Painting from Sunrise to Sunset on Monhegan Island

Back on Monhegan, but this time it is a family venture, and for the rest of summer. With endless vantage points, it IS possible to paint from sunrise to sunset.  The sun has been rising at about 5:09am, so in order to catch it, you have to first get out of bed around 4ish.  Next you need to make coffee, then do the hike to the back side of the island, sometimes in the dark, so you can make it to your spot, without tripping and dropping all your supplies, paint as much of the background in, and wait for that reddish-orangeish sphere to appear on the horizon.  The color of the sun changes so quickly, as well of all the effects of the rising sun on the rest of the landscape, that you just have to decide which colors and values work the best, and then go for it, before the light changes everything all over again!

Frank has managed to repeat the above procedure, many days in a row. I have gotten myself up to join in on the fun and felt triumphant. Nothing like the feeling that you have the island to yourself in the early morning...just you, your paints, crashing surf, the endless squawks of the gulls and that incredible briny smell of the ocean mixed with herbal bug repellent.

Capturing the Sunrise, looking at Whitehead, Monhegan Island.  July 2012

Oh Pennsylvania! We will see you in October!!

Soft Sunrise.  32x42. original oil painting by Frank Bruckmann

Dear Pennsylvania:

Frank and I and the kids are missing your soft dewy mornings, your grazing cows and sunny summer vacation, family-filled days....

Please don't take it badly that we've chosen another state for this summer's focus....should I tell you the name? Maybe you've heard of it?  The name is Maine...we are headed north this weekend, for nearly 7 weeks and will be kept busy painting craggy coastline and marine fog and things so centered on the sea, that you might not understand...

Don't worry dear, we are returning in early fall, when Frank will turn his eye back to you and paint the landscapes of Indian summer. We are planning to have our almost annual show, this year, in October. In fact,  Saturday, October 6th, which is during Colombus Day Weekend, so please, save the date.

By scheduling our show in October, we hope to reach your people who seem to spend a lot of time visiting that playful and seductive next door neighbor of yours, that good time gal, New Jersey....

We will leave you with the above image that compliments your world at dawn awakening.  Such misty softness and rich mornings you provide.  Such excellent material for this very recent painting....

We will miss you, Pennsylvania. Until the fall, adieu.

Hugs and kisses
The Bruckmann Family