Here I am holding Duke who is only 6 weeks old as Daisy on the left sniffs Duke!  We both loved Duke at the very sight of him.  Duke was a birthday present from a ex boyfriend trying to get into my good graces.  He said later he knew it would be difficult for me to date with two huge dogs.  Actually two giant dogs helped to weed out the guys with bad character!  Robert, my husband, loved Daisy and Duke the first day he met them.  In fact he came to my house an hour early on the second date with a dog toy present for Daisy and Duke!  I came back from a store to see Robert sitting down on the grass playing with Daisy and Duke! They were climbing all over him giving him kisses!  I was very shocked!

  Duke with boots.

  Duke at 6 weeks old.

  Duke a year old really preferred to wear this hot pink visor with glasses at the beach.  Without the hat and sunglasses Duke's eyes would water.  He would hide his head under my beach chair trying to get away from the sunlight.

 

 Painting by Paul Goodnow.

     My painter friend Paul Goodnow passed away last night.  His passing is a huge shock to many of my art friends.  He was a really nice guy.  Everyone who met him loved him right away.  I was reading my Facebook messages to Paul.  Many times he spoke about many of our painting friends.  I thought I would post this Facebook conversation which took place over the past year.  I think you will get an understanding of how great of a person he was.    I hope Mike, Tom, John, and Stape will enjoy reading what he said about them.  He always said only good things about everyone.  Rest in peace Paul.

Paul Carter Goodnow

Hi Susan , John tells me good things about you . Guess you all had good painting trip.

July 20, 2010

Susan Renee Lammers

Hi Paul. Good I am glad John is telling you good things! I like John. He is welcome here any day. Sweet guy. Cooks and paints great! Has beautiful skin! Sickening! Ha Ha. I hope I get to meet you someday too.

August 15, 2010 Paul Carter Goodnow

serious question , when you paint on copper do you scuff it first? other one if you have misses do they turn greenish or just darken in color , the copper must get expensive compared to regular panels . I am set on regular panels but curious . It must take awhile to dry too compared to working on other materials , I worked on natural gesso panels and they drank the paint up . How did you get started on copper?

August 15, 2010Susan Renee Lammers

Hi Paul! I have a book out of print called, "Copper as a canvas" by a Phoneix Museum. Copper paintings were thought of as a lost art as when the medival artists died their secrets went with them. They xrayed copper paintings to discover this: They sanded the copper first, or put raw garlic on panel, or gessoed it with white lead. Those are the options. I prefer to sand it. It takes same time to dry as any other substrate. I asked Gamblin art conservator what to seal it with. They suggested three things: Galkyd OR Gamvar OR cold wax. Any of these will coat the finished painting. I prefer Galkyd. 
There are a few traits of copper that are great for archival painting substrate. The thermal cohesive expansion of the copper is almost identical to that of the oil painting. (When it gets hot or cold they expand and contract at the same rate) There is similar electrical conductivity too. 
Thanks for your interest. On my website is a heading called Why Copper? More interesting info and photos! 

August 15, 2010Paul Carter Goodnow

The expansion , contraction makes all the sense in the world as does the durability of the material . using Gamvar or Galkyd over a sanded finish would nou doubt create an excellent substrate to paint on . I find it very interesting thanks for the info . I painted a few times on hardboard panels which I had simply scuffed then varnished just before i painted , I liked the way that the misses that showed were a dark brown color and I know I could have simply toned it or used a white primer if I didn't . I am guessing you don't ever paint too large because the cost and weight would get prohibitive . When I was about nine , my uncle got me doing scrimshaw and he would go to the scrapyard and get ivory piano keys for me . I wasn't allowed to chew tobacco to rub into the scrimshaw , had to use crayon , but I had ivory that was cool.

August 15, 2010Paul Carter Goodnow

I buy old artwork , more so before than now but I was afraid of buying a work that was on tin or copper , you make a strong argument for copper because flaking and crazing would actually seem less likely if prepared correctly . Also I tend to look less favorably on paintings done on the cheap canvasboards because they are to me a lesser material and more common. I still had and have paintings on the canvasboards but I would rather see a cigar box top(quirky and less common) or a homemade panel(artist took the time to prep it or it is what they preferred. Copper is now raised to a higher level in my mind , I still prefer the hardboard for myself . If you estimate it what does an actual piece of copper panel in a 8x10 cost? Do you sand them with 150 or finer like 240 or so? I use 180 to 220 on my hardboard.

