Art work at Yarmouth Frame and Gallery

Just a heads up that I have 3 small paintings in the Yarmouth Frame and Gallery Holiday group show. Below is one of them.

 

Blue Sky Reflections

8x8" Acrylic

$450

Just joined Fine Art America

I'm very pleased to announce that I have just joined and am now selling originals and prints of my artwork on Fine Art America.  For me this is an exciting new venture which I hope will enable me to get my work to a much larger audience.  If you would like to visit my site go to www.bill-tomsa.pixels.com. Please check it out.  Thank you.

Arts Downtown & All Around....already???

Yes, it is that time again!  Where has this year gone??!!  Oh well, as a wise man ( I think it was Frank Zappa) once said, "Time flies like the wind.  Fruit flies like the bananas."  Anywho, I will be participating in the 17th Annual Arts Downtown & All Around  Group Show at Fort Andross November 14, 15 and 16th.  The gallery is right next to the enterance of Frontier cafe.  I will have many new paintings inspired by Maine and the Southwest, where Gloria and I lived for 12 years before moving to Maine. Besides my acrylic original paintings, I'll also have selected unframed watercolor, pen & ink sketches and acrylic originals at a lower price point in my "bin".  Please stop by and say "hi".  Gloria and I would love to see and chat with you and answer any questions you may have about my art.

 

ADAA HOURS

 

Nov. 14 Fri. 5 - 8 PM

 

Nov. 15  Sat. 11 AM - 4 PM

 

Nov. 16  Sun. 11AM - 4 PM

 

 

 

 

Sonoran Thunderhead

5x7"  unframed   $225 

Safety First

Something a little different here.  I've wanted to post something about how I set up to paint plein air on the side of busy (or not so busy) roads.  Maybe there is something here that one of my five readers can use.  Seriously though you do need to take some precautions when you're out painting in the world.  First of all I try my best to get as far off the road as the shoulder will allow.  Next I always carry a red fluorescent "cone" with me.  You can buy these at any store like Home Depot or whatever.  I've gone one step further and stenciled mine with the words "Dept. of Art".  I picked this up from another plein air painter and I regret I can't remember his name in order to give him credit. I do remember him saying that he thought Dept. of Art looked more official than Art Dept.  It may help reduce any hassle you might get from whoever.  Also, putting your car's "flashers" on can add to your visibility to drivers.

 

 



Hot Air Meets Plein Air

I painted plein air in Auburn, Maine last Saturday during the 6am launch at the Lewistion/Auburn Annual Great Falls Balloon Festival.  Getting up an hour early in order to make it the 30 miles to Lewiston from Topsham had it's benifits, the biggest of which was seeing a beautiful sunrise.  It was a graphic reminder of why I need to get out earlier in the day to paint with this wonderful light.  Anyway below is the results of my efforts at the hot air balloon event.  This painting is available through my email.

 

This Sun Also Rises

8x8" Acrylic

$450

Oreo Cows...Art Show @ Aldermere

O.K. O.K.  I know they are officially called "Belted Galloways".  But every time (almost) that I mention Belted Galloways by name to people who don't know the official name, I get a blank stare back, until I describe the black cows with a wide white belt.  Then their faces light up and they say "Oh yeah! The Oreo cows"! Most people just refer to them as "Belties" your truly included. Much faster to say.  I had never seen one of these unusual looking cows until, my wife, Gloria, and I were on a back road in Rockport a number of years ago and drove past Aldermere Farm www.aldermere.org where they raise them. I later found out about the annual Art Show and Sale that is held at the farm featuring the Belties and farm as the theme.  Since Aldermere partnered with the Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) several years ago the theme of the show/sale has been expanded to also include artworks that depict Maine coast scenes, and the Erickson Fields Preserve. MCHT's website www.mcht.org states "Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) conserves and stewards Maine’s coastal lands and islands for their renowned scenic beauty, ecological value, outdoor recreational opportunities, and contribution to community well-being."

