​Painted en plein air on Friday Sept 10 and finished on Saturday September 11, 2021 - The Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society (CPAPS) join together with the International Plein Air Painters for a Worldwide Paint Out Weekend.

​Both days the weather was beautiful, a constant light breeze made the afternoon sun barely noticeable as the temperatures rose to about 82 degrees. On Friday, We had a larger group of about 12-15 artists from all over the state join us. On Saturday the group was smaller only 5 of us.

​I was inspired to paint this scene of the walkway at Meig's Point because of how the trees and surrounding foliage moved softly in the wind. A gentle swaying back and forth like a mother cradling her newborn in her arms, as she gently and rythmically shifts her weight from one foot to the other.

​ It was busy both days at the park, lots of folks walking the trails, climbing the rocks, taking photos, walking their dogs, relaxing in beach chairs and a few children knee-deep splashing in the water.

​Working on a gesso primed linen, my goal was to keep some of the surface peaking through especially along the path and sandy surfaces. 

​With fresh eyes on this piece this morning the idea of turning this piece into a diptych  or triptych is floating around in my mind. How cool it would be to extend the scene to left to include more of the water and rocks. Stay tune - this could be the beginnings of a larger set! 

Shown here in a natural wood frame but other framing options are available. Shop online here or contact me directly if you're interested in this piece. Linda@lindasmarinoart.com

Current Show: Beaches, Boats and Sunsets Art show at Chapter One Restaurant in Guilford, CT - 25 Whitfield Street across from the Guilford Green. Stop in, enjoy a meal and view the artwork. 

Save the Date: Shoreline Arts Trail - Open Studio is Happening - In- person! Saturday and Sunday November 13 and 14, 2021 - with over 30 local artists and artisans from Branford, Guilford and Madison opening their studios for showing and selling their artwork. I'll be at the Guilford Art Center this year - maps will be available soon - If you would me to mail you a map please send an email including your mailing address to: Linda@lindasmarinoart.com

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!

Soup Prep - Chef Dean
oil on board, 6 x 8" framed in silver and gold tone frame
for purchase info click here

Often times I tell my art students to "trust in the process" and not to judge their painting too soon, especially while they are in the midst of creating it. I’ve said in the past it’s like baking a cake and trying to eat it when it’s half baked - it doesn’t taste good.

It’s easier for us to understand the cooking process when it comes to creating a meal. Planning the menu, buy the ingredients, prep the food, cook or bake, waiting time and then knowing when it’s done. And then.... yes enjoy eating it!
 
There are many similar steps and stages when it comes to creating a painting with the exception of one. The "Cook Time" or the "Create Time". For instance, you do have to plan and purchase materials. Find a place to create, whether a studio or a kitchen table. You'll also need some instruction, even the basics like mixing and applying paints. And surely what would be helpful, like in a recipe you are given the time it takes to prep and the time it takes to cook or bake. But that's not the case  when it comes to creating art.

"Create Time" is the one mystery element. It's the one ingredient that is truly different for every artist. How can I tell my students that an exercise will take exactly one hour.  Sometimes I'll try to set time limits and on occasion it will work but for the most part, I've come to the conclusion - a painting will get done on it's own time.  We truly don't know how long it’s going to take to create a piece of art. For some it could be thrown together in minutes and called finished for others the "cook time" could take  hours, days maybe even years. 

But what if we savored and embraced that "time of simmer" - the "process time". What if,  with patience and with a listening heart, we lean more into the method than the end result. I mean we aren't planning to eat our painting like we would a meal, so why can't we just take the time to listen to our heart not a grumbling stomach. What if we apply the phrase "Trust the process" to mean both trusting you will be satisfied with the end result AND  enjoyment while in the midst of creating it. 

So perhaps the next time you are in the middle of painting a painting whisper to yourself “ embrace the simmer” .....and I will do the same.

Keep Creating!
Linda

Happy to say this painting: "Soup Prep- Chef Dean" was accepted into the  "Deck the Walls - Holiday Show and Sale" at Lyme Art Association in Lyme, CT - The show will run until January 4th, 2019.
​

Chester Winter Carnivale, oil, 11 x 14" $225 unframed, email me if you are interested in purchasing
3" gold leaf frame available for additional $75

So happy to be back posting on my blog. I've been very busy these days with the Corks and Canvas Painting Parties. I love teaching and the parties are the perfect combination of sharing my knowledge with offering a night of fun and relaxation for those who want to paint but not sure where to begin.

However, It also feels good to balance out the teaching and parties with time in my studio working on my own pieces. This painting was started and almost (95%) completed back in February. 

 I joined a couple of my fellow artists at Maple and Main Gallery on an all day paint out during the town wide Chester Winter Carnivale. Although the sun was shining, it was still very cold outside. Cold enough for the ice sculptures not to melt. Lot's of people, great food and even a tractor pull right down Main Street!