August 15, 2010Susan Renee Lammers

I am honestly not sure how much one copper panel costs. I just buy in bulk. You can buy copper panels on internet or at sheep metal shops. I galkyd after the oil paintings dry, not after I sand it. The galkyd in on the dry oils to act as a final protective cover to seal the copper from turning green. I do leave some spots of copper un painted. They shine as a person walks by the painting. There is only very little specks so it is not distracting. You are wise to purchase paintings on good substrates. Copper was percieved by churches in the 1500 and 1600 to be the highest quality substrate possible. They did not want any canvas in their churches. Only wood or copper. Copper doesnt get affected by water! For the sandpaper? Doesn't really matter, only preference! Thanks. Glad you are loving copper! They are jem like!

August 23, 2010Paul Carter Goodnow

Hi Susan , was reading what you wrote about Birches . I think that is the beauty of a birch is how the reflections of uther colrs around them make them so interesting . Gruppe loved a good birch painting making them the subject in many of his pieces. The artist that first got me to go up to Vermont to paint was John Loughlin, he loved painting birches.Late in the trip he was not feeling well and he wanted to stay near the cabin and find a stand of birches to paint. We sat in the woods behind the cabin and it was the last time we painted together, he died of cancer later that year. I remember a year or so later having to paint a scene for a show, It was a location with these great barns and fields but I saw these birches and I made them the centerpiece . I was thinking of John alot while I painted it . It is still the largest piece I have painted , about three times the size I normally was doing ,a real departure for me from what I was doing and it won an award . I love birches .

August 23, 2010Susan Renee Lammers

I am liking the birches too. They have some beauties up here. So Vermont has nice birches too. I think what he told me about no browns in the birches is right. Do you?

August 25, 2010Paul Carter Goodnow

Susan , I was seeing alot of blue in the shadows as always but I would say blues and greys and more toward black than brown . I seem to remember blues mixed into the white , maybe pink even then a bit of lightened naples yellow mixed in where the light hit to get the warmer areas but no not so much brown . They are just really clean and always stand out among the other trees . We had alot of them on my dads land when I was a kid , I never even thought about how many I cut down putting in my driveway until I was thinking where are the birches . We had lost a bunch in the seventies to an ice storm that broke many of them . I actually went out looking to find some and I did but they aren't big or strong or healthy looking either . I hadn't thought too much about the color before bnut good point.

August 25, 2010Paul Carter Goodnow

Now I feel like painting birches , see what you did?

August 25, 2010Susan Renee Lammers

Are you going to paint on birches on copper? LOL?There are many great birches at Fort Point State Park. They are curvey and not just straight. I saw no brown tones today in the birch. I learned that brown was an interior decorators term! LOL not a painter! I am learning a lot!

August 25, 2010Paul Carter Goodnow

 I am a simple panel type.

August 26, 2010Susan Renee Lammers

Good for you, better than canvas! I hope to paint with you soon. Stapleton Kearns says you are a really nice guy!

October 16, 2010Paul Carter Goodnow

Susan if you get a chance see what images you can find for the work of the late Walter Douglas. He painted chickens ducks and such . he was an excellent artist and is well listed . I have bought and sold many of his pieces , I own a few really small ones now but they aren't nearly as nice as the ones I sold. Askart and such will likely have images . I only mention it because whenever I see fowl pieces I think of him first.

October 17, 2010Susan Renee Lammers

Interesting! Thank you for thinking of me! I will do a search today. I think I like to paint white things. I am not sure if it is the chicken. Although I have sold many chicken paintings and seagulls too lately. Pretty funny!

October 30, 2010Paul Carter Goodnow

too funny that Stape is like the glue that hold us all together . Marc Hanson was mentioning him the other day to me . I'm glad he tells people I am a good guy . But as I hear it I start to wonder what am I doing wrong that people have to ask that question? Picked up the solo show . Sold just the two at the opening but feels good to get things home again nonetheless .

October 30, 2010Susan Renee Lammers

I asked him about you because I saw your name a few times on his page. I guess I was looking for some neutral conversation. LOL. Sorry if it sounded funny. GLad you sold two! I think that is good right now! Should be happy! I have 5 sold at Skyline Farm. 300$ for 5x7s. Not bad I guess. Sold another commission. 285$ for 8x10 unframed. I am starting a painting marathon tomorrow. Broke! ha ha. Need to pay some Dr. Bills! I am going to paint tomorrow~

October 30, 2010Paul Carter Goodnow

 I just thought it was funny because Marc said the same thing and I am kidding but you here that twice and say what do I do that people ask that so much . I do think it is funny how well we all can get to feel like we know each other without ever having actually met , but with facebook and friends in common it is pretty easy. I haven't asked Stape but John said you were a really nice person so I have that reference already .

