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Copper Paintings by Renee Lammers
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/29/2012 4:00:30 PM
"Camilla" 6x6 oil on copper. (Not Finished Yet). I painted this flower on Park Avenue today with my Mom. I may add some gold gilding to the painting. I love to experiment! Update: I did add some 24 kt gold to the painting. I put the finished painting image on my website under painting. I decided to keep this painting to remember the day painting with Mom!
My Mom and I went to my favorite place, the Maitland Art Center. Andre Smith (1880-1959) an architect and artist, created this artist colony in 1937 with a generous donation from Mary Curtis Bok. Many artists such as Milton Avery, Ralston Crawford, and Doris Lee stayed at the artist colony. As you can see from this photo Andre Smith created cement reliefs which he then used to decorate the buildings and walkways. Andrea Smith ran his art colony with an iron fist. Artists
claim Andrea Smith might add paint or just reject the work of art created. One sculpturist rowed out to the center of Lake Sybella. He threw his own work into the lake to protest Andrea Smith's rejection. Often artists who didn't pass Smith's approval and were asked to leave the art colony. Five artists were invited at a time to stay, exhibit, and work here.
The Maitland Art Center is haunted. There are many stories of ghosts. William Orr, an art teacher in 1950's at the Maitland Art Center, tells of seeing Andre Smith's Ghost. He went to use the main gallery phone. He claims he saw the ghost of Andre Smith standing near the doorway for five minutes. Andrea's ghost was friendly. William Orr said it was unusual to see Andre Smith standing as Smith lost a leg in WWI. In fact Orr never saw Andrea Smith standing while he was alive. So he thought it was strange to see Andrea Smith standing as a ghost. Andrea Smith was one of eight artists chosen to paint battles during WWI.
Many other people claim to see Andre Smith's ghost. One day I asked a lady who is a resident artist there if she ever saw a ghost. She said she saw Andre Smith sitting on her couch. She wasn't afraid of his ghost.
Andre Smith died on the property in 1959 from heart failure. He did not have any future plans for his art colony. The Florida heat and storms took over the center until a nonprofit organization was established. The nonprofit organization leases the land and buildings for 1$ until 2026. I sure hope after 2026 the Maitland Art Center can remain open to the public. It is a special place to visit and paint.
Many people claim there is a "window to the other side." There are a few creepy areas. This doorway with a bell always gives me the creeps.
Many of my older friends would tell me stories about Maitland Art Center. It was an interesting place to walk around at night on a date. I use to come here often and stroll around with my friends when I was younger at night. I was told in the 1960's and 1970's many people partied and smoked pot in the chapel area. The chapel area was a hippy hangout. Another older friend told me there was an unfortunate incident in the outdoor chapel area. Since this incident they do not allow any entrance at night into the Maitland Art Center.
I have always liked this cat. Since I have visited two years ago the cat's tail is now broken.
My Mom and I had set up to paint in the chapel area for a half an hour but had to leave. They needed to blow leaves away for a wedding later.
So we went over to the Park Avenue rose garden. We had a lovely day painting.
Here is my Mom, Catherine Bottelman, painting next to me today. She came back with three really nice watercolors. She said she really had fun painting outside with me. I hope you enjoyed the tour and history of the Maitland Art Center. It is an interesting place to visit. Have a great day!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/27/2012 9:35:37 PM
"Silver Lining" 8x10 oil on copper. I wiped this painting off. It was only so so of a painting.
Today I drove to Lakeland, Florida to paint with a lady named Toni. She gave me the Lakeland tour. Lakeland is a beautiful quaint town with a beautiful preserve. We walked around a lake taking photos of Swans and Ducks. Then we painted in the preserve. I decided to concentrate on clouds today. I don't often think of painting clouds. Here are a few photos.
This is alligator alley.
This Great White Egret had his party feathers on!
More beautiful Swans!
I think this Duck was sleeping. He was laying in a heavy bird traffic area. I did see him move his eyes just a tad. I hope he was just sleeping!
I am home again after a long day. I do love to meet fellow painters! Thank you Toni for showing me around Lakeland and the wonderful steak! I really enjoyed talking with you. Have a great night!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/26/2012 3:16:31 PM
I saw this painting by Le Pho in Palm Beach. I loved the happy feeling and dream like quality of Le Pho's work. The gallery had several of his work. I learned he was a Vietnam painter who lived most of his life in France. He never forgot his homeland incorporating many Oriental aspects in his paintings.
A French art critic wrote Le Pho's works evoke a place without death and evil. His work is like a dream you do not want to wake up.
Le Pho lived his life by a creed: "Live usefully for society; do not betray or harm one's country and people; and do not seek fame for its own sake.
Hope you enjoyed this happy colorful paintings by Le Pho. Have a great day!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/26/2012 3:05:50 PM
"Magnolia" by Mary Elizabeth Price. This oil painting on board sold for 31,730$ at auction. This is the painting I saw in the window of a gallery down in Palm Beach. At night the gold background shimmers. But during the day the flowers are vibrant and the background looks white. I came back to see this painting several times.
