After the Summer Rush

It seems as though "Summer" just existed for the month of August. We all went running around catching every ray of sunlight and warm air, and in my artistic practice I went running around gathering inspiration from everywhere. Following the closing of my show at Cerulean with Cynthia Ahlstrin in August, my dear artist friend Kate Buehner swooped myself, my family, as well my business partner and friend Janna and family to join her in Lubec. We were fortunate to stay at her family's "Crow Neck Farm" and absorb all its splendor of quiet and space. We all talked and made art, and relaxed and enjoyed day adventures into town. We all participated in the Lubec Arts Alive Project, and I spent some time working on the mural project pictured here. My work is central, of the large black bird. Go figure. The birds in Lubec are big. Really. The project was very engaging and enjoyed so much meeting some fabulous Maine artists including Robert Shetterly and Rose Marasco. The portrait and oral history project going on simultaneously was very inspiring. I liked watching the artists studying their individuals and hearing them collect stories and gestures. Back at Crow Neck Farm, I was greatly influenced by this Buehner artist family's home - particularly by Kate's dad who had a strong presence in the home by his lovely paintings. Paintings of his children, birds, with such an endearing flare for daily life and a combination of tribal and outsider art. I was completely enamored. I think a little bit of my heart wanted to stay in Lubec. Partly because I needed to breathe some new fresh air and enjoyed my stay at Crow Neck Farm but partly because it reminded me of my artist family too. We all want to be surrounded by things and places that have sentiment and love, and by Kate sharing hers with me it made me hold a little more onto mine. My greatest artistic influences have been my Mother who had summer painting trips to Lubec most of my childhood, and with my extended artist family - where I had also shared many summer inspirations. A bitter sweet experience. When we returned home I think my heart was still away in the idea of Lubec. I started painting a motif on a table for a benefit for the Bangor Children's Museum directly influenced by Kate's dad Frederick Buehner. Pictured here is the top tray and legs. There is another painting on the table itself under the tray of some geese running around an island. I titled the work "I didn't see any geese in Lubec - after Frederick Buehner" and it will be auctioned in November. At the same time, I also spent a tremendous amount of time putting my mind and body into working on a HUBCAP inspired artwork for Cerulean's HUBCAP HEAVEN show. See my red tricycle. I also created six new small encaustic works for the Three Graces Gallery's Teenie Tiny Show in Portsmouth, NH.
So, now I breathe. I am cleaning up my studio, reorganizing everything, gathering inspiration from books and journaling and gearing up for some new pieces. We head down to Haystack Mountain School of Crafts Monday morning for symposium "Creating in Maine." To be continued.