daily paintings

I have been trying to build a sketchbook practice over the past few years, and the truth is I go in spurts … some weeks I’ll play a lot and then there are times I leave it untouched for days. I think what’s hard about sketchbook work for me is that I use my daily paintings and small gouache or watercolor crayon paintings as a sketchbook of sorts. I do have to say that it is very satisfying to fill an entire sketchbook with ideas and studies and then to flip through it. That really is the fun of having a sketchbook for me–the revisiting.

I am still not feeling 100% and have had a hard time painting in my studio, and after the storms that hit the Maine coast last week, I got my sketchbook out and flipped through some of the many photos I have of the Fishing Shacks at Willard Beach and I did some paintings. I had fun playing and remembering the shacks that we all loved so much.

Once I am back to my old tricks, I will do some oil paintings of the shacks and maybe a notecard release to commemorate them and to help raise some money for the relief efforts of our coastline. Until then, enjoy these snippets from my sketchbook.

Coastal Love • 6×6 • oil on wood • $125 • purchase link

Happy New Year, friends! I have been under the weather and am just starting to get back some energy to paint. I figured that there was no better way to start 2024 than with a painting on the beautiful Maine coast and one of my favorite spots on Lane’s Island. While my body has been feeling battered of late, so have the shores of our coastline. My finger are crossed that tomorrow’s tides and storm surge spare any extreme damage to our already fragile waterfronts. I am holding space for our shores and communities that have been impacted and sending love to all. xoxo

Evening Stroll • 6×6 • oil on panel • SOLD

Windy Shore • 6×6 • GOUACHE on panel • $125 • purchase link

Here are a couple of small paintings inspired from my time on Vinalhaven this Fall. One from a sunset stroll with the pups and another from a wild and windy afternoon on a point. I soaked up so much magic! Ahhhh.

Sunrise from the Boat • 6×6 • oil on wood • $125 • purchase link

One of the benefits of hopping on the first boat off of the island in October is catching the sunrise. This particular morning the sky was on fire! And it just didn’t stop. Wow. Just wow. Always a treat to witness these moments.

Autumn Sunrise Walk • 6×6 • oil on wood • SOLD

Following oceanside trails is fun at any time of day … but there is something extra special about doing it at sunrise. I love watching the sun burn through and over the pine trees and light up the marsh grasses and rocks of the shoreline. So special and peaceful. Cheers to more of that!

Window Through the Trees • 6×6 oil on wood • SOLD

I love being surprised by a beautifully framed view. In this case, the pine trees on all sides of me opened up a little window, highlighting the morning sun on the shore across the way. I can’t think of a better way to start the day!

Rocks in the Basin • 6×6 • oil on wood panel • SOLD

I love sitting on the granite rocks and ledges and listening to the birds and the seals in the Basin. It’s so peaceful and beautiful and peace and beauty is what we can all use more of. And I love seeing the greens of the seaweed clinging to the rock and floating on the surface of the water as the tide goes in and out. I keep coming back to this spot to just sit, listen and sketch. I hope you can feel a little bit of the magic.