As we close the chapter on 2020 and look ahead to 2021 wouldn't it be nice to share a gift of hope to someone you care about?

In this year's A Fresh Perspective Art Calendar, each month features a new painting and inspirational quote to brighten not just your day but your whole year.  

Why not share that hope with a friend?  

Today I'd like to share one of my calendar pages with you.

It's the month of April 2021.

This year I decided to add inspirational quotes to each calendar page so I gathered all the quotes I've been saving and searched for more.

After changing the quote and image for April a few times, I settled on the painting of the pink spring blossoms in Branford. I love this painting because it brings back memories of sitting in my car with the easel resting against the steering wheel. It was just too cold to paint outside that April day but I didn't want to miss this moment. Be faithful in the small things, or should I say the small moments.

"Be faithful in the small things because it is in them that your strength lies." - Mother Teresa

I love this quote by Mother Teresa as well as many other words of wisdom from such a remarkable wise woman.

This morning I was reading a blog post by Mark Batterson. Author of the Circle Makers and Pastor at National Community Church in Washington DC..

 The title of the blog post is "Find your Calcutta".

I knew right then I had to read this one. I knew it would be about Mother Teresa.

Mark Batterson has a wonderful way of linking ideas together to paint a beautiful picture with words. He tells the story of Mother Teresa, and how she started the orphanage in Calcutta.

 Her superiors said, “You can’t build an orphanage with three pennies. With three pennies you can’t do anything.”
Agnes smiled and said, “I know. But with God and three pennies I can do anything.”

For fifty years Agnes worked among the poor in the slums of Calcutta, India. In 1979 the woman we know as Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize. Listen, it is a long way from three pennies to a Nobel Peace Prize. And my question is, how did a woman with so little do so much? The answer is simple. Never underestimate someone who has the courage to come out of the cage and pursue a Godordained passion.
​
Toward the end of her ministry, Mother Teresa was often asked by her admirers how they could make a difference with their lives the way she had with hers. Mother Teresa’s oft-repeated response was four words long: “Find your own Calcutta.”

What an inspiring story!! I love it! And so worth sharing and passing it along. This is exactly what I needed to get the engine reeved up and face another day! I hope it inspires you too.

​ Mr. Batterson also ends his post with this last line  which I think is worth sharing too.

Be the Light! Keep shining -Be faithful in the little things -
Blessings
​Linda

I'm happy to share that my latest 2021 A Fresh Perspective Art Calendar is at the printers now and will be ready to ship soon! 

Each year I love to gather together my latest collection into a 12 month wall calendar. It's such a joy to see it call come together in one pretty package. 

This year I decided to add some of my favorite quotes to illuminate the images each month.  The quotes vary from unknown to well -known, like Mother Teresa, Desmond Tutu, Maya Angelou and Martin Luther King Jr. 

In December the quote is from Desmond Tutu - " Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness."

In February the quote is from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ' " Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase: just take the first step."

and in September the quote is Maya Angelou "Nothing can dim the light that shines from within."

I selected these quotes so that we may be encouraged and challenged to see what's before us in a whole new light - A Fresh Perspective!

These calendars are wrapped individually in make great gifts! 

Here are a few sample pages:

Our second night out painting a nocturne at the Guilford Harbor.
I switched over from acrylics to oil to see if I like the medium better for a nocturne painting. There are some advantages like drying slower that acrylics but one big disadvantage I could find is that with the lamp light or over head street light a very hard glare happens when a layer of oil paint is on the canvas. I had to keep moving left to right to see if I could dodge the glare. But once I got use to it, I didn't even notice that it was there. 
Our second night was a little quieter than the first night. Although a few folks would drive by and yell out their car window "nice painting" - I was so slow to respond, I don't even think they heard me say "Thanks" as they drove off into the night.
One thing I do love about painting a nocturne is that the light source, usually a street lamp doesn't change like the way the sunlight changes throughout the day. 
I was thankful that Eileen had an extra clip on light for my easel but it still was a challenge to see the true colors that you were mixing. It wasn't until the next day in daylight I could truly assess whether the colors looked correct or were totally off!
Now that the winter is approaching and the days are getting shorter, I've been scoping out new places to paint a nocturne painting. I found the Branford Green with the tall white church and red doors a definite on my list of places to paint.