October 30, 2010Susan Renee Lammers  

Oh yeah I like John! So does my husband Robert. John is like family here when he stays with us. We had a blast in Nantucket! Someday we will all paint together. Maybe painting this Winter in Vermont of NH. Stape doesn't ever say bad things about anyone. He is great about that. I don't think he hangs out or communicates with bad people. That is smart. 

October 30, 2010Paul Carter Goodnow

John used to have these mad fourth of July parties . He invited me but I never got there , it is an hour three quarters and if any drinking took place I wouldn't be driving back so I hadn't gone . But by the time I was ready to go they stopped . Pretty much the neighbors on one side ruined it for him but I had heard they were the best of times with fireworks galore . Sorry I never saw it and you know John , it must have been great , I feel I know some of his neighbors pretty well through John now. I get a feel for some people just if John doesn't get along with them , you know how that is . He is a good solid person , says what is on his mind , good sense of humor , class and very intelligent , I hope some of it wears off on me someday!

October 30, 2010Susan Renee Lammers

Me too. I am learning about the art world from him. I even think I learn some about painting from him. Sorry you never got to go to his wild July parties! Sounds like it was fun. I love parties. I will come down there someday to paint. Maybe you will join us! It would be a pleasure to get to know you too.

January 11, 2011Paul Goodnow

Hey whats this ? making us look bad? You are offering to bring steaks while the rest of us are pairing up doing half meals each? Actually my wife had been talking about the steaks but we weren't sure what it would be like cooking them , there may be a grill but outside I think not sure , definitely a stove with oven . I told Mike Graves you wanted to bring steaks and he said What no Lobster? Can you be from Maine and not ever hear that?

January 11, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

When we were expecting twelve people or so, I suggested to Tommy that He and John team up to do one nights meal , Me and Mike do another , Stape and one of his do a meal and two of the girls do a meal . That way we were sure to have the four nights covered and nobody is carrying one meal alone then the rest could bring breakfast stuff and we could have that covered as well . Barbara is going but maybe not the whole trip as I heard it , if you and Catherine teamed up it might be easier , just suggestion but could be a good plan . Lucia Deleris is I believe going too.

January 11, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

That sounds like a good idea. Stape is bringing a casserole. He said he was going to bring so much I could use some of it in my shoes to keep my toes warm. how nice. I hope it won't have onions in it! I do like onions but not on my feet. I thought I would pick up some steaks. I might leave here in Maine on Thursday and drive up straight to Vermont. We are getting a big storm.

January 11, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Ha ha. I can bring lobsters for sure. It would be difficult maybe to keep them alive. If I go get them on Thursday and start driving. Then Friday morning arrive. I thought about that for sure! I don't know if they could be alive in a bag for two days?

January 12, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Again , it is the same thing too many people must say though right? We are bring chicken noodle soup and adding the noodles up there , Barbara is bring Vegetable Soup too , I think Tommy was talking about chicken cutlets or something to that effect anf John was talking about spaghetti and meatballs last I heard.

January 12, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

I liked that little painting I saw but if copper gets too expensive you may have to switch to aluminum or tin or something . It is something about the color underneath that is nice too isn't it? Can't help but think how heavy does a bigger piece get , does it help keep the easel from blowing arouind on a widy day? Panels have always been my preference to paint on and smooth ones too .

January 12, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

I talked to Stape and he was in Minnesota . I heard he might come back . That is his famous Garfelfuse I believe . I would miss not having that I think .

January 12, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Yeah? It is that good huh? What does it have in it?I use to like painting on gessoed 3/4 inch birchwood. But the copper is much easier. I paint small. 

January 12, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

I have a feeling we aren't going to starve! LOL

January 12, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

I could use some starving .not sure, but it is good.not long now , I have to go and dig out the big boots . They are funny , one time a guy we were painting with said "oh it is you , I was looking around wondering who was leaving snowshoe tracks . they have liners in them and are huge but they are warm so I don't care . I have columbias that are for like fifty below but the 100 below dont fail me , who cares what it looks like , stable too.

