This piece brings back many memories for me.  When I was growing up my Dad was a volunteer firefighter.  Winter Harbor Volunteer Fire Department has kept our town well protected for a s long as I can remember.  I am very grateful to all of the people who work as volunteers, they put in a lot of time training and make themselves available whenever possible when the call comes.        This truck, the station and perhaps the portable tanks in this piece are no longer active firefighting tools.  Billy Bickford generously allowed me to photograph the truck he has purchased and refurbished.  The station sets waiting for new use.  I understand that it will be repurposed .  The pumper tanks (? terminology) were part of the trucks equipment.  I’m sure most people know that we have a new multi-purpose station and new truck, probably new gear and of course many new State rules and regulations for firefighting.  Thanks to everyone who has and does and will help protect our town and the greater Hancock county area.

This small piece is an encaustic rendering of Red Nun #2 that sits in Henry’s Cove in Winter Harbor.  It is a navigational tool and to me also a welcome home as one returns to port from the open water of Frenchman’s Bay.  Often times it can be found surrounded in fog.  I made this piece as one of many that I am working on before attending a week long encaustic retreat in Kennebunkport this coming week.  I love working with hot wax and torches to create an interesting piece of art.  For me the this medium looks and feels very different from oil painting due to the translucency of the wax that is layered.  The layers all come together to create depth and a tactile feeling that other mediums can not create.  I hope to become much more proficient and to learn many new skills this week.  Being able to attend this retreat is such a wonderful opportunity, I am very grateful to all of the people who have supported me in this venture.

This is the time to begin reaping the harvest from all of our gardens and maybe a good time to enjoy this picture of a garden from long ago.  The title is Maddie’s Garden and it depicts 3 neighbors working in the garden.  In the left front corner is Hoyle Hanson, he appears to be hauling brush to tie up the peas.  Behind Hoyle is Madge Coombs,  and the focus of this picture is Maddie Sargent.  I believe this was her garden and that is her home in the background.

Come to the Winter Harbor Library on Saturday, August 17th from 1:30 to 4pm to see this piece and many more new works.   Enjoy talking about the works and the people and places created from vintage photographs.  Have some refreshments with us. This show will be up in the library from August 17th until September 14th.  The library hours are Saturday from 12pm-4pm, Wednesday from 12pm-4pm and Friday’s from 10am-4pm.