Painting with pals (part 2)

Evening cloud study by Mary Byrom, 6X6 oil.

Evening cloud study by Mary Byrom, 6X6 oil.

After Olana, I’ll be at Ocean Park, ME, for their second annual paint out, July 15-17. The 19th century camp meeting movement gave birth to more than 350 permanent Chautauqua assemblies. These were named after the most famous assembly, located in Chautauqua, New York. Part religious revival, part adult summer camp, they proved enormously popular.

Island Light, 6x6 oil, by Mary Byrom

Island Light, 6×6 oil, by Mary Byrom

Ocean Park was part of this Chautauqua movement, founded under Free Will Baptist supervision in 1881 to “establish a place of summer resort for holding religious, educational and other meetings at Old Orchard, in Saco, in the County of York.”

I grew up near Mother Chautauqua (the one in the town of that name), but it’s the one at Ocean Grove, NJ, that I’m most fond of. There’s something about ocean breezes that makes self-improvement so palatable.

Mary Byrom is an inveterate sketcher; here's a page from her sketchbook.

Mary Byrom is an inveterate sketcher; here’s a page from her sketchbook.

So when Mary Byrom told me about this event, I jumped at the opportunity. Mary’s one of my favorite artists, because of the simplicity with which she pares down shapes into their essentials, and for the bright, clear color she uses. Her evening skies are particularly effective.

We’ve painted together at Castine and at Saranac, and each time has been a delightful experience.

“River Light” 10×20, by Mary Byrom

“River Light” 10×20, by Mary Byrom

Besides Mary and me, the show at Ocean Park features:

Russel L. Whitten, Ocean Park, ME
Kent Shomaker, Cape Elizabeth, ME
Christine Mathieu, Providence, RI
Ellen Pelletier, Kennebunk, ME
Deena Ball, Havertown, PA
Richard Bolen, Charlotte, NC
Anthony Watkins, Bradley, ME
Edward Buonvecchio, Manchester, ME

Let me know if you’re interested in painting with me on the Schoodic Peninsula in beautiful Acadia National Park in August 2015. Click here for more information on my Maine workshops! Download a brochure here.

Carol Douglas

About Carol Douglas

Carol L. Douglas is a painter who lives, works and teaches in Rockport, ME. Her annual workshop will again be held on the Schoodic Peninsula in beautiful Acadia National Park, from August 6-11, 2017. Visit www.watch-me-paint.com/ for more information.