MAPLE JUICE COVE, MAINE
I think about my July/August trip to Maine a lot as it was a lifetime event. I want to go back and often think about buying a little cottage in the mid-coast region. If only.
I found it difficult to paint en plein air there because the colors seemed flat, the light key very high and the water vistas vast. Can you see what I mean by comparing and contrasting the photographs below with my completed painting?
It took many days of plein air paintings and corrected paintings to see how important it was to zero in on a smaller area. Paintings can't capture the vastness the eyes see. But translating the view to a painting takes practice. It is so important to sketch before painting.
On my last day on the mainland of Maine I wandered looking for a coastal painting opportunity. Way too often what I wanted to paint was on private property so it occurred to me to look for vacant "For Sale" waterfront property. When I drove to this beautiful For Sale site, a handsome man was working in the yard giving me an opportunity to ask for permission. He assured me it was ok to paint there.
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| Maple Juice Cove, Maine by Carol Hopper 9x12, unframed, oil on gessobord Click here to purchase |
The gorgeous house on Maple Juice Cove is still for sale and you might like to buy it at www.maplejuicecove.com. The owner told me even more than I had previously learned about the Olson House which is located directly across the water to the left, out of my photograph. If you are a lover of history and famous paintings and painters you might like to visit the Olson house website.
Edward Hopper is a very famous painter too, who painted this area. I have thought about telling you how he is a relative of mine...through marriage. Would you be interested in hearing that story?
Edward Hopper is a very famous painter too, who painted this area. I have thought about telling you how he is a relative of mine...through marriage. Would you be interested in hearing that story?
Your painting is really good Carol. Capturing water is hard in my opinion. I think that house in Maine looks amazing...both the one for sale and the old house Andrew painted.
ReplyDeleteYes we would love to hear the story. I love Edward Hopper's book. A book of his art was the first art book I ever bought, way before I ever dreamed of painting. Our museum in Wichita owns 2 or 3 of his works...Conference at Night is one of them.
I must come to KS to see those original pieces of art. Edward Hopper was considered by Andrew Wyeth to be the best painter of the period. Edward lived only a few more years following their friendship.
ReplyDeleteI have been considering writing the Hopper relationship for a bit on a blog. Your encouragement makes me think others might like to hear the story too.
Oh Carol - Fame by association! Would love to hear the story.
ReplyDeleteLove this painting, the way you handled the boats with those few strokes of impasto. Just lovely.
Why Marion, I will get out the genealogy volume and get to work on a "Fame by Association" blog. I think your title is pretty darn good.
DeleteI would love to hear the story. This painting is really beautiful Carol.
ReplyDeleteStory coming up.....stay tuned
DeleteYes Carol...tell us :)
ReplyDeleteI will write about Edward and the Hoppers!
DeleteI agree with you about the daunting difficulties of plenty air painting. I find it a lot easier to distill the essence of a scene from a photo in my studio. Your marine painting is the best I have seen among yours so far. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes. My plein air work always needs tweaking in the studio. Often what I do outside ends up only as a study. Thanks for loving this paintings.
DeleteRaise the price!
ReplyDeleteWho knows what is the right price? This painting is priced much lower than my other recent ones.
DeleteLove your painting Carol. Much more attractive than the photos. YES! Tell us about Edward Hopper and your connection. I have been a fan of his for many years.
ReplyDeleteHi Laura....getting to that fun task later this week. Thanks for your comments.
DeleteThank you for sharing your process. It is fascinating to see how what you see gets translated into a painting.
ReplyDeleteAh....thanks for writing to me. Big Hug to you!
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