January 12, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

3/4 , I used to use the 1/4 inch hardboard before i went to the thinner type and that was pretty beefy . I have seen a few of the older birch panels about 3/8 or so and they beveled the edges . I always liked the home made panels as opposed to canvasses when I was buying dead guy art .

January 12, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Yeah for sure. Canvasses are high maintence! My art professor Gary Bolding at Stetson University always said never do less than 3/4 inch birch. HE said it warped. Copper is great. No prepping!!!I have tran-alaskan III boots by cabelas. Great boots!I know there is a grocrey store near by. I think I will let us all eat what is brought. THen I will go get fresh food, steaks for dinner. Potatoes, and salad, and desert! I just am thinking if I bring a casserole by day 4 it might taste bad!!! lOL

January 12, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

HiNice painting you posted. Are you in jeffersonville, now?

January 12, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

I worked from photo reference and finished that for one of the galleries there . I work full time framing so can't get out to paint much . I will probably just about start getting something the last day of the trip . Been going to Jeffersonville since 2003 and doing a couple of events too but just not practiced enough pleinaire.

January 12, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

yeah, even though pizza tastes better the next day sometimes , by day four not so much but then again it doesn't usually last that long . Sounds like good thinking .

January 13, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

I think it is good thinking too. I am going to be driving a long way. So I will just take a poll on what they want to eat! Is there pans and salt and pepper and plates there?I think your work is great for not doing it full time!!!.

January 13, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Thank You , I wish I had consistently stayed with it , got my first set of oils at twelve because my mother was painting but it was too hard without instruction and not my idea , I was always drawing but didn't take classes at Risd and Providence Art Club till around 1980 or so, then let it dro till the 90s and started selling some while I was making frames , started pleinair-ing in 2003 in Jeffersonville with the Late John Loughlin. I am a professional the way I see it but just parttime for now . Bring back the economy .

January 13, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

The cabins are pretty well stocked , one of the things we really like . They have microwave , stove , oven etc. pots pans dishes . Salt and pepper maybe but there is convenience stores nearby and can to grocery as well

January 13, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

I sold alot but it costs so much to make a painting.  I don't sell my work for much $ yet. If it were not for Robert I couldn't paint full time. He is a great guy. I am going to Burlington Vermont tomorrow and stay at their hostel for 30$ a night with Lucia. Then we will drive over to Jeffersonville in the morning. We didn't want to drive 7 hours and then have to paint all day!!! I want to be well rested for this. Looking forwards to meeting you.

January 13, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Likewise , there is a guy lives in Burlington , name Scott (malcolm )Dubois, an excellent painter we paint with him in Jeffersonville but I think he has a studio or shop in town there so if you see him say hello.

January 13, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Ok. I bet Lucia and I will head outside to paint immediately! Safe driving!

January 19, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Renee , glad you went , missed not having the steak but tommy called from the road , said Barret enjoyed it . Mike didn't want to wait or I would have waited . Got home about twelve thirty . Can't wait to see you post that little artist painting piece , liked all your work but that was really something . Next snow trip I am going to strart going out at least once a week before I go and for about three weeks in a row . Painting inside didn't prime me for that at all . Trip was fun , nice meeting some facebbok friends .

January 19, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

It was great meeting you Paul. I knew you would be special from all of the warm comments from your friends. I will post all of my paintings tomorrow. I posted some photos tonight. I will post a few of the painters. My computer cord is burned out and only allows 5 mintues before cutting out! I have to use Robert's laptop for typing but need my laptop for downloading my photos. I will go try to buy a new cord tomorrow. Sorry you didn't get to eat steak. I just received an email I was accepted to the Calloway Gardens plein aire event. John and Lucia were accepted too. cool.

January 21, 2011PaulCarter Goodnow

I was impressed with how finished your pieces were out there in that. I was thinking that studying with Stape you may want to optimize things by trying a few 18x24s even if you work on panel or canvas because he emphasizes the use of big brushes and such .You always have the small copper things going but could add the big stuff different substrate as well , if you get comfortable big it gives you more options while you pleinaire . I have taken out 16x20 in fall even though i am most comfortable in the 10x14 , 9x12 range . I think you are fast now but if you are doing the big ones you will get faster .

January 21, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Thank you Paul. Stape told me I do need to start painting big again. It is good to do both. I am invited to a plein aire event at Callaway gardens in Georgia in April! I could make so much more money with larger works. I was waiting till I became a better painter and there was the need for them. I had so much fun talking with you. Glad I was able to get to know you.

