WC-2002-009

A long-time childhood friend Patti Kelt purchased this painting over 20 years ago. I painted this watercolor in Maine at my first workshop with David Dewey, who I consider one of my mentors. Vicky & I lived in Paris then, and she couldn't fathom why I would leave Paris for Maine. Well, it was August, and Paris was empty, plus I wanted to meet and paint with David Dewey.

We were painting at the harbor in Thomaston, Maine, one day. I broke for lunch and walked up the hill to the Thomaston Cafe. On the way, I spotted this house bathed in bright sunlight and decided to come back and paint it. I painted very fast and loosely on Hot Press paper. One of the other students in the workshop made mention of my "haunted house" and added that it was owned by Abstract Expressionist/Minimalist Painter Kenneth Nolan. I never got to the bottom of whether "haunted house" was in reference to my painting style or the reason Nolan had a For Sale sign out front. The painting had an immediate title: "Mainely for Sale."

Patti purchased the painting. Several years ago, she moved back to Jacksonville. She recently signed up for my Beginning Watercolor Class, and we reminisced about this painting. Patti agreed to bring it in - not only to share with the class but to allow me to re-photograph it, as my early digital image was not up to standards. It was great to reconnect with Patti - and this painting.