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 A Painting a Day-March 2007

There is more in April and May 2007- click here

Starting Wednesday, March 7 there will be a new signed original here each Monday through Friday morning!  I'll paint a new stretched mini-canvas with something different each day, tell you about it, and put it up for sale. 

 All of these little paintings are sold.

"Gas Pump and Milkweed"                                March 31, 2007

After working on this one little canvas for three days one would think it might be something more profound, but this is it, just a lowly gas pump.  We found this and another in North Creek near the railroad station.  As the restoration of the site continued, these pumps disappeared.  This one was actually surrounded by milkweed, just as I painted it.  My brothers could probably tell what company it's from or the years it might have been used, but I don't know.  I was thinking, as I read the price per gallon, that people could be dated by how much they paid for gasoline when they first started driving, almost like the rings on a cut tree.  I could pump my own for my '64 Chevy Biscayne, when "self serve" first was available, for a mere 29.9 cents, almost unimaginable today.  That makes me pretty darned old, I guess.  This pump is set at 49.9.        

                                  SOLD

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"Canada Mayflowers"                                March 30, 2007

I still didn't complete the painting I didn't finish yesterday so instead of skipping another day decided to paint some wild lily of the valley.  These fragrant little flowers, often overlooked, carpet the forest floor with their shiny leaves in the spring.  Sometimes when they are bathed in sunshine the leaves reflect the light like hundreds of little mirrors.

SOLD

Well, it looks like I didn't make it for a "painting a day" this morning.  The canvas I'm working on is just taking too much time. If I skip today, hopefully I'll catch up and not miss any more for a while...but I am getting in the mood to work on the bigger stuff...but there are so many little ones left to do!  'Til tomorrow.   

“Doctor Mary’s Iris”                                              March 28, 2007 

Dr. Mary’s house is next door to our gallery.  It’s a classic white house with black shutters and a wooden picket fence along the sidewalk.  One summer there was a young boy whitewashing the fence, reminiscent of Tom Sawyer’s buddies.  There are all sorts of flowers planted around the yard for every one to enjoy.  Dr. Mary became a physician when women were not welcomed in the field, but despite the hurdles she must have faced she had a practice in the old white house for many years.  Her name brings smiles to some of the older residents, not necessarily because of warm and fuzzy memories but thoughts of a strong willed, independent woman who let everyone know what she was thinking.  There are a lot of stories…here are a couple if I can remember the details…

When our neighbor, Larry, was a child his uncle Willis would load up the back of his truck with youngsters for a weekend night trip to town to the movie house that used to be on Bridge Street.  While the gang of kids lost themselves in the movie on the big screen, Willis would visit with his buddy, Speed Weber around the corner on Main.  (Speedy, strangely enough, was my school bus driver in Corinth for a few years – a great guy) Willis would leave the truck parked there and when the movie was over they would all meet and go home.  One night Willis and Speed must have been in an important conversation because the young people had to wait for a while in the back of the truck.  As things go, they started rough housing and getting rowdy, when suddenly they looked up and there was ol’ Dr. Mary marching down the street in her nightclothes. They all immediately knew they were in deep trouble and became silent as she stomped up to them and bellowed, “What the HELL is going on here?!”   I guess they received a short lecture on being considerate when others may be sleeping.   She turned around and marched back around the corner to the sanctuary of her house.  Larry said there wasn’t a peep to be heard from the wide-eyed bunch of formerly rambunctious youngsters. 

A summer visitor, I don’t even remember who it was now, was in our gallery when Dr. Mary’s name came up.  The woman laughed and said one time she was here and had a terribly sore throat.  Since she was far away from her regular physician in the city she went to Mary.  The doctor looked at her painful throat, then directly at her with piercing eyes and bluntly asked,  “Do you drink?”  The woman was mortified and thought, ‘Does she think I’m an alcoholic?’  When she got her composure she whispered, “Yes, sometimes.”  Dr. Mary seemed pleased and said,  “Good!  Go home and fix yourself a good strong drink, put your feet up and let that family of yours take care of themselves for a while!” 

Our town no longer has a resident physician, Dr. Mary has passed away, and the wooden picket fence has been replaced with a taller, less friendly looking vinyl barrier. But every year her flowers return.  The snow has just melted off the south facing lawn and the bright colors of crocus and hyacinth will be peeking out of the ground any time now.  They are always the first flowers to see every spring.  Then later in the year the iris will bloom.  There always seems to be one, like the flower in today’s painting, that peeks outside the fence instead of staying neatly contained with the others.  Kind of reminds me of the independent individual who planted it many years ago. 

  SOLD

"On the Chase"                                   March 27, 2007

We were crewing for a hot air balloon, one I've painted many times before, when it flew over this classic old house.  I like all the small windows on the second floor, and how the building is partially hidden by the trees.  The only thing I changed was the balloon.  This beautiful aircraft flew at the Adirondack Festival last year, and seemed perfect for the scene.