"White Poppies" 32x23.88 oil on canvas by Mary Elizabeth Price. 54,970$ sold at auction. This artist, Mary Elizabeth Price was born in 1877 in West Virginia. She lived with her Quaker family in Solebury, Pennsylvania. She studied art in college there. She lived all her adult life in a cottage along the Delaware River in the Pumpkinseed Cottage. She painted plein air scenes but was more recognized for these flower paintings with Gold and Silver. She grew the flowers she painted. She never married and died in 1965.
"Tiger Lilies" 39x39 oil and Gold on masonite. 79,000$ sold at auction. By Mary Elizabeth Price.
Another one of Mary Elizabeth Price's florals with Gold.
This painting's background was Silver leaf.
"Irisis" 18.75x15 oil with silver and gold. 19,200$ sold at auction.
"Hollyhocks"
I did some reading about Silver and Gold leafing on paintings. If the Silver or Gold is real there is no need to varnish. If composite gold is used a varnish is needed to prevent tarnishing. My Mom has an entire box of Silver and Gold leafing materials. She has offered me the use of her supplies. Very generous of her. She said she never used any of the leafing but always wanted to! Maybe we will give this leafing a try.
"Flower Border 1" 50x19 oil on board. 106,400$ sold at auction. Painting by Mary Elizabeth Price.
Her work was very beautiful. I hope to paint flowers plein aire on an already guilded copper panel leaving some copper visible throughout. I love to experiment! Hope you found her work beautiful too. Have a nice day.
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/24/2012 7:46:19 PM
My parents came to pick me up in Palm Beach today! It was a 8 hour day of driving for them round trip! It was great to see them. Nothing like visiting with one's parents! I am lucky they are healthy and happy.
Here are photos of the Charleston, South Carolina Aquarium. Here is an Albino Alligator!
Here I am taking photos at the Aquarium. I visited the Aquarium just to take these photos for my Mom to paint.
My Mom who is a painter can do amazing things with these images. Normally she takes shells, dried seahorses, and dried seaweed to create a drawing then watercolor of an under the sea scene! I can't wait to see what she does with all of the many photos I took at the Aquarium!
A Stone Crab eating a Clam!
This was one of the nicest and largest Aquariums I have been too.
A little scary to look at but I am sure in an eel's world he is quite pretty to his Mother!
My Mom really likes this photo! Hope it will inspire her as well as you to paint a under the sea painting!
Really beautiful Lion Fish!
Duke and Daisy stayed home today while Robert when to work. I am sure they enjoyed sleeping all day. He took them out to a park after work. Duke has a new black bear ordered from Ebay. Robert said Duke wasn't too excited about his new bear because he still has his headless old black bear. Robert suggested we wait till Duke's old headless black bear is in shreds before he is given his new one! Good idea. I found Daisy a giant soft giraffe dog toy today. I will mail it to her! They don't have new dog toys very often. They seem to really take care of them. Duke sleeps with his black bear every night. The black bear is his pillow! Have a great night. Get out and paint.
Tomorrow I am headed down to Park Avenue in Winter Park to paint! If you live nearby, come out and visit with me! I should in the Fountain area of the park after 10:00am!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/23/2012 6:06:21 PM
"Pretty Lady" 6x6 oil on copper. 350$ Framed in Gold wood. Shipped free.
I painted two Swans the last two days. I saw these Swans at the Palm Beach Zoo a few days ago. They were so beautiful. I knew I would do a series of them.
"You Are So Beautiful" 6x6 oil on copper. Gift to Jean and Gerry the owners of the Palm Beach Artist in Resident Program. I showed this to Jean and she loved it! She asked, "Where are the Swans?" She was surprised I would be painting Swans. I told her, "The Zoo!". I guess you can never tell what an artist in resident will paint while staying in Palm Beach. I thought these Swan paintings would look great in any room. They would add a touch of beauty. The painting's titles are meant to remind us how beautiful we all are! These are affirmation paintings!
I thought it would be fun to show you a few photos of windows in Palm Beach. They have beautiful stores full of art, dresses, and antiques. I walk each day and night all over Palm Beach admiring these things in the windows. Here are two cake sculptures in a gallery of modern art. Yesterday there was a huge chocolate cake but now it is gone. Maybe sold?
There are Orchids everywhere I turn here.
Beautiful clothes! People are wearing their finest clothes parading down these streets. I am just wearing a t shirt and skirt. They are very polite and friendly.
Amazing display of real orchids.
Really liked these butterfly paintings. The artist created a grid, drew in a butterfly using a pattern, painted around the butterfly within the square. Then painted the butterflies different colors. Looks like then the artist dragged a something sharp through the paint to create an overall texture. I have not seen much modern art in Maine. There is a lot of Expressionism and Modern art in South Carolina and Palm Beach. It is inspiring. This looks like to much fun!
I really loved these heart toe sandals. Yep those sandals would look great on my feet.
Shorts seem to always look great with very high heels. Not exactly very good plein air painting clothes though.
I admired this Peacock painting. Pretty.
Dresses with texture seem to be the rage right now! I liked this one. Very pretty. Maybe I will paint it someday...much better than owning or wearing it!
