Acadia National Park is turning 100 years old. I started a new Moleskine accordion in her honor. I'm going back as soon as I can to fill a few more pages.
I first fell in love with Acadia in 1968, when I hitchiked to Bar Harbor from Orono with a friend. My last visit was recent, & there have been many, many visits inbetween. There were different eras, different companions, different activities, different seasons, & different me's. Each time I grow more deeply in love, each time there is so much more to explore & so much to revisit. How can it be that two million tourists visit each year, & yet it feels so intimately like my own special place?
I'm not 100, but I am delighted to be growing older with Acadia. I am seeing changes, one of which is more of a focus on preservation with the involvement of newer, younger stewards. The Park needs continued loving care. They say that the current generation of young people is more connected to technology than to nature. However, we did see some delightful families, enjoying the magic. The Park also presents some wonderful Jr. Ranger & Explorer programs for kids.
I love the accordion!Beautiful work Rita and I love the bag..went to peek at the site..looks super practical.
ReplyDeleteOh the things we did..my mom would have fainted if she had known I had hitchhiked with my friend at the time Liz.So vibrant your colors..that's the set I ended up bringing.
Makes me want to get out and paint
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to Acadia. Lucky you to be able to visit often (it's on my list of places I'd really like to visit). I love your sketches, and the new bag looks like fun. Lots of nooks and crannies for stowing tools.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your set-up and results xx
ReplyDeleteRita, do you sketch first and then watercolor or the reverse? I have been to Maine and Acadia many times but your sketches are so vibrant and bring them to life in a warm and memorable way.
ReplyDeleteRita, your work is memorable. Do you sketch your scenes first and then watercolor around that or loosely lay the watercolors down and fill in the details with your waterproof markers? I have been to Acadia and Maine frequently and your sketches bring back warm but vibrant memories.
ReplyDeleteDear Sherry,
ReplyDeleteI draw first as drawing is my number one love. Sometimes I don't even add color, or add it after the on location drawing. Isn't Mount Desert Island so wonderful? I wonder what part of the country you are from...Do you sketch or paint? Rita
Rita, I am a color person but often work from a rough sketch so that I know where to apply the color. I like very very loose work but color and sketching so I was just asking your starting point. I live in Naples Florida now but have lived all over the US-South Carolina, Ohio, Texas, California, Rhode Island, Georgia and now Florida. We have the most gorgeous scenery to inspire our art!
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