Some weekends are more productive than others. Summer in the US is anchored by two public holidays: Memorial Day at the end of May and Labor Day at the beginning of September. When we first came here I found people bemoaning “the end of the summer” strange as frequently the weather continues to be glorious on the East Coast well into September. Now, I totally get it. Summer is a mind set as well as a weather pattern or season, and I feel the same poignant regret as the end of August approaches.
This particular Labor Day weekend was mixed weather-wise, but when it was fine it was really fine – sunny, fresh and breezy! I tried out one of the large, lovely canvases, which Mark had given me as part of my birthday hoard, at Wethersfield trails, enjoying the coarser texture. I also tried to capture the rippled surface of the lake, caused not only by the wind, but in the early evening by spawning fish, whose energetic activity creates swirling, circular distortions, And finally, I painted a small bunch of strawflowers and sedum that had, to my eye at least, a midcentury vibe.
The following week I did absolutely nothing!


Oil on canvas,
24 x 36″,
2021

Oil on canvas, with scraping,
18 x 24″,
2021

Oil on canvas, with scraping,
18 x 24″,
2021
Click on details to enlarge

Oil on wood panel, with scraping,
8 x 8″,
2021



Really enjoy your work! Beautiful setting! Beautiful paintings!
Thank you so much!
I was missing my regular fix of your splendid images of nature. Now I am feeling MUCH better!
Thanks Maryan! Next week’s will feature one of your paintings! Mx
Mike, Your paintings and Mark’s photo’s of them are lovely to see, the beautiful countryside around you is portrayed so well.
Thank you Michael!