“Robert Leedy in Maine: Intro”

I traveled to Maine for a few weeks in July and August of 2006 to attend a watercolor workshop by David Dewey. It is my third trip over the last four years. David is a very talented watercolorist and I thoroughly enjoy his workshops in and around his studio in Owls Head, Maine. Each year I have tried to send out emails and images of finished paintings and works in progress as I finish each day of painting. This year I am attempting to put a daily posting of images – both paintings and photographs – along with short blogs on the day’s events.
I hope you enjoy…. RL

July 22, 2006 – Saturday
I’m still in Marietta as of 1:40 p.m. Hell, it’s only 21 hours to Maine! (I actually shoved off at 5 p.m. – nothing like adding to the stress factor…)

July 23, 2006 – Sunday
Day Two begins at 4 a.m. in Wytheville, Virginia. A slow start but I figure if I drive 15 hours, I should roll into bed at The Craignair Inn in Spruce Head, Maine by 10 p.m. (Indeed, I arrived at 9:30 p.m. – too wired to sleep, though…)

July 24, 2006 – Monday
1st day of the workshop. Blindly squinting in bright sunlight while trying to find Cobalt Violet – all to the backdrop of baritone bullfrog voices. Success doesn’t come easy.

July 25, 2006 – Tuesday
2nd day, Rockland Fishing Pier. Pass the sunblock, please.

July 26, 2006 – Wednesday
3rd Day started off horrible but has happy ending. Perserverence is the word.

July 27, 2006 – Thursday
Foggy Day in Rockland Town.

July 28, 2006 – Friday
A working day at the beach and the last day of the first week of workshops.

July 29. 2006 – Saturday
Invited to Northaven by Allan & Sue Butler. A wonderful day out on their boat. Also reassurance that everyone up here is honest – I left my Nikon digital SLR on the ferry Friday afternoon. When I went to the ferry office the next morning, it was safely waiting for me. As I left Northaven on Sunday, everyone working for the ferry reminded me not to forget my camera.

July 30, 2006 – Sunday
A visit to the Farnsworth to see the paintings of Winslow Homer, Andrew Wyeth, David Dewey & more.

July 31. 2006 – Monday
1st Day of second workshop. I went postal…

August 1, 2006 – Tuesday
A good painting from the boatyard next to the fishing pier in Rockland.

August 2, 2006 – Wednesday
Another day at the beach. Brutally hot but a good painting came out of it.

August 3, 2006 – Thursday
John’s tool shop on Mechanic Street. I painted on a full sheet sized paper. Everyone has their bad day; this was mine. Closed to the viewing public!

August 4, 2006 – Friday
Last day of second workshop. It was a shame that it rained this morning. No painting accomplished. We all met at Lydia’s (a fellow student) beautiful home and studio on the Maine coast. David talked about painting and showed us his incredible sketchbooks of trips to Greece, Turkey & Italy. He also did a quick demonstration painting. Later we met at David’s where Kathy had a delicious farewell lunch waiting.