It’s been a busy and productive year. So busy I haven’t had a chance to write in this blog! Here are some comments and photos from the past year, in incremental posts. Eventually I’ll update the website too, to share paintings from 2016. I’ll start at the beginning with painting time in Acadia National Park. Parts Two, Three, and Four are coming very soon.
Going way back to February 2016, I loved taking part in the Acadia Winter Festival at Schoodic Institute. I gave a small workshop on extreme weather plein air painting, and again had a chance to put some of the helpful tips into practice myself. Alas, there wasn’t much snow this year, but I searched out whatever ice remained through the odd blasts of storm and high surf. It’s not easy to paint when the thermometer reads 19F degrees , but I managed to stay relatively comfortable, thanks to many layers!
Chilly outdoor studio!
Icy tide line, and a painting.
Soft winter colors.
More winter colors. The water is an amazing green.
Where’s Waldo/Jana? (Photo by Renata Moise, who painted with me at the extreme weather plein air workshop.)
Winter branches.
Big splashes at Schoodic Point.
High surf looking toward Little Moose Island.
Icy coast.
Enough cold photos! Brrrr!
In June 2016 (MUCH warmer than February!) I was back at Schoodic for the third annual Acadia Artist Retreat. What a joy! We had a terrific group of 12 artists, from as far away as Ohio, Canada, and Bermuda. We all learned from each other, and got a lot of good artwork done, including some lovingly attentive nature studies (and even some figure drawing!) I loved the discovery, by one of our participants Liz, that in a duck’s beak “was a whole landscape.” And I really appreciated the enthusiasm of the artists who were excited by the new perspectives and enjoyment of the world that art was bringing to them.
Gorgeous Schoodic!
Happy watercolorist.
Artists on Little Moose Island.
I love love love the rocks.
Plein air in comfort!
Sharing after meals.
Kate at the Touch Tank.
Ying and nature.
Artist Retreat final review of work.
I’m looking forward to the next Acadia Artist Retreat, which will be in June 2017. I’ll post an alert when the dates are set, as I think the places will fill quickly. Acadia is clearly a stunning, inspiring place to paint, and the Acadia Artist Retreat provided excellent meals, support and camaraderie. A big thank you to Kate and staff at Schoodic and Acadia National Park for such a wonderful program.
I continued on in Maine for another couple weeks, painting on Mt. Desert. I stayed right by some paths on the “Quiet Side,” and enjoyed hiking and heading out to paint right from my cabin. I even tried some smaller format paintings this time. I was pleased to be in Bar Harbor for exhibitions at the Argosy Gallery and for this year’s “Art on Deck” Father’s Day reception at Galyn’s. Thanks to everyone!
June morning light.
Quiet side daisies.
Spring color.
Feathered friend
Fun at Bubble Rock.
Handsome gull.
Osprey on the hunt.
A moment at top of Perpendicular Trail.
A breakfast favorite.
Yawning baby loon.
Grateful. Grateful.
Most of all, I was grateful to be in Acadia, a place where I am spiritually uplifted, close to nature, and totally at home.
More posts to follow…
Jana Matusz on Site 