Where’s Jo Today…or was it yesterday?

Art Update: July 30, 2026

Art Update: July 30, 2026

Where has Jo M. Orise been?

As I sit here, late in the evening, I wonder where time has flown?

Summer 0f 2025 I created the largest water color I’ve ever painted. A commissioned work.

A lady walked into my studio and said she had purchased a painting from me a few years back.

“Where was that?”

“At Aldermere Farm’s Art Show.”

I said, “Out to Pasture.” One of many framed artworks I had hung and sold at the Aldermere Art Show over the years.

She looked surprised and said, “Yes.”

In turn, I surprised myself to have correctly pointed out which one she purchased. But I do things like that and don’t have a clue when or why it happens.

“I like your colors,” she said. “And I want to commission you to paint my back yard. I live on an island not far from here. My back yard is the ocean.”

I hesitated, then decided it would be fun and a challenge, for she wanted a very large painting. A planned secret gift for Husband at Christmas!

They lived in MA and spent summer days in ME. He occasionally returned to MA to work. One such occasion was comming up for him to leave the day after she left. The plan: I go to their summer home and paint the scenery from her back porch while they were gone.

I asked if there were cameras, alarms or neighbors who would notify authorities or her husband of a trespasser. “Not to worry. There are no cameras and the neighbors won’t say anything.”

So, on a beautiful summer day, I went with hubby.

In their drive, I spotted a suspicious light fixture—a camera, I was sure. I drove closer to the garage, stepped out, found the back porch of a beautiful summer home and sketched, snapped photos, examined the terrain, the water, rocks, birds, ships and boats going by. Beautiful!

The next day’s e-mail reported Husband had, without her knowing, installed a security camera, and a neighbor kept watch for them. He excitedly called Husband announcing an older lady with bags arrived at the home. Then she left later with her bags. (I had a bag for my paints and a sketch board with sketch taped to it.)

“Older lady?” Hmm-m. That was me. (My hubby was not captured in the footage.)

Wife removed the footage, and said she didn’t know what he was talking about. To stop asking the same question.

A highly prominant rock formation, I felt, had to be part of the painting…the focal point where all they admired and did was anchored to that monument of very white rock…Quartz? I’ve forgotten what it was called. But it is a point of great interst to their Geologist neighbor.

Here is the painting. Photo did not do justice to the blue. Sorry.

The painting took weeks to complete…first I created a rough draft which I painted, then I prepared the paper and created a background for it to be tacked to. That took a while. I had to change the background to homasote board. That worked best.

I struggled with the placement of so many objects wife wished to include…Husband in his boat, their kiyaks, her decorations.

Here’s Husband happy with his Christmas present. Only showing eyball and his smile’s dimple… to preserve his privacy.

Art Update: October 8, 2024

Is your painting a lucky shot? How can you tell if it’s perfect?

Pondering some of my paintings. I occasionally pull one or two off my studio wall for a re-work.

I may add a few more brushstrokes, include another color, or re-work the whole painting. Sometimes I change the subject to something else.

If you create a painting and save it no matter how bad you know it is, you will learn a whole lot more by either throwing it away and starting over, or reworking the piece.

Throwing away a painting or re-working it takes guts for a budding artist. Believe me, as you get more into your art, you learn that change is good. If you mess up again, put it away and get back to it another time. If you painted it once, you can do it again. Don’t think you were lucky for the success you had in creating that last painting…that you may never be able to do that again.

Famous artists have destroyed their artwork, for various reasons. Michael Angelo was unhappy about the leg of Christ in his sculpture of The Disposition. The sculpture was salvaged, and the leg is still missing. Georgia O’Keefe, during her career as an artist and at the end of her life destroyed several of her paintings for personal reasons. Claude Monet destroyed some his works too. So trash or re-work your pieces and consider yourself among true artists.

The more you paint a subject, your observation skills improve. Critical thinking improves. Your painting will be better than your previous lucky, unexpected masterpiece. Practice makes better.

Perfect? Who determines “perfection” in any medium?

