Bold Coast Competition Winner

I have just learned that my submission, Fouled Gear, was chosen by the Bold Coast Scenic Byway Corridor Advisory Group to be one of 3 images used to represent the Bold Coast region!  Please follow this link for a DRAFT view of what these keepsake artcards will look like.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/97dpbsw17iw8ff9/POSTCARD%20DRAFT.docx

There will be 10,000 copies of each image printed and distributed to visitors in the Bold Coast region.

DISCOVER Maine’s Bold Coast

Jonesport Public Library Silent Auction

The Jonesport Public Library means a lot to me.  That's where I was invited to first show my work in a public venue by the Art in the Library group, spearheaded by Marshia Brown.  These shows resulted in some of my earliest sales, giving me much needed moral support.
This coming Thursday, August the 7th, they will be conducting a silent auction of a whole lot of donated stuff, including one of my paintings, Triptych:  Evening Shadows, Carrying Place, Hancock.  Hope to see you there!

Robin Rier, left, with her donated painting, with me and my painting on the right.

Triptych:  Evening Shadows, Carrying Place, Hancock.  6 x 12 x 3 - $600 retail price.

Jonesport and Great Wass Island

I had the honor of painting with renowned artist and workshop instructor Robert Beck this week.  We started out on Tuesday painting on Great Wass Island, on somebody's porch, pelted by rain and fighting on-again - off-again fog.  On Wednesday, we painted from inside a crab processing plant, again looking out on rain and fog.  Finally, on Thursday, we were able to paint en plein air, with actual sunshine and blue sky. On Friday, I was able to rescue three of the paintings...

Jonesport Public Library Show - Featured Artist

This morning, my three good friends and fellow artists Robin Rier, Nancy Kahler, and Jolene Harmon helped me hang 19 of my recent paintings and a few of their own.  The show looks great and will be on display the rest of the month.  Here is a photograph of one of the groupings:

 

I suppose there are many milestones an artist must reach as his career develops:  participating in a joint show, making the first sale, securing gallery representation,  and in my case, having a one-man show.  While this is not strictly speaking a one-man show, at least I am the featured artist, supported by three others.  I feel good about having reached this milestone and looking forward to many more!  Thank you Robin, Nancy, and Jolene!

Come visit us at the opening reception this Saturday from 2:30 until 5:00 at the Jonesport Public Library. 

Announcement: One-Man Show - sort of...

I have been invited to put together a one-man show at the Jonesport-Beals Peabody Memorial Public Library during the month of July.  I will be hanging a selection of my work on Sunday, July 6th, and the show will open on Tuesday, July the 8th and go through July 31st, with the Opening Reception on Saturday, July the 12th from 2:30 until 5:00.  If you are in the area, I would love to see you there.  Let the fun begin!

These and others will be shown.

I have invited three other artists to join me:  Jolene Harmon, Nancy Kahler, and Robin Rier,  They will hang 2-4 works each.

Peer Critiques

Over the years, I have come to treasure opportunities to participate in group critiques, either after a plein air outing or, as in this case, just a group of artists getting together for an informal critique of each others' work, as a help to solve problems with a painting or just to get feedback from other artists whose opinions you respect.  I brought several paintings to this gathering, but one in particular stands out, because I was so impressed with the sharp eyes and great suggestions of the other artists - all members of the In Town Gallery co-op in Chattanooga, TN.  Here is the painting, Cape St. George Light, as presented to the group.

Critiques:
1 - the white trim on the shaded end of the house is too bright - it needs to be darkened
2 - the blue sky should be lighter at the horizon than at the top of the painting
3 - considering this is a bright, sunny day, there should be more sunlight on the grass lawn
4 - would like to see more obvious sunlight on the right side of the black top of the lighthouse, the palm fronds, and the palm tree trunks

I agreed with all of these suggestions and fixed them.  Here is the "after" photo.

The two photos were taken under very different light conditions, but even allowing for that, the revised version is so much better.

The moral of this story?  Seek out opportunities for getting input from others, particularly from other artists whose opinion you respect and value.  Thank you, Marie Miller and company!

Fouled Gear

Last summer, before the lobsters had really started moving in good, these two dedicated lobstermen decided to go fishing for halibut. They invited me along as the official photographer, and this scene was among those I captured - "Fouled Gear". Watch out for the sharp hooks!

Oil on canvasboard, 11x14.

Afternoon Light

Just finished putting final touches on this little ditty.  This is from a point of the Mooseneck peninsula in Maine, looking West towards the Narrows.

This is painted in oil on 5x7 canvasboard, using knife and brush.   $150 framed.

Karsten's Korner

My dear friends and greatest collectors recently sent me this photo of their collection of my paintings.  The paintings represent Maine winter, spring, summer and fall, and they have them arranged in a corner of their dining room.  I am currently working on a major (24x48) commission for them.  Thanks guys!

Cape St. George Light

As you come off the bridge onto St. George Island, Florida, this replica of the Cape St. George Light greets your weary eyes - and what a delightful sight it is!

If interested in this painting, contact artist at kittelsen@aol.com.