Prelude to the Proposal

Sorry I've been so tardy in posting to blog. It's been a very busy time but I am really going to try to do better.

This painting evolved from a conversation with a friend. Her daughter was going to receive a proposal and we were discussing nice ways to have it done.

I have been hearing doom and gloom about the art shows this season due to the economy but I have been very fortunate to have two very good shows so far (with 6 more to come). Needless to say, I have to get busy painting as September and October are my next shows.

I am participating in a "paint out" sponsored by the Sharon Arts Center of Peterborough, NH. Artists will paint in Rindge, NH with a reception showing all of our paintings at the Cathedral of the Pines on August 20th.

#43

Brant Point Light, Nantucket

Well, had a very successful show on the Cape. Sold several paintings, lots of prints and got a few commissions. I can only hope that the next 7 shows are as good. Check my website: www.eileenbelanger.com for my show schedule.

I am headed for Nantucket in July and then Newburyport. Have to get busy painting so that I'll be ready.

Today I'm looking forward to a pastel workshop with Kitty Cloud in Peterborough, NH. Weather has been extremely humid so hope I don't melt while outside creating.

#42 2.5"x3.5" matted in vinyl sleeve $35

Just the Sound of the Waves

I'm heading to Cape Cod for an art show in Barnstable (June 26-27). This is one of my new paintings for the show. I just wanted an image that would convey thoughts of waves breaking. It's a sound you develop in your heart when you live near the water. It has always brought peace to me when life is in turmoil. Now, when I look at this painting, it produces the same feeling.

I am finally painting again. Sometimes you just lose enthusiasm and it takes hard work to get it back. With so many art shows on my schedule this season, it was necessary to take stock and get my butt in gear.

#41 12x36

Nubble Light

This Maine lighthouse has been painted by so many artists. It could be the setting, atop a rock island, or the perfect layout of the buildings. Seems every time I go there the weather is perfect...must be good timing.
This is another of the mini paintings and I have a whole series of Maine and Massachusetts lighthouses done. I enjoy buildings and would like to paint some of the venerable, old homes in NH. Their architecture is amazing with quality of work unmatched in this day and age.
I am also still experimenting with an impressionistic look. Figure I won't be able to do all the detail forever and would love to learn to loosen up my painting style. I am taking a pastel class the end of this month with Kitty Cloud and her style is more what I am trying to achieve.

#40 2.5"x3.5" $35

Lobster Feast

Making a trip to Maine this week and have to have a fresh-caught lobster. There are so many quiet coves and coastline scenes to paint.

Weather here has turned drastically from 50's to 80's and they expect 90's tomorrow. Not the best weather for painting outside as the bugs are rampant after the wet spring. Fortunately the mosquitos are big enough to eat all the black flies. Better painting on the coast where there is a breeze and no bugs.

Still working hard to prepare for the upcoming Cape Cod show. It will be interesting to see how the season is going to go with the economy in such a slump. I am optimistic and think the minis, which are affordable, will be a hit.

I am now using Golden's Open Acrylics. They are the closest I've found to painting with oils, without the fumes. Open Acrylics will stay wet for quite a long time which makes for better blending. The heavier your layer, the longer it takes to dry. It's a wonderful medium as it can look like oils or watercolor.

Looking for new places to paint en plein air. I belong to the NH Plein Air painters and we have a large membership that paints outside, on location throughout New England. It is free to join & everyone is friendly, knowledgeable and willing to share that knowledge.

#39 2.5"x3.5" $35

Weather has finally warmed up so got out with friends to paint en plein air. We went to Musterfield Farm in No. Sutton, NH...one of my most favorite places to paint. Flowers are not in bloom as yet but the historic buildings are great. This is a painting I did a couple of years ago to show you how beautiful this location is.

I'm really enjoying the miniature paintings. Thought they would be great for the upcoming art show season. I want to provide an affordable, original painting that anyone can afford. The minis are very detailed with lots of scenes from the coast, including a lighthouse series from Massachusetts and Maine.

I'll be participating in Art in the Park in Barnstable, MA on June 26-27. Drop by if you're in the area.

Race Point Light

Well, it's been quite awhile since I've posted anything. I've been very busy doing murals. My first commission was at a local nursing home where I completed two murals for their dimentia unit. It was a fun experience and the residents were enjoyable to interact with. They loved watching me each day and I tried to add their suggestions to the murals. One was a playground scene and the other was a beach scene.

After the nursing home, I moved on to painting murals, signs and furniture for The Mom's Place at Catholic Medical Center in Manchester, NH. This is a birthing center and I have done work there before and they have expanded the unit. In fact, they expect to expand further as the unit has been very successful. You can see some of the rooms at the hospital website.

I am now getting ready for the show season. My first show is in Barnstable, MA, June 26-27 at Art in the Village. You can check my website for my show schedule.

Race Point Light is one of my new miniature series of lighthouses in New England. They are 2.5"x3.5" and mounted in an 8x10 white mat with the outline of Cape Cod painted on the mat.

I have painted quite a few of the miniatures for the Barnstable show and will also be wholesaling prints to gift shops.

Hopefully, I will do much better in my posts as I will be doing a lot of painting. The weather is so much better and inspiration is starting to flow.

#38 2.5"x3.5" with mat $35