Return to Monhegan Island

 After a decade long hiatus from visiting the island, I returned at the invitation of a painter friend, Jill. We stayed 5 days  at the Cracked Mug B&B sharing a 2 twin bed room.  

After a 2.5 hour drive, I boarded the New Harbor, Maine ferry for a ten mile trip to Monhegan. No cars are allowed on the island but there will be plenty of old jalopy trucks waiting at the wharf to portage our trunks to the rental.

Melanie Tucker, owner of the B&B was a most fun loving, gracious host who was the absolutely best breakfast chef I have ever experienced.  Oh she makes one, powerful Moscow Mule too!  Being an early riser, there was French pressed coffee and homemade coffee cakes each morning when I rose at 5:30AM. One particular morning, I was on the porch watching Melanie in the backyard smoking fresh salmon for our breakfast.😋 Here's smiling Melanie and her 6 month old pup, Sammy.

On a couple of evenings, the guests were encouraged to help in hand churning ice cream; strawberry one night and Girl Scout chocolate mint cookies on the other.  here's 3 year old Juniper leaning her strong arm in for the job. 

Jill and I initiated this adventure as an island painting trip unaware of the culinary adventure we were about to experience as well.  Never left the table hungry. We didnt have to sleep in the bedroom with our gear and wet painting panels. NO.  We set up our gear in Melanie's boathouse. In addition, there was an outside utility sink for cleaning up brushes and hands. All hands on deck...let's paint.

Weather was exceptional on the first day; crystal clear skies, pleasant temperature. Then as the week preceded, the weather deteriorated a bit with rain, then fog and on Sunday 35mph winds. Oh woolen sweaters were needed for the cool mornings and evenings.  All hands on deck... Let's paint.

OK.   When I wasn't painting plein air,  I delighted in drawing in charcoal on Strathmore Mixed Media paper cut in a variety of sizes. My favorite drawing supplies are General's charcoal pencils and compressed sticks, and a dash of charcoal dust. The paper surface can be wetted with brush and water and then drawn directly in with charcoal pencil. Tonal values can be accomplished with a waterr wash and charcoal dust.

and to end the day with beautiful sunsets like these. Photos taken by Jillian. Hoping to return to Monhegan again because it is such a special place esp for artists.