Painting in Steuben

You know I'm always interested to find new places to paint. Last weekend, I found Steuben! What a gorgeous place, downeast of Acadia. My student, Lucille, was the angel who offered her family camp as a venue for a student retreat (and got a painting in return). And what a retreat! There were seven of us. Friday was gorgeous. Saturday it rained, but we had plenty of room to paint inside at the windows, right on the ocean. Sunday morning the sun broke through.

Words are inadequate. Here are the pictures:

Early on a foggy morning, one artist in Steuben
is already thinking about coffee!

Morning hike in Grand Manan.

Road signs for arriving students.

Psyched to paint!!

More autumn doings...

So, I proofed my 2015 calendar today at Walch Printing. Aaron, the printing liaison, was awesome, gallantly allowing me to mark each and every page for color correction. So happy to be getting my calendar printed locally this year! Those calendars should be out by the end of next week.

Meanwhile, speaking of calendars, please mark yours for the Lincoln Farm Artisans Sale! (You may need to zoom in to read the flyer - I did!) Lovely space, LOTS of art and gift ideas, and free homemade cookies - what's not to like?

Just a quick post today as I fly away - gathering and packing for my upcoming Student Painting Retreat in Steuben, Maine! Photos will be posted!

Autumn: Busy doings...

SO, all summer I don't write a word, because, so I tell myself, I'm just too busy. Then comes autumn - and there is SO much to write about - because ... I'm even busier!!! (Does this strike a chord with you?) Kids are back in school, all the regular meetings and activities that we took a summer break from are now back in gear and revving up. Summer's gone, it's harvest time and garden food needs putting up as we enter the last quarter of 2014. Which means...

My 2015 12 Months in Maine calendar will be coming out soon!

Like last year, the calendar measures 8x8". Even better than last year, they cost only $10 each! (Plus tax where applicable.)

To order just send an email to mary.brooking@gmail.com. You can either copy and paste the liink into your email program, or click on the link to my website and the email link at the top of that page. You're welcome to leave a comment here, but sometimes I don't see them, so I don't recommend ordering that way. Anyway, sooner or later I'll need your email address.

After the calendars are printed I'll send you a PayPal invoice, or if you prefer, an address where you can mail your check.

Thanks to all who have ordered my calendars in the past, and who will in the future. You are some of my most important art patrons. I hope they bring a you whole year of colorful enjoyment. 

~m.

Monhegan!

OK, it was June. And yes, this is September. Busy summer!

One of the joys of my life lately is teaching painting. Last June I got brave and led my first retreat, in a big house I rented on Monhegan. It had to be Monhegan! Artists have been inspired here for over a hundred years.

Several of my students joined me for this adventure, but I came out by myself a day early to get settled into the house. It was a jewel of a day, crystal clear, warm and Monhegan-magical, and I was walking around almost in a daze - couldn't believe my luck, getting to work there all week.

That magic never ran out the whole time we were there.

Over the Top 8x8" acrylic on panel

Sunshine Yellow 6x6" acrylic on panel

Down to the Sea 6x6" acrylic on panel

So, next month (yes, October), several of us will be meeting for another painting retreat in beautiful Steuben, Maine. My son spent Labor Day weekend with a friend in Steuben. I'd never been there, but when I saw the photos I knew I wanted to go. Then, as I was arranging my next student retreat, I lucked out again - one of my students offered her family camp in Steuben as a venue!

I will not wait until the dead of winter to post photos. ;-)

Run Away!

It may not be considered honorable to cry "Retreat!," but retreating is something I happily do now and then. Art isn't all advancing, anymore than breathing is all exhaling. Sometimes you need to breathe in, and that's what a good retreat is for.

I attended a very good retreat last weekend, at Pemaquid Point with the Pastel Painters of Maine, a lovely group of artists who graciously allowed me admittance despite my proclivity for painting in acrylic instead of pastel.

Here we are at the Hotel Pemaquid - that's me boldly claiming the foreground!

In a couple of weeks, I'll be leading a retreat to Monhegan! 

M-o-n-h-e-g-a-n!! 

- where the siren's call to artists is so strong that people have been coming there to paint for well over a hundred years!

Many, but not all, of those who will be joining me are my students. 

If you're interested, you can find information here.

There are two sessions, June 22-24 and June 25-27. 

The first session is just about full, and the second, as of right now, has space for two or three more people.

Last night at the opening of the current Saccarappa Art Collective exhibit, I was involved in a conversation about retreats, when I distinctly heard myself say, "I'd like to lead a retreat every month." And that spirit under my breastbone which occasionally makes it wisdom known clearly rejoined, "Why don't you?"

What do you think?

Art is Faith

Can I get an amen?

Studio Tour

Check out these photos of my studio (and me in it) by phabulous photog Erin Little!

Have you seen my studio? I've been working in this airy, light-filled space for the past 6 months. The address is 863 Main Street, rear entrance - which means you can't see it from Main Street! Head around to the parking lot behind the Frog and Turtle, and you'll see the door to my studio right next door to their entrance.

I love visitors!

Pretty is a walk in the park, but beautiful is more often the end
of a three-day road trip through ugly. I like beautiful.

I'm so honored to be one of several Maine artists that Erin has chosen for her interview series!