Daisy and Duke have been therapy dogs at Robert's Physical Therapy Job in Bangor. All day long Duke finds someone to pet him. Daisy wanders around to different patients greeting them. Patients are excited about having them there! They both get treats and hugs all day long.
Daisy went through another Physical Therapist's purse. Daisy stole an apple and all her candy. She ate the candy wrappers and all! The lady went to have a snack. Her purse was completely cleaned out! Oops. Glad they are enjoying themselves! Have a good night!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/22/2012 5:39:24 PM
"Quiet Time" 6x6 oil on copper. Donated to Jean and Gerry's Artist in Resident Program.
I painted this scene yesterday finishing the painting today. I guess it is sort of a self portrait. I was imagining myself not painting sitting on the beach with a Seagull to keep me company!
Palm Beach is a great place for an artist. There are so many different beautiful things to paint! I have been walking all over Palm Beach taking in all the sights and sounds and smells! There are galleries here showcasing old master paintings. There was one painting of large white flowers with a gold background I keep thinking about.
I love all of the beach umbrellas lining the beach! I am only two blocks from the beach.
The water is so beautiful!
Birds Of Paradise are an interesting looking tropical flower.
Thought I would show you some tropical images in case you are up North!
Just love to admire these pink flowers.
Here is a Palm Beach portrait of me! I am hard at work painting! Have a great night. Get out and paint!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/21/2012 8:40:21 PM
I went to the Palm Beach Zoo today. They have several Tigers! Here is my best shot!
They have two beautiful Bears! I was able to look into the brown eyes of this Bear. Very interesting feeling!
I had never seen a male Peacock show off his feathers. Amazing!
I have been under a ridiculous amount of stress the last week. I wasn't really able to paint. Now the stress is gone. I started to paint a lady on the beach under an umbrella! Will post paintings tomorrow! Yeah! Have a great night. Get out and paint!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/20/2012 8:04:34 AM
I visited the angel tree in South Carolina. What an amazing old oak. The tree has survived many hurricanes and the Civil War.
I am a artist in resident in Palm Beach for a week. The cottage I am staying at is over the top. Last night they put on a small get together. They invited an amazing professional guitarist. Tomorrow they promise to take me for a ride in a specially ordered BMW costing $140,000. I think I will wear a dress for the occasion. Will take photos. It is a different world here....
I painted this beach today. I am not sure if my painting is ready to be shown here. Not my best. I will try to relax so I will paint better! Lots of driving. Getting emails from people who want a giant dory painting on copper. The emails may be coming from my Nigeria scammer friends. Who knows. Maybe they are real! I hope so!
There is no internet connection at the cottage where I am staying. I hope to be able to get to Starbucks to continue the blog.
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/17/2012 8:43:42 PM
Here I am delivering "The Dory" 36x48 oil on copper professionally framed in gold wood! I am pretty happy here!
Close up! Going to Florida tomorrow! Looking forward to seeing my parents before we drive to Palm Beach! Have a great night. Get out and paint!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/16/2012 11:37:45 PM
"Pink" 4x4 oil on copper. Sold on Valentine's Day at Coco Vivo Fine Art Gallery in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.
"Going For a Walk" 6x6 oil on copper Sold also on Valentine's Day at Coco Vivo!
My painter friend and I are on Seabrook Island in South Carolina. What a beautiful place. I spent the evening having dinner with Mary and Ed Phelps, the owners of Coco Vivo Fine Art Gallery! I love it here in South Carolina. I can't wait to go paint tomorrow. Nearby is the Angel Oak the oldest Oak Tree in USA. Then we will go paint marshes. My painter friend is a marsh painting wizard. I will post my paintings tomorrow. Have a great night. Thank you Coco Vivo Fine Art Gallery for your painting sales ability and hospitality!
Have a great night! Get out and paint.
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/15/2012 10:20:21 PM
"The Dory" 36x48 oil on copper (sold) was framed in a beautiful 3 1/2 inch gold wood frame in Connecticut.
The framer and his brother, great guys, helped me and my painter friend load the painting into the suv vehicle. Believe it or not there was only one inch to spare! How amazing. We put blue foam corners to protect the painting.
We drove to New Jersey carefully. Finding the corporate office was not hard. I was very anxious! So happy to be delivering a painting. My friend helped me get the painting out of the car. She took photos of me at the entrance with my painting. I will upload these images tomorrow. In the lobby the receptionist knew who we were because I had called a few times. A man who acted as a hostess ushered me into the elevator. Up to the proper floor I was carrying the huge painting. It didn't weigh too much. Maybe it weighed 25 pounds total. A lady met me and showed me a beautiful dark wood decorated office. I set the painting up against the wall. She thanked me. The man who acted as hostess walked me to the elevator. He asked me how far we drove. I told him I came all the way from Maine. He said my client was a nice man and he had just left a few moments before. He offered me coffee or tea. My friend and I left happily! Off we drove our mission accomplished!
Robert took Daisy and Duke to Sears Island the last two days. They ran around on the beach, chased seagulls, ate a few raw mussels, then fell asleep on the ride home. Robert will give them Frosty Paws to celebrate the sale today. Robert is taking good care of the pups.