SOLD

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I used to think Indian Pipes were some sort of mushrooms but they are actually flowers, with seeds and all.  They live off decayed plants in the soil and produce no chlorophyll.  Some years we can't find any of these flowers or their cousins the Pine Saps, but last year they seemed to be everywhere.  This painting still needs to be signed and has a tiny bit of work left but I wanted to get it here this morning.  We have a busy day planned.

SOLD

"Across the Hudson"                         March 25, 2007

This is from Hadley's beautiful walking trail along the Hudson .  It not very far from the gallery, so Gino and I can take turns watching the shop and enjoying a walk on the little loop near the water and through the woods. The hamlet of Lake Luzerne is just across the river where there is a little glimpse of a historic house, Papa's ice cream parlor, and the classic country Methodist church.  We are lucky to have this trail so close.  I checked it out yesterday but would still need snowshoes to enjoy it.  Soon we'll be able to go there and see woodland flowers decorating the path.

SOLD

"Almost There"                                  March 24, 2007

This is the view from Hadley Mountain just below the summit.  After a couple miles of hiking the trail breaks out of the woods and the Sacandaga Lake vista lifts the spirits of the weary hiker.  Even though I've been climbing Hadley for most of my life this view always makes me stop in awe.  Sometimes the Lake seems to glow in the sunshine.  I also know at this point the steep climbing is done and all I have to do is enjoy the expansive view.  There is a fire tower on top of Hadley which has been lovingly restored and still stands as a tribute to all the fire observers.  My great-grandfather was the first man to take this lonely post on Hadley.  For a while he gave the job to his son, a veteran of World War I.  He knew that some time in the forest watching God's creations from the tower would heal any wounds from the war, mental or physical.  For me, the view from a mountaintop always seems to make any thoughts of the problems of the real world retreat from my mind.

 SOLD

"Ocracoke Lighthouse"                          March 23,2007

My brother and his wife honeymooned on Ocracoke Island and have returned there almost every year since.  They introduced us to it's idyllic beauty.  We've been there in  August a few times through the years to enjoy the miles of National seashore and quaint little village. Our sons rode one speed bicycles safely all though town, played in the ocean to complete exhaustion, and ate fresh seafood like they had never tasted before.

When we ran across Duane Keiser's idea of "a painting a day", one of my first thoughts was, "I can paint lighthouses now!"  I never felt like I could spend the weeks or months involved in painting a large lighthouse canvas when there were so many Adirondack paintings to be taken care of.  This historic tower, built in 1823, is the second oldest operating lighthouse in the nation, but to me is a reminder of relaxing hot summer days with my family. 

SOLD

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Another delicate wildflower that is waiting in the ground for the snow to melt away and warm temperatures to return. It is also a favorite of mine.  I like the  whorled leaves and delicate stars.  Even though it is a little more common than some of the woodland flowers, it's still just as beautiful.  

 SOLD

"Winter Sun"                      March 21, 2007

As I stepped out of my mom's house, this scene greeted me.  I liked the way the filtered sun came softly through the branches of the maple tree. Even though we are officially in spring now, it was one degree below zero last night.  That's unusually cold for March, but the Weather Channel says warmer weather is on it's way.

SOLD

"Winter Fern"                                   March 20,2007

It's amazing how interesting even lifeless plants can be. Today is the first day of Spring, so the new green fronds of the fern are just waiting to emerge again with the warmth of the sun.

SOLD

   "Maple Sap Bucket"                                        March 19, 2007

Ah, it's March, time to think of spring and maple sugaring.  My cousin Georgie still carries on the tradition on Hadley Hill that was started by our great grandparents at the end of the 1800's.  They boiled outside in a big kettle.  Now it's done in a classic sugar house, but there are no green tubes running from tree to tree.  Each bucket is emptied one by one by hand.  Until two years ago the gathering vat was pulled by a beautiful team of Belgian horses.  One of them passed away and the new team never got the hang of the process, so now machines have taken their place.  While the horses were used we made a visit every year to take photos and say "hi".  It's enjoyable when they are gathering through the woods and also on days when they are boiling.   I love stepping in from the cold March air to the steamy sugar house.  The smell of the maple vapor and burning wood from the stove seems to permeate my body and mind.  I can still see George's father, my dad, and all the other men who spent so much time there every spring.  Most of all I think of Uncle Bill.  We always were happy to see his pick up in the parking area, which was most of the time, on our yearly visits.  I am going to paint the sugar house and the horses.  I even started a canvas a while back, but it just wasn't coming out right.  For now this bucket will have to do, but may-be there will be time this year....

SOLD

"Potash Mt. from Grandma's"     March 18,2007

My Grandmother lived on Hadley Hill where my family went to see her almost every Sunday after church.  I have fond memories of those visits with all the Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.  Grandma's gone now and the homestead is occupied by strangers, but Potash Mountain, one of my favorites, is unchanging.  This view always brings back warm memories of those Sunday afternoons so long ago.

