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I am humbled and excited to share the good news that my painting, "The Old Ford Red Truck, Monhegan" a watercolor 28" x 38" inches, painted on 1936 rare handmade Whatman watercolor paper, was chosen by juror Soon Y. Warren for the 2022 NEWS North American Open Juried Exhibition 2022. This show is a featured exhibit that happens every other year, and is very completive, attracting national artists. There were 85 paintings selected out of 435 paintings with 202 artists participating.

These lobstermen that I paint are not just icons to me, in many ways they are my heroes. My grandfather Ernest Crouse was a lobsterman out of Cushing Maine and fished in the waters of the Rockland region. His favorite island was Monhegan. nThat is way, I'm sure, I am so attracted to these old salts, going about their different activities on the dock. Capturing them from behind like I have here in "The Red Ford Truck, Monhegan" gives the viewer the feeling of being apart of the loading up the truck with 50 pound lobster traps.

I would like to thank juror Soon Y. Warren, NAOS Show Chair Yale Nicolls, and all those at who work so hard at NEWS to make these shows possible through their dedicated service and continuous efforts.

If you are in the area, I would love it if you can see this important show from November 2nd to December 3rd, 2022. It is hosted by the Plymouth Center for the Arts at 11 North Street, Plymouth, MA 02360. plymouthguild.org It is Open on Wednesdays to Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4 pm.

HOLIDAY SALE BEGINS ON EBAY!

My Holiday Art Sale on Ebay starts early this year. Currently I have 12 paintings listed on the Auction Style Auction and already I have gained some interest. Each painting will have a description and is a recent painting that was made within the last year or two. Favor on all interested in bidding and the best to you all during this early Holiday Sale.

"Coo's Canyon, Rangeley Region, Maine"
This beautifully bold transparent watercolor is of the famed Coo's Canyon on the Artist's Trail in Rangeley, Maine. Painting on 100% cotton rag Arches watercolor 140lb press paper, it is quality all the way down to the Holbin watercolor paint used. The image was plein air painted on the edge of Coo's Cayon including most all of the cascading falls of the river near the rest area. This is a recent watercolor painted not only on location but this last Summer in July 2022. 
Michael says," I painted this watercolor as a demonstration for my plein air watercolor painting class. I got completely caught up painting the many colors of the canyon rock and how the river zig-zagged through its depth, including multiple falls. This place is popular for swimmers, located on the Rangeley Friends of The Arts, Artists Trail and is a very beautiful site to paint from."

If you would like to get a closer look or place a bid on this work CLICK HERE!

"Sunset at Whip Willow Overlook, Rangeley, Maine"
This beautifully bold transparent watercolor is a sunset of the famed Whip Willow Overlook, on the Artist's Trail in Rangeley, Maine. Painting on 100% cotton rag Arches watercolor 140lb press paper, it is quality all the way down to the Holbin watercolor paint used. The image was plein air painted recently on the edge as the weather was changing. Painted not only on location but this last Summer in July of 2022. 
Michael says," I painted this watercolor as a demonstration for my plein air watercolor painting class on the artist's trail. I t was painted very quickly as the sun was setting with all its spectacular color changes. This place is popular for those who want to view amazing sunsets, located on the Rangeley Friends of The Arts, Artists Trail, and is a very beautiful site to paint from that is close to the town of Rangeley."
....If you would like to get a closer look at this work or want to place a bid CLICK HERE!

"Nugent's Camp, Allagash Wilderness Waterway, Maine"
This beautifully bold transparent watercolor is a depiction of one of the popular Nugent's Camps on Chamberlain Lake in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. It was painted en plein air one fall morning on 100% cotton rag vintage Whatman handmade watercolor paper, 1936. It is quality all the way down to the professional watercolor paint used. The image was plein air painted last fall in the early morning at the weather was changing from rolling fog to a bright sunny day. 
Michael says," I painted this watercolor as a demonstration for my plein air watercolor painting class at Nugent's Camps on Chamberlain Lake in the Allagash. That morning had rolling fog moving through the camps off the lake. I was attracted to the one cabin who had an obscured person standing on the porch contemplating the day. It was painted very quickly in the early morning. This place is popular for hunters and vacationers alike, a perfect location for a get away, and wilderness location for a workshop en plein air." If you would like to get a closer look at this painting or place a bid, CLICK HERE!