My painter friend and I drove all the way to Richmond, Virginia! We decided to share a room in the Hampton Inn. It is really luxurious. We were given the "Artist" discount! How nice. Tomorrow we will be painting in downtown Charleston, South Carolina for a few days! Have a great night. Get out and paint!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/14/2012 9:29:49 PM
Here is a painting by Childe Hassam I saw today at the Florence Griswold Museum! I starred for a long time at the colors of the lanterns. There was some reds around the highlight in the lights you can't see. There was beautiful blues in the snow and oranges.
I loved this museum! It was amazing. I spent most of my day here. There was the Florence Griswold historic house open. I did not know plein air painters would travel to Old Lyme, Connecticut to stay with Miss Florence Griswold, an unmarried lady who operated a boarding house. A man named Henry Ward Ranger decided her boarding house would be a great place to have painters come to stay. He asked her to reserve rooms for these artists. The artists came from all around. Paintings were for sale inside the boarding house. Everyone had a great time. A film showed a painter outside in a field painting two giant bulls with a wooden contraption keeping them together. Child Hassam had a studio on the property. He swiped another painter's sofa. Then that painter swiped the sofa back. They played fun jokes on each other. They experimented and were creative in this environment. They even helped Miss Florence Griswold remodel her home and fix furniture when she had no funds. They sent her away for a few weeks, worked hard together, and suprised her when she came back home!
I was really impressed by Clark Voorhees night scene of trees and green clouds. I couldn't find the image online. Very impressive paintings by Voorhees.
Inside the old historic home of Florence Griswold painters painted on the dark brown doors. Amazing panels on the upper parts of the dark brown wood doors were covered with paintings. Even one lady was allowed to paint on a door. She was the only lady allowed to hang or paint on the doors. All of the rest of the painters were men. Many men painters were allowed to paint on the wooden walls in the dining room. I spent a long while walking around looking at these paintings. I think they were painted on wood then framed with dark brown trim to make them a permanent part of the wall. Willard Metcalf painted a beautiful New England deep blue ocean scene. This was the painting I couldn't take my eyes off of! The Doucer said each person has a favorite painting in the dining room. She also told me something amazing! She said the Impressionists who stayed at the home didn't want their paintings varnished because the varnish turns the painting dark. But late at night the Tonalists would varnish some Impressionist's paintings! The Impressionists preferred a mat unvarnished finish. I did not know this!
 Here are a few more Childe Hassam and Willard Metcalf paintings.
Luminous ocean!
Willard Metcalf's painting. I didn't see most of these paintings today. I thought you would like to see these two great painter's work! Both are Impressionists.
Love this painting! I can't wait to see something green in South Carolina or Florida!
Spring is so pretty!
Really love a nicely done night scene!
I pick up my newly framed 36x48 oil painting from the framers tomorrow morning. We are headed to New Jersey to hand deliver the painting to a business. Then we will drive to South Carolina to paint in downtown Charleston! Can't wait to feel warm air. Have a great night! Get out and paint. Happy Valentine's Day.
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/13/2012 10:18:37 PM
I am in Connecticut having my giant copper oil painting professionally framed by George at Wholesale Frames. I will pick up the painting tomorrow! It was very exciting seeing all of the gold and black frames up against the painting. My van's front rotors were stripped. Both front bearings were blown. The tire was sliding off. So I had the van repaired in time! I was wondering what all the noise was on the way to Connecticut! My ears are still ringing. What luck.
Here are a few photos considered for a 18x24 commission painting. She is looking for an early morning Winter scene with trees, water, and a building. I looked through my collection and also Robert's photos. These two are from Robert's collection. He is a wonderful photographer.
Here is a nice Winter scene in Jeffersonville, Vermont. There is not a lot of color in the photo. I would like to paint with light blues and light pinks to give this scene an early morning feeling.
Here is an Emile Gruppe painting I really like! I think these colors might be nice in the photo above.
Another nice photo. Nice how the tree bend to the center.
I took this photo at 6:00am in minus 20 degrees in Jeffersonville, Vermont. I would remove the tiny tree in the center and move it over to the right side with the wider tree. I may also create a space in the wire fence for the viewer to enter the scene.
I love this scene in Presque Isle, Maine. So here are some of my favorite Winter scenes I would like to paint. Hopefully my client will like one of these photos too. She will call me and let me know which photo to paint!
I am going to the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, Connecticut tomorrow! Have a great night! Get out and paint!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/12/2012 3:01:36 PM
"Pink" 4x4 oil on copper framed in gold wood shipped. This would make a lovely Valentine's gift!
It surprises me how many Nigerian people send me email letters in hopes they will trick me into giving them all of my money. Sometimes they write they have been kidnapped. They need me to cash a check for them and send them money! Usually these letter are addressed, Dear Sir. Lately I have been receiving emails from Nigeria asking me if this painting or that painting is available. But their email is not a valid one so there can be no correspondence.
"Nest" 6x6 oil on copper framed in gold wood, shipped. 350$ What a nice Valentine's Gift!
Last night I thought it would be nice to write a letter to the Nigerians. Here are a few pointers to help them better scam people. I hope you understand this is just a joke.