January 21, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Yes. I know. I think I wanted to be true to myself but learn too. I am selling so many small works. I would love to work big. I have been admiring wooden doors at homedepot. They are light and giant for 20$. I like panoramics. I could sand and gesso a few to try it out. I want to use a printing brayer to cover large areas. Use a house painting tray or two. Sounds like fun!

January 21, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Stape had talked of double box sizes , I think that is what they call them , 20x40 is a good one , you saw susans , that is big but even the 18x24 which Stape does pretty often , if you are working with him you can gauge things pretty well in that size . John does 12x24 I do too , double box panaramic and managable but a jump up in size for sure . When I start to get comfortable in good weather I try to go bigger .

January 21, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

You do so well on those little ones and you have that but the bigger ones are more impressive and good for a blog sequence too , I remember never really getting all the panel covered in an attempt then finally I always get at least that done and sometimes pretty good results . But you are past that and ready to go bigger . They say you can get away more easily with mistakes on a small piece so larger holds that challenge too.

January 21, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

I am going to suprise you someday! ha ha. YOu workiing hard carving wood frames today? Not feeling too hungry again today. Wierd. I always eat a lot in Winter. I went through all our receipts today and wrote them down under categories so I can add them up. Easier for accountant.

January 21, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

You surprised me with every one of your paintings being solid in that stuff , I guess you might touch up here or there but they looked sellable . I carved a little but other things needed doing like toning and painting the backs of some . It wouldn't surprise me if you were right there painting big paintings with the rest of them . 

January 21, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Thank you. I work hard painting plein aire. I was so hard on myself while I was there. I am glad Stape discovered I had on a ladies dress trench coat instead of a good arctic coat. Maybe someday I will be painting all day outside in snow. I am of the opinion small paintings are special and valuable. I know I can get more bucks for big paintings. I just have been trying to paint lots of paintings and resolve them. I think I can do that. I painted over 1000 paintings last year. I think only about 20 were really bad. They are upstairs still. I need to figure out how to take the paint off or something!! Maybe I will throw them away. I won't have to think about it then. LOL

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

well , you got through that day . I hit four of the paintings from the trip , not the goat yet , but four others , I think I will pull out two or three that I like , maybe not but I like wealking away and coming back another time . I have a 20x30 of the Essex Conn . Marina and a Mill pond in Conn that I want to finish so I go to those then go back to the Winter stuff . And I stay warm while I am doing that .

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

So far the pieces from that trip are still killing me , I needed relief so I sketched out and started a Rockwellish Ice fishing thing , Dad and son , so far so good may be the next thing I post. I am trying to change the clothes on the people in the photo because I don't want them in camo.

January 24, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

I loved the goat. You did such a great job!!! I left mine alone. I decided to allow all of it's good and bad to exist. I can always do a studio rendering of it. I did fix one leg of stape's easel. I just used my finger nail to create a bit of a leg. I know they aren't perfect. 
Ha Ha that was such a rough day!! I went through every emotion I have in me! I am glad I slept great that day or the next day would have been worse. Hee Hee. I learned so much from that five days. Thanks for telling me how you do your wood frames. I have always wanted to know. I have more respect for them now.

January 24, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

I am looking forward to seeing them. I did two 4x4 inch paintings today. I sold a painting last night. I also had a collector inquiring via email about my Nantucket paintings. I like action!!! Exciting. I have another collector who keeps looking at my site for a match for his 4x4 he bought off my site a week or so ago. He collects in pairs.

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Glad for the success Renee and I see why , your work is great . I want sales too , but you can't exactly force them .

January 24, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Thanks.  I just blog and paint!!!  Smaller work sells if it is at a good price. If I do a show I keep my prices the same. 

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Well you can force them only if you give them something they feel they absolutely have to have and it is priced right . Winter is always a bad , slow time all around but too slow right now .Frame orders are just about nonexistant at this minute . I did get two calls from the customers I did frames for the last two jobs , one was a killer blackchina trade frame heavily carved and it was 974.00 guy called up saying he loved it and got compliments on it from ther dealers at the art show . Other was a big female portrait 37 x47 from about 1910 top quality expensive painting , frame was a 1360.00 piece carving fit perfectly with the portrait , he called to say he loved it . Very nice to hear .

