Peachy at the Beachy

Peachy at the Beachy

It was a delightfully warm summer day - not too humid with a midday tide.   After my winter beach painting experience in Florida, I wanted to practice some of the color-work that I had learned.  Specifically, warm peachy colored sand looks magical when contrasted with deep cornflower blue shadows.  

The scene was facing south and included the shoreline houses of Marshfield's Fieldston area and a wide expanse of Rexhame Beach.   I wanted to include the lifeguard stand and and myriad of beach parasols that dotted the shoreline.   I worked from the top and soon discovered that I had a lot of canvas at the bottom with little interest.   This was composition issue that I wanted to correct, not by including more beachgoers or the rocks, but by way of bolder brushstrokes that would offer shapes and shadows typical of a dunes beach.  Perhaps even more bold strokes are needed!?  What do you think?

Garden Tour Along South River

Garden of an Expert

One of my favorite paint outs of the year is the annual Cliff Rogers Garden Tour.   On the third Tuesday of each June, I get to paint at one of the many stellar Marshfield home gardens that are literally 5-10 minutes away from me.   

This year I painted at a very special garden just a few yards from the South River.  The home is situated just across the water from Humarock.   The master gardener who lives here was as welcoming and gracious as could be, and not just to me, but to all those who walked through.   I heard her answer dozens of gardening questions, from very basic to impressively advanced.  She took the time and energy to explain, and her love of gardening came shining through.   

As I set up, I looked for shade and fortunately there was a good source of continuous shade  spot under some thick, old thick cedars.  I began painting in all the dark areas, holding of on the vivid blossoms. Most people who came through on the earlier side were probably wondering how in the world this canvas was going to turn into a colorful lush garden scene.    If only we could somehow capture  moist air, floral fragrances and constant movement of bees, butterflies and birds.  I decided to include the garden's creator in the painting as she was just as integral and constant part of the garden as the anchoring shrubs.  I feel like this painting does not do justice to this lovely gardener's botanical work of art.   My thanks to her for hosting all of us.