Every September, a group of painters fans out across Belfast and Waldo County. We were set up on the harbor, along quiet backroads and in downtown Belfast, responding to the light and landscape in real time. This was the 4th annual Art Works for Humanity, a plein air painting event organized by Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County. It is their largest fundraiser of the year.
This year’s artists were Deena Ball, Ian Bruce, Daniel Corey, Marsha Donahue, David Estey, Stephan Giannini, Eric Glass, David Hurley, Renee Lammers, Bjorn Runquist, Matthew Russ, Holly L. Smith, Suzannah Sinclair, Michael E. Vermette, Nora West and me.
The premise is simple: we create original plein air paintings and these works are then auctioned to raise money for affordable housing. The live auction is this coming Saturday, October 4, and you can buy tickets here. This includes an elegant reception and the opportunity to meet me and other artists in person. Or, for the first time, you can bid online, here.
The event will be held at the United Farmers Market of Maine, 18 Spring Street in Belfast. The public viewing starts at 3:00 PM, followed by a reception at 4:30 PM, and the live auction begins at 5:30 PM. Belfast’s mayor, Eric Sanders, will serve as auctioneer. If you can’t be there in person, please consider bidding online.
I painted my work—a large panoramic vista of Belfast Harbor—from the east end of the pedestrian bridge. That hadn’t been my original intention; I’ve had a love affair with the rockscape of the head of tide of the Passagassawakeag River for several years. However, as I was heading down its steep gorge, a fisherman was climbing up. “Water level is real low,” he said. “As low as I’ve ever seen it.” That doesn’t make for brilliant painting.
Instead, I drove back towards Belfast. A beautiful swirl of clouds curled over the city. It’s a good thing I laid them in fast. By the next day, the moisture was gone and we’d settled back into the pattern of blue skies and soft breezes that have characterized this summer.
On the pedestrian bridge, I talked to countless people, both visitors and locals. That included my old friend and gallerist, Eileen McDermott, who was out on her daily walk. She stuck around to tell people about the event. I was reminded of just how much I miss having her promoting my paintings.
One of the things I like best about art auctions is the opportunity to see my old friends. You might think we’d be falling all over each other while painting, but we had ten days and all of Waldo County at our disposal. It will be great to reconnect on Saturday.
Habitat for Humanity of Waldo County is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. They build decent, safe and affordable housing on terms that local people can afford. That’s a crying need here in midcoast Maine, where housing costs are very high.
Habitat’s model is to sell houses to working families who qualify after going through a multi-step application process. The new home owners also contribute at least 200 hours of sweat-equity to both their own and other Habitat houses.
Art Works for Humanity works because it’s so direct. Artists contribute their time and talent. Collectors and neighbors come to view and bid. Everyone’s efforts combine to support something bigger than any one painting.
I’m pleased to be part of this event again. If you’re in Belfast, come see the work, meet the painters and raise your paddle. If you’re online, bid early and often. It’s for a great cause.
Registration is now open for workshops in 2026! Reserve your spot:
- Advanced Plein Air Painting | Rockport, ME, July 13-17, 2026
- Sea & Sky | Acadia National Park, ME, August 2–7, 2026
- Find your Authentic Voice in Plein Air | Berkshires, MA, August 10-14, 2026
- New! Color Clinic 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 3-4, 2026
- New! Composition Week 2026 | Rockport, ME, October 5-9, 2026
Can’t commit to a full workshop? Work online at your own pace:
