Monhegan Morning, 11x14, oil on linen, Monhegan Island, summer garden, landscape, Summer garden, Maine, Maine garden, Carinas garden, cats, morning walk, island beauty

 Monhegan Morning, 11x14, oil on linen

This is a familiar scene to anyone who has ever visited Monhegan Island, a tiny picturesque island off the coast of Maine.

There are 2 ferries from the coast that can take you there, and this magical island is always worth the trip if you are on holiday in Maine. 

The island is tiny but is a painters/hikers/ boaters paradise with its unique landscape, and magnificent sunsets.

This scene is at the lush, ever blooming garden at Carina's, which was once a little convenience store but has closed in recent years. The garden changes with the seasons, as do the cats that will accompany you on your morning walk!

Send me an email at maryannejacobsen@aol.com if you are interested in this painting.

"Summer Garden, Monhegan Island", 8x10, oil on panel, Monhegan Island, summer gardens, floral painting, Maryanne Jacobsen art, Maine, Carina, The Fish House

"Summer Garden, Monhegan Island", 8x10, oil on panel

Monhegan Island is a special little place about 12 miles off the Maine Coast. You can take the ferry from either Boothbay Harbor or Port Clyde. The homes all look fairly alike with lots of grey weathered clapboard that seems to match the soft bluish light that is such a delight to artists everywhere. The island is such eye candy to artists that Monhegan has been dubbed, "The Artists' Island". In the summer, the island comes alive with color as perennial gardens spring up in profusion with giant sunflowers, foxglove, snap dragons, lupine, island thistle and black-eyed susans in abundance.

Summers are warm and lively on the island and the lunch crowd keeps the Fish House on Fish Beach Road hopping throughout the season as you can see below.

 

This perky and effusive garden that I painted lies right on the main path leading up the hill at a place called "The Carina". The Carina is a very versatile establishment selling deli sandwiches, beer and wine, gourmet foods and even hardware!

I've done a lot of paintings of Monhegan Island . You can see some of my favorites here

and here.

Many people use golf carts to get around the island. If I ever go back, (and I hope I will), I may consider that option as lugging my paint gear around in the heat was no fun! (Yes, it gets hot, there, too!)

If you look closely at the above photo you can just make out the garden that I painted and the house behind it.

If you ever go to Maine, do not miss the opportunity to spend at least a day on Monhegan. It's truly a magical, unforgettable place!

This painting is available through Galerie du Soleil in Napels, Florida. Please contact them for purchase info at 239-417-3450.

"View from the Pentagoet Inn", 9x12, oil on panel, Castine plein air festival, Pentagoet Inn, Castine, Maine, scenic towns in Maine

SOLD

"View from the Pentagoet Inn", 9x12, oil on panel
(Note: Unfortunately, I do not have a better photo of this painting as it sold before I could take a decent photo)

Just got back from the Castine Plein Air festival, held in Castine, Maine last weekend. It was Castine's first plein air festival and I must say it was one of the best Paint-outs that I've ever attended. The chairpersons, Dan Graziano and Don Tenney, did a fanstastic job in making sure that everything ran smoothly- not an easy task for a one day plein air event!

I arrived a day early in the hopes that I could scout the town for a couple good painting sites. Unfortunately, the rain was torrential the entire day spoiling my plans. The sun finally broke through in the early evening and many artists could be seen walking around the streets of this immensely scenic little town to get a lay of the land and find their favorite spots.

Morning came and the sky still looked a little questionable from my view of Main Street at the Pentagoet Inn where I was staying.

After going to the Village Green and getting my panels stamped, the sun began to break through at last! But I decided to play it safe and paint under the awning just in case there was another downpour! By noon I had finished my painting and the sun was shining brightly!

After lunch I decided to make my way down to Dennet's Wharf for an afternoon painting. I'll post that one tomorrow as well as some photos of Castine's scenic harbor.