Special Offer: From now until November 29th Artists Sunday - Free shipping on all commissioned Pet Portraits! Contact me for more information or go to my Pet Portrait Page

A wonderful day at Weir Farm in Wilton CT with the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society. It was early autumn when just a few trees have started to turn. There were about 8 or 9 of us painting throughout the day. We were spread out on the 280 acre property. I would making my rounds to see how all the painters were doing. I enjoyed meeting several new artists.

 I was able to complete a quick block in for this painting and finished it up in my studio. I love this spot behind the main house where the Ranger's office is. There's a stone potting shed, sunken garden and a few smaller buildings in the back. I set up my easel in the shade of a large oak tree and right next to a stone wall. 
Painting at Weir Farm is so inspiring especially when one learns about the history of famous American painters who painted right there on the farm. Julian Alden Weir was the owner of the property and he would invite his friends to join him for an artist's retreat. I absolute love this idea because it's a secret dream I hope that one day Dean and I could own a small farm and hold Plein air painting artist retreats. 
Here's the link to read more about Weir Farm and the History. - 

what also makes visiting Weir Farm special this year is that the Farm has been selected as a National Park for the Arts and a US coin has been minted with a picture of Weir farm on the back! Thanks to the Friends of Weir Farms for selecting one of paintings to be on the cover of their mailers!

We will definitely be back to paint at Weir farm especially in the Winter and Spring seasons, I  can only imagine how beautiful and so different the place will look.

I'll be putting together a short video of our paint outs at Weir farm for CPAPS website. I'm just gathering the image and I have a few short interviews to include - I'll post it on our social media page for public viewing.

Thanks for being apart of my art journey - I hope it's inspired you to get creative and try something new!

Warmest regards,
Linda


P. S. Don't forget... Open Studio Visits are going on for the month of November and December 2020 - register for a visit - come and see the new artwork I've been creating all year and purchase a painting for yourself or as a gift. Art makes the best gift!

First time for me out painting by the moonlight. It was the perfect September evening out on the Guilford Harbor with my friend Eileen.

We painted from just after sunset to about 9pm.

There were a few folks walking by and we could hear the quiet chatter of the people enjoying a meal at the nearby restaurant. 

I could hear the fish popping in the water right below me. When my husband who was fishing on the other side of the parking lot came over to join us. I told him about the fish popping and he dropped his line.

​Within just a few seconds he hooked a blue fish. Just a little to small to keep so he tossed the fish back in and dropped the fishing line again.

We went back out a second night and I was able to complete a second painting of this scene.

Thanks for being apart of the journey!
Linda

P.S. Join me for an Open Studio Visit this month and next  if you live in the area.  - go to the Shoreline Arts Trail website to learn more about the open studio and to schedule a visit. Look forward to seeing you!

Our second painting out with the Connecticut Plein air painters society was at the New Britain Museum of American Art in New Britain, CT.

We met up on Saturday September 26- it started off rainy and drizzly on my way up to the museum but by the time we unpacked our gear and found a place to paint the sun came out and it was just a perfect day to paint - together.  

I've just stepped into the role of President for CPAPS and there's a lot to learn and organize. I'm hoping we'll have a board soon so that jobs can be delegated and the work load is a little lighter. But I enjoy gather with my fellow artists, finding new places in Connecticut to paint and seeking new ways to showcase our artwork.

This is our 25th year but we plan to celebrate next year because of all the restriction due to Covid.  I'm looking forward to meeting new painters and checking out all the beautiful spots in our small but picturesque state!

It was great to be back at the New Britain Museum of American Art. 12 years ago I in the educational department with a great group of ladies. Maura, Morgan, Linda M and Heather. We had such fun and worked hard to promote the education programs and events at the Museum.

​ If you live in Connecticut and have never visited NBMAA I would recommend that you do -It's a hidden gem of our wonderful state and offers an amazing collection of American Masterpieces. A few of my favorite collections are the Illustration Collection, The Ash Can Artists Collection and of course, the American Impressionists collection. 

Painted with the Fairfield County Plein Air Painters on Thursday October 1, 2020. It was a beautiful day down in Rowayton, there were about 8 of us. It's always nice to meet new painters and engage in conversations about art, materials, exhibitions and more.

I love the colors of the sky, the loose interpretation of the boats, the American flags and lobster boat. I also love the seagulls hovering around the lobster boat looking for their next meal.

