Sketches from Pemaquid

 One of my musts to visit when I go to Maine is Pemaquid Point and Pemaquid Lighthouse. I usually sketch some part of the lighthouse but this time I sketched the rocks below it. It was a very foggy day and the horizon kept appearing and disappearing. There are always people climbing around down on the rocks so I included a few. I no longer have the agility to climb down there and back up again.

Seated off to my left were a few people having lunch. I sketched them and again this was done on paper that is the size of a bookmark.

Both of my sisters brought along their sketching supplies and were seated a bit behind me. Chris took this photo of me sketching.

Here are a few photos from my morning walk in Damariscotta.

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.

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 7

There weren't any events for Pumpkinfest today that I wanted to go to and it was drizzling this morning. I waited for the weather to improve and then drove down to Pemaquid Point to sketch. That is one of my favorite places up here and almost always visit it. I sat along the road that runs along the water to do my Inktober - Day 7 sketch of the rocky coast.

Yesterday I did a few sketches while I was in town. Here is one of another decorated pumpkin.

I met my husband for lunch and then stayed in town for the Pumpkinfest Parade on Main Street. I found a spot to put my stool where I was leaning against a telephone pole. I figure that way I wouldn't be knocked over by people in the crowd. I sketched the people starting to gather and sit on the opposite side of the street from me.

Here are photos of a few more of the decorated pumpkins. This one had a "Starry Night" look to it.

These two were a little creepy but fun.

Inktober - Day 7 - Pemaquid Point & Waiting for the Parade

Today's Inktober sketch was done at Pemaquid Point...one of my favorite places. Next to the Pemaquid Point Lighthouse is the Seagull Shop. I sat outside and sketched the corner of the building and the view out to the ocean.

This afternoon was the parade to go with Damariscotta's Pumpkinfest. The town was really, really crowded so I found a spot at the far end of the route near the church where I could sit and sketch the crowd. I knew sketching the parade would be a bit too much. I only sketched a few of the people. I had hoped to take a photo of the crowd to show you, but the battery in my camera was too low...typical. lol

More Maine Scenes

Last Monday morning in Maine it wasn't raining....yet. So I drove down to Round Pond, this sleepy little village that has a general store, a few houses and churches, and a lobster wharf. I sat in the car to sketch this since the sky looked like it might rain any minute...besides it was cold out. lol

In the afternoon I drove down the peninsula to Pemaquid Point, one of my favorite locations to visit when I go to my sister's house. I love the lighthouse there. I didn't want to be up close to the lighthouse so I didn't actually go to the lighthouse park. I went along the beach road and found a spot to sit where I could see a tiny bit of the lighthouse and the wonderful flat rocks that are always an adventure to climb down on. I stayed in the car to paint and it kept drizzling on and off.

Travels in Maine

My sister, Mickey and I took a ride up to Maine to visit my sister, Tina and her family.

Of course my paints came along on the trip. This morning we went walking for exercise.

I brought along my camera because I knew I wanted to take some photos of the decorated 

pumpkins along the street that are still on display from the Pumpkinfest two weeks ago. The pumpkins each weigh between 200-500 pounds.

I'll show you a few.

Does this one make you want a burger and fries? lol

Or a swim in the ocean?

This one looks like he needs to eat a little more.

And here's a public service announcement.

Later in the morning I went out for a while to paint in town.

This is Nash House just down from the only traffic light in town.

It has several businesses inside.

The red tree was just calling to be painted and this is 5 x 7.

By the time I was finished I was wearing my fingerless gloves and shaking.

The temperature up here is a bit on the cold side.

After lunch Mickey and I rode down to Pemaquid Point...my all-time favorite spot in this area. It is not a trip to Maine without seeing the Pemaquid Lighthouse. It was cold and windy down there so I was wearing a sweater, a winter jacket, and a very heavy sweatshirt with a hood over everything.

I guess I was warm enough for a while because I painted without wearing my gloves.

Here I am on the rocks where I sat to paint.

Here is the painting in my sketchbook...about 5 x 7.

Mickey was bundled up too.

For our next sketch location we headed over to Colonial Pemaquid and did a view of the water while sitting in the warm car.

Pemaquid Point

We always have to visit Pemaquid Point. I usually paint the lighthouse but we didn't have much time so I did a view of this small building and the rocks. Three ladies were nice enough to sit and pose too.