I have 9 acrylic paintings of both Belties and coastal scenes in  this year's annual fund raising Aldermere Farm Art Show and Sale which is this Saturday, August 9th from 9am to 4pm. Check their web site for more info on the great variety of art from whimsical to traditional landscapes and coastal scenes.  You are certain to find something you love.  Admission is free and you know what I say about "free"...if it's free, take it!

 

 

Aldermere Belties

Acrylic  8x6

 

 

The Shop at Aldermere

Acrylic  11x14

Holy Color Wheel Batman! It's already August at the Sebascodegan Art Gallery!

Well, on second thought, if you aren't a fan of  "The Dark Knight" aka Batman, that title may not mean much to you.  But, if you're still reading this I've succeeded in getting your attention.  My point is that we are already into August and therefore the season's second art exhibit at the artists' cooperative Sebascodegan Art Gallery on Route 24, 7.5 miles south  of Cook's Corner in Brunswick.  We are celebrating our 25th year and hope you'll stop by to find a piece of beautiful art to fill just that right spot on one of your home's walls. If you haven't visited the gallery before you'll be delighted to find dozens of paintings and 3 dimensional art by 20 juried artists who compose the gallery which is open 10 am to 5pm every day until the end of  August. Stop and enjoy.  Below are 3 of my own paintings in this show.

Little Dog and Beyond

Acrylic 9x12

$650

Heading Out Under the Cribstone Bridge

Acrylic 9x12

$650

 

 

The Cuise In

Acrylic 8x8

 $450

Sebascodegan Artists Gallery Open

As a member of the Sebascodegan Artists Gallery, a co-operative of 20 artists, I'm happy to say the gallery is now open for our 2 month 2014 season, July and August.  We are celebrating our 25th year and looking forward to many more to come.  The gallery is located 7.5 miles south of Cook's Corner in Brunswick, ME on Route 24 (also known as Harpswell Island Road).  Look for the signs and a little white (former) church on the hill on the right side (if you're coming from Cook's Corner) of the road.  We have a very eclectic collection of art for sale in a wide price range, so  I'm sure you'll find your time well spent if you stop by.  Many of our visitors are looking for a piece of art for their home or as a gift for a friend or loved one.  A number of local people are very pleased to stop by the gallery with friends/family visiting them from away and often find a nice keepsake.  I, personally have a number of paintings in this show and, for the first time, several assemblages.  Hope to see you when I'm "sitting" the gallery.

Group Show-"Creative Rhythms"

It's my pleasure to announce that I am participating in a group show at Yarmouth Frame & Gallery www.yarmouthframeandgallery.com titled "Creative Rhythms".  Besides myself, the artists in the show are John Bowdren, David Costello, Gayl McNally, Elizabeth Newman, and Harry Beskind.  The reception is Sat. June 7th 4-7pm.  Hope you can be there or be sure to stop by and see the show while it's up.  Thanks.

 

Abandoned House and New Traps

Acrylic 8"x8"

$450

 

 

Morning Sun on Old Glory

Acrylic 8"x8"

$450

 

 

 

Forsythia and Pine

Acrylic 8"x8"

$450

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Summer in Maine" Artwork at Artist Cottage

View From Mountain Road

Acrylic  8"x24"

$1,200

 

 

Belted Galloway and Calf

Acrylic 12"x12"

$900

 

 

These are the two paintings of mine that have been juried into the "Summer in Maine" exhibition at the Artist Cottage on Cousins Island.

 

 

 

Maine Open Juried Art Show

"Morning Sun on Old Glory"

8"x8" $450 (Framed)

Acrylic

I'm pleased to report that two* of my artworks have been juried into the 24th Annual Maine Open Juried Art Show (MOJAS) in Waterville, ME.  According to the Waterville Area Art Society web site www.waasmaine.org/, "The Waterville Area Art Society and Waterville Main Street (MOJAS) are proudly co-presenting the 2014 Maine Open Juried Art Show at the Waterville Public Library in Downtown Waterville. Now entering its 24th year, the Maine Open Juried Art Show attracts over 80 artists representing over 50 Maine communities and a variety of media, including oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, and other media."

