Soon it will be time for me to put to paintings in mats, wrap them up carefully and cart them over to Brunswick for submission to the annual 10 x 10 show. I love  preparing work for this show every year almost as much as I love going and seeing all the amazing art work all in the 10 x 10 format.

This year I have switched from pastel to watercolor with a smidgeon of collage added in. Still pursuing the water theme which is a calming image for me. I created three new paintings and must choose 2 of the three. My husband and son like the "Five Trees" and the "Waves and Barnacles" best so it's likely I'll agree with them after cogitating on this for a bit.

It's hard for me to start painting. Often I'm unhappy with the beginnings and I can easily get discouraged and feel like not continuing. I make myself persevere and then end up liking my work.
This is the same message I pass on to my art students... "stick with it",  you may decide you like it.

So if all goes well, I'll sell at least one of my paintings at the 10 x 10 show where works are  all framed in standard black frames, and each work is priced at $200. if an artists sells a piece , half goes to the organization called Arts are Elementary and the other half goes to the artist.

It's a win /win. If your work does not sell, you can buy it back with frame for $20 for each work.

These are two paintings I completed last year. I have sold one and given the other as a gift. I keep going back to these because they pull me in and make me feel like I am by the sea. Feeling like it's time to explore this theme again. Hmmm, shall I get out the paints or the pastels?

They are both small. They fit in a 10" x 10" frame.  OK, time to make a mess!

Hopefully all of you are enjoying your summer (or winter if you live in New Zealand!). Maine is beautiful in summer. The weather is usually just right, and the many beautiful places to visit are not crowded and often free! We did have a bit of a hot and humid spell which was not fun. I had to break down and get an AC for my second floor art studio. Good move, because on the Friday Art walk I had many visitors (was it my art or the cool room they were most attracted to?)

So, have a nice tall glass of lemonade, enjoy your friends and family, take a break from the rat race and smile at summer. Before you know it it will fade away.

Places I love here in Maine: Pemaquid, eating breakfast or dinner at the Driftwood Inn on Bailey Island, Wolf Neck state park, Popham Beach, Hermit Island, Reid State Park, Five Islands and breakfast at Betty's in Bath

!

aaaaaaaaargh!    Blogs and technology. I just wrote a post that I thought was pretty sweet and somehow it's gone! So, I'll look for it and if I can't find it, I 'll start all over again. Boo hoo.