Thank you for taking the time to view my work - art sales would be greatly appreciated!
Interested in a commissioned painting? please contact me I would be happy to create a one of a kind original of your pet, home, boat, family, wedding, or vacation!

Warmest regards
Linda

​In Lieu of our annual Open Studios Weekend, this year we are scheduling individual in-studio appointments or purchases online. November 1-December 31, 2020
Here's the link to schedule an Open Studio Visit -  Hope you stop in for a visit  - I will be offering my Latest Work framed or unframed and Older works will be priced to sell!

On Saturday October 31st a small group of us from the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society meet up at Silverman's Farm in Easton, CT. 

It was a cold morning, just the day before it snowed and up in the northern part of Connecticut they had about 3 inches. It was just a dusting for us along the coast but it did usher in the colder winter weather. 

I have to confess, I had never been to Silverman's Farms but Mom took my kids there a few times to pick pumpkins and see the farm animals. It's quit the operation along Sport Hill Road in Easton. It's a fun attraction for the whole family with lots of farm animals, if I had to guess there were about 100 animals. Lots of goats, sheep, reindeer, buffalo, donkeys, llamas, chickens, roosters, bunnies and so many more! 

There are pick your own apples, pears and peaches, a farmers market, food trucks, activities for the kids, a general store and much more. 

Our small group met and then scattered choosing different locations to set up. I decided to paint the billy goats. I loved the tall water tower with the rooster weathervane and the red covered structures that provided shade for the animals while they eat their hay.

These goats where very smart, as soon as they saw me stop by the fence they came over right away, probably to see if I had food. But once I set up my easel, they all scattered to different parts of their pen so that there were none in my canvas view. After about an hour I think they forgot about me and made their way back to the hay barrel. Some would grab the hay from the bottom while others would jump up with their hooves on the metal frame and eat from the tippy top of the stack. It was fun to watch and observe as the little children and their parents would walk by. If the kids had a handful or hat full of food, the larger billy goats would jump onto the fence, stretch their necks and stick out their tongues to get a bit of food. 

It was Halloween day and folks young and old were dressed in costumes. Some braved the cold but others had big winter parkas on over their princess gowns. 
​
When I arrived I met Mr. Silverman and he suggested that our group of painters take a walk to the top of hillside to see the view. And what a view! It was a hike up the hill past the orchard trees but so worth the climb. I would love to return to paint the animals and the incredible view.

Thank you for being apart of this art journey -
Linda

I'm really excited to share with you that I'll be offering a 2021 Art Calendar! I'm gathering a variety of paintings I created over the past year, still life, figurative and of course Connecticut landscape paintings. Each month will feature a different painting. 

The calendar will be available for $24.95 which includes shipping. Order more than one and save on shipping!

I'll make an announcement as soon as the calendar is ready to order.

Purchase a painting either from my website on during an Open Studio visit and receive a 2021 Calendar for FREE! 

​Forgetting  to turn the clocks back an hour for Day light savings time, we were up even earlier than usual this morning. Dean had the early morning shift at work. We finished off one pot of coffee and contemplated brewing a second pot.

On our 10 minute commute, I had my eyes on the skyline while Dean had his eyes on the road. With the purplish - grey-blue clouds resting higher in the sky a colorful band of golden yellows, warm oranges and pinks peaked through on the horizon.

I knew the perfect place to catch this beautiful fleeting scene. I headed down Harbor Street to Branford Point. There’s a slight bend in the road with a dip that opens up to the Branford River. Open marsh area on one side and on the other is the Branford River. The view faces directly to the east which offers magnificent reflections in the water and silhouettes of the trees near the condominiums.  

What also caught my eye in this scene was the colorful refection on the side of the boat. The condos posed a challenge as to how much detailed should I add in. Should I paint every window and balcony? I tried to keep the brush strokes loose and not clearly defined and added in two small lights glowing from the windows to break up the building pattern.

I’m pleased with the way this painting came out, I just wish I could figure out how to photography it better. Each time I shoot a picture the darks are either too dark or they get washed out with reflective light.  Conclusion: it’s best to see this piece in person :)

thanks for being apart of my art journey!


Don't Forget:  Shoreline Arts Trail Open Studios - November - December 2020

Schedule a studio visit through our Shoreline Arts Trail website - www.shorelineartstrail.com

One hour appointments are available on Friday, Saturday or Sunday -  Hope you can visit!