The Many Meanings of Spring

Painting out of doors

Goose

8"x10" oil on canvas panel

Spring brings so may things, the gardeners begin outdoor cleanup, spring cleaning commences inside, lawnmowers replace snowblowers, and those of us who love to paint en plein air head outside. I'm lucky this spring to be able to do that on the New England coast all the way from Westport on the southern shore of Massachusetts to Rockport on Penobscot Bay, where I'll be tomorrow painting with Carol L. Douglas. And yes, we will be in a boatyard,  just as I've been today helping to get our boat, the Fair Tide, ready for launch. I love hanging around in boatyards, there's lots to see, and usually lively conversation. And everyone is working. I wish my house was a clean as the sparkling wheelhouse of the lobster boat that is parked in front of ours!

The white shrink wrap that covered one sids of Fair Tide a few hours ago,
ready for me to roll up and put in the dumpster for recycling.

Jack stands holding up a sailboat while stored at the boatyard.

But back to the top. Goose is a lovely lobster boat that lives in Westport Harbor, manned by Captain Mike and his little dog, Goose. I'm not sure who is named after whom. There used to be another goose in Westport Harbor, who was a friend of the local swan. But this year the swan arrived with a lady swan, and that particular goose is no longer welcome.

All the best to you and whatever spring brings your way.

Make Way for Illustrators

An original drawing from Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey, published in 1948

One of the most popular books in American children's literature is Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, about a mother duck and her babies and their walk around the streets of Boston. This book provides the title for an exhibit at the Museum of Fine Art in Boston of original sketches, drawings, and paintings from McCloskey's books. And it's a delight for those of us who love the work of this author illustrator. In our family the favorites were Burt Dow, Deep Water Man, Blueberries for Sal, Time of Wonder, and One Morning in Maine. The illustrations in McCloskey's early books were drawings, due to the high expense of publishing in color during WWII. The originals of those drawings shown in the exhibit are simply beautiful, and the paintings which appear in later books are lovely. I may have to go back and see it again before the exhibit closes on June 18th.

Cover of Good Dog, Carl by Alexandra Day, published in 1985

Seeing the McCloskey exhibit brought to mind another children's book whose illustrations I loved when our son was young, Good Dog, Carl. The story is told by the illustrations, there is no text, which makes it great for non-readers. The pastel illustrations are beautifully done by Alexandra Day (Sandra Louise Woodward Darling). I just discovered that since Carl was a good dog in 1985 there have been 14 more Carl books published. I've got some non-reading to do! 

Cover of The Night Has Ears by Ashley Bryan published in 1999

And finally I'd like to tell you about the latest author illustrator that I've become acquainted with, Ashley Bryan. I came to know of Bryan through his friendship with Henry Isaacs, and had the pleasure of hearing them speak together. His paintings are rich and colorful and I'm just starting to dip into his books. The first black student at Cooper Union, Bryan recognized a void in African American children's literature which he has filled with 50 books. Last spring when I was in New York City, I immediately recognized his work commissioned for several subway stations. What a treat! Bryan has work in the current show at Greenhut Galleries in Portland, ME.

Thanks to Bruce McMillan for his explanation of the illustration publishing process.

Learning Something New

White House, Monhegan

 watercolor 4"x5"

Bobbi Heath

I got an email the other day from a colleague in my former technology life. It said "it looks like you are having more fun than anyone I know". And I think she's right. It's because I get to learn something new every day.

Here's a case in point. Haven't you heard it said that watercolor is harder than oil and acrylic? In my experience it's true. But there are some scenes that just call out to me for watercolor, particularly those on the water. Winslow Homer's Caribbean paintings come to mind. I also think we learn a lot when we work in more than one medium.

So I'm excited to be attending a workshop next month with accomplished watercolorist and friend, Poppy Balser. To add to the appeal, it's in Cornwallis Park, Nova Scotia! 

Here are a few of Poppy's water colors, which are inspiring indeed.

Poppy Balser

Poppy Balser

Poppy Balser

Poppy's workshop in May is full, but she's teaching again in June and September. For more information take a look here.