Blog

A NEW AWAKENING

Happy New Year everyone! I want to thank all of you who have signed up for my newsletters, taken a painting class from me, or attended former Plein Air Connection group meetings that led to painting on location at amazing places in Maine in 2015. There have been some really exciting developments with the start of this new year 2016. I have a hope that it will prove to be a year that dreams coming true. Having a chance to rethink what is really on my heart to do this year led me toward a stronger connection from the plein air experience to the studio environment. This doesn't mean I will not be doing plain air paintings anymore. On the contrary; I do wish to do them; but I am interested in bringing that information into the studio and developing paintings that have more life experience in addition to copying nature. For me it will be a season of producing quality rather than quantity. For this reason, my new newsletter from now on will be called, The Art Spirit Connection. 

Thanks to the excellent work of Northeast Historic Films, I began the year by reviewing over 15 hours of my DVD-r footage of conversations that I had with Ann Hubert back in 1999. I interviewed Ann Hubert, the sole heir of the James Fitzgerald estate at that time on Mohegan Island in the artist's studio and his cottage on Horn Hill. I hadn't review the footage since then and was amazed at the wealth of knowledge that was being shared to me on those original Hi-8 tapes of my dearly departed friend. I now understand even better today of the personal commitment I once had and now have again to go back to a more simplistic style that will reflect my own life and spirituality. Revisiting Ann's advice, I have an opportunity to Work in a style that brings the life of the "Holy Spirit of the Creator" in my art is a very exciting direction. It is in this new co-creating direction that I have alined my life as a painter to begin this year in a sort of "new awakening" or fresh start to new direct ways of working. 

I have been given an awesome endowment of art supplies from an anonymous donor, and even withdrew from one gallery to join another in anticipation of this new growth in my work. I am also looking into setting up a studio in Bangor, which has been on my heart for a few years now. More to come on this studio opportunity in my next newsletter, I think you will be amazed.

For these reasons I was inspired by the spirit to go through my art files and pull out many of my old watercolor studies that I have painted over the years. Surprised at the quality of these small works, I have decided to have a sort of "Clearing House Studio Sale" of my watercolor painting studies all this month and into February. I am going to post 50 to 60 watercolors that I found and have painted over the last 10-20 years on location in plein air. They will be posted on my website main page each day and linked to eBay's on-line auction from my site. Priced reasonably at $100.00 starting bid each, my hope is to raise money for the art supplies that I will need to develop my new direction in both oil and in watercolor. 

The painting above is painting #7 of what I have listed today. If you'd like to purchase the painting and do not wish to go through the auction process you can use the "buy it Now" option through eBay at $200.00. The paintings below are the paintings that I have already listed from #1 to #6 a week ago when I began. Either way, whether or not you are actually moved to purchase a painting or simply enjoy seeing the work, I hope you will check out a new watercolor painting each day on my website!

"Monhegan...The Muse" Exhibit January 28th, 5-7PM

One of my paintings have been selected for the "Mohegan...The Muse"Exhibit at Common Street Arts in Waterville. The details are indicated in the Press release below:

For Release: Immediate

Subject: -Monhegan…the Muse- Exhibit Opens at Common Street Arts

Reception Scheduled for January 28, 5 - 7 PM

Contact: Dick Dyer, 458-9458, [email protected]

WATERVILLE- Visitors to Common Street Arts starting this week will be treated to fifty works of art from the Lupine Gallery collection on Monhegan Island. Monhegan ..the Muse suggests the profound influence Monhegan has had for generations on a community of artists from all over the world. The exhibit will be open from now through February 27 from Wednesday - Friday, Noon - 5 PM and Saturday's from 10 AM - 1 PM. The gallery is located at 16 Common Street in Waterville and can be reached by calling (207) 872-ARTS.

According to Waterville Creates! Programs Manager, KiKA Nigals, -The collection includes oils, watercolors, etchings, acrylics and other media from artists ranging from established artists like Lynne Drexler to artists who are known for other talents like Zero Mostel. All artists have been profoundly influenced by this Maine island, which is apparent in their work. It is an eclectic collection that is sure to please varied interests and anyone who has an interest in this legendary artist community.-

A reception is scheduled for January 28 from 5 - 7 PM at the gallery and will feature Tiger Saw with new songs from their recent album recorded on Monhegan.

Artists represented in this show include: Sylvia Alberts, Carol Aronson-Shore, Kevin Beers, Alice Boynton, Frank Bruckmann, Ralph Bush, Kate Cheney Chappell, Rick Daskam, Lynne Drexler, Ralf Feyl, Sears Gallagher, Susan Gilbert, Alison Hill, Emil Holzhauer, Jessica Lee Ives, Elena Jahn, David Kasman, Bruce Kornbluth, Frances Kornbluth, Glen Krause, Nicholas Luisi, William Manning, William McCartin, Kate McGloughlin, Leo Meissner, Dylan Metrano, Stan Moeller, Zero Mostel, Paul Niemiec, Daphne Pulsifer, Carol Raybin, Elmer Rising, Arline Simon, Mike Stiler, Don Stone, Caleb Stone and Michael E. Vermette.

Painting Lecture at the Blue Hill Library

.I have been invited to give an hour and a half lecture/demonstration on Thursday night, May 19th at the Blue Hill Library 7-8:30 PM on "How a painter brings life to a painting." I will display painted examples of my own early works and works I am painting today to contrast the different ways to bring paintings to life using line, color, texture and space. I will also reveal my own personal theory of painting by demonstrating the venetian style of mixing Black Oil Wax medium in oil paint as well as bold methods used to bring vitality to watercolors. More information as the date nears.

The New England Watercolor Society News

As a new member of the New England watercolor society I will be showing one of my watercolors, "Mending The Net" in the signature member show at the Guild of Boston on Newbury Street in Boston, Massachusetts. The awards reception is February 6th, 2016. For more information Click Here.

Mark your calendars: 

Have a quality week filled with many creative opportunities,

Michael E. Vermette.