Open Studio

Page Railsback

Open Studio Oct 13   3-6 

86 Mount Warner Rd Hadley MA

September 2019 Challenge: "Forest"

"Backyard Forest" 14"x14" acrylic by Paula Villanova
When you have photos taken in forests just about everywhere but it's a beautiful late summer day and  you decide to paint plein-air in your backyard.

"Uncle Timmy's Forest" 6x8 inches by Kelley MacDonald
This is a plein air piece done in Wellfleet, MA in the beautiful month of September, and while I don't know if it is a 'forest', it is more of a forest than I will find in Providence, RI!

Jacob's Pond Trail 12"x12" acrylic and oil on canvas by Sally Dean
I love the woods, the magic and mystery within.

I long to live with pink trees that glitter ~ oil paint and copper gild  18" x 24" by Pamela Copeman

 

 "Bare Trees" 9 x 11 pastel on ink by Jody Regan

I am fascinated by these tree patterns against the night sky.

"Cool Forest", 10x8 inches by Page Railsback

"Fundy Shore Forest" 6"x12" watercolor

by Mary Sheehan Winn

                  "Forest Edge" 9"X12" Acrylic (Work In Progress) by Victoria Chesley Brega 

"Filtered Light, Muir Woods" Conté drawing by Margaret Farrell Bruno

Muir Woods is amazing on it's own. The time of day I was there was even more special as the light streamed through the trees.

"Life More Abundant, Forest Hills" wip pencil by Jeanne Macfarland

Wonderful Show at Duxbury Free Library Featuring Mary Sheehan Winn

Through October 31, Mary Sheehan Winn has a show at the Duxbury Free Library.  This is a sample of what is hanging.  Please visit, you will not be disappointed!

August 2019: Challenge: "What's On My Mind"

This month, as a summer present to our group (in gratitude for 10 lovely years together) our topic is WHATEVER we are thinking about, or painting.  

"Distance", 20x10 inch, Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

I am thinking about visual distance, how things get bluer in the distance... and also physical distance... of loved ones, of places we love... in which the blues are really 'blues'.

"Winnie" Acrylic and Oil on panel by Sally Dean

Our sweet and ferocious girl Winnie passed on August 9, at 13 1/2. She was such a wonderful companion, and we miss her so much. She is on my mind all the time. I've entered this into the Trekell Art Supplies pet portrait competition, they sent me this interesting hexagonal panel for pet portraits. Winner gets $1000 in art supplies. Man could I use that!

'Vacationland" work in progress, gouache by Jeanne MacFarland.  Maine is on my mind as it's home to 3 precious grandchildren of mine. 

"Just Too Much" (WIP) 14"x14" Acrylic by Paula Villanova

The world is in such a tough place right now. Gun violence, injustice, potential environmental catastrophes, outward disrespect, I could go on. Somedays it just feels like too much. But I know we can fix things.

"Last Light" by Jody Regan.  Ink on gouache.  I feel the days getting shorter; school has begun, and my time is less my own.  I am trying to remember to find time each day to revel in the beauty of our world and to level myself to contribute, even in a small way, to appeasing the tumult we find ourselves in today. 

Abundance and Gratitude
This summer has been a little bit of heaven on earth for me. My daughter, and her family, and my son have come home. It has brought incredible joy into my heart. I find my self overwhelmed with gratitude for this new everyday life.
When I painted this overflowing vase of zinnias, I counted my blessings as I counted the fleurs in this bouquet.
Watercolor ~ Pamela Copeman

"Lavender Farm" 9"X12" Oil by Margaret Farrell Bruno

Summers seem to go so fast. This was a Plein air from what seems so long ago, but was the near the beginning of summer. A grayish day at a Lavender Farm down the Cape. But all was still beautiful and fun. Of course the scents were amazing. 

"Lift Off" 5"X7" Acrylic by Victoria Chesley Brega

Gratefully launching off to my own little place after the lengthy business of settling my folks estate...

"Ferris Wheel' 12x12 oil on panel by Mary Sheehan Winn

Summer in New England is, sadly, a very short season.
It seems to go from lilacs to 4th of July, to August's end, the Marshfield Fair.
I love the sparkle of lights against the dark sky.

July 2019 Challenge: "Coastal"

Suggested by Jean MacFarland, this month we are posting an interpretation of 'Coastal'

"Haze", WIP, 30x30 Acrylic on Canvas by Kelley MacDonald

I wanted to do a non-representational painting because I have painted the coast of New England a hundred times.  Still working on it but I like the big blocks of variations on blue and gray.

"Overlook" by Jody Regan. One of my favorite places on the planet is Monhegan Island, ME. This is a view from above the village on Horn Hill, of the western coast of the island with the 10-mile distant coast of Maine along the horizon. 

