Maine: Owls Head Harbor Fog

 Today was the last day of David Dewey’s workshop in watercolor.  As is almost custom for Maine Fridays with David, we had a rainy. misty, foggy day.  David had called around announcing that the class was postponed until 10:00 a.m. due to rain and Kathy Dewey’s farewell lunch had moved up to 12:30 p.m., so so our day was even shorter.

We met at Amy’s property on the end of the road at Owls Head Harbor. I have to take this opportunity once again to thank Amy – and Bob – for use of their homes for our excellent painting locations!

David would do his morning demo painting which meant we would have an hour-and-a-half or so to paint. I figured I would not get a painting in and almost went for coffee instead but as everyone else wandered off to stake out a location, I figured I would walk down to Amy’s dock and bask in the smells and sounds of Maine. I sat on the floating platform at the end of her dock and took in the fog and the sounds. I even made a recording with a Sony Minidisc Recorder. I decided to pull out my paints and experiment with color mixes. I used no pencil sketches and painted directly with the brush. I worked on negative space and strived not to paint positive shapes in a stereotypical manner which we are all guilty of at some point…

A fine little painting popped out of this scenario. I was pleasantly surprised for it merely started out as an exercise in wash experimentation and I had no expectations whatsoever.

Robert Leedy returning from Amy's dock, Owls Head Harbor Maine, August 2008, photo by Ralph Steinglass

Our budgeted time was up and we met at David’s for a wonderful lunch by Kathy after a final critique by David. We all said our goodbyes and talked of meeting up at the next workshop.  For those of us who attended both weeks, I believe I can speak for all of us – in that the first week went fast and the second week flew even faster.

It was great to see my usual Maine buddies and also meet new friends. Saying goodbye was bittersweet and I look forward to returning to Maine once again. This is a very special place for me and I cannot imagine never returning…

Back at the Craignair Inn, Rob, Melissa and I had a delicious, final dinner and we laughed and told stories with Steve and Neva Joseph, the owners of the inn. Rob is now a mussels fan thanks to me and he shared a few with me as an appetizer. Melissa is a fine painter and wonderful spirit. I will miss the two of them greatly. I will also miss Steve and Neva who made their inn feel like my home away from home. They were very accommodating and we have become good friends over the years. Oh yes – one more word to Neva: Thanks for the comped scotches and wine; thanks for the company when I ended up dining alone; thanks to you and Steve for taking us to Cafe Miranda; thanks for washing my steak-juice-stained shirt and coffee drenched jacket; thanks for allowing me to seize the upstairs bathroom to soak watercolor paper; thanks for the phone calls, the directions and the recommendations; thanks for the very enjoyable early evening glasses of wine and conversations on the deck…

Thanks for all !

I head to Monhegan tomorrow after breakfast. It has been a great two weeks of painting. My thanks to David Dewey for sharing his expertise and being a great educator and communicator goes without saying. He is a terrific watercolorist and good friend. I look forward to more workshops with him. He is a master at what he does and a true inspiration. I think I speak for all students close to him.

Time for bed.