Once the artist puts down the brush or pen and acknowledges that he is done, he offers it to the world. Someone will appreciate what he has created and hopefully purchase it. “Perfection” is the acknowledgement by another person who buys the artwork and brings it home to admire further with family and friend.

So trash that last not-so-good painting you know sucks and start again…or do a re-work.

Art Update: August 2024

77th Annual Maine Lobster Festival

I submitted two paintings from my Orise Studio/Gallery to the Annual Lobster Festival.

Visitors to my Studio/Gallery often commented on these two paintings. So, I decided to put them out in the public viewing audience for the week of the Festival.
Last year, I won awards for two paintings submitted to the show, and later received a cash prize for one of the paintings. That was so unexpected!
A month later, a festival visitor from PA called to purchase one of the paintings.

Here are the two paintings submitted to this year’s 77th Lobster Festival Art Show.
(The Festival first began in 1947)

Curtis Light House with Apples
Acrylic on Canvas, Gallery Wrap
8″ x 10″ Stand on a shelf or hang on a wall.

Monhegan Island with Bananas
Acrylic on Canvas, Gallery Wrap
7″ x 7″ Stand on a shelf or hang on a wall.

If you go to the Lobster Festival, be sure to give the art show a peek.

Leave a comment and you will have a great day…I promise!

Wish me luck.

Art Update: Aug – Sept 2023

I retrieved my artwork at the Lobster Festival on its last day of activities.

Arriving at the display area, I found my two pieces had been moved to the center of the display wall. AND each painting had a ribbon.

I earned the two awards offered for the art jurying contest!

What an honor to receive both.

This year’s awards were dedicated to two women who devoted their art and their time to the Festival for several years.

Nature Speaks : Endurance – Earned the Maine Lobster Festival Betty Kinny Award 2023

The Betty Kinny Award is given to a painting inspired by a coastal scene.

This award is given in memory of the woman who established and directed the Maine Lobster Festival Art Show for 25 years.

Return to Port by Rockland Light Earned the Maine Lobster Festival Alice Knight Award 2023

The Alice Knight Award is given in memory of a woman of the community. She was born during the Great Depression and died at age 88 on Aug. 1, 2022. Her special mark on the Festival was her dedication to the artists, crafters and makers of the Midcoast and beyond.

I am proud that my work is represented with an association with these two impressive women in my neighborhood.

Thank you.

Please leave a comment below.

Art Update: Aug – Sept 2023

Last Wednesday, one of my works was accepted for the upcoming theme show “Water, Earth and Sky.”

The Water, Earth and Sky Art Opening is Saturday, August 5, 2023, from 2 – 5 PM.

Where: River Arts Gallery in Damariscotta, ME.

All artists will attend to greet the public.

Come visit and say “hi.”

Late Arrival
Oil on Canvas
(gallery wrap and framed)12 x 16″

What is the commotion all about?
Have the other gulls been waiting for the late arrival of an inconsiderate seagull? Or is this seagull a favored one they are finally privileged to see? What is the story? Can you relate?

More News:

I have entered two paintings for the Rockland Lobster Festival competition and show. I had done that for two years prior to Covid-19 in 2018 and 2019.

Nature Speaks : Endurance

Oil on Canvas
(gallery wrap)18 x 24″

Return to Port by Rockland Light

Oil on Canvas
(gallery wrap and framed)12 x 16″

Would you like to make my day?

Visit River Arts Gallery in Damariscotta and purchase a painting. Help support the local Maine artists. They deserve recognition for their hard labor at creating art.

AND, please visit the Lobster Festival. Go to the art tent to view all the artists and craftsmen showing and demonstrating their wares. My two paintings are in the show at the back of the tent. When you see them, let me know what you think. Or, if you are interested in purchasing them, contact me: jo@jomorise.com

Take care and be safe.

AND, leave a comment below. I appreciate it when you do.

Art Update: May-June 2023

Hi everyone, I participated in an Art Showing May – June at River Arts Gallery, in Damariscotta.

I displayed this painting – “Gulls are Free.” 8″x8″ oil, framed.

HOWEVER, I didn’t have time to let you know about it!

It was a very nice gathering. The artwork displayed was spectacular as usual.