"In theWeeds" by Paula Villanova 

A dinghy sits in the marsh grass at low tide. A heart formation rests in the yard in the foreground and has survived many high tides.

Gott's Island , Maine, WIP by Sally Dean Mello

Great Gotts  is a wonderful tiny island off the Acadia coast. It's extremely quiet, no cars, and very few people. My husband and I have friends here who let us stay in their cottage. We go every summer. I hiked with my gear to paint in this beautiful peaceful meadow on two gorgeous consecutive mornings.. The morning fog was clinging to the distant shore.It was so pretty I almost couldnt t stand it!

It was pretty hot in the field but the cool dark mossy woods were right there for relief. I took a break and  picked blueberries and made a pie that night. Yum.

16"x 20" acrylic on canvas

"Waves at Coastguard Beach" 6x6 oil on panel by Mary Sheehan Winn

Coastguard Beach is a beautiful stretch of beach in Eastham. High dunes slope down toward the water. Lots of surf on this late summer day last September.

"View from Damon's Point" 8"x10" oil on panel by Margaret Farrell Bruno

Morning calm on the North River on a very hot summer day Plein Air painting. The water was very pretty and fairly calm and I knew the light, winds and tidal height would change quickly as I progressed, so focussed on that area first as it was key to my composition.

"Perfect Peace" 6X12 oil on panel by Jeanne MacFarland

This was painted plein aire at my favorite spot called the cove in the coastal town of Duxbury.

Take Me Away by Pamela Copeman

I painted this boat with Safari Painters (Kelley MacDonald and Paula Villanova) in Hingham, at first glance I didn't care for it, but once I brought it home I began to fall in love with it...there is something very peaceful about it~ 12"x24" Oil



Victoria Chesley Brega “Coastal Vessels” Acrylic  9”x12”
Rafted working boats near Hull Gut

June 2019 Challenge: "Maine"

"Easternmost, West Quoddy"  6x6 gouache by Jeanne MacFarland

I'm still trying to get a handle on gouache and this scene from the easternmost point of the United States was a perfect inspiration.

"New Harbor Kitchen" 9x12, Acrylic by Kelley MacDonald

This is the kitchen from the farmhouse I spend a week in every June in Maine.  Homey and comfy.

"Lupine" 10x10 oil on birch panel by

Mary Sheehan Winn

Sunrise, Sunset
9" x 12"Oil on Panel
Pamela Copeman
The vivid colors of sunsets seem so exaggerated some nights
But they really aren't ~ nature is the most perfect painter.

"Day Moon Over Manana" 10"x30" Acrylic by Paula Villanova

Sally Dean

House and Boat on Gott's Island, Maine

12"x 24" acrylic on canvas

Every year I receive a glorious sunrise from my 3rd floor bedroom on my yearly trip to Maine.

10"X10" Maine Sunrise, oil by Margaret Farrell Bruno

My second painting of a very rare event, witnessed on an early morning paddle on Watchic Pond; 

A group of seven visiting loons, only 2 pairs usually reside there...

“A Rare Meeting”  9” x  12”   Acrylic by Victoria Chesley Brega

"Lunch Date" oil 12 x 16 by Jody Regan.  The crisp air of the Maine Coast provides a compelling background for a spring lunch.

 

MONHEGAN 12x8 Page Pearson Railsback
I grew up with my grandmother's Art collection of Monhegan island painters from the 30's all over our house walls. The first time I went to Monhegan..I was floored to recognize so many places from growing up with the Art work. Very special place..I try to touch base annually

May 2019 Challenge: "Fashion"

I love all the visual aspects of Fashion: the design, the fabrics, the colors, and  the glamour of it all.  Lately I've also been challenging myself to explore the deeper meaning of Fashion~ as an engine of change and a way to express personal beliefs and values.  I hope that you enjoy this month's painting that are sure to encompass all aspects of Fashion as we see it.   xo, Pam

Pink Pussycats, 12x9, oil byPamela Copeman

"Pretty In Pink" 8x8 inch acrylic by Kelley Carey MacDonald

I think Fashion is not just for people!

"RBG" 12x9 Acrylic by Sally Dean Mello

"The Most Mod" 4x7 gouache by Jeanne MacFarland

 

"Wedding Fashion" drawing by Margaret Farrell Bruno

How beautiful are wedding dresses. The best of fashion.

"Royal Escort" by Jody Regan - A royal wedding is the height of fashion.

"Fashionable Colleague" (stay tuned, not completed yet) by Paula Villanova 20x20
There are those people in your life that just have that flair for everything.

"Beach Attire" by Page Railsback