"The Cove" is my first oil painting in over a year!

"The Cove" is my most recent painting.    Each morning last week, I had been rising early and setting up my Julian easel in the shelter of the indigenous trees and shrubs which border a portion of our waterfront. 


"The Cove," 12 x 9" original acrylic on stretched linen, copyright Joan Cole

On one of these mornings as I quietly worked to capture the early morning light and reflections on the lake, I sensed something approaching through the shallow water.  Out of the screen of foliage beside me and onto our sandy waterfront stepped a beautiful white egret, fishing for its breakfast.  Egrets are larger up close than they seem from a distance.  I was made more fully aware of this when I rose and tiptoed toward the bird to snap its photo.  It spread its wings and headed toward the trees on the right of this painting.  Wow!  Awesome splendor.

On another of these mornings, I sensed something in the mosses and grasses near me.  It was a tiny chipmunk, breakfasting on a chunk of fungus which resembled a hunk of bread in its delicate paws.

After not having painted in oils for over a year, I have enjoyed getting them out and trying my hand at them again. 

Don't miss the fundraiser for Pamela Simpson Lussier a week from today!

My painting "Miss Florence's Waterfall" will be among many others donated by fellow artists to benefit Pamela Simpson Lussier on Saturday, June 18, at the Scotland Fire Department.

"Miss Florence's Waterfall" is a 16 x 20" oil, $650, copyright Joan Cole

Pamela Simpson and David Lussier are known by many of us as "the plein air pair."  They are both fine artists who, through the years,  have shared their combined knowledge of art and painting outdoors with many eager students of all ages, including me.  

Pam has been battling cancer. She received chemotherapy which was successful, but her kidneys have been destroyed. Her husband, David, currently administers her dialysis at home, which has been tying them up for about 30 hours per week over an extended period of time. She has been ill and unable to work for a long time and will receive a kidney transplant from her daughter at the end of June.

I extend an invitation to everyone to attend the upcoming fundraiser on Pam's behalf.  I know you will have the opportunity that evening to meet many fine artists who, like me, love both of these sweet, generous people.  And you will have the chance to bid on many, many beautiful paintings.

Today's the Day! Maple & Main's Summer Show Opening is from 5-8 PM!

"Summer Memory," 14" x 18" acrylic, $600, copyright Joan Cole

Another of my newest paintings making its debut tonight is "Summer Memory."  If you live in the area or are vacationing nearby, I hope you'll make a trip to Chester to take in the beauty of over 200 new paintings and sculptures by more than 30 Connecticut artists.  The party starts at 5, but the show will be up until September, so if you already have another engagement tonight, I encourage you to put the Gallery on your list of "Must-Do's" this summer.


I began this painting in one of the workshops I took with Jan Blencowe at Maple & Main Gallery in late winter.  I worked on it off and on all spring.  This is how it looked when I first wrote about it in my post of  Sunday, February 27, 2011:  Jan Blencowe's Tonalist Workshop Was Eye-opening and Muscle-building!

"[A Vague] Summer Memory"or Unfinished acrylic painting #2 by Joan Cole

I also took "Summer Memory" to one of the artist critiques offered by the Gallery on the third Monday of each month and received much good advice.  I invite you to join us at the next artist critique on Monday, June 20, from 6-8 at the Gallery.  Jan Blencowe will be doing the critiquing that evening.  There's so much to learn by listening to comments on each piece.  Bring one or two of your paintings and the $5 fee.  I'd love to meet you there.

I am thoroughly enjoying attempting to elicit an emotional response from the viewer in the manner for which the Tonalists were known. Simplified shapes in nature, emphasis on value and atmosphere, softened edges, an appeal to the spirit and emotions of the viewer--these qualities fit right in with a goal I've had for years now:  "No Noodling!"  These  two words of wisdom were shared with me long ago by Pamela Simpson Lussier, a very fine artist and teacher.    I even have a post-it note in my studio to remind me.  Thank you, Pamela and Jan!

Speaking of Pamela Simpson Lussier, I extend an invitation to all of you to attend the upcoming fundraiser on Pam's behalf on Saturday, June 18, at the Scotland Fire Department.  

Hooray! My painting "Clearing" sold before our opening on Friday, June 10!

 "Clearing" is a 12" x 16" acrylic on linen, copyright by Joan Cole

You can see "Clearing"  at Maple and Main Gallery of Fine Art at 1 Maple Street in Chester, Connecticut, at the opening from 5 to 8 PM this Friday.  It sold before the show was even hung because I had used it on my postcard invitation to our summer show.  One of my long-time collectors from Atlanta called to purchase the painting before anyone else could.


Needless to say, it's a good thing I was wearing a tank top, or I'd have popped my buttons!   I am thrilled that "Clearing" will be going to a welcoming home.  And I'm very proud that it is the first sale of the new show.


You may remember my posting of Saturday, February 26, 2011, titled:  Jan Blencowe's Tonalist Class Today Was GREAT!


This is what "Clearing" looked like then. 

It was Jan who introduced me to acrylics and the Tonalist movement.  Her reading from Emerson's essay, "Nature,"  followed by her sharing of painting after painting by Tonalist masters, set to Claude DeBussy's "Reverie,"  was an eye-opening experience:  the beauty of those landscapes was overwhelming.  Simplified shapes in nature, emphasis on value and atmosphere, softened edges, an appeal to the spirit and emotions of the viewer--these are the characteristics that became evident in the work of the Tonalists. There was--and still is--so much for me to learn, not only about making optimal use of acrylics but also about distilling a landscape--or, in this case, a seascape--to its essence.  Thank you, Jan, once again for being such a knowledgeable and generous teacher. 

There are four other acrylics of mine in this show, so you still have a chance to become one of my collectors.  I look forward to seeing you Friday night if you live--or are vacationing--in the area. 

Messerschmidt's Pond III



Messerschmidt's Pond III, Plein air oil on stretched canvas, 10" x 20"

This lake near me is surrounded by Connecticut state land and has a small boat launching area.  Often when I drive past, I see folks fishing, kayaking, and/or canoeing here.  One of many peaceful spots in Connecticut where residents can enjoy the wonders of nature first hand, it's a favorite of locals. 

When I began this painting last Monday, the sky and trees and reflections at Messerschmidt's looked like this.  The next day, however, when I returned to this location, the reflections were considerable changed, since the sky was overcast.  Nevertheless, I stayed with what I remembered from the day before.  What with the rain and wind we've had on and off lately, the colors have changed considerably since I painted this.