"Sunset at Chamberlain Lake, Allagash, Maine"
This beautifully bold transparent watercolor is a depiction of a sunset on Chamberlain Lake, the third largest lake in Maine and a part of the Allagash Wilderness Waterway. It was painted en plein air at the mouth of Leadbetter's Stream at Nugent's Camps located on the eastern banks of Chamberlain Lake. It was painted en plein air last fall on location on 100% cotton rag Gemini handmade watercolor paper from England. It is quality all the way down to the professional watercolor paint used. 
Michael says," I painted this watercolor as a demonstration for my plein air watercolor painting class at Nugent's Camps on Chamberlain Lake in the Allagash in the fall of 2021. It was an alternative lesson for the student artists who had painted two work on the day already. Painted very quickly in the late afternoon, and while the sun was setting, this painting was painted within an hour. There was no time to overwork the piece and that is part of its appeal. This place is popular for hunters, vacationers and artists alike because it is a perfect location for a wilderness get away. It was also a great place to demonstrate a quick watercolor for a workshop en plein air." If you would like a closer look at this painting or place a bid CLICK HERE!

"Cascade Stream Gorge, Rangeley, Maine"
This beautifully bold transparent watercolor is a depiction of one of the many cascade Stream Gorge falls located in Rangeley, Maine. There is a short hiking trail that leads to Cascade stream Gorge which is a stunning waterfall. This painting was painted as a demonstration 
Michael says," I painted this watercolor as a demonstration for my plein air watercolor painting class at Nugent's Camps on Chamberlain Lake in the Allagash in the fall of 2021. It was an alternative lesson for the student artists who had painted two work on the day already. Painted very quickly in the late afternoon, and while the sun was setting, this painting was painted within an hour. There was no time to overwork the piece and that is part of its appeal. This place is popular for hunters, vacationers and artists alike because it is a perfect location for a wilderness get away. It was also a great place to demonstrate a quick watercolor for a workshop en plein air." If you would like to get a closer look or place a bid on Ebay CLICK HERE!

"Smalls Falls, Madrid, Rangeley Region, Maine"
This beautifully bold transparent watercolor is of the beautiful Smalls Falls, one of the most picturesque set waterfalls in the state of Maine. This painting was painted en plein air and started in the morning and completed a few hours near noontime in the summer 2022. 
Michael says," I painted this watercolor as a demonstration for my plein air watercolor painting class in the summer of 2021. As one of the designated sites on the Artists Trail, Smalls Falls, offers the artist amazing rock colors of blacks, browns, gold and ivory. The waterfall is crystal clear originating from the Sandy River with a 3-foot cascade falling into a 20-foot wide circular pool. Then the next waterfall is a 14-foot fanning horsetail with a deep oblong pool that I have witnessed swimmers jumping into from the top of the falls. There is an alluring draw to this place but it is ultimately dangerous for those who do not respect its sheer height and almost vertical walls." If you would like to get a closer look at this painting or place a bid CLICK HERE!

"Westerly View From Saddleback Mountain, Rangeley, Maine"
This beautifully bold transparent watercolor is taken from an eastern view atop Saddleback Mountain in Rangeley, Maine. Sometimes the greatest mountain views is on that is on the mountain itself. Because of the rainy weather, this watercolor painting was painted en plein air from inside Saddleback ski lodge.
Michael says," I painted this watercolor as a demonstration for my plein air watercolor painting class from inside the Saddleback Ski Lodge. There were huge wall size windows that gave excellent view from which to paint from. We chose a westerly view that not only included the ski cabins below but an infinite range of mountains beyond. Painting indoors is not like painting outdoors in the environment you are painting. You just can't experience the natural elements with your senses as you can on location. But after saying all that, it was a pleasure to be able to paint from direct observation in the warmth and comfort of a lodge out of the rain, that made all the colors brilliantly glazed" If you would like to get a closer look at this painting or place a bid CLICK HERE!

"Height Of Land,Rangeley Region, Maine"
This modern and beautifully bold transparent watercolor depicts the Height off Land in the Rangeley Region in North western Maine. This 512 acre view has been conserved by the Rangeley Land Heritage Trust (RLHT) to forever ensure that this spectacular vista remains unspoiled for future generations. Located along the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway and bordering the Maine Bureau of Public Lands, the Appalachian Trail, Mooselookmeguntic Lake and Bemis Stream, the Height of Land not only is identified as a site on the Artist Trail, but virtually every map, tour guide brochure and website that focuses on the Rangeley Lakes region. 
Michael says," The Height of Land is one of the most stunning overlooks in New England, with amazing views of Mooselookmeguntic and Richardson Lakes and the White Mountains. I painted this watercolor as a demonstration with my plein air watercolor painting class. They like I found that the forested lake landscape was a perfect lesson of how to paint recession into space, and I for one enjoy its ever changing atmospheric moods." If you would like to have a closer look at this painting or place a bid on Ebay CLICK HERE!

