Postcard for Arts are Elementary Brunswick 10 by 10 show

"Maritime Workshop"

The postcards for the Brunswick 10 by 10 shows are ready to go out.  Click here to see the posting on the 10 by 10 web site. Also, the Maine Maritime Museum Facebook page gave a  shout-out.  Today is Brunswick Outsdoor Arts Festival and it looks like a beautiful day.  Need to check it out.

Back to Work

Lubec Narrows, oil on canvas

Coastal Garden, oil on canvas

Lubec Poppy Patch, oil on canvas

After this extended winter, it's time to get back into the studio with increased frequency and focus.  The Brunswick Art Walk season is coming up and I'll also be part of a two person show with Ed Morton at Points of View this June.  Time to get busy.  And then there's the Life Form drawing sessions at Centre Street Gallery in Bath on Sundays.  What a great space and nice folk.  Some of my latest work done over the winter is shown with this post.

Joshua Chamberlain, Hostas, Lubec

"Joshua", oil on canvas

"Hosta Blooms", oil on canvas

"Pope's Folly", oil on panel

Alex and I returned to Brunswick Maine from a week at the Chautauqua Institution in upstate NY exhausted and energized.  With the Brunswick 10by10 and a couple of one person shows coming up (more on that in upcoming posts) along with a commission to finish, I got busy in the studio.  The commission was "Joshua" and it's now on the wall in the office of a true Joshua Chamberlain buff.  It was fun and challenging to execute what with the varying types of detail in the fore-, mid- and background from spring blossoms to chiseled stone to bike riders.  Other recent compositions on a smaller scale are "Hosta Blooms" (next to a bank in Brunswick Maine) and "Pope's Folly" (as viewed from the Lubec Maine waterfront).  As a footnote to the Chautauqua trip, Vanessa German's show at the Strohl Center, "American JuJu: Root and Power for a New Century" was exceptional.  Her figural assemblages were magical and mesmerizing.  

Brunswick Art Walk 2012

Don's Piglets

All Species Parade

The 2nd Friday Art Walk season kicked off this past Friday in Brunswick with a flourish.  The All Species parade organized by Spindleworks got things rolling down Maine Street with a spirited marching band leading marchers sporting innovative and smile-provoking "species-wear."  (As an unintended tribute to the All Species parade, I just finished a new soft block print, Don's Piglets.)  The weather held up quite nicely and Art Walkers were rewarded with an expanded Art Walk including many pop-up artists showing a wide variety of art and wares.  In my new studio location in the Lincoln Building, there was a steady stream of Art Walkers enjoying the evening.  Outside my studio door, Paulus Fine Furniture set up a display of extraordinarily beautiful and artful chairs, tables and stands.  It was quite an entryway into my studio.  Finally, major props to my studio neighbor, Connie Lundquist, who worked purposefully with Five River Arts Alliance, area businesses and artists in setting up the Art Walk for this year.  A job extremely well done!!

Art Show, Jazz, Block Print

Last Friday night, the 10by10 show took place in Brunswick - an exceptional event.  The food and volunteer support were outstanding.  Alex and I wished we hadn't eaten dinner before attending, so much wonderful food.  And 60 works of art sold, including two of mine - Lobster Buoys and View from West Branch.  A very good start to the evening.  Then it was on to Bowdoin's Studzinski Hall for an hour of jazz by the Ahmad Hassan Muhammad trio.  Ahmad is a recent Bowdoin graduate who plays a very lyrical, rhythmic and jazzy piano.  If you haven't heard them, give them a try.  The trio is setting off on a tour and was recently featured on MPBN Friday Night jazz.  For video and audio from MPBN Friday Night jazz click here.  Lastly, I've completed a new block print - Off Wolfe Neck - a view of lobster boats at work off the shore of Wolfe Neck State Park.  It presented a different challenge in the variety of detail presented, but hopefully it works.  Click the image above for a larger view.  It will also be available in an edition of 25. 

Art in Education 2010 Scholarship

The Art in Education 2010 Scholarship event is being spearheaded by Stephanie Hill, a Brunswick High student. There is a silent auction at Gelato Fiasco on May 21 of donated art work. Stephanie has facilitated donations from local and quite accomplished artists, including Ed McCartan and Mildred Johnson. I have my eye on Mildred's work. Three of my paintings are included. For more info -> http://artineducation2010.blogspot.com/