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This summer's Painting Trip to Maine was absolutely wonderful! The house we rented was a lovely, elegant old New England House that had just recently been completely redone in the charming town of Belgrade. The Belgrade Lakes were right out the back door, which faced west, so the sunsets were heart-stopping! And to top it all off, we had a fabulous cook! The only disappointment was that we lost one painter at the last minute. Her Granddaughter came early, so she had to cancel, but now she has a sweet tiny preemie about the size of a bag of sugar. However, we had no trouble polishing off her share of lobster and Blueberry pie. Alas, now I am on a diet of gruel and water! Many paintings to come!

Still under the spell of Monet's show, I had decided to paint pleinair on a larger scale. This spot under the trees at Lake Winnipesaukee enchants me. The steady lapping of the waves and the play of shadows and lights on the green moss bank and the sandy shore are delightful! However, trying to capture that in paint continues to defeat me. It's one of those "You should have been there" moments. I now understand another reason why Monet painted the same subject over and over. He found a composition that worked and quit trying new compositions. Instead, he studied how the light, the seasons, and the time of day affected that beautiful composition. Maybe I should do that as well. On the other hand, aren't little plein air paintings a good way to expand your knowledge of what works? Isn't the freedom to fail on a small scale valuable? This is a question for another day. I am bringing small and large canvases on my next trip. I am taking a painting group to Maine next week! Can't wait!

I spend most days, either consciously or unconsciously, hunting for compositions. My kids' dog turns, every year, from a pampered city dog into a wild hunter at Lake Winnipesaukee. They fly every summer from cold San Francisco with the dog and cat to this little island of paradise. Everyone loves spending days in their swimming suits, hiking, swimming, water skiing, boating, and generally enjoying the pleasant summer days in New Hampshire; however, the pets revert to their primal state. They become fierce hunters! Luckily for me, the dog found this little spot under the blueberry bushes with a view of the lily pond. I love the strong shift from the dark foreground to the light hitting the pond and bushes. I did get a few scratches following the dog, but it was worth it. I hope you agree.