I've entered this competition almost every year since 2005 and my work has received several awards including a second place (last year), a third place and several "Special Merit Awards" in the Acrylics division.

This show is diverse in both subject matter and styles and well worth checking out if you're in the neighborhood between now and April 26th.

* My second piece is titled "Border Violation" (in the "Other Media" category) but, unfortunately, I don't have a photo of it.

Back from the Sonoran Desert

From below normal temperatures to above normal highs and back to below normal temperatures!  That's how our first two weeks in February went for my wife, Gloria and me as we ventured out to the Southwest for some R&R in our old stomping grounds of Phoenix, AZ.  Having lived in Arizona for 12 years before moving to Maine in 2003, Gloria and I decided to take a break from this endless winter and defrost in the 70+ degrees of what is the Southwest winter.  I packed a bag full of plein air painting stuff in hopes of having some painting time and did manage to get some easel time in, although not as much as I'd planned.  An unfortunate lack of sleep due to an unshakable cough kept me from getting out as early and often as I would have liked. Below are the results of some of my time painting. 

These were all started plein air and completed in my studio upon our return. "White Tanks No.1" and "White Tanks No. 2" were both painted in the White Tank Mountain Regional Park which is located about 18 miles west of central Phoenix.  The titles are from the fact that these are the first and second painting I've ever done of the "White Tanks" as they are called for short.  If you're ever in the  Phoenix area I would highly recommend a day trip out there, especially if you enjoy hiking. There are also very nice paved roads if you'd rather just drive around the park.  Plenty of rest rooms and a very nice library/museum just outside of the entrance to the park.  "Telegraph Pass Sentinel" is a painting of an old "friend".  Telegraph Pass is part of South Mountain (background) in Phoenix and this saguaro cactus stands guard at the trail head that hikers can take up to the pass. When we lived in Phoenix we were about 2 miles from this spot and it was a favorite of mine to paint at.  We have a similar painting I did of this scene in 1999.  I found it interesting to see how much my old friend had grown in the 15 years since my first painting of him. The fourth paining "Trail to Camelback" was painted from a spot in Scottsdale, AZ about a half mile east of the Cholla Ridgeline that leads to Camelback Mountain, another popular destination for hikers. These are small works being 6"x8" and 6"x6" but from these and/or my many photos I took, I have plenty of inspiration to create some larger paintings.  Stay tuned.

 I have begun to include prices with the pieces I display on this blog in hopes of encouraging sales.  Please feel free to contact me through my email address if you are interested in owning one or more of my originals or have questions concerning them. Prices shown do not include shipping, sales tax (Maine residents only) or other applicable charges.

White Tanks No. 1

6"x6" NFS

Acrylic

 

White Tanks No. 2

6"x8" $275 (unframed)

Acrylic

 

Telegraph Pass Sentinel
6"x8" $275 (unframed)
Acrylic

Trail to Camelback
6"x8" $275 (unframed)
Acrylic

 

 

Where Is William?

O.K. so I took a little liberty with the title and it should read "Where Is William's (I prefer Bill) Art?".  I recently received an email asking where else, besides Yarmouth Frame Gallery in Yarmouth, ME http://www.yarmouthframeandgallery.com/,  I show my work.  So I thought it would be helpful to anyone else who has the same question to post everywhere my work is.  As of this writing my artwork is currently on display at the Lyceum Gallery in Lewiston, ME http://www.lyceumgallery.com/, the Joy of Art exhibit at the Topsham Library, Topsham, ME, at the Boothbay Region Art Foundation (BRAF)  http://www.boothbayartists.org/   sponsored exhibit at St. Andrews Hospital in Boothbay, ME and at a group show, "Winter Wonderland", sponsored by 5 Rivers Arts Alliance http://5raa.org/, Coastal Orthopedics, 14 Thomas Point Road, Cooks Corner, Brunswick, ME.  There are a number of events coming up in the next few months that I plan to submit to and I'll do my best to keeps readers of this blog updated.  Thanks for following this blog.

 

Winter Retreats

Coastal Orthopedics "Winter Wonderland"