Rustic Summer Painting on the East Coast

July 2022

Window to The Bay #26

Happy last day of July! With August and the end of the kids’ summer break upon us, I’m relishing in the final weeks of summer studio on the East Coast in a slower, nature filled environment. We’ve adopted new cherished family rituals such as the daily tending of a vegetable garden and frequent berry picking. Today, after reading Robert McCloskey’s Blueberries for Sal, the kids and I picked blueberries for the first time! Boy do the colors of the garden make me want to paint, especially that blue of the berries and the mountains and water of Lake Champlain! I’ve been painting a garden portrait commission from Kentucky, spotting many charming umbrellas along our travels inspiring a new series of “American Umbrellas,” preparing merchandise and new collaborations for holiday, and deep diving into children’s book writing and illustrating with renewed vigor. Follow on Laura Ann Studio Instagram for glimpses into these summer projects!

A July Birthday Portrait of a Rustic Connecticut Home

Painting from the East Coast this summer I’ve had this portrait of a gorgeous rustic Connecticut home on my mind that I painted the first summer of the pandemic. Commissioned as a birthday present for a dad from his wife and children for his July birthday, it was fun to piece together the photos and admire all the love and care that the family put into the home to make it their own. I especially love the rose bushes, the rooster weathervane, the barn doors of the garage, and the vintage wooden farm style hitch parked along the entrance drive. It was gratifying to see photos of the happy smile of the gift recipient holding the painting and the portrait hanging proudly at the center of their kitchen. Here’s a look at the painting process, from inspiration photo to pencil sketch, watercolor and ink, to hanging in the client’s home!

With love for the every day and special days,
Laura Ann Trimble Elbogen
P.S. Is there a cherished summer home that merits a keepsake watercolor portrait? Share this post with your family!