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A Plein Air Date with the Spirit

Last week I went to Schoodic Point in Acadia National Park. I intended it to be a plein air painting date with my creator and the sea. There were no crowds, with very few visitors off in the distance and easy to create on this bright day. I have been wanting to do this for quite some time and now that my wife Elaine's health was improving, I looked forward to venturing out.

This one is called," Schoodic Point Surf", for want of a better title. I have painted this view several times before because I am so draw to this location where the dark basalt magma rock perfectly counters the pinkish orange granite. Also how the rock and Atlantic Ocean collides with explosive surf. I always search for an exquisite composition when I'm at the point, and when I find it I look in the foreground and find the ole' familiar rusted pipe left by the military. That is how I'm aware that I am painting at the same location, as with other paintings that I have done in the past. It is not intentional, but it is funny how I"m always drawn to this particular place.

But no matter, That day was more about opposites colliding and the beautiful opportunities that those moment offers. My connection with the Penobscot First Nations tribe tells me of the history of this place, being the place of "The Fiery Rocks." In fact each time I paint the subject it is different each time and today was no exception. Painting en Plein air I finished the painting at around 1PM in the afternoon. I kept my washes pure and clean just as the illuminating light reflected off the many colors of the rock and the glistening highlights of the sea.

I had made a lunch before I left home early at 7 am. I drove to the Sundew trail head near the heliport after my first painting and ate there. AWhen I finished I got out of my truck and read the trail map at the head of the Sundew Trail more closely. I discovered that the Sundew Trail had two entrances and that the second one was nearer to the gym at the Schoodic Educational Center. So I drove over and was able to get to my location quicker, being a shorter distance from the parking lot to the western side of the point.

The location at Schoodic Point that I chose in the afternoon was Sunset bench on the Sundew Trail. I set up just below with an excellent view of the gorge and atop a very large and dark basalt rock. Continuing with the same theme of contrasting rock and ocean, I painted a more subdued version in the afternoon sun, looking toward Mount Desert Island. I returned home just after 6pm. Although exhausted my well was filled.

I hope to continue each week to paint in the park. I was aware that it has been a long time since my residencies here and a long time since I just came, expecting in the Spirit, and just receiving images. I realized not only did I miss that connection, but I needed it for my own health as a creative.

Healthy Connections to you all this week,

Michael E. Vermette

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