Grand Town Hall

It's mid October and the Nemasket Plein Air Festival is in full swing in Middleborough, MA.  

Their town hall is such a beautiful old building.   There are many ornate features that would be deserving of a painting, but I focused on the tower so as to include the sky and folliage.  I set up in the far side of the parking lot next to a row of gloriously yellow maples.   The sky started out cloudless, then milky clouds drifted in.   By the end of the painting session it was completely overcast, ahhh, the fun of plein air.  Luckily, I locked the sky down about 40 minutes in.  The trick with the tower was to simplify with the shadow patterns and a few highlights.  Not perfect, but definitely plein air!

Grand Town Hall

Nemasket Water Station

Nemasket Water Station

The Nemasket River weaves its way through Middleborough, MA and because of how densely populated the area is, there are several roadways that pass over the water and afford some very scenic river views.  One such place is an area known as The Herring Run on Wareham Street. 

I set up my gear right on the sidewalk next to this little brick building that apparently serves, or served, some purpose related to water. The pristine photo of the bubbling water and autumn colors and reflections belies the actual experience.   There was no Zen.  hahaha.  I could not have picked a worse spot.   There was an active construction site to the left with a constant roar of backhoes and tractors.  As a main town thoroughfare, there were trucks, busses and cars screaming around the curve where I was, a little nervewracking.    I liked the visuals though and I tried to concentrate and paint quickly.

 

Nemasket Water Station

The little brick building was a puzzle.  I guessed it could house equipment, or a water gate/dam, work or assist somehow in the herring run system just 100 yards to the south of it.   I just liked it because the shape and red brick of the structure was an interesting contrast to the autumn trees and rushing water!