Sunday, October 14, 2012

mountains, lupines & fiddleheads: 2 artists' love-affair with Maine

 
As you may know from my previous writings---I have long had a love-affair with the state of Maine.



beaver pond, oil on canvas, 12 x 18 inches. ©2007 Kristina Wentzell






From spending my childhood summers with my grandparents in the northwestern mountains to living as an adult along the rocky, wave tossed shores of the state-- I have always felt this beautiful place to be home.


going back to camp, oil on canvas, 24 x 18 inches. ©2009 Kristina Wentzell


The first time I put brush to canvas, scenes from Maine have been a seminal inspiration for my art.  Dusky blue mountains rising from jewel colored lakes, purple lupines covering every meadow & roadside, spring green curls of fiddleheads, dark conifer forests dotted with slender white birches--these are the images I draw from again and again.



lupine field, oil on canvas, 12 x 12 inches. ©2007 Kristina Wentzell

I happily make my home in the lovely Monadnock region of New Hampshire now (complete with its own set of unparalleled inspirations) but Maine will always have my heart.


So, when my friend and fellow artist, Frances Clements Fawcett agreed to guest post on my blog and asked if she could write about her own love affair with Maine--I was beyond thrilled.


Frances (AKA The Delight Detective) hails from the pacific northwest. Her blog, The Delight Detective's Universe of Yes and Yay, is a whimsical and wonderful place.  Filled with Frances' delightful fiber creations and her musings about life are just brimming with happiness and positivity. I encourage you to grab a cup of tea and stop over and spend a while.  A couple favorites are this post about Frances' belief in a friendly universe and this post about the unexpected delights that await us when we drop everything and just go.


In the meantime, stay tuned--on Tuesday Frances will be posting here about her own inspirations from Maine (including that very special & ethereal Maine water bird beloved by many--can you guess which kind?)




dead river evening, oil on canvas, 12 x 18 inches. ©2007 Kristina Wentzell






Monday, October 8, 2012

3rd Annual 100 Paintings

It's getting to be that time of year again!


In case you're wondering-- I will once again be having my annual 100 painting sale.  For the third year, I will be creating 100 small original oil paintings and offering them for sale for $100 or less.  See last year's paintings here.


3rd Annual 100 Paintings for 
$100 or Less
November 3rd - December 31st, 2012

available online and on display in the:

Happy Camper Mobile Art Gallery
87 Ashuelot Street
Keene, New Hampshire


This year's sale dates are November 3rd - December 31st.  I will be having an open studio November 3rd & 4th to kick off the sale (as part of the Keene Art Tour).


And new this year, the paintings will be on display in the Happy Camper Mobile Art Gallery at my home/studio in Keene, New Hampshire.  As usual, the paintings will also be available online.



So, stay tuned!  I will post photos of the paintings as I paint them.








Monday, October 1, 2012

Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour

 
Looking for a great activity over Columbus Weekend?
 
 
Take a drive through the scenic Monadnock region this Saturday & Sunday on a self-guided art studio tour. The foliage is beautiful this time of year. See some art, stop for lunch, enjoy the scenery--what could be better?
 
Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour
October 6th & 7th
10am to 5pm
 
87 Ashuelot Street
Keene, New Hampshire
 
The Fall Foliage Art Studio Tour features a wonderful selection of fine artists & craftsmen--painting, pottery, photography, fine furniture, wood turning, jewelry, sculpture and more.
 
 



This is a unique opportunity to get a peek into the working studios and get a feel for how these artists perfect their craft.
Info is available on the FFAST website. I'll also have tour maps on hand in my studio at 87 Ashuelot Street in Keene, New Hampshire.

If you need an extra incentive-- the Happy Camper Mobile Art Gallery is finished and will be on display in front of my studio. This summer I converted a vintage 1966 trailer into a mobile art gallery. Come check it out!
 
 
 
 

Sunday, September 23, 2012

Update on the Happy Camper--check it out!

Happy Camper Mobile Art Gallery: getting closer: We worked liked crazy all weekend to get the camper put back together--as you probably saw from my last post we had to tear the poor Happy ...

Friday, September 21, 2012

Happy Camper hits the road...

In just 7 short days the Happy Camper Mobile Art Gallery will be hitting the road!  I'm working like a whirling dervish to get her all finished in time. Lots of pics coming soon!


 
 

If you're in my area come on out-- I promise you won't be disapointed. This is a great show!



September 28th, 29th & 30th
10am to 5pm
Manchester, Vermont


Thursday, September 20, 2012

color palettes for your interior decorating

I was playing around with color palettes today and came up with this one for my recent birch painting.  Then it occured to me that this might be useful for clients.  A lot of times, folks are uncertain if a piece of mine will "go" in their room.  This might be a helpful tool!

If you are interested in a certain painting of mine--send me a message and I would be happy to put together a color palette for you.  I am going to write about some other services that I offer soon--stay tuned!




when I see birches, oil on canvas, 40 x 20 inches.  ©2012 Kristina Wentzell