After the equinox...

I spent the day painting, and it’s really starting to feel like fall in Maine. There was actually a coat of frost on my windshield this morning. When the weather cools off here, we get incredibly crisp, clear sunny days. Today was one of those days. The sun always feels low in the sky and the leaves start turning to warmer colors. We aren’t in the days of full color yet, but there are some nice oranges and reds starting to show up.

The painting in this post is from a few weeks ago, but I like this one because it reminds me of fall. I think that’s because it’s a scene of the Maine that’s left behind when the tourists leave for the winter. The Maine where people use their front yard for a workshop, and have piles of lumber and stones out front while they fix up the house. Where a house has the patina of looking used and lived in, and a stoic New England character.

At this point I’ve eaten almost all of the veggies that I’m going to get from my garden and I’m getting ready to prepare my house for the snow and wind. The last rush of the year is when my painting season is slowing down and I finally have time to work on my house, with only a few weeks before it’s too cold to do anything outside.  I’m still trying to squeeze some painting in, and thinking of ideas for studio paintings this winter.

I also want to mention that I’m getting a new easel for my plein air work. I love the one I have, but I wanted a slightly smaller one for travelling. I’m heading to Mexico for a painting trip and want something just slightly smaller to get into luggage. The easel I use is called an Easyl, made by artwork essentials. I usually use their mid-size one, but I’m getting a “lite,” the smaller size, for this trip. It’s so fun getting new equipment! If you are thinking of trying a new easel, check out this company:

http://www.artworkessentials.com/

2 Responses to “After the equinox”

1. frank gardner says:

   September 30, 2009 at 10:56 pm

   Great description of why you liked this scene in the second paragraph Colin. I love yards like that.
   You know right where to place all that eye candy.

   Mexico huh? Always wanted to go there.
   LOL
2. Mary Sheehan Winn says:

   October 16, 2009 at 12:34 pm

   Maine. No place like it.
   I’ll look forward to your Mexico paintings.