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Never get tired of praise , but there was a frame to do another Chinese trade piece around 1500.00 and lots of carving with the special black lacquer look that i have prettyy much perfected . I figured on a deposit as soon as I got back . Took a couple af days then I got approval to go ahaed , they called back later and said to wait

January 24, 2011Paul Carter GoodnowThey said that since the scene was of a village not the typical ship scenes , they wanted somethiong special and when they decided they would call . I am on hold now but expect it to be a bigger job in the long run , just stalled right now . Tommy ordered something and another artist so I have that but I am used to having work lined up.

January 24, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

I don't know if you are a christian...prayer helps.  Goodluck with the sales.

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Include William Lester Stevens, Anthony Thieme and Harry Aiken Vincent in that and check out our friend Tom Hughes work , he is on facebook .

January 24, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Ok. Yes I am very familiar with Thieme. Will look up rest. Thanks a big one. really helps.

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

 I would have one of your pieces through a trade if I wasn't broke . I own two of Stapes and about twelve of Mikes , one of Tom Hughes , you should really see his work , he is a guy Tommy Nicholas raves about . Great guy too.

January 24, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

That is a collection. I was wondering how many women's paintings you owned. Zero!!! Ha!

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Advice, keep your buyers secret from all , they are yours and valuable as such , not that I always follow my own advice but there are so many hungry art sellers . I may send some buyers to you if I see opportunity , you may be a bigger bargain than you think especially because of the uniqueness of the copper substrate but quality of your work is there and that is most important.

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

In this case it is one of the best China trade pieces , no trouble with the finances I'm sure but they are looking over frame references and likely going to give me a challenge but this is where I can excell , seriously the boys have never seen my best .It just has to be something affordable for trhe artists , here I am framing a 60,000 or more piece . I did a killer 20x30 frame once in about four inches wide but all handcarved at three different levels it was 3600.00 then and would more now but if anyone pout together a retrospective of my best frames I guarantee it would wow people .

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

There was a collector that was buying my frames for about fifteen years , he started buying through a dealer then directly , always getting killer stuff . he would often get one of a kinds that I would copy or design for the pieces .He ordered one small piece that I had to cut from raw wood on a tablesaw then shape the molding with my carving tools and carve it before gessoing and gilding . He said I want you to come to my house and deliver it .I did and he showed me his collection of museum paintings , the George Hallowell in the special frame I did for it and so forth , there were about twenty pieces . all killer paintings and my frames wowed me as I saw them again after so much time . He had donated one on a painting to the Gardiner I believe .

January 24, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

There were pieces I did not knowing it was for him because of the dealer involved , it was amasing and I knew he did it wanting me toi see , I was however shocked when he passed away from cancer months later . he knew he was going to be gone and must have wanted to see me see his collection , I saw his wife for just the second time in all those years at the house that day , he was just 54 .You know you are getting old when your collectors are dying off , It has happened to several in last few years .

January 24, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Thank you Paul. That is so sweet. If you do refer someone I will give you a painting as a present. I think the though of you doing that is so great! I am flat broke right now myself. Eating lots of potatoes! Ughhh! I am spoiled so it is hard.Sorry to hear about his passing. I can imagine how you feel. Stape talks about many painters he painted with that are gone. We just need to be productive and have a good time while we are here. We should be kind to our family.

January 28, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

We are big Amacing race and survivor watchers .

January 28, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Yes I love reality tv. I am heading to Stowe, Vermont Monday, tues, and Wednesday. Found a nice hotel there called Stowe Hotel. The rates are cheap 70$ including tax for one. I talked my friend Barbara Carr into coming up there to paint too. I am going to NH tomorrow to paint in Sugar Hill area Stape's Snowcamp. I have a new Arctic jacket. I hope I can finally get out and paint in snow!!!

January 28, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

really nice job on the people painting pieces , but hard sells aren't they? You really got some gems out of that trip.You will be fine. Handwarmers for the mittens and you are all set. Maybe a couple of kickstands for those boots to keep you upright.

January 28, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

I am not sure if it will be a hard sell. I paint what I want in my house. I wanted them as a memory. That is why I put a high price on them. I didn't want to sell them. My other snow camp painters I kept. I like to have them framed in my studio! They are drawing a lot of attention on my website though. Thanks.

Here is one of the paintings Paul Goodnow was writing about, "Stapleton Kearns and T.M. Nicholas" 8x10 private collection by Renee Lammers.

"Winter Painters in Vermont" 8x10 oil on copper private collection by Renee Lammers

January 28, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

h aha. So funny about kickstands. My cabelas boots are size 12. I am a size 9 ladies. So I think these boots of mine are three sizes too big. Really hard to walk in! I am always falling down in snow.

