Friday, January 7, 2011

Thinking About Monhegan....

It is so cold outside. I feel rather cooped up today. I want to be outdoors painting. At this time of year my mind always goes back to Monhegan Island.  Probably because my heart is there. For those of you who are not familiar, it is a small place, an island one hour off the coast of Maine. It is now and has been for a long time, an art colony that draws artists, musicians, writers, and bird watchers to it's shores every summer. The scenery from a painter's perspective is spectacular. There is a potential painting around every corner.  I always stay at the Monhegan House.  The wonderful staff, great food, and interesting eclectic group of people who stay there make it for me the best place to be. I have been returning there for many years to be a part of the plein air workshops being taught by my friend and mentor, Stan Moeller. He is a wonderful teacher who goes above and beyond to help his students.  I cannot recommend his workshops enough. We have so much fun, but we work very hard. I always come back having learned something new. I am so looking forward to the warmer weather and to going back. Below is a still life painting I did in the dead of winter last year when I was thinking about Monhegan Island and wondering when I was going back. This is a symbolic painting because each item either comes from or I use while on the island. The title of this painting is "Missing Monhegan".

9 comments:

  1. I second that recommendation! Always a wonderful time and inspirational watching Stan paint! Post some of your Monhegan paintings Diane!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I will be posting more Monhegan paintings without a doubt! :-) Actually most of my seascapes are from plein air painting with Stan Moeller's group on Monhegan. Come to think of it Kathy, you have done many wonderful paintings on Monhegan. Correct me if I am wrong but, didn't you get a painting published in a book about Monhegan artists?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well yes Di, thanks for asking, I did. I will be posting it on my blog...kathymorrisseyart.blogspot.com Don't forget to post also your wonderful still lifes relating to Monhegan. Look forward to seeing more of your Monhegan paintings online, even though I am lucky enough to see them in person since your studio is in the same building!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Diane, I was thinking about Stan's workshops just yesterday and would love to participate next time.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kathy thanks for the compliment. Katie, I believe Stan may have a few openings left. If you are interested in going, I think you know how to find him, anyone else who may be interested can go to www.stanmoeller.com for more info. I know the Monhegan House is filling up fast. They have lots of new visitors, I was told when I booked my room.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Diane,
    I can see why you are yearning to go back. Enjoy the snow tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'll be going for a week in June with a group of artists. I haven't been in a long time and so looking forward to it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Susan, When are you going in June? I am returning there also on June 10.

    ReplyDelete
  9. this is a fabulous painting!! I love Monhegan too. Haven't been up there in a few years but I will return soon.

    ReplyDelete