Whimsical Fishies

Whimsical Fishies
24x36, acrylics on canvas
AVAILABLE

This is an older painting that I did years ago. I've started to run out of space to store/hang my work, and as I create new paintings, some of the older ones have to go. I've decided to offer this for sale on Etsy and see what happens. It's huge--24 x 36--and certainly not what I'd call a "serious" painting (if such a thing exists). I painted it for fun, and because I love bright colors. Unfortunately, my camera does not seem to be able to capture certain shades, and the background color is a little off in this photo. The background is really beautiful, with streaks of blue and turquoise, a tad bit less green than in the photo. It has to be seen to be really appreciated.

I haven't done much painting lately, been too busy with other things, but hope to get back to it soon. Stay tuned!

Not Dead Yet

Just thought I'd write a blog post to notify my legions of fans (that was sarcasm, in case you've lived in a cave for the last ninety years and didn't recognize it) that I'm truly not dead. Haven't had much time for painting lately, but I've been collecting lots of photos to inspire me! I took this one yesterday. I believe this is chickory. Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong. They grow in wild profusion on just about every empty gravel lot in this city, and I've been madly in love with them for years. You can't imagine how excited I was when we moved to this house four years ago and I discovered there were a couple plants growing wild in my yard. So far this year, there are only a couple of blossoms...nothing like this patch on the corner of Bridge and State Streets. But a very pretty blue nevertheless.

I hope to be posting new work soon, so stay tuned!

Afternoon Delight

Afternoon Delight
11x14, acrylics on canvas
AVAILABLE

My latest. I passed this red house on a back road somewhere in Central Maine one afternoon last summer. I loved the clean lines and the contrast of the red paint against the green foliage. Hope you enjoy!

Commissioned House Portrait

Commissioned House Portrait
11x14, acrylics on canvas
SOLD

This was done for my sister-in-law, as a Father's Day gift for her dad. Painted from an old black-and-white photo, this is his childhood home.

Triage

Triage
6x12, acrylics on canvas
AVAILABLE

My latest effort. I've been a little obsessed lately with pink skies and telephone poles. This is just a little guy, 6x12 inches, loosely based on a photo I took near my home.

Paean

Paean
10x20, acrylics on gallery wrap canvas
AVAILABLE

My latest. More of my obsession with sunsets. In this painting, the house is real; the setting is imaginary. For years, I've driven past this farm on the Maine Turnpike and have wanted to paint it. Getting a decent photo is a real challenge as I whiz past at highway speed. I love all those lovely geometric shapes, all those angles and the pattern of light and shadow that falls on them at certain times of day. In the real world, the background is a wall of trees. But because I wanted to accentuate the colors of the sunset sky, I decided this would be a winter scene with just a few trees scattered here and there. I think the effect works. The colors of the photo aren't exactly right. I cannot seem to capture the softness of the pinks with my digital camera. They come out looking slightly harsh and orangey, no matter how much editing I do. In real life, they're a much sweeter hue. Unfortunately, technology has its limitations.

Branches

Branches

12x16, acrylics on gallery wrap canvas
SOLD

This is loosely based on a photo I took outside my back door a couple of winters ago, just as the sun was setting and the sky was transformed into something magical.

Wires

Wires
8x8, acrylics on gallery wrap canvas
AVAILABLE

Here's the latest in the series I'm calling pinkies because of the pink sunset sky. Enjoy!

Goodnight, Moon

Goodnight, Moon
8x8, acrylics on gallery wrap canvas
AVAILABLE

Another dusk/sunset painting. This is a teeny-weeny 8x8. These are so much fun to paint, and I just love blending the colors in the sky!

Stonington 1

Stonington 1
20x20, acrylics on canvas

The latest painting, based on a photo I took in Stonington last weekend. What a gorgeous place!

Sonata

Sonata
11x14, acrylics on canvas
AVAILABLE

These dusk paintings seem to be my newest obsession. Wonder how long it will last?

Sky Blue Pink

Sky Blue Pink
20x10, acrylics on gallery wrap canvas
AVAILABLE

Something different.

I've been in the mood lately to experiment, and have been playing with color. Hence, the last couple of paintings. This one is prettier in real life. I don't know what I'm doing wrong with my photos, but sometimes they just don't do justice to a finished painting. Need to work on that. Meantime, I may do some more of these blended-sky works, just for the sheer fun of it. What do you think of the vertical orientation? Comments welcome.

New Etsy Shop - HeartShots

"Crossing Over"
Digital Photo
AVAILABLE

Last summer, I set up a new Etsy shop just for my digital photography. Then I ran out of both steam and time, and I let it the empty shop sit, gathering dust, for nearly a year. I'm happy to announce that I've finally started moving my digital photos over from my Cityscapes shop to the new shop, HeartShots. I did this for a couple of reasons: first, I think it gets too messy and confusing when everything is jumbled together in one shop. Second, the digital photos tend to be overlooked when they're surrounded by so many paintings. So HeartShots was born to showcase my digital photos, while my paintings will still remain at CityscapesByBreton. I hope this will make it easier for online customers to find what they're looking for!

Cloudscape #1

Cloudscape #1
11x14, acrylics on canvas
AVAILABLE

Something a little different. I'm in an experimental mood right now, and I've been itching to paint clouds. There's just something about them. Enjoy!

Leaving Campus

Leaving Campus
10x10, acrylics on gallery wrap canvas
AVAILABLE

Today's painting. This is loosely based on a photo I took while leaving campus one afternoon this past winter. The sunrises and sunsets at UMA are vivid and amazing. I never tire of them.

Houses of Aroostook #3

Houses of Aroostook, #3
12x12, acrylics on gallery wrap canvas
AVAILABLE

Whew! Finally got through the semester, finished both my courses, and got my daughter moved into her new place. Now I can get back to my painting and writing. The last few months have been a rocky ride, and I really need the de-stressing that painting gives me. This is the first time I've touched my paints and brushes since early March, but I suspect this summer will see quite a few new Breton paintings. Stay tuned!

Houses of Aroostook, #2

Houses of Aroostook, #2

11x14, acrylics on canvas
AVAILABLE

The second in my planned series of houses I discovered while visiting Maine's Aroostook County this past Labor Day weekend. I photographed this old farm as it basked in the morning sun on the road that leads to Allagash. Wish I had more time to paint. Other obligations have slowed my painting to a trickle in the recent past. It was so nice to pull out my paints and play with them this weekend!

Bridge and Summer Streets, Winter

Bridge and Summer Streets, Winter
11x14, acrylics on canvas
AVAILABLE

The first painting I've finished in a while. This is a corner of Augusta's West side historic district that I can't seem to stop painting, although previous versions were from a different angle, and in my past paintings, the yellow house was white. It got a new paint job this past summer.