January 28, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Yes that is what i meant good for you and to remember a trip by for sure but more of the painters painting. You know what i mean The ones everybody tells you they like and they do but buyers buy something else , thinking about it "who am I to tell you about selling ?" you sold plenty just last year . I just have that background of buying and selling for the last fifteen years , I know what has been good to sell to majority and what is too personal , I still do the wrong ones but ..... when I stop and think on it I should know .

January 28, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Splints or kickstands something like that . Those boots are awesome don't let your husband use them he might not want to give them up.

January 28, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

ha Ha. I never really think about painting what will sell. I paint what I am dazzled by. I am pretty picky about what I paint. I seem to be doing ok for sales. I like what Bernard Corey did. He sold wholesale to galleries and dealers. That is what I will do. I think.

January 28, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

He doesn't seem to need these boots. He cross country skiis. He is from Holland. He is also an athlete. He has a 46 per minute heart beat. Pretty amazing person all the way around. I do like these cabelas trans alaskan boots. I hope you have a great night. I have to go pack!

January 28, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

I am going to spray gesso , have a great trip.

January 28, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Ok. Work hard! Thanks.

January 28, 2011Susan Renee Lammers       Are you still carving? Or gessoing? I was cutting copper for my trip. I hope I can paint well.

January 29, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

I just got the gesso sprayed and the compressor blew up last night . I was coating a frame for Tom , one for Mike and another for Eric Minzner , if it blew up sooner would have been really bad . I was using a small backup compressor because my heavy duty one is 220 and I hadn't wired a box for it in the barn yet since I moved from old shop , I think it is time now .

Just a side note , ever since you painted with John in Maine he has said that you and your husband were the nicest people and he has mentioned ahead of time that you were going to Vermont , so even if he was laughing and photoing you when you fell , he really was looking out for you . I expect you knew that but from where I stand I saw him as one of the people you can most count on out of the group if you want to be kept in the know and be a part of things , John and I know eachother pretty well through the years , he is a very solid guy and definitely a good friend to have and on that trip up there we often team up to get there then the group comes together once there . Johnny was keeping tabs on you to make sure you got there o.k. you and your husband have a good friend with John .

January 29, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Oh Yes I know this. I thought it was fine John taking photos of me when I fell down in the snow!  I know he has the best heart and intentions. I talk to him regularly on the phone. He is a good friend of mine. I don't have any bad things to say about him at all. I love John in a friendship kind of way you know? In fact I liked all of the painters. Hope it didn't come accross I was disliking John. I was embarrassed about falling down infront of you all. He did suggest to me to buy a pair of boots that fit. I will eventually. Thanks!

January 29, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Ahhh so sorry. Another expense. Maybe the new one will work better. My computer sort of burned out. I am using Robert's now. Boy, his computer is so much easier to use! It has been a blessing.

January 29, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

computers get clogged up and need cleaning just in normal use but the technology improves rapidly so going from one to a slightly newer can seem a huge difference . If you work it right you can trade him for your boots then get him to buy you boots the right size too. I am thinking there is a way to use radiant insulation to stuff the boots and make them fit better and you would warmer than you need to be but really is it ever a problem having feet too warm when out in the snow?

January 29, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

No that was me thinking about how John quietely goes about lookinmg out for people , he kind of is in the shadow of some of the others you know . He doesn't make a big deal about it but if you are around the group enough it gets noticable . Tom is a very humble guy and gets annoyed almost if people praise him , it just isn't him , Eric is humble too and very talented as well as a super guy Stape is talented and a big personality so he gets plenty of attention . John has alot of experience behind him , has had plenty of success on his own and with that group he is out there painting up a storm but hasn't always gotten much attention in my opinion .

January 29, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Maybe I played it up a little teasing John when he was taking pictures as you were down in the snow but I was just joking . What we usually do in Vermont is just worry about getting there first however we travel and once there we pretty much do what we did the first day, we may call others and find them or just go off as we meet up and do something local . That first day you guys were painting alone and you got something , thaty was great , mike and I got nothing but we had to unload things . If John had invited you he would have made sure you were in on everything from the beginning and Stape just couldn't be there or he likely would have . Have you taken a good look at Tom Huges worK?

January 29, 2011Susan Renee LammersI looked at Tom Hughes work. He is a good painter. Thanks for telling me about him. I am sure he is a nice guy. John is a good guy.

January 29, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

ha ha. They sell out of those boots each year. Maybe I can get a smaller pair next year.

