serve the meat from an entire lobster on the toasted top cut hotdog roll which can be served with the traditional mayonnaise, or with butter if you prefer. I am a traditionalist and like mine with mayo. Of course they do serve other food besides lobster rolls and even have a few tables around the back. For years I've been saying I have to sketch Red's Eats, but the location is right on Route 1 and not in a good spot to be sketched easily or safely. So the other day while I was looking through my photos for inspiration I happened to come across one of my photos of Red's and sketched away. I would happily order a lobster roll right now!

Rocky Coast

Another art postcard for the project. This was done using a previous painting done in Maine for inspiration.

Morning Mist

Another 4 x 6 art postcard for the troops. This was done from a reference photo taken on my morning walk when I was in Maine recently. 

Ferry Ride Home

Yesterday we drove back from Maine. We were scheduled on the 5 PM ferry from New London back to Orient Point. We got to the ferry early and tried going standby on the 4 o'clock ferry, but that didn't happen...just too many people traveling I guess.

We sat near the snack bar and this guy was at the table in front of us. I think he was in this position the entire trip. lol

I had a pretty good view of the snack bar and there was a constant line of people buying something to eat or drink.

Renys Underground Rear Entrance

In the same parking lot that I painted the view of the water was the back end of the buildings along Maine Street. Renys is one of them. 

Renys is a well-known very small chain of department stores located throughout the state of Maine. The first store was opened in 1949 in Damariscotta. There is the building that houses the original store which is the size of one small storefront with a small upstairs that sells clothing. Then there is Renys Underground which is a bit bigger and has an upstairs and an underground. It sells everything else imaginable...shoes, spices, some food, sporting equipment, electronics, party supplies, housewares, gardening supplies, etc. You can find almost anything there. lol 

I love the back view where you enter from the parking lot into the basement of the store. I just couldn't pass up all the snow shovels in pinks and blues.

Here is a summery front view of Renys with lots of beach chairs lining the front of the store.

Along the Damariscotta River

Today it was a bit on the cold side, but I wanted to get to sketch a bit of Damariscotta before we leave. I took my "mobile studio" and checked out a few local places where I knew I could park and see the river. There is only a bit of snow on the ground here so I was looking for a view that had some ice along the riverbank. My location ended up being in the parking lot behind some of the stores on Main Street in town, actually where they usually do the Pumpkinfest Regatta. The temperature was only 21 degrees so I kept the car running for about half the time that it took me to paint this 6 x8 piece. I was warm enough although I needed my fingerless gloves. lol

On the Ferry

30 x 30 is finally over and I can get back to using ink more often. I will still try to do some painting directly in watercolors. Our Maine trip came to an end today. We left Maine around 9:00 AM, stopped for lunch in Kittery, and reached the New London ferry dock early enough to catch the 4:00 ferry back to Orient Point which then is about 1 1/2 hrs from home. This was the emptiest ferry we have ever been on. Usually the cars are packed onboard, but there was lots of space today.

We headed upstairs but there were very few people around. I headed into the bar area and sure enough there was a couple seated at the bar. I figured they weren't going anywhere for a while and I was right. They were there for the entire sketch.

30 x 30 Direct Watercolor & More

Today is the final day of my direct watercolor challenge. I headed down to Boothbay Harbor to do my last painting of the lobster traps and buoys at the lobster wharf there. It started to drizzle so I painted from the car. 

#direct watercolor2019 #30x30directwatercolor

Next I headed for lunch at the lobster place next door. I ordered and there was a big clap of thunder followed by more thunder. I grabbed my food and like everyone else fled inside. It poured for about 15 minutes and I left when it stopped. I drove over to Ocean Point and parked along the water to paint. It was still drizzling but I was able to see to paint. It is really a pretty spot.

I noticed some big, black clouds behind me and it stormed again. I stayed put until the storm passed and then headed home.

30 x 30 Direct Watercolor - Day 27

Today we traveled from Long Island to Maine to visit my sister and her family. The ferry from Orient Point to New London was the perfect place to sketch a person for the Direct Watercolor Challenge.

#directwatercolor2019 #30x30directwatercolor

Inktober 2018 - Day 9

Our trip to Maine was coming to an end. We began our trip home around 9:30 and stopped at our favorite restaurant in Kittery for an early lunch. Then I sat outside for about 40 minutes and did a sketch of Bob's Clam Hut for my Inktober 2018 Day 9 sketch. There is always a colorful cast of characters to sketch there.

#inktober #inktober2018

I went for my walk this morning and found one decorated pumpkin that  I missed taking photos of. He was hiding by a shop by the back parking lot.

Yesterday afternoon after I had already done my blog post for the day I did a painting of a restaurant called Schooners Landing which is down by the dock.

Inktober 2018 - Day 8

Today the Damariscotta Pumpkinfest Regatta took place. Down along the river behind the shopping area is the town dock and that is where all the pumpkin races are held. I don't know who hollows out the pumpkins...or how, but somehow they are turned into pumpkin boats that do actually float. Some are very tippy but that adds to the fun and the challenge of the race. There are solo paddle races, two-person relay paddle races, and motored pumpkin races. People get to the dock really early so they can get a good spot to view the race. My concern is always to find a new spot to sketch the event from. 

This year I was able to get pretty close to the dock so I started sketching as the contestants started arriving. There was a guy dressed as a Viking and one dressed as a Gnome who were there long before their races were starting...in other words perfect models who would be there for a while.

I used the original ink sketch for my Day 8 Inktober  sketch.

Here are a few photos from some of the races. There were several boats that capsized and had to be brought back to the dock to be bailed out for the next race. 

Once I took a photo of the sketch above I decided it needed some color, so I finished it with my watercolors.

Yesterday after I finished the Inktober sketch I posted, I headed over to the gift shop that is near the lighthouse. I sat near the edge of the cliff where it overlooks some of the rocks. In my younger days I would have climbed down on the rocks either by the gift shop or by the lighthouse itself, but I know nowadays I would have some difficulty getting down to the rocks and back up so I did it the easy way. Instead of using my watercolors I did what is probably about a 5 x 7 gouache painting.

Inktober 2018 - Day 6

Here in Damariscotta, Maine the big event of the year, the annual Pumpkinfest & Regatta is going on. For a tiny, sleepy town it is amazing the number of people who flock here for this event. Yesterday coming up it took us 1 hour to travel the last 11 miles to my sister's house because of the traffic.

I went out early this morning to view the decorated pumpkins that line the street. Here are a few of the wonderful decorated ones. 

Later I walked back into town to sketch. This looked like a good bet for my Inktober 2018 - Day 6 sketch because most of it was already black and white. The artist, Ari Edgar left markers for people to add their names of something to the pumpkin like these two little girls are doing.

#inktober #inktober2018