"The Flower Garden" 5x7 oil on copper. 300$ Framed in gold wood. This is Scott Moore and his wife Kathy's rose garden. I painted at this house one day with Stapleton Kearns. This would make a nice Valentine's Day gift.
To the Nigerian: First of all: Painters make the least amount of money in the USA. I think you should target CEO's of big companies. They will be able to cash these large checks you propose to send.
Second: Tell the truth about your situation. Don't write you have been kidnapped by miniature green people tied to banyan trees. Tell them you are trying to earn a living. Ask them for 20$. Some people here may send you a check.
Third. Make sure you don't address your emails: Dear Sir or Madam. We did address letters like this but in the 1800's. Now we just put the person's first name. Renee.... Much more effective.
Fourth. Make sure you have a real email address so people can correspond.
Fifth. Send a photo of yourself and use your real name. People respect honesty. They also would love to see a photo of you.
Sixth. Buy a dictionary. Or use spell check. There is no excuse for poor spelling. Especially if you want to be successful.
Seventh. Start going to school. Try to educate yourself so you don't need to waste time asking for money.
Eight. Start to learn how to paint. Your letters are very creative. I see artistic potential. Good Luck.
"Lupines and Blackflies" 8x10 oil on copper. Framed in Gold shipped. 450$ I did take the Black fly off the painting.
"Spring at the Great Meadow" 12x18 oil on copper. 650$ Framed in gold.
"The Lupine Field" 8x10 oil on copper 450$ Framed in gold wood. Shipped.
"Winter at Bradley Wharf" 8x8 oil on copper. 650$ Framed in gold wood and shipped.
Have a great night! I am heading to Connecticut! Paint!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/11/2012 2:34:44 PM
"Tranquil" 6x6 oil on copper. Is on Hold!
Last week I sold a painting and shipped it off to it's new owner. She emailed me her painting had arrived. She loved it! She was trying to decide where to hang her new painting! She wants "Tranquil" for her month of March purchase. She asked "Can I buy this painting in March? Will you put this painting on hold?" My answer back to her was "Yes!". I will gladly put a painting on hold to a collector I have experience with. I will also allow payments. I would like a painting purchasing experience to be a fun one! All you need to do is either email me at: Theartistrenee@aol.com
Or you can call me any time at (207) 479-9553. I will put paintings on hold or set up a payment plan! We can do this! After all it is almost Valentine's Day! Wouldn't a painting be a great Valentine's Day present? Daisy and Duke will be enjoying many more Frosty Paws ice cream treats....
"Silver and Gold" 36x48 oil on copper. Sold!
Today I signed this painting! I studied the old master's and living painter's signatures. I decided I wanted to sign my name Renee Lammers despite many ladies who sign their first initials to hide the fact they are a woman. I don't care if people know I am a woman painter. In fact I am quite proud of my gender! I signed the painting with a pencil first. Then I painted carefully on top of the pencil. This worked great! I decided I wanted the signature a little diagonal!
Once the paint has dried my plan is to erase the pencil.
"The Dory" 36x48 oil on copper Sold!
Here is the finished painting signed! I will wait till the signature is dry. Then I will give the whole painting a coat of Gamblin's Cold Wax. This is a mat finish. Another great thing about the Cold Wax is it can be removed someday. After 50 years or longer the air can create a coat of dust or dirt on the painting. Someone can remove the wax and put a new coat of wax on the painting. This is easily done. Cold Wax is also completely non yellowing. The copper is protected from the air remaining pink. The Cold Wax is easier to apply than the Galkyd and dries within 24 hours.
I am packing my copper, painting equipment, frames, clothing, and computer equipment up! I wish I could put Duke in the car too. He would be a nice traveling companion. Duke would miss Daisy. So both dogs stay home with Robert! Daisy wouldn't want to travel away from Robert. She and him are best buddies! Robert will take excellent care of both doggies!
Have a great night!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/10/2012 6:15:24 PM
"Winter's Gold" 5x7 Sold last night!
Yesterday was very exciting. After I discovered I had sold "The Dory" off my website through pay pal, I had a call from a lady who has several paintings of mine. She bought "Winter's Gold" and commissioned a 18x24 Winter morning painting. Robert sat up in his chair smiling! He was very surprised and happy too. Finally all the hard work is paying off a little bit. I will make sure I put my profits this week back into painting supplies and frames. I know from experience sales may come to an abrupt stop! Good to be prepared, have plenty of painting supplies, and so the work continues! I really enjoy being a professional painter. I will continue to work hard.
Daisy and Duke celebrated with frosty paws doggy ice cream today. Thank you! My art collector client told me her little black poodle has Frosty Paws ice cream treat too at night now. She was inspired by Daisy and Duke's eating ice cream to give her little doggy the same treat. She said her small dog can finish the large cup of ice cream. It does take her a while to clean out the cup! I asked how the dog's hair looks now. She said the poodle's hair does look fuller and shiner. She says the dog lingers around the frig at night after dinner in hopes she will have Frosty Paws!
I drove to Mount Desert Island to visit with my painter friend visiting from Connecticut. Then I drove around looking for painting subjects. Here is the lobster boat at Tremont Wharf.
There were many Loons in the harbor.
