Local Cranberry Farm

A friend of mine and her husband own a beautiful cranberry farm and she invited me to visit for a paint-out.   She noted that the cranberry harvest was in progress which was music to my ears.   Bogs are harvested one at a time and although I do not profess to know the exact sequence and process, I do know that it is a gorgeous scene once the berries are jarred loose from the plant and float to the top of the flooded bog.

Local Bog - On Site in Progress

Gentle sloping hillsides led to the expansive bogs at the bottom.   Apple trees, cold frames and a rustic fenced vegetable garden dotted the winding country path to the bogs. Some of the massive trees that dotted the property had to be a century or two old.  It was as if I was in a remote rural location instead of a half mile from the busy center of our large town.    

Local Bog

I set up on a slope next to a couple of apple trees to my left, and behind me was the vegetable gardens and domed coldframes which provided a wind block.    From here I had a view of the harvest in progress with two thrasher machines skipping across the watery bog in tandem.     I had hoped for the classic and iconic crimson sea of berries being corralled, but the pre-flood,  maroon bog was stunning as well.  The foliage in the distance and the apple tree next to me provided lots of sunlit color as well.

I was imagining that this 2014 farm scene was probably not much different than it was fifty years ago or more.  It was truly like stepping back in time and a beautiful hidden treasure.

Golden Waves of Grain

Golden Waves of Grain

This painting was done as part of a demonstration for my friends at Compass on the Bay Senior Residence.  I decided to use a beautiful photo of a farm in autumn for my reference.  Each person in the audience had a copy of the photo in hand so that they could have a good look at what I was painting.

The painting session became an interactive experience with many seniors offering input into the painting process.   Seniors are refreshingly direct, and they freely offered their opinions and suggestions.   The farm scene provided a bright and colorful subject, working out well even for those with more limited vision. 

Autumn Festival at the Bogs

Autumn Festival at the Bogs - Stage One

It was Columbus Day, and for many people in Massachusetts, it meant a day off from school and/or school.  I set out to find a nice crimson cranberry bog, seeking mid-harvest action for this paint-out.   When I spotted this cranberry farm I fell right in line with the family filled cars entering the grassy field (converted to parking lot for the day).



Autumn Festival at the Bogs - Stage Two

The harvest had already been completed at this bog, but it was beautiful nonetheless.  Deep shades of maroon and purple served as the painting foreground and beyond the bog were the harvest festivities.  There were fire truck tours, hayrides and food vendors.   Cranberry bogs often have large sand piles for use in layering and patching the bogs.   During the harvest celebrations, these sand mountains are always a hit with the kids who love to climb to the top and tumble down to the bottom.   I spotted quite a few dusty looking children returning to their cars with family.



Autumn Festival at the Bogs

The day was mostly cloudy, but as always, I'm fine with that.   The filtered
light was consistent for the duration of the paint out, and it was a chance to capture some pretty clouds.

Dandelion Park