I was able to put the finishing touches on this painting today and so happy to share it here on my blog. I thought today would be a great day to post this snowy winter scene since we actually had snow on the ground this morning when I woke up! Yes, snow on April 16th! How crazy is that! It didn't last long and I doubt we'll get any more... but those poor crocuses in my garden must be so confused!

Here's a few photos from the Winter Carnivale

Dean made a delicious pear pie to bring to my brother and sister-in-law's house yesterday. The recipe is really simple, very similar to apple but with added vanilla extract … it's has a taste of it's own.

Of course we were running late, nothing unusual for me, but this time it "wasn't my fault" :) 

I parked on the street outside of Maple and Main Gallery in Chester and  while I was inside for a marketing meeting, someone hit the back of my car, well, technically my dad's truck who's letting me borrow for a few months while he's in Florida. 

I came outside, there was a note on a small piece of paper under the wiper blade. 
That said, "I hit your car, here's my info!"  What a way to start the new years! 

So needless to say I had to made that dreadful call to my dad… 

"Uh… Hi Dad… How's it going? How's Florida? Is it warm?… I have something to tell you.." 

and as I spoke those words I was transported back to 1985 when I had to make that dreaded call to my dad after I insisted on taking our classic mustang "out for a spin" around town 

and the brakes gave out… 

it was a miracle that I coasted down a long busy main road in Fairfield without getting hit or running into anyone… 

through a super busy intersection and stopped inches from the front window of a gas station. 

The owner came running out of the garage, yelling at me… 

only to find out I lost the brakes on the car and he so kindly said… 

"do you want to call your dad?" oh the memories…

Well, back to the pear pie story, so after the phone call to my dad, Dean and I got in our car and headed to Fairfield to see my brother and sister-in-law. 

Halfway there we realized we forgot the pie! 
And to make matters worse… Pear pie is one of my sister-in-law Gail's new favorites…

If you would like the pear pie recipe… it's on our new blog Full Plate Colorful Palette… click here.

Day 3 was sweet, literally and figuratively speaking… I enjoyed painting this still life and then enjoyed the smoothie afterwards. Do you remember the York Peppermint Patty commercials when the actress bit into the cool minty chocolate candy they closed their eyes and were transported to top of Mount Everest?
Well this was the same but just the opposite. What do I mean? Well, here in the Northeast the temperatures have dropped to the teens today and with snow blanketing the ground…. baby it's cold outside! I'm inside with my cube heater blowing nice warm, dry air I lean back in my kitchen chair, take a sip of my smoothie, closes my eyes  and magically I'm transported to a beach chair on Key West, Florida… 
How did that happen? I'm glad you asked… it's our secret ingredient that made the tropical daydream come true….
What is the secret ingredient? I'm so glad you asked….
I'd tell you but that would ruin the surprise…

just click here to go to our new blog… Full Plate Colorful Palette to find out for yourself…. 

A typical day at our house begins by being woken up by a very frisky dog anxious to go outside. She's only out for a minute at the most and back inside waiting patiently for her 1st meal of the day. I make myself a cup of coffee and curl up on the couch with my journal. I love to write. I write whatever pops in my head but usually starts with writing everything I'm thankful for. I first read about "morning pages" from a book called "Finding Water" a sequel to the well-known book "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. 
Dean on the other hand is busy in the kitchen making breakfast. Sometimes he gets really creative with fancy omelets include lots of veggies, cheese and a breakfast meat of some sort. But the typical breakfast is what you see here. Dean's been learning a lot of great cooking tips in his culinary art classes. Check out his post on Breakfast Bacon to making your morning go a little smoother.

Links to:
 Leslie Saeta's Blog  where you can see all the other artists participating in the 30 in 30 Challenge

Our new cooking blog Full Plate Colorful Palette

Happy New Year Everyone! 
Just a few hours into the new year and I'm ready to go! Lots of new and exciting projects on the horizon and to start it off I'd like to welcome you to our latest creative endeavor. As many of you know my husband Dean just finished up his first semester in Culinary School and preparing for the next semester to begin. Together we decide to combine our talents to create a joint blog. A place where Dean can share his new recipes, cooking and baking tips, educational videos, interviews and so much more… plus  and I can share my artwork. 

The blog is called….

Full Plate Colorful Palette 


It's still in the infancy stage right now. We are adding to it daily… hope you get a chance to check it out and give us your feedback… And if you have any recipes  or cooking/baking tips you would like to share please post a comment. Feel free to share this with your friends and family…

So for the next 30 Days I will be painting a painting a day in Leslie Saeta's 30 Day Painting Challenge and Dean will be adding a blog post on what's happening in the kitchen. Hope you join us for this creative culinary and art adventure!

Bon Appétit!
Linda and  Dean


Links to:
Full Plate Colorful Palette Blog
Leslie Saeta's 30 Paintings in 30 Day Challenge Blog