Thurston's Wharf on Bernard was colorful!
Here is a dog at Thurston's Wharf. She is part Husky and Golden Retriever. Her name is Daisy. She takes after her Golden Retriever side. Very friendly.
Today on Eagle Lake in Acadia National Park there were many ice skaters and one boat with a sail.
I pass by a barn with horses. This horse makes me chuckle as the scene reminds me of "Mr. Ed".
They all seemed happy to see me or curious.
All I could think about today was signing my giant boat paintings. I am going to drive down to Connecticut to have both of these paintings professionally framed. Then I will drive to New Jersey to drop off one of the paintings to the Carnegie Center. That should be quite exciting! From there I will drive to South Carolina to stay with Coco Vivo Fine Art Gallery owners on an island. I will paint a few days in Downtown Charleston. Then I drive to Winter Park, Florida to visit my parents. I leave to drive to Palm Beach to be an artist in resident on the beach for a week. Then I stay in Winter Park for a week. I may visit a painter friend in Key Largo who owns a beach house for a few days. Then I attend the Wekiva Paint Out for a week! I will be back home in a month. I will post paintings, pictures, and tell you how the travel is going! This should be exciting! I will miss Robert, Daisy, and Duke. Let's paint!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/9/2012 6:39:35 PM
"The Dory" 36x48 oil on copper. 2000$ Sold Today!
When I came home from painting today, I checked my email, and discovered someone paid via pay pal from my website for this painting. Somewhere in New Jersey in the Carnegie Center my painting will hang! Robert ran over to look at the email. He wanted to see if the email was real! He was excited. This week I have sold two of these giant paintings for 2000$! I am so fortunate! Happy Dance! I hope I can sleep tonight. Daisy and Duke should be given a few extra Frosty Paw ice cream treats to celebrate. Maybe they should be given a few extra raw hide bones too. They deserve a treat to celebrate!
"Winter on Eagle Lake" 6x6 oil on copper. (not finished yet)
Today I drove to Mount Desert Island. I set up to paint this painting on Eagle Lake located in beautiful Acadia National Park. I love this place during the Winter time. It was 30 degrees today. I am sure it is a little cooler than 30 as the wind blows off the iced lake.
A ice skater took my photo today as I painted! I had on my Cabelas arctic jacket. This coat is very warm. I like it very much except for the real Coyote fur. I have to keep this coat in my trunk because it upsets Duke, my Golden Retriever. Duke gets very disappointed in me each time he sees the Coyote fur. Poor Duke.
As I am painting the red shack another shack is moved in front. I laugh for a few moments hoping they continue moving this shack. I have painted boats where the boat was taken away. Once a truck parked in front of a boat blocking the boat. But this was funny. They did continue moving the ice shack.
The moving ice shack is my favorite of all. I am happy the shack arrives. This shack has a beautiful metal fish above the door. We talk to the shack's owner who tells us he built it inside and assembled the shack during a blizzard. My painter friend from Connecticut and I listen to his stories. My friend is also painting the shacks.
The ice skaters gather around watching as the painters do. I have never seen a ice shack moved into place.
I was lucky to speak to this man checking out his fishing hole. He owns the shack on the right. He lived on Mount Desert Island all his life. He was only ten years old when the 1947 fire happened in Bar Harbor. He and his Dad had to break the window of a truck so they could drive the truck to safety. He showed me the tree line on top of Cadillac Mountain where the fire stopped. Later his wife showed up. She stopped to see my painting. She talked about the fire of 1947 some. She said they thought the fire was put out but it was still going. Then the fire became a serious threat. The fire burned most of the homes and hotels in Bar Harbor.
We both painted till the sun went down. I love the orange colors of the trees as the sun is low. I would have painted this scene if I went nearly frozen to death!
I am going back to paint tomorrow on Eagle Lake. My friend said she was going to come out to paint too! How fun! Have a great day! Paint! Thank you for the painting sales!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/8/2012 5:13:41 PM
Daisy, Duke, Robert, and I went to Mount Desert Island today. Here is Eagle Lake with ice shacks and skaters!
Daisy and Duke like to experience new things. Here they walk on the ice lake with Robert! Daisy looks like she enjoyed this.
There was a man inside this house who was a little camera shy! Hee Hee!
Ice skaters! What fun!
We saw the bubbles on the frozen Jordon's Pond!
We discovered a path behind Sand Beach. In the distance you can see ponds and finally the ocean. At the end of this path is someone's house. Someone lives very close to Sand Beach.
Found a beautiful forest of white birch with a few scattered Spruce trees.
Here is a beautiful Golden Birch Tree. If you break of a twig of this tree it will smell like Spearmint!
Have a great night! What a beautiful day!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/7/2012 4:48:06 PM
Robert and I took Daisy and Duke to the Belfast Doggy Park. They had a ball chasing after dogs. They were all muddy so then we took them to Sears Island. While Daisy and Duke swam I harvested 8 pounds of mussels! Soon Daisy and Duke were all cleaned up. On the way home Duke put his head on Robert's shoulder. We decided blog readers might like to see this! What happy faces!
