The Hula Girl

"BREMEN LONG ISLAND"
Bremen, Maine

Oil on Canvas

"18 x 18"

$900 USD

By some act of divine providence, a friend was bartending for a private soiree' on Bremen Long Island and I wangled an invitation to tag along and paint.

While guest sipped fine wine, I schlepped my gear out to yonder point and undertook this image. Time was short and it was a one shot deal. To add to the challenge, a formidable wind threatened to send the canvas flying at any moment, whipping my old yellow paint skirt back and forth, earning me the nickname of “the hula girl” – the guests apparently quite entertained from a distance and probably moreso with the passing of more liquor. Oblivious, I painted like a madwoman, the brush working every corner of that canvas, racing the inevitable tide which crept in stealthily, and the sun, which slipped down all too soon on the horizon. With wind burned eyes and a feeling of utter exhaustion, I headed back to find a little place to recoup among the guests.

The Summer Host of Characters

"LOW TIDE"

South Freeport, Maine
Oil on Canvas
12" x 12"

SOLD

Oh the stories about this place.

The lonely farmer -- who roars up on his tractor to boast of his “big barn,” complain how women run the minute they hear about the 10-year old son, meanwhile eyeballing me for dating potential. Lately, I am not too proud to duck for cover every time I hear the farm equipment coming.

The kayaker -- who insisted on putting in at low tide (Read: Bonehead). Quite the showman as he hefted the kayak and proudly strode to the water... then for the next 45 minutes dug and kicked and panted to get out beyond the mud flats, then gave up and dug and kicked and panted to get back to the parking area. (Its true, I have pictures). By then he was fuming -- black clouds forming overhead as he huffed back to the car with considerably less flair. And in that fateful moment the tide turned... water gushing generously into the inlet, which only further maddened the erstwhile studly who sped off in a cloud of dust, oblivious to my chuckling.

The clammers -- who leave mysterious tracks in the flats that catch the sunlight like silken ribbons. Yet none who exit the mud look so elegant as that.

The swimmers -- who appear on sunny days at high tide and cannonball off the bridge. The air is filled with their sounds and it is pure summer glee at its best. Osprey hovering and hunting in the distance.

The fishermen -- who appear like ghosts just when the stripers are running, little fish flicker and jump to elude the big ones who chase them. Sun dappling on the water.

The campers -- who lumber along in towering land yachts to weigh anchor at Recompense Campground just beyond the bridge. A virtual paradise for summer visitors and the biting pests who are all to happy to serve them.

In the winter, I remember these times and feel warmed by them. Several winters ago the temperatures plummeted and held low for weeks. This entire outlet froze with over a foot of ice that rose and fell with the daily tides. At low tide, it sat on the flats and I roamed the edges and inlets, dressing warm against the wind and cold. Free form art sculptures formed by tidal ice activity dotted the shore. This was my moment to walk on water, and even though it was frozen, I felt like an adventurer.

Somehow, amidst the robust development trend of southern Maine this beautiful farmland remains open and relatively unscathed. We truly hope it remains so.

A Lady ALWAYS Keeps Her Knees Together

BLUE DEVA SERIES

"Siren"

Oil on Canvas

30" x 40"

$2500 USD

The Blue Deva Series is my ode to the feminine form and mystique. After years of painting landscapes I had become bored, so turned to the human landscape for a good “ass kicking.” How fascinating it is to watch others respond to the human image.

The subject, a long time friend and art model, counseled me to be sure and define the shadows around her breasts, as otherwise, they would look like headlights... "People always paint my breasts like headlights!” I snickered and thus for a time the painting earned the nickname “Headlights.”

My 83 year old grandmother, when faced with this image, stood erect for the first time in 30 years, nostrils flaring and sputtering in disgust. Once composed, she stated simply and with perfect affect, “When I was a young girl, we were taught that a lady always keeps her knees together.” I laughed until Gram laughed with me. Thus the next nickname.

A visiting art collector who fancied himself a ladies’ man could barely contain his male enthusiasm over this image and thought to buy it for a song. I was not inclined to sell her off so cheaply.

I had another story about this image. One of a series of feminine images exploring mood and lighting – this woman is sensual and introspective. In ways, the audience is not even there – just her alone, looking inward. Look at me or don’t.

And if I still own this piece a few years down the road, perhaps I will market it to a gynecological clinic, where even the most mannered ladies cannot always keep their knees together!

In Case You're Desperate...

"THE TURNING POINT"
Scarborough, Maine
Oil on Canvas
15" x 30"
$1,200 USD

Interesting things can happen when you're standing along side the road painting, not the least of which are the characters who drop by for a visit. First, the lady who screeched to a halt and sprinted back up the road waving her gallery card and screeching "Do you have gallery representation?;" and let us remember the husband and wife who wanted to own it for their home nearby, but didn't want to pay much (sorry folks, you'll find that sort of art work at Wally World) and of course, the truckers.

I must say a few words about truckers. Either they are be depraved by nature, or they are all art lovers at heart, because apparently few can restrain themselves from laying on the horn whilst barreling by. Have you ever had a semi truck horn go off at close range behind your back? Talk about getting your crackers scattered~

After the umpteenth blasting, I mused that a specially designed trucker's horn might be the key to my wealth. Why I would simply design and patent a horn that would convey their truest base sentiments, ....blaring Ssssseeexxxxxxxxx! Maybe several optional sounds, for instance TITSssssssssss.... Assssssssss.... HOOTERrrrrrrrssss! Several friends were appalled; they thought this highly sexist of me and offered that I might be sued. However, I am convinced a fine trucker's horn would sell like HOooooooT CAKKKKKKKkkkkkkkkkes! No doubt I would quickly become a millionairess.

The most comical and enduring chuckle regarding this painting is the woman from Freeport who wanted to buy it in the worst way, but was not authorized to spend such a sum as her husband, in all likelihood would have divorced her. And so she did what any sane wife would do, and offered me half the asking price. Naturally I declined. I am no flea market art seller, and until the the right buyer comes along, I am enjoying this particular piece in my office. Looks rather lovely I might add.

Not one to be easily dismissed, this dear woman called six months later to inquire if the painting had sold. "No... I'm looking at it right now, and its a BEAUTY!" Again, the half price offer. Again the decline. She warned, "OK, but if you get desperate, remember me." I countered, "Ohhh trust me, if I get desperate... I will surely remember you.