February 9, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Renee I got a commission to do four 18x24s of a couples house . pretty cool place and I see lots of possibilities there . Did a few small oils to show them what I liked. I felt a little rshed figuring they may buy the extra little ones someday but wanting do just do them quick . I feel it got me speeding up , moving pretty quick , using bigger brushes on the bigger painting now too . I should have done this before going to Vermont although maybe Vermont helped this .

February 9, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Good for you Paul! I am not selling much this Winter. It is always slower. I am destroying 40 or so of my paintings I don't like. I think it is good for quality control! Some were fast plein aire..very sloppy. A couple were from working with photos too much! I have plenty of paintings. I just wanted to have only good ones out there. I have gotten a lot better this year. I bet I might get better each year? 

February 10, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Easy on the destroying thing , Maybe more sense in removing the signatures and giving as gifts . I have seen boxes of Mike Graves old pieces . For the same reason he hasn't got them out but stored in boxes . He doesn't destroy them , I bought a few unsigned that were fantastic , (he came by one day then signed them , I told him I bought them cheaper because he didn't sign them but he signed them so maybe seeing them later you may like them better

I have destroyed some but only after a long time of reflection , and maybe I needed a btu for the woodstove . Consider that they are good enough to sell for a little less than you usually sell for , remove the signature and have them for sale at less or give them for anniversaries , Bar Mitzvahs , Halloween ? An art dealer did that to my friend John Loughlin just before I started buying from him , they said he threw out hundreds , and I doubt they all deserved to be tossed .

February 10, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

You are right. These are just odd balls. I might keep them all and give them to children at the Bar Harbor art show. I bet a kid would just love one? It might really be a cool thing for a child!Yes. This is a good idea.

February 10, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

I know an art dealer who would probably be able to sell them , if you value them less and remove the signature , set a lower than normal price and let her try . Next thing you know she will want the new signed ones and accept the price you normally want for them too. Lots of directions you can go in . This woman sold pieces for me before . I bet the ones you are talking about are good but you are just being to critical on yourself . Stape has an overall point about signed works that represent you outside the studio . I think it works when allowing a piece out to a gallery and into a show . You are not an amatuer , you have crossed that threshhold and well before selling all those pieces in one year .

February 10, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

There is also a point to never feeling you have reached the top of a profession because you always want to get better I see that part . Humility is good as long as you are sure of yourself to a point . I know what I can do and know I can win awards , but I know I can improve .I know I can listen to others and learn and I also know others can learn things from me sometimes too. We all work as a team and we all get better 

June 18, 2011Paul Carter GoodnowI was in Kennebunkport painting with Mike for two and a half days , I got three little paintings and I touched up two others from the year before . What I found was that after being out painting for twelve hours a day , I got home to the studio and was flying through paintings , kindof shows the difficulty of painting outdoors I guess , at least for me . Been eight years of painting plienaire but just not enough to get comfortable . You are doing it right getting out all the time . The value is in knowing the light and what you see in certain conditions even when you take it inside .

June 19, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

That is right Paul. I had no idea what I would learn from plein aire painting until I learned. Amazing. It is like the unknown!

July 3, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

I wish I could always use my frames . Those are a ton of work and especially for the China Trade paintings . Antique paintings of sailing ships at sea mostly and they aren't complete without those specific frames. I think you are doing so well selling in this economy as you are . Looks like you are having fun doing it too . Keep up your good work .

July 9, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Going to see what it is like to sell for less , oneday oneman show , I have 57 paintings ready and the smaller ones 6x8 and such are at 250.00each . I am donating ten percent of that to the Horse rescue organization . I go tommorrow , I will tell you how it goes . My 8x10s are at 400 but with no fees other than the gas and ten percent to the horsies it is like what I get from a gallery .

July 9, 2011Susan Renee Lammers

Great! I wish you luck Paul! You will at least gain collectors addresses too!Where are you having this one day one man show?

July 9, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

I called this a one time thing the last time I did it and sold thirteen but the economy was better , it is about three or four years later hopefully near as good . I like to think I am better even if the economy isn't .

July 9, 2011Susan Renee LammersI hope you sell that many or more again!Good luck!

November 13, 2011Paul Carter Goodnow

Renee , when you get a chance see if that painting I posted looks familiar , I first met you painting right there though in snow and looking the other way.  (Daniel Corey painting)

November 13, 2011Susan Renee Lammers Yes, I remember! I posted a comment. Great painting!