Hubby came along with me to the opening. He found a couple of paintings and a photograph he particularly enjoyed.

But then, his hips suffered from standing too long. So he sat in the car — so I thought– to rest.

Later, from inside the gallery, I noticed the car empty. Where was hubby? No one knew. How could I lose a husband at an art showing?

Answer: the second hand book shop behind the gallery. Books are his heaven. He found a soft chair in which to sit and read. He was happy. And I was happy he found something to enjoy while I chatted with friends.

Then life happened. That is part of the human race…we have those busy times when there is lots to do, and some of it doesn’t get done.

Better luck next time.

Be back in a little bit to tell you about my next showing.

Art Update: February 2023

Still working on this painting. Schooner ship at sea on the Atlantic off Maine's Coast

Why? Something about it bothered me. I’d think about. I needed to look at it again. I’d sit staring at it. I know where my issues are in painting and try to overcome them. Like writing. After lots of keystrokes, the “Ah. Now I have it working like it should… ” moment arrives. Not so fast, dear writer. Have you left it for a bit, before re-reading it. Your comment should be “Ah. Now let’s give it a break; read it in a couple of weeks to see if it’s “…working like it should.” So, I removed the frame and propped the painting back on the easel… for days. Okay, now what are you going to do? “Pick up your brush and start blocking stuff out.” So I did. It felt both scary and good. I wanted the

painting to be better. For me. The creator. Limiting the palette to few colors, I focused on sky and water. Most of my work comes from sketches and photos captured on site, then I attend to my idea of what story/meaning could the viewer impart to the chosen subject and its surroundings? The titles chosen by me, the creator, act as a catalyst for the viewer, and gives it their interpretation of what and why. I have another empty spot on my studio wall. Working on another painting which will soon fill that spot.

Art Update: July 26-September 10, 2022

Hey guys, I dropped off this painting to River Arts Gallery in Damariscotta, Maine yesterday.

The theme is “Land and Sea.” Member and non-member artists are invited to display their work. I’ve seen some of the paintings/sculptures submitted. They are fantastic.

It’s a juried show, therefore, I hope to be included in the group displaying their work for a month. The only thing better’n displaying is selling the painting before the end of the show. That would be oh-so-cool, don’t you think?

When: The opening reception, and meeting the artists, is Saturday, July 30, 2022, from 2 to 4 PM.

Where: 36 Elm Street Plaza, Damariscotta.

How Long: Show will be on display from July 26 and continues until September 3, 2022.

Come visit.

If you can’t make it to the reception, that’s okay. Visit to fit your busy schedule.

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10 am to 4 pm

Closed: Sunday & Monday

I have another empty spot on my studio wall. Working on another painting which will soon fill that spot.

Comments welcome below:

Art Update August, 2021

Hey guys, I participated in the July showing at River Arts Maine Gallery in Damariscotta from July 7 to August 7, 2021.

Upon returning to pick up my piece, I found it had SOLD!

Knowing someone appreciated the hours spent creating, painting and fretting as I composed and layered color over color, to produce the effect desired, is a nice feeling.

I now have an empty spot on my studio wall. Presently, I am adding finishing touches to my current painting which will soon fill that spot.

Dear Art Lover,

Thank you for purchasing my work. May you enjoy many happy hours looking into the scene and imagining yourself there, experiencing the “Sunset at Curtis Light.”

Curtis light house at sunrise
Sunset at Curtis Light 12×16″ oil on canvas.

Drama was my goal. I love clouds, especially when they take on a lulminescence…a glow.

That glow reflected on the Curtis Lighthouse, the ocean, and the schooner anchored in the background.

This painting reminds me of my time at sea on a beautiful schooner, enjoying the fresh air, the evening sunsets, the lapping of the water against the ship, the laughter of the other guests and the crew. Yes, the crew and their comittment to make it a safe and wonderful experience. As we sailed up and down midcoast Maine’s waters, we were rewarded with gorgeous sunsets, beautiful light houses and rocky shores. Oh, and don’t forge the gulls. I hear them every day from my studio. They are a delight.