#516 • There's Still Time

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I think there comes a time in everyone's life when we realize we're no match for the planet. Whether it's trying to fight the weather, go up against the magnitude of planetary events, or try to capture it's beauty and grandeur, the planet always has been and always will be the master.

It's kind of like thinking you're going to be on the pro tour when there's no way in hell it will ever happen at this point in your life. So we throw in the towel and say, it is what it is. And that's okay and a relief because you've given it everything you've got. But then you keep looking over your shoulder and know you will return to finish it one of these days. After all, it took the planet a kazillion years to produce it. There's still time.

There's Still Time, Dagger and Sheep Islands, East Penobscot Bay • 24" x 24" acrylic on canvas  $2100

#515 • A Final Look-see

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There's always a period of calm before a first big snow storm is the final decision to put the landscape to sleep until spring. Maybe it's a meditation some of us do if we notice. A meditation on what is now in anticipation of what won't be soon. A look-see at the wondrous working of a perfect planet.

A Final Look-see • 23" x 21" acrylic framed to 29" x 27"  •  $2100

#514 • Hopscotch Into Winter

 

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I know better than to question the inner workings of the mind of an artist, so I don't know why question my own this time. Guess it's because I am actually perplexed. For some reason it came to me that we have hopscotched into winter this year and this is what came out. Go figure.

Hopscotch Into Winter • 9.5' x 19.5' acrylic framed to 13.5" x 23.5"  • $650

513 • November Full Beaver Super Moon

 

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The November full Beaver Moon will peak on November 5 at 8:19 am EST. It is the closest the moon has been to Earth this year, so it will also be a super moon bobbing only 221,817 miles away from our planet. The moon will look its largest when it is near the horizon of course, because our brain compares it to trees and/or buildings. It's called a moon illusion.

Now one could speculate here that because it's the beaver/super moon, our common beaver grows to an astonishingly large and aggressive beast, terrorizing the landscape, snarling and chomping huge trees that tower like the great redwoods of the west deep in the forest - trees that they could never endeavor to tackle any other time. It's a strange phenomenon that harkens back to a time their ancestors, the size of our present day houses, roamed the Earth with teeth ten feet long and sharp as razors, ravaging the landscape and anything that got in their way. Yikes!

November Full Beaver Super Moon • 9" x 10" framed to 13" x 14" • $350

#512 • Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park

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This past summer we took a fun day off from sailing and biked up into Acadia National Park.

 

Of course we were on eight-speed folding bikes with 20" wheels. Everyone else moved along on real  or electric versions. We were getting passed by EVERYONE, and I was tempted to scream at the electrics - that is not bicycling people! But I saved my breath because damn, I needed every ounce of it to get up hills that were climbs from hell. 

 

I think I'm jealous that I haven't reached the point where I need an electric bike, but also glad I haven't reached that point. Of course I don't want to try one because I'll probably find out I actually ready for one and don't know it.

 

We brought along our lunches this time and sat on the lawn under an apple tree in front of the Jordan Pond restaurant and visitors center. This was the view. It was simply beautiful The park is a gem. We are lucky to have it.

 

Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park • 19" x 10.5" • framed to 23" x  14.5" • $350

#511 • Carrabassett Valley Trailhead Path

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I was heading down valley when  noticed a riot of yellow to the left over the airport. So I stopped and snapped a few pics. That's the Longfellow Mountain Range in the background. I used to climb Bigelow Mountain every summer to see what kind of shape I was in. It was humbling. 

I haven't painted all summer, so I thought I'd begin with this. Can't climb it anymore, so I figured I'd paint it to maintain a sense of humility.

Carrabassett Valley Trailhead Path • 9.5" x 9.5" framed to 13.5" x 13.5 • $325

#510 • Tumbledown

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Last year at about this time, we took a ride over to Sunday River - hadn't been there for years. I have to say it sure had expanded. The ride up around the mountain and then back to our neck of the woods was beautiful. The views were stunning. And like all of the foothills and mountains in this state, it is always worth a Sunday drive.

We passed by this barn and field in Weld with Tumbledown in the distance. I hadn't hiked up there in decades, but was tempted after this trip. For those who are feeling the way I am now and again these days, this scene reminded me of how the soothing affect of just taking a ride upcountry into the hills and mountains can completely change ones attitude about everything, almost. Take a walk, a hike, a bike ride or whatever. It's way too beautiful out there right now to stay inside.

Tumbledown • 8" x 8" acrylic framed to 10"  10" • $300