Monhegan Island

Step back in time 100 years.

This is what Monhegan feels like..

Monhegan is an island ten miles off the coast of Maine. It's known as the Artists' Island and for good reason. Artists have been flocking here for years. So what's the draw? What makes Monhegan so exciting? Why do I see artists gathered at every turn?

You could ask this question to many and get lots of different answers. It's inspiring to say the least.

Foot power is the mode of transportation. Only a few trucks inhabit the island and they're used for deliveries - your baggage to your rental and supplies to the local residents. Oddly here, vehicles have the right of way.

One of the things that struck me most, especially as a landscape artist, was the strange atmosphere. Aside from the west coast, our weather, the clouds in the sky approach from having come over land. On Monhegan they approach from traveling over ocean. The island is so small, it's as though it isn't there and doesn't effect the passing clouds. You wouldn't think it makes much difference, but the sky and conditions here blew me away. You'll experience cloud formations and sky colors you've never seen. You're there to paint the island, but somehow the sky captivates you. I was in awe.

Photos can't do it justice. The look here on the blog is a simple gray. But the light here is nothing but a simple gray. The fog that rolls in is saturated with glowing warm light. The sun burning through, or just attempting. It renders the island a magical look. The air is fresh and you fill your lungs with the moisture of salty goodness. You walk at a slow pace, visually taking everything in. Quiet. The sound of quiet with the rhythm of ocean waves crashing on the rugged Atlantic side hums continuously. The only place it can't be heard is in the dense forest. It feels healing here.

Your creative soul is at peace. Clarity...

There's no schedule on Monhegan. Artists can be found from the crack of dawn, capturing the incredible sunrise that makes Monana glow, until dark for the orange sunset. Monana is the tiny island across the harbor seen in the top image. It helps protect the island creating a quiet cove, good for fishing boats and the ongoing ferry.

Nearly everyone you meet is an artist. The locals are artists. Beautiful artistic artifacts, sculptures and gardens adorn your walk. You can't help but sense an artistic power in the air. If you have artists' block, this is your hospital of cure. It's impossible for an artist to come to Monhegan and not paint.

This coming weekend, I'll be arriving here. 12 artists will share a large house on the ocean facing Manana for a week of painting and good healing. We'll unplug from life for a brief while and see what our creative souls conjure up. Awhhhhhh... I'm relaxing just thinking about it.

Step back in time 100 years. This is what Monhegan feels like..