Here is Daisy with her new purple bear. Duke's new black bear is still on order. Twice a year Duke gets the same bear. When the box arrives and we pull out a new fresh black bear Duke hops on his hind legs with joy! I am not sure if he knows the bear is a new. Duke may think his old bear came back home?
I washed off the mussels! We usually boil the mussels in water with leeks and tomatoes, with a dash of white wine. Guess who loves mussels too? Daisy and Duke! Duke will often bring me a mussel on the beach. He knows they are good. If only I could get him to bring me unopened mussels.
Have a great night! Now I will paint!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/6/2012 4:20:40 PM
Aldro Hibbard, a famous New England painter once instructed his students to draw two days and paint five days out of a week. I think this is very good advice. Paintings are only as good as the drawings! If you want to be a professional painter then you will need to attend art school. They will teach you to draw casts and then progress to nude models. I had this type of drawing training at Stetson University.
I have been drawing Duke and Daisy for seven years now. A few months ago Daisy decided, "No more drawing!". She would growl at me when I drew her. If I kept drawing her, she would get up angrily, and sit behind my chair. I took a break from drawing Daisy. Duke at the same time decided to have the same attitude! So I couldn't practice drawing for a few months. I have been drawing them again. Here are a few of these drawings. Maybe Daisy deserves one tiny marshmallow for posing?
If you want to draw for nonprofessional reasons, you can develop some level of drawing by yourself. All you need to do is practice drawing each day for a few minutes. Somehow your brain and your hand starts to develop a natural ability to draw. Just keep drawing each day. At first your drawings will not be good. But after a year you will be drawing quite well! Buy a 8x10 sketch book with a lot of pages. Then you can check to see your progress!
There are a few websites for drawing I would recommend. If you want to draw animals or head portraits of a human, then
is great at for this. Just http://www.flickr.com/ type in the search button what you want to draw. For instance foxes, or girls portraits. I change the surroundings of the foxes or combine a few photos to create my own scene! Very fun to do. Another great website for drawing nudes or tasteful nudes is On this website you can decided whether you http://www.pixelovely.com/gesture/figuredrawing.php would like a 30 second pose or 10 minutes. You can chose whether you would like a female or male model . Life drawing is always taught in art schools. Life drawing classes cost a lot of money for the model fee and transportation. Here are free photos of nudes to draw any day or night! So there is no excuse for not drawing. These cards are only 23$. This will give you plenty of cards to practice drawing. I bring them with me everywhere to draw and paint with watercolor. I sold one of these cards in the airport while waiting for a plane recently! I sell them while I am out painting too! The highest price I have sold one of my watercolor cards was 75$. The very best of these watercolor cards I mat and frame under glass. It is quite amazing how people love to buy these!
Drawing is relaxing! Drawing is also very good for your brain! So get to drawing! You don't need to show them to anyone. It can be our secret!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/5/2012 2:33:47 PM
"Silver and Gold" 36x48 Oil on Copper. Sold!
This painting is not even fully finished yet, but I sold it today! A lady with her two children visited my house gallery, Lammers Gallery today. Daisy and Duke were over the top excited about two children visiting them. It was so cute to watch Daisy and Duke getting petted. Daisy's eyes were just twinkling. Duke allowed the boy to put his Winter hat on him. We all giggled. Both dogs were very gentle and loved all of the attention! I thanked them for stopping by. Daisy and Duke had been seriously bored before they came. I will work more today finishing the painting. She wants the Gamblin's Galkyd finish which is very shiny compared to the Gamblin's Cold Wax finish. On my way back from my Florida trip I will purchase the custom gold frame for the painting in Connecticut. How exciting! My first large painting sale.
"Wekiva River" 6x6 oil on copper. This painting is on hold!
"Up The Wekiva River" 6x6 oil on copper. This painting is on hold!
"The Happy Turtle" 6x6 oil on copper. This painting is on hold too.
Daisy and Duke are fast asleep! What a joyful day! Thank you! There is nothing like a painting sale right in the middle of Winter! Wow!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/4/2012 12:20:42 PM
"Calm Maine Day" 5x7 oil on copper Sold.
I worked a long time on this little painting. I tried hard to create water as luminous as possible. I painted with Cerulean Blues, light mixtures of Cadmium Red Light and Titanium, and very light values of Cadmium Yellow Light and Titanium. The broken colors created luminous water. The drawing of this skiff and guy rowing was difficult. I just took my time carving out the boat and man. I didn't want the boat to be right in the middle of the painting. So I planned how I would change the image so the boat was off to the side.
"Silver and Gold" 36 x 48 Oil on Copper. 2000$ Framed in Gold wood. Shipped free in USA. Sold!
I have been working more on this large painting. A friend of mine came down from Connecticut to offer some ideas regarding the painting. It was useful having an experienced painter take a look. She really liked this painting. I need to add a few more silver highlights to the water on the right. I also need to sign the painting! I will drive to Connecticut to pick up a custom 4 inch gold contemporary wood frame for this painting. It will cost 100$ me to ship to most places in USA. I am sure I will charge 5000$ soon for a painting this size. I just would like to sell them so that I can buy more large copper panels.
"Tranquil" 6x6 oil on copper. Sold.