View Of Bigelow Mountain From Quill Hill, Rangeley, Maine"
This beautiful impasto (Thick) oil painting on a Gypsum(Traditional chalk gessoed) birch wood cradled panel was captured after a fast moving storm atop Quill Hill scenic overview in Rangeley, Maine. Quill Hill is on the famed Artists Trail as a spectacular site nestled between Rangeley and Eustis, Maine. The Trust for Public Land, The Nature Conservancy, and the State of Maine have partnered to permanently conserve this 7,062 acre property that offers 360 degree views of the surrounding mountain landscape.
Michael says,"My students and I traveled as a workshop up Quill Hill, and there was a steady light mist on our windshields, enough to have to use our wipers. But just as we reached the summit the sun came out to reveal dramatic views all around. I chose to focus on a view of Bigelow Mountain with dark storm clouds threatening to defend upon the mountain landscape. It was windy the whole time we were up there, but it never rained again that day; miraculously, not until we made our decent. But by then the class had ended along with my my demonstration and out paint-out and we all came away with thrilling paintings. Quill Hill was alive and visually stunning." If you would like to get a closer look at this painting or place a bid CLICK HERE!

"Height Of Land, Rangeley Region, Maine"
This modern and beautifully bold monochrome oil painting depicts the Height off Land in the Rangeley Region in North western Maine. This 512 acre view has been conserved by the Rangeley Land Heritage Trust (RLHT) to forever ensure that this spectacular vista remains unspoiled for future generations. Located along the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway and bordering the Maine Bureau of Public Lands, the Appalachian Trail, Mooselookmeguntic Lake and Bemis Stream, the Height of Land not only is identified as a site on the Artist Trail, but virtually every map, tour guide brochure and website that focuses on the Rangeley Lakes region. 
Michael says," The Height of Land is one of the most stunning overlooks in New England, with amazing views of Mooselookmeguntic and Richardson Lakes and the White Mountains. I painted this monochrome as a demonstration for my oil painting class and for a future opportunity to do as a full color oil. This forested lake landscape was a perfect lesson of how to paint a monochrome oil painting, and limiting the colors to black and white to focus on the truth of the painting, namely the tonal value. I enjoy painting here because of its expansive views, ever changing atmospheric moods, looking toward the White Mountains." If you would like to get a closer look at this painting or place a bid CLICK HERE!

 "Cascade Stream George, Rangeley, Maine"
This modern and beautifully bold impasto oil painting depicts a descending waterfall in the Cascade Stream George, Rangeley, Maine. This short trail leads to a 90-foot deep George of cascading stream in the Sandy River Plantation. The 1-mile trail leads to access to a series of waterfalls and chutes that eventually leads to the fly-rod Crosby Trail. There are several great painting sites along the streaming falls, and along the narrow trail. Several areas there is featured the spectacularly colored bedrock on the side of the George that the stream runs through and over.
Michael says," This was a demonstration made on location en plein air of a twisting waterfall descending toward the viewer, then suddenly, drops out of sight below the foreground rock. There is a short hiking trail that leads to Cascade Stream George with many small waterfalls with one large and stunning waterfall nearer to the end of the hike. The demonstration went well with no rain to make the rocks slippery and dangerous. Nevertheless one has to be careful, particularly bringing a plein air class out here. Its one of my favorite locations for challenging color and beautiful Doppled lighting through the Boreal forest." If you would like a closer look at this painting or would like to place a bid CLICK HERE!

"Coos Canyon, Rangeley Region, Maine"
This modern and beautifully rendered impasto oil painting depicts a descending waterfall in Coos Canyon, in Byron, Maine listed on the Artists Trail. It can be reached by driving on Route 17, along the famed the senic highway. The journey to the canyon and its falls are just as beautiful as its destination. This large area is more than just a waterfall. It's a gorge formed by the cascading waters of the Swift River with the largest drop of the series of falls being 15 feet.
Michael says," This was a demonstration made on location en plein air of the progession of waterfalls of the stream that twist through the canyon. Very little hiking is involved from the rest area and once you get beyond the safety fence you get a much better feel of the water and pools that form and flow through the canyon. The colors were spectacular with Naples yellow, pinkish orange- brown madder, and bone white rock. It was surprising to me the amount of swimmers who explores the many pools. There is something about the compositional angles of the stream that rushes through a canyon, that makes me want to paint it again. This truly is a place that deserves a closer study, due to its profound beauty." If you would like a closer look at this painting or would like to place a bid CLICK HERE!