Mild Maritime School Paint Out

View from the Duxbury Maritime School

What is a bustling place three seasons of the year was nearly deserted on this mid-February day.    The temperatures hit fifty and considering the harsh winter we have had, it was a heat wave.  The rear of the Duxbury Maritime School, overlooks Duxbury Bay, a gorgeous view with the Duxbury Beach barrier peninsula on the horizon and the low-tide mud flats along the immediate shorelines.   The only boats at moorings were oyster boats with their mini cranes for pulling up their weighty catch.  

It's amazing to discover how many shades of blue there can be in the water.   The furthest waters had a pale violet hue; the still waters along the layers of peat outcroppings reflected more of  a sky color.   A true marine blue was in the mid-distance and closest to the dock was a greenish gold.    I thought it was quite a boring painting until I added two interesting elements, namely the wispy fair weather clouds and an oyster boat that motored by with a dog at the bow and owner at the wheel.

 The next time I have my oysters-on-the-half-shell appetizer, I'll be thinking of the fishermen who have this tough, cold (and year round) job .