THE PlEIN AIR CONNECTION July 17, 2014


"Full Super Moon at Christmas Cove, Monhegan" an oil on oak/ gypsum board 10 x 12 inches by Michael E. Vermette

We're back from our Plein Air Connect painting retreat on Monhegan Island! It was a week filled with sun and perfect conditions for painting. In fact we escaped the heat wave everyone else in the state was experiencing. The island was about 10 to 15 degrees cooler then on the mainland. Local fisherman felt It was also a little quieter this summer with not so many people milling around. Our group and the other group members from other cottages helped to make the island much more lively in spirit and conversation. 

We began with a progressive dinner so that we could all meet each other on the first Saturday night we arrived. There were about 25 artists who attended and the food and conversation was outstanding. It was a great idea and unique way to begin out painting week together. The funny thing, is that we didn't run into each other very much at all the week that would follow.  Everyone settled down to spend their time as they wanted to. 


"Black Head From Squeaker Cove" an oil on oak/gypsum panel 10 x 12 inches by Michael E. Vermette.

My goal was to paint as many rock coastal areas as I could in preparation for The Cape Elizabeth Land Trust Auction I would be participating in later in the week. I also wanted to paint the 1st Supper Full Moon of the year at Christmas Cove. It happened that I forgot my headlamp at home but was able to find one on the island in the gift shop at Elva's old post office. The super moon appeared larger and brighter since it was closer to the earth and I loved how the light seemed to dance on the water during the high tide. I was joined this year by two other  painters in our cottage Heidi Smith and Michelle Minah who also painted the moonscape at Christmas Cove.

We also had Becky Whight, Eric Glass and his wife and child David, and Elaine my wife in the Murdock Cottage that we rented. There were cool off shore breezes blowing through the windows each day with great views from the second floor where the kitchen,  living and dining room spaces were located. The second floor is where we shared all our meals. Elaine and I rented a golf cart so that she could get around better on the island. She helped to cart equipment for artists at the trail heads which was a huge help to everyone. She was a little nervous at first, never having driven one of these before; but soon she drove up the rocky driveway like a pro. Near the end of the week we all had to hang on to our hats and handle of the cart as she would zoom us up into the cottage driveway like an amusement park ride. Best of all was that she was able to go out on her own to take pictures and shop which became a pleasant change this year for everyone. It was fun having a golf cart.


Elaine Vermette driving the golf cart on Monhegan Island, Maine.

Another highlight for me was the chance to paint with my colleague and friend Eric Glass at the base of Black Head, the highest headland on Monhegan. The surf was up and we both had a great time rendering a painting study that close to the base of the head. The water was so clean and emerald as it glistened in the light like jewel accents. We also didn't have a lot of pesky bugs because there always seemed to be a little breeze during the day. But faithfully the mosquitos would all attack just after sundown. We were thankful to see swarms of dragon flies darting around each morning as our natural pest control force. I tried to go to out of the way places that might be harder to reach this time on Monhegan and was rewarded with some great views. Many times I would be painting on huge rock that would be slanted or steep and that would be difficult for anyone to overcome. But the sheer joy of painting these locations made it all what physical pains were gained by the experience.


Eric Glass painting at the base of Blackhead, Monhegan Island, Maine.

The last highlight for me in this trip was painting a 16 x 20 inch panel with Becky Whight at Pulpit Rock. She challenged me to paint in a larger format and I accepted by challenging her to paint with me at Pulpit Rock. Michelle Minah also painted with us. I took them to my favorite view of Pulpit Rock that is a ledge in front of this huge offshore rock shaped like a giant church pulpit. We had to do a little toe hole cliff climbing, helped each other with our packs and basically spent a very productive day there. In fact I have not see the painting I did with Becky because she packed the wet paintings together and was going to wait until they dried to see them again days later. I have always said that Pulpit Rock is a Paul Cezanne problem. There is simple no two angles that ever line up and the ledge can give you vertigo when looking down at the subject. But all three of us did a great painting and had an amazing time.


Michelle Mina at Pulpit Rock, Monhegan Island.

Each night we held a group critique that lasted into the late evening hours due to our excitement. We were joined by Kay Carter who was staying at Wldhaven Cottage, a modern home behind ours on Horn Hill. We even got a surprise visit from Bangor Art Society members who were staying at Chadwick hose which is a 150 year old Monhegan Cape in the heart of the villiage.

Most of us painted about 8 to 10 paintings during our stay for the week. I painted 15 small oils and a larger one. We were all exhausted but fulfilled like the feeling you get when you've eaten a good meal. Next year we will be renting the same cottage from Saturday to Saturday from July 4th to July 11th, 2014. We will be looking for 3 painters who would like to join us. Michelle, Heidi, Elaine and I will be coming back and more details will be included later in this year's newsletters for the summer of 2015!




Michael E. Vermette paint at Boathouse Cove for the Cape Elizabeth Paint For Perservation Art Auction.

