Mid Coast Maine Marsh

This painting was started and completed in one session in my studio.  So it took me 51 years and two and half hours to paint!

The inspiration for this painting (Acrylic 12" x 16" on canvas board ) came from trips along the mid coast and an acutal location in Brunswick Maine.

While I often paint on locations that I've never been to before, when I do studio work I try to link it to actual on location sketches.  In this case I'd done an on location pencil sketch and some larger charcoal drawings where I attempted a number of different compositions which both simplified some elements of the landscape and elaborated on other elements of the scene as it existed.

We just returned from a vacation to Pennsylvania where I completed a few quick sketches and attempted one painting on location but, to be frank, the Pennsylvania landscape and conditions kicked my a$%.  More on that for another post.

What I did do differently in this painting was that I painted over the Pennsylvania sketch with burnt sienna which gave me a more fully prepped and smoother surface to work on.  I also liked how that base helped warm the painting up more than simply using a white canvas.  Have seen a number of artists do this, but I'd never tried it before.  Something I definitely will continue to experiment with.

If you've never tried painting outdoors - I encourage you to do so.  Check out John Stobart's  "The Pleasures of Painting Outdoors" and "Worldscape" series one and two.  I had the pleasure of meeting John a number of times and he is such an inspiration to so many!

fallen branch trinity college

It wasn’t until I saw some of Andrew Wyeth’s works in person at the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, that I was truly moved by his artwork.  Reproductions simply don’t do his work justice.  His work is so subtle yet incredibly powerful.  For myself, I prefer more color and a broader scene as a subject.  But by really studying a subject, I know I’ve now gained an appreciation for how easy it is to get lost in any subject. 

For instance, I’ve spent countless hours observing the ocean along Maine’s coast – particularly during storms.  Haven’t painted many seascapes yet – but that is another story for another day.  What I’m beginning to understand, is that the same complexity of color, detail, nuance, composition, that can be found in a coastal scene can be found in a tidal pool, or a large rock in a field, or, in this case I decided to do the sketch above.  Something that would have held no interest for me in the past.  It was between my daughters field hockey games at Trinity College.  The players and parents were seeking relief from the heat on the fields beneath this tree.

In no way, shape, or form, am I attempting to equate myself with Andrew Wyeth – but he did inspire me to try something different.  To pay attention to, literally, what was directly in front of me. I wondered what I’d learn from trying this.

I found myself totally engrossed at the subject.  A few people came over and asked if I’d mind if they took a look at what I was drawing.  I didn’t mind.  Their comments were pleasant and polite.  They were surprised by my choice of subject and did share that surprise with me.

I was fascinated by the pattern of shadows on the lawn that ran uphill to the fence surrounding the field hockey fields.    The body language and expressions of the players and parents told another story entirely, and I’ll focus on those types of gestural drawings at another time.

I’ve already noticed how this exercise is informing my use of shadows in drawings and paintings and the importance of shadows and values to create depth in drawings and paintings.

If you haven't already done so, please see my facebook page (Robert Kahler Landsape Paintings@mainepleinairpainter) and like it if you are so moved.

Thank you

Wilson's Mills, ME Sun and Storm

Wilsons Mills ME. Sun and storm From an on location study. The mountains and mountain valleys particularly interest me due to their sudden changes in weather and light. I remember quite vividly being very warm painting the on location study despite setting up in the tall grass in the shade of an old Spruce. By the time I hiked back to the campsite it was raining and quite cool.

Wilsons Mills

Golden fields, slow moving water with violet deep swirls, virtually no sound 

to the rivers ebb and flow

set up camp in the river basin

so still, the abrupt loud whoosh of crow's wings

snaps my head 'round - with no wild animal to be found (this time)

till I look up and slowly realize what I'm hearing

slowly, for it takes time to leave civilization behind

While painting, observing nature

nature was observing me

moose and deer 10 yards behind

moving through the tall grass and the fallen, gnarled brittle branches

with a grace and quietness not to be believed 

had I not been there

The sound of wind through the tall grass, pine, and spruce

Soothing - reminds me of carefree days exploring the woods close to home

later, the windblown birch branches are a metronome

slow and steady 

a soothing tempo

The fall chill - briefly held at bay,

so hot 

layers pealed, the shade of an old spruce to work  

but a storm was coming

tumbling leaves, thickening clouds, and the rush of cool air announces the coming rain

The metronome whispers urgently

time to go

Marsh, Brunswick ME

I love marshes.  So full of life and color - year round.

This sketch is based on an on location sketch, but it is as much from memory and imagination as it is from life.  Like most scenes from nature, I needed to simplify the composition quite a bit.  There is so much beauty just a few yards off the road, but most people rarely seem to notice.  On this day, there were no birds to be seen, but I almost always seem to see Herons, Cranes, or other birds looking for lunch or for nesting material so I added the birds in to add a point of interest and action to this landscape.

This will serve as a study for an oil painting.  Have no idea why certain subjects appear to me as being best captured in watercolor, charcoal, oil, acrylic, or gouache but subjects just seem to lend themselves better to different media.

One other idea I have for experimentation came to me while I was looking through some older drawings as I was packing them away -.  I will go over older drawings (not completed on location) that won't serve as study's for finished paintings with Watercolor or gouche - not to colorize them, but to work on improving the compositions.  

Wilson's Mills

Wilsons Mills ME. Sun and storm From an on location study. The mountains and mountain valleys particularly interest me due to their sudden changes in weather and light. I remember quite vividly being very warm painting the on location study despite setting up in the tall grass in the shade of an old Spruce. By the time I hiked back to the campsite it was raining and quite cool.

Wilsons Mills

Golden fields, slow moving water with violet deep swirls, virtually no sound 

to the rivers ebb and flow

set up camp in the river basin

so still, the abrupt loud whoosh of crow's wings

snaps my head 'round - with no wild animal to be found (this time)

till I look up and slowly realize what I'm hearing

slowly, for it takes time to leave civilization behind

While painting, observing nature

nature was observing me

moose and deer 10 yards behind

moving through the tall grass and the fallen, gnarled brittle branches

with a grace and quietness not to be believed 

had I not been there

The sound of wind through the tall grass, pine, and spruce

Soothing - reminds me of carefree days exploring the woods close to home

later, the windblown birch branches are a metronome

slow and steady 

a soothing tempo

The fall chill - briefly held at bay,

so hot 

layers pealed, the shade of an old spruce to work  

but a storm was coming

tumbling leaves, thickening clouds, and the rush of cool air announces the coming rain

The wind whispers urgently while tugging at my sleeve

time to go

For the joy of painting

I'm starting this blog in the hopes of sharing the enjoyment I get from painting - in particular painting on location - and my love of writing.  I've never thought to combine both of these passions before, but for some reason I was thinking of one of my favorite and most influential professers from my time at the University of Maine at Orono, Constance Hunting.  Though I doubt my writing will reach her lofty standards, I will never forget her ability to inspire.  She reignited my passion for writing and I've been obsessed with painting for years now.


                                     

                                                          Lisbon Falls, ME
                                                   Acrylic on Canvas Board

I'd love to hear from fellow artists especially those of you who enjoy painting on location.



https://www.facebook.com/Robert-Kahler-landscape-paintings-1654823951409868/

robert.kahler65@gmail.com