Reality Check!

Somehow, I think I blinked and summer slipped right past me. Between family gatherings, gallery events, prepping for shows, framing pieces, and digitizing artwork, the season flew by in a blur. Now, here I am, standing at autumn’s doorstep with a summer to-do list still waiting for attention.

To top it off, our August newsletter went out late — not because it wasn’t ready (it was polished and sitting pretty on the first), but because I got distracted and never hit the “send” button. That’s when I knew it was time to refocus, clear out the clutter that doesn’t really add joy, and start shifting gears toward the holidays. By the way . . . it just happened again with this September newsletter.

Wait… the holidays? Already?
At this point, I might as well leave the snow shovel on the deck. No sense putting it away now.

First, Second and Third Place finishes

The Lakes Region Art Association’s 85th Annual Members Exhibit has come and gone. September 1st marks the end of this fantastic event and exhibit. Between Stephanie and Mike, five fine artworks were entered and three won ribbons. 

Petals & Possibility
Walking in the Winter Woods

Petals & Possibility by Stephanie McQuade
Third Place Ribbon in the Watercolor Division
A 16x12 watercolor that captures the joyful arrival of spring through blooming purple crocus. Set in an antique wood gold colored frame with a Swamp Holly green matte and non-glare glass, the piece is now adorned with a green third place ribbon.

Walking in the Winter Woods by Stephanie McQuade
Second Place Ribbon in the Pastels Division
A serene woodland path illuminated by a low winter sun. This large pastel (15.5x10.75) is enclosed in a 24”x 18” white wood frame under non-glare glass and is now augmented with a red second place ribbon.

Bloom’n Time by Mike McQuade
First Place in the Color Photograph Division
This 24x12 studio photograph celebrates the fleeting beauty of tulip blooms nearing their peak. The subtle curl of withering leaves adds depth to the scene. When Mike later discovered a group of classic frames from a local estate, one stood out—and this image found its perfect home. Today, it has a blue first place ribbon draped over the frame’s upper edge.

What didn’t rank in the ribbons?

Mike’s Dahlia #6 - Elegance in Monochrome and Stephanie’s Twilight Blaze are still on exhibit in the Lakes Region Art Gallery’s exhibit panels but did not win out in their divisions.

All artwork submitted to the competition was left in the exhibit for the month of August and visitors were encouraged to cast their vote in the People’s Choice Award for the best in each division and for Best in Show. Those results will be announced during the October “Birches & Boats Exhibit” reception on October 11th.

Bloom'n Time
Dahlia #6 - Elegance in Monochrome
Twilight Blaze

September in Windham, NH

Searles Arts & Crafts Fair - September 13 from 10-3

3 Chapel Rd, Windham, NH 03087.
This is a small, quaint show with a lot of quality exhibitors in art, wood working and more. The fair typically runs from 10 to 3 and benefits a local charity. This will be our third year at this show. In 2024 we were on the road side of the stone chapel and hope to repeat this location again in 2025.

45th Meredith Fine Arts & Craft Festival

Great Time, Great Weather, Great Location

by Mike McQuade

August 23rd and 24th marked the 45th time the Meredith Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual festival. If memory serves me, there were 73 vendors spread across Main Street and the upper parker lot behind the Mill Place. Traffic was great throughout the show and the weather was just about as ideal as could be expected- though Saturday was a bit “toasty” at times.

We were a little upset when we found we were located next door to the only other photographer in the show, Jeremy Noyes Photography. That usually doesn’t happen and the organizers admitted it was an error on their part. We’ve known Jeremy for years. He is a great photographer, a great person and was a great neighbor for the weekend. We got to visit and interact for two days and the juxtaposition was not a real issue and visitors wandered from one exhibit tent to the next.

It’s always interesting to see what images draw the most attention each time we set up one of our show tents. Last year it was Stephanie’s “Elsie & Elmer” watercolor painting, two cows starring out at you as you might see them looking over the farmers fence. This year, I had multiple people checking out the 36” wide “Nightlife on the Piscataqua” metal print. But the most questions originated from the “Old Cuckold Light & Fog Station” black and white framed print. Everyone wanted to know where it was and were interested in how I got such a great image of a lighthouse a half mile off shore.

Stephanie’s points of interest was a split between her pastel painting “Tangle of Colors” depicting a field of wild flowers and her textured acrylic painting “Shimmering Aspens.”

Shimmering Aspens
Tangle of Colors
Old Cuckold Light & Fog Station

Due to our busy schedule in August, not much has progressed within the “art-in-progress” category. We’ll give an update in the October newsletter. Hopefully, progress will have been made by then. Frames and matte board have been acquired, but are still on the shelf waiting for open time. In the mean time, let us know which of the following you are anxious to see completed.

In the Works . . . .

Quick snap shots of incomplete works using my phone
Lion's Pride
Lilies & Lace
Blue Surf
Standing Alone
Koala Mom
Unnamed

Art Classes Starting October 21st!

This is a five week course designed for absolute beginners and budding artists, this in-person class offers step-by-step guidance in a welcoming, fun, supportive environment.

Watercolor for Beginners Class

Take your watercolor skills to the next level with juried artist Stephanie C. McQuade in this five-week in-person course designed for students with basic watercolor experience.

Intermediate Watercolor Class

Embark on a vibrant journey into the world of pastels with this 5-week introductory course designed to build foundational skills and creative confidence.

Introduction to Pastels Class

New Art, Hidden Treasures & A Tribute in the Making

I’ll admit it—I’ve been a bit neglectful when it comes to updating the McQuade Fine Arts website. And in the digital world, stale content is a surefire way to slide down the search rankings. So, this past week, I began rotating in new artwork and retiring a few longtime residents that had overstayed their welcome.

Each main gallery now features six to eight highlighted pieces available as original works, matted prints, or greeting cards. But let’s be honest—every artist and photographer has far more than a handful of favorites. That’s why we’re introducing Backstage Galleries—a behind-the-scenes look at additional artwork that’s not on public display but still available for purchase by email request. As of this writing, these new galleries are only available on Mike’s Landscapes page and Flowers page. A link button appears at the bottom of each of the galleries that will jump you over to the Backstage. More will be made available in the coming months.

Also beginning to take shape is a heartfelt addition: the long-anticipated Robert A. McQuade Memorial Gallery. My late brother Bob was not only a talented wildlife and landscape photographer but also a gifted painter. After retiring, he took to the open road in a 32-foot Class A motorhome, chasing 70-degree days and migrating birds across the American West. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, he continued his journey, drawing inspiration from every mile traveled.

While many of Bob’s photographs were captured for use as painting references and presentations—some too small for large-format printing—they’re still a joy to behold. In the coming months, we’ll be opening dedicated pages to celebrate his legacy, with select images available as matted prints or greeting cards.

Stay tuned—there’s much more to come.