I lightened the hull in the shadow side and then I darkened the hull some! It is tricky painting. But I am pleased with this painting now. I am glad I kept at it! Good paintings take a lot of hard work before they are just perfect.
Have a good night! I hope you are painting. There is ice everywhere all over the ground here in Maine. Not my favorite walking or painting conditions!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/3/2012 11:27:04 AM
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. Normally Daisy and Duke didn't like any of my guy friends. Many times Duke or Daisy bit them, knocked them down, or ripped their clothing. They tortured the poor guy. The guy felt embarrassed or scared to go out with me again! One time I saw a guy bend down to tie his shoe. Duke ran towards him stuck out his foot to knock him over! I knew Duke didn't like that guy. I would take notice of this and not go out with the guy. Another night, the guy showed me a hole in his pants revealing his underwear! He said one of THOSE dogs bit him and tore his pants. He said he was going home to change his clothes but never came back! Many different guys claimed Duke and Daisy bit them. I never saw this happen.
 Duke at 6 weeks old. The worst incident happened when I finally introduced Daisy and Duke to a serious boyfriend. I had been apprehensive about introducing the dogs to him. I knew anything could happen from experience. I may have even warned him! Somehow I didn't think the meeting would go well. I was right! Before we arrived at my house Daisy had discovered a case of Red Bull energy drink cans in the kitchen. She discovered if she bit the cans, sugarly liquid came out, and she eagerly bit each can. There is some evidence to suggest Duke also partook in the Red Bull party. When I opened the door I saw Duke and Daisy leaping in the air in a giant arches. Over and over again they leap as if they were ballerinas. I looked at my friend whose eyes were large! His mouth gaped in shock. He didn't want to go inside the Dutch door that separated the dogs from the living room. He just watched. The dogs continued to do this dance for five minutes. So we gave up trying to visit with them. He walked back outside where his truck was. He asked me if I would sell my dogs. He said he was a cat person. He didn't think he could live with THOSE dogs. I never saw him again. Farewell! Later I discovered this guy was engaged to another woman as well. She actually called me to find out who I was! I told her she could have him! Daisy and Duke were very good judges of character.
 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. Here is Daisy (outside) trying to teach Duke to use the dog door. She stood outside talking to him. She did hold up the plastic flap so he could walk through the dog door opening. After Duke joined her in the backyard, she spent the day showing him around. She found a large tree limb to drag around. I saw them both dragging around the tree limb for a while. She showed him all her toys. They were the very best of friends.
Here is Daisy at 8 weeks old swimming for the first time.
Here Daisy sees her first large body of water. She was afraid. Later she would love swimming.
Daisy with her big purple bear.
Robert always enjoyed Daisy and Duke. He told me later he wanted two large dogs again. His job prevented him from having them. There is always a guy for every girl. I consider myself lucky to have Robert, Daisy, and Duke.
I remember coming home from College, sitting down on the ground, and visiting with the puppies! They were so much fun.
Have a nice day! Get out and paint!
by Susan Renee Lammers on 2/1/2012 2:25:47 PM
Here are Daisy's and Duke's first litter of puppies...all 11 of them! They were adoreable! There were many different colors, English creams, light blondes, and dark reds! What a handful! Daisy and Duke kept very busy feeding and cleaning them.
Here I am 40 years old holding a puppy. I don't like many photos of myself. But I do like this one.
Here is Duke cleaning a puppy! He was such a busy Dad. After the puppies all were in new homes, Duke still was cleaning any puppy he found at the local dog park. I usually had to explain all this puppy cleaning to the puppy's owner. Only one lady didn't approve. She didn't like Duke cleaning her puppy with such strange intensity. The puppy however, loved all of Duke's attention!
Look closely on the right hand side. You will see tiny Golden Retriever puppies! Duke is taking watch as Daisy went outside.
Daisy is seen playing with a few puppies! She could be a "touch love" Mother sometimes. It must have been stressful and tiring to feed all 11 puppies. I had to sleep right next to the kiddy pool the first 5 nights. I rescued puppies Daisy had laid down onto. I would hear a loud squeal, reach under Daisy, and pull out a puppy!
Here are the proud parents. This is their second litter. They only had three puppies.
It was very hot in Florida. Daisy and Duke had two kiddy pools in the backyard. Normally I kept the hose on just a little to replenish the pool with fresh water. All of the dog's dirty feet would turn a pool dark quickly. Here is Duke laying down in the pool with a puppy getting ready to go for his first swim!
Here is daisy with a few puppies.
Here is one of their largest puppies at 6 weeks old. I decided to give each puppy a bath. Each puppy reacted differently. This puppy was very relaxed during the bath. I had to hold him up or he would have fallen under the water. Some other puppies fought me like I was trying to kill them. Others were fascinated with the water. I remember having a time with a few puppy buying clients trying to explain why the puppies were so big! I fed them Science Diet puppy food and goat's milk. They weighed 20 pounds each! Their food bill costs me hundreds each week! It was a lovely experience for Daisy and Duke and I!
I hope you enjoyed seeing Daisy and Duke's family photos. Maybe I will share more of these photos tomorrow! Have a great day! I hope you are painting!
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