 SOLD

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     "Adirondack Shamrocks"                               March 17,2007

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I was trying to think of something appropriate for today and remembered the leaves on common wood sorrel look like Irish shamrocks. Upon investigation they are both from the same genus "oxalis" and sometimes the sorrels are used as shamrocks.  Perfect! I do love to be on the trail in the woods and come across a large patch of these clover-like leaves.  They are striking against the dark forest floor, even without the delicate blossoms.

SOLD

        "Enjoying a Calm Winter Day"                   March 16,  2007

Whenever I travel to Saratoga on route 9N, on the way back this beautiful old red barn catches my eye.  It is majestic, but no longer used and deteriorating quickly now.  I afraid one of these years it will just be a memory.  I will probably paint it again by itself, but felt like a hot air balloon was in order yesterday.  Sometimes a multi-colored balloon helps to brighten up a rainy gloomy March day.  Today we're getting a blanket of new white snow to make everything beautiful again.  We almost always get a St. Patrick's Day snowstorm, but know that it won't last long under the springtime sun.

SOLD

   "Dwarf Ginseng"                                                  March 15, 2007    

This is the tiny version of the plant that is treasured throughout the world for it's medicinal root.  It is a blossom that could be ignored as it blends into the dead leaves and new spring growth on the forest floor.  But upon closer examination one can discover a delicate globe of star-like flowers as beautiful as any of the more showy woodland blossoms.  I actually painted this very small canvas a while ago, but just signed it this morning so dated it for 2007.  

SOLD

We have to walk a short distance on the road to get to our regular walking trail in the woods.  I always am happy to see this beautiful maple at our neighbors.  We have watched it for over 30 years as it changes from season to season. There is a old birch near it that I left out to have an unobstructed view of the background mountain and field, but I will paint them together some time.  They both are interesting, especially side by side, but today it's time for the maple to shine.

 SOLD

   "Spring Beauties"                                  March 13, 2007

Today is another beautiful warm day with filtered sunshine and birds singing all around.  Here are some spring beauties to celebrate the day.  A few years back we took a hike into the blue ledges on the Hudson to see our raft guide sons coming down the river.  It's a great hike anyway, but the bonus was the forest floor covered with spring beauties.  I hadn't seen them for a while and was thrilled to walk the trail in God's wild flower garden.

SOLD

      "Snowy Conifers"                                    March 12, 2007 

After all the details on the Tydol sign yesterday, I needed something a little easier for today.  Painting snowy trees is just downright fun.  This is an imaginary scene of a time that is passing soon.  Today is going to be in the 40's and a cardinal is singing with gusto outside my window.  When the sun shines now there is a new warmth, not felt during the winter months.  Many years we get a good heavy snowstorm around St. Patrick's day, but it doesn't hang around long.  Spring is on it's way!

on hold

         "My Brothers' Old Sign"                          March 11, 2007

My brothers both collect automobile memorabilia; signs, gas cans, gas pumps and anything that goes with cars that isn't made anymore.  I love that stuff too, as it reminds me of earlier, more innocent times. Our mom and dad's barn had a long empty outside wall that seemed just right for this old Tydol sign.  It has been there for years now.  I like the way the crisp lines of the sign stand out against the natural uneven grains of the wood.  This painting took a lot more time than most of the little canvases, but I kind of got lost in the details for a while.

SOLD

        "Little White Pine"                                  March 10, 2007

After the big storm we broke a short loop trail with the snowshoes in the woods behind our house.  It's an easy place to get outside if we don't have a lot of time. When I was out the other day I noticed this tiny pine tree.  Even though it's big brother drips pine pitch on our vehicles and another tried to kill our son by falling on his car while he was driving it, I still like the common white pine.  The adult trees are magnificent and they carpet the forest floor with a thick layer of needles that feel great to walk on.  Besides when you just get right down to it, I really like trees. 

SOLD

This little patch of grass and flowers grows in front of the hemlock tree near the road by our house.  I pass them going out for summer walks.  Last night was one of the coldest of this winter.  Now that it is March it seems like things should be warming up.   Even though I'm still enjoying the snow here, I'm not very fond of below zero temperatures.  I'm hoping a little patch of summer flowers will help me think of warm summer walks in the woods.  

                                         SOLD

I used to paint 5"'x7" wildflowers such as this one, but haven't for a few years. This format works out well for the "painting a day", so there probably will be more.  Lady slippers are one of my favorite woodland wildflowers.  In the spring I love to check out the areas in the woods where these native orchids come up every year.  They truly are woodland treasures.

SOLD

        "Winter Barns"                        March 7, 2007

Harrisburg Lake is just a few miles from nearby Stony Creek.  I love to drive up there because even though it's close by, the area seems to be more alpine than Lake Luzerne.  These barns were in a field without a farmhouse in sight.  Not sure what the story is, or even if the barns are still standing.  I love the different roof lines and shapes of the buildings.  I really hope they made it through another winter.

                                                                   SOLD