The Cape Elizabeth Land Trust Paint For Perservation Art Auction


  At Cape Elizabeth I pulled out all the stops and painted the rocky point at Boathouse Cove near Two Lights State Park. I wanted to not only paint the wonderful striations of rocks found at the coast there but  also wanted to paint in a place where the public could find me. I deployed both my Resistance easel and Julian half sketch box easel to paint the large painting that I entered. Elaine and I went right from Monhegan Island directly to South Portland with a stop over at Artists & Craftsman to stock up on art supplies. We ate at Crackerbarrel, one of our favorite restaurants the night before thanks to a gift card we have wanted to spend from our daughter and her husband Ben and Kim Allen. 


The next morning I registered at the CELT office at 7:30 am and arrived on location by 8:00 am. I just barely completed the large painting by 3 PM in the afternoon to enter it into the live auction.  At the auction my painting sold for a few thousand, more than last year's.  The total we raised on the day, although not released yet, was higher than last year due to the excellent bidders and the event being sold out! We also had Kaja as our auctioneer from Thomas Place Auction Galleries. I painted with great fellow painters such as Paul Black, Michael Boardman, Paul V. Bonneau, Daniel Corey, Marsha Donahue, Cooper Dragonette, Philip Frey, Dan Graziano, Alison Hill, Colin Page, John Santoro, Caleb Stone and many others. The proceeds from  Paint for Preservation 2014 benefit the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust's Saving Cape's Great Places initiative. Founded in 1985, CELT has permanently protected over 660 acres of strategic conservation lands. 

Paint The Peninsula July 19th, 2014

This Saturday July 19th I will be participating in the Paint The Peninsula wet paint silent auction the benefit the Blue Hill Public Library. 

Paint the Peninsula Fresh Paint Silent Auction Fundraiser to benefit the Blue Hill Public Library Saturday, July 19  4:30-7pm " Post Office" detail by Charles Fenner Ball from last year's auction

An Art Event for Everyone! Dozens of artists, over 100 works.  Opening bids $50-$350  The Blue Hill Peninsula is home to some of the most iconic views in the state: bays dotted with islands; saltwater farms with weathered barns and grazing sheep; quiet coves with mirrored waters; the dramatic tumult of the reversing falls; Blue Hill Mountain; fishing boats and sailing skiffs. It seems every bend in the road reveals a breathtaking vista. On the morning of Saturday July 19th, 80 invited artists will participate in PAINT THE PENINSULA to capture those views and the beauty of the day in watercolor, oil, pencil, ink, pastel or any other medium that strikes their fancy.Later that evening more than 100 original works of art will be auctioned to benefit the Blue Hill Public Library at a reception from 4:30-7pm.  Great art & a fun party to  support the  Blue Hill Public Library The resulting exhibition is an exuberant celebration of both the area and the artists who live here. It is rare to have almost 100 artists - from young, emerging talent to some of the region's most celebrated painters-gather under one roof to show and sell their work. Most of the paintings are landscape, but not all. Some artists create still lives or abstract impressions of the morning. Opening bids range from $50-$350 making Paint the Peninsula a great opportunity to start buying local art or to add to an established collection. Most artists donate 50% of the sale to the library and some do more, so winning bids support both the Blue Hill Library's operating budget and the local arts community.  $10 suggested admission fee   (kids & participating artists free) Admission includes wine and refreshments.  Music provided by Bill Schubeck on piano.   I hope to see you there! Then next week I will be participating in the Castine Plein Air Festival from  Thursday July 24th to Saturday July 26th.  Castine Plein Air Festival 2014 Virginia Pierrepont at the 2013 festival Come Watch Artists Paint Castine! The Castine Arts Association is delighted to announce that the 2014 festival will be a three day event, thanks to the enthusiastic response by artists, art collectors, sponsors and art enthusiasts to the 2013 Castine Plein Air Festival. The coastal town of Castine, Maine is the ideal setting for plein air painting. The town and surrounding Penobscot Bay area are endowed with a rich history of art and have been a popular destination for many of America's most famous artists for over 150 years. The area possesses a stunning collection of beautiful landscapes, rugged coastlines, historic architecture, and an abundance of New England charm. About the Exhibition This year's festival will take place on July 24, 25 and 26. Over forty artists have been juried to participate in the festival. Painting will begin on the morning of July 24th after artist register at the Town Common, and will conclude on the evening of July 26th with an exhibition and sale of the art created over three days of painting. The exhibition will be in an enlarged Harborview Room, Alfond Student Center, at the Maine Maritime Academy where exhibit space will be double that of last year. The public is invited to enjoy the three days of the festival and to attend the Exhibition and Sale on July 26th, and purchase fabulous plein air artwork. Future Newsletters From now on I will be sending out newsletters for the Plein Air Connection once a month. I will still be sending out news blasts on where and when we will be painting each week, they just won't as elaborate. This way I will have more time to write about these adventure once a month and continue to keep you all abreast on all that is happening with us. If you are a new member to the newsletter I would like to welcome you to read, enjoy and share the newsletter with your friends and even come paint with us sometime. This week and next week many of us are participating in festivals and we will notify you again by the end of July or beginning of August where we will paint again. Have a wonderful painting week filled with expectation and satisfaction, Michael E. Vermette Coordinator of the Plein Air Connection