Late summer afternoons on the outer islands of Maine are spectacular!

On a clear day, if you’re lucky-the sun will kiss the surface of the gulf of Maine in just the right way, and for that moment, the sun, and sky and sea become one!

And your island appears to float in a heavenly, crystalline light!

You’re not entirely sure why you’re still carrying the smooth weathered stone that you picked up on the beach some moments ago, but it’s warm and it’s weighty and it’s presence seems to ground you to a place that you love.

There’s something in the relationship of this schooner to it’s dinghy hung along midship by arching davits. The graceful sweep of the boom tents, no doubt set out for a lantern lit supper after sunset.

“Port Side Approach” 18” x 24” Charcoal & Graphite.

At the leeward mark, the stillness of a downwind leg ends abruptly as crew mates scurry to their assigned roles. The guy and lazy sheet are eased forward to the head stay and the active sheet is gathered in as the halyard is mindfully lowered. If dropped too quickly, or gathered too slowly, the chute can drop into the water, stalling boat speed and demoralizing the spirits of captain and crew! But when it’s done properly, and the spinnaker is gathered in gracefully on deck as it collapses, it’s one of the finest moments for all aboard!

In a rainy anchorage with a salon full of family there’s no better perch than atop of the companionway ladder. Tucked under the sheltering dodger the wind and rain nearly drown out the sound of younger siblings, and the sea air is cool, fresh and sweet.

charcoal, graphite and acrylic (17 x 23)

“The Downwind Leg”,

charcoal and China white on drawing vellum (18” x 24”)

It’s not officially summer, but our attention has moved outdoors. The days have been warm but the evenings are still cool and comfortable enough to justify a fire in the fire pit at the dock head. I had been intrigued by the silhouette of the abandoned Naval prison, standing dark against the blue green sky of twilight; it’s reflection echoed on the pale blue surface of the river. But once the drawing was complete, I realized that i’ll have to paint the scene in full color to capture the warmth of the firelight against those cool blues and greens!

“Turning Heads” Graphite on Arches Printmaking Paper (14” x 20”)

Charcoal, Graphite and Acrylic on Acid free Mat Board

In pastoral poetry the graceful Elm symbolises the idyllic life, their shade being mentioned as a place of special coolness and peace. Often found on College campuses the trees have come to symbolize Intuition and Inner Strength, two worthy attributes for an incoming freshman!

My daughters not the only one who’s fallen into the screen at an inopportune moment. This was one of those moments however. Surrounded by unimaginable beauty, and looking into the phone for something to see. Like reaching to turn on the radio, only to realize that it’s already on!

“Competing for Attention” (Graphite, charcoal and acrylic white 30” x 40”)

“Three Dreams of Flying” A graphite drawing on Canson- 18” square.

“Town Wharf” Graphite 11” square

An ancient relationship that feels a bit like “Rock, Paper, Scissors” ...but different.

Charcoal, graphite and a little China white.

18” x 24”

“Heading for the Pin” 18” x 24” Charcoal on Penny Sketch. Considering graphically interesting ways to express the tension between rowers a race. Telling lies, in order to tell certain truths.

I love these coastal cottages. The scale, the materials, and of course, the porches! This little graphite study frames the cottage with one of the same pitch pine trees that I grew up with down on the south shore of Massachusetts.

I’ve Created several drawings and paintings in this amazing location. Here’s a more delicate drawing from 2020. (11” x 14” Graphite on Vellum)

Charcoal & Graphite on Museum Bond (16” x 16”)

Graphite on Sketch 5.5” x 8”

At its core, the drawing is structured on an eight point Star, with the elements radiating out from a point roughly a third of the way in from the left.

A group of teenagers on a mountain top in one of the most beautiful places on the planet-each of them deep in thought. This is certainly, a shared moment, but they’re all gazing in different directions; perhaps imagining different paths; different concerns; different perspectives. It’s a heady time in life. Thinking about the “you” that is separate from your friends, when just recently, being a part of the pack was all that mattered. The eight point star is used by so many cultures to describe this moment of creation, whether it’s about creating your own reality, preparing for the next season or cycle, or just knowing which way to turn at that next intersection!

“8 point Star”

(Acadia Mountain Trail, peak of Robinson Mtn.)

Graphite on printmaking paper 18 x 24

This ones just for the fun of it...

My girl had a serious horse addiction for a bunch of years. Lessons and eventually competing in IEA events. But with high school and all that comes with high school, there was little time for riding. I know there are things about it that she misses. The connection she made with these beautiful animals; asking them to perform for her; brushing and caring for them. And I also know that she’s taken more lessons from the experience than She or I will ever know. Lessons about stewardship and responsibility. About competition and teamwork.

Perhaps at some point in her life she’ll ride again, perhaps not. But the lessons will stay with her forever.

“Shoo Fly!” Charcoal on 90lb sketch 18 x 24

As the sun sets on childhood a new day dawns for the young adult. I had a memorable conversation with a boat full of 18 year old girls earlier this summer, one of whom happened to be my daughter. The four of them are on the brink of life’s discoveries! Off to College, or off to travel, but off to learn about themselves and to find their places in this big world. It’s a poignant moment! When everything becomes real. And when their real adventures will begin!

Someone once said that the waxing crescent moon represents a time for intention, hopes, and wishes. An auspicious moment to begin a sailing adventure!

A commission portrait involving Captain Leon!

The honor of wearing a single feather was bestowed upon Native American warriors for feats of great courage or valor. And because he flew the highest, an eagle’s feather was perhaps prized above all others. This recent commission was referenced after the 19th century American photographer Frank Albert Rinehart and it features the Cheyenne Chief Wolf Robe, who in 1870 was forced to leave the open plains and to relocate his tribe on to the Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian Reservation.

charcoal on newsprint (12x20)

Charcoal study (18x24)