The evening art reception and sale was a beautiful event and there must have been at least 500 hundred people who turned out to view the art, meet the artists and purchase paintings!
A resident of Castine bought my painting and I had the opportunity to chat with her and learn a little more about Castine.  Here is my painting at the event with its red dot:

 The event was held at the Maine Maritime Academy and it was a beautiful site for an art event, featuring a wrap around deck that overlooked the beautiful hills and waters of Castine.

I also enjoyed spending time with my friend and fellow artist, Jane Sither and her family, who also traveled from Florida for the Paint-Out.

Overall, it was a wonderful event and I was very happy that I was invited to participate!

"The Fish House, Monhegan Island", 14x11

SOLD

"The Fish House, Monhegan Island", 14x11

This painting was painted to be a companion piece to "The Red House, Monhegan Island." and has sold through Galerie du Soleil.

I added the fellow in red shirt and the boat with red sail to tie together the color elements from the first painting. Also the path and flowers mimic each other somewhat, as does the island of Manana in the background.  Monhegan Island off the coast of Maine is quite a special little island and paradise for artists, fish lovers, and eccentrics, too lol.

The Red House was made famous by either Jaime or Andrew Wyeth, (can't recall which!) who painted often at Monhegan and had a summer place there. The red house is on Swim Beach and right down the road is Fish Beach which is the location of my second painting of The Fish House on Fish Beach Road.

Here are the two paintings side by side:

"The Red House, Monhegan Island", 14x11, oil on canvas

SOLD

"The Red House, Monhegan Island", 14x11, oil on canvas
Note: You can click on the image for better viewing.

Two summers ago we visited Monhegan  Island on a hot August day. I couldn't believe that Maine could be so hot, especially some thirty miles out to sea in the cold Atlantic! Well, it was way too hot for me to want to paint outdoors, so instead I dragged all my paint gear around the island shooting photos wherever I went.

The Red House looks out towards the loading dock on the island. It is well known for its distinctive color and over the years has gone through numerous rennovations and additions.

Over the weekend it was so cold here in Florida that I looked for something warm to paint, and found it in an unlikely spot! You guessed it- Maine! Here's my reference photo for the scene:

I took out some of the boats and figures in order to simplify the scene. I suggested the lobster nets and the tiny house across the water on the little island of Manana but tried to keep it simple so the eye would focus on the red house.

To learn more about Monhegan Island you can go here. To see my painting of Fish Beach Road on Monhegan you can go here. The painting took a second place ribbon last year at The Englewood Art Center.

"A Clear Day at The Nubble", 12x12, oil on board- Nubble Light House, Cape Neddick, Maine, paintings of lighthouses

"A Clear Day at The Nubble", 12x12, oil on board

By the time I finished this it was too dark to get a good photograph of it. I'll try again in the morning.

The day we visited the Nubble Light House in Cape Neddick, Maine was about as clear and gorgeous as it could possible get! I had wished I could have had the chance to paint there, but at least I took good photos. Here's my hubby at The Nubble:

"Catch the Wind" 8x10, oil on Raymar panel, Maryanne Jacobsen paintings, paintings of Maine, harbor, Sailboat, sunset

SOLD

"Catch the Wind" 8x10, oil on Raymar panel

After I painted "Morning Whale Watch", I had a request to do another one. So here it is. This is a scene of the schooner that sails off of Frenchman's Bay in Bar Harbor , Maine. I love the burnt orange color of its sails and coordinated the rest of the palette around that. I named it after an old Donovan song, "Catch the Wind", which was popular in the 60's and which I still enjoy hearing today.

CATCH THE WIND
Donovan

In the chilly hours and minutes of uncertainty
I long to be in the warm hold of your mind
To feel you all around me and to take your hand across the sand
Ah but I may as well try and catch the wind

When sundown pales the sky I want to hide a while behind your smile
And everywhere I'd look your eyes I'd find
For me to love you now would be the sweetest thing, 'twould make me sing
Ah but I might as well try and catch the wind
Dee dee dee dee etc

When rain has covered leaves with tears
I want you near to kill my fears
To help me leave all my blues behind
While standing in your heart is where I wanna be and long to be
Ah but I might as well try and catch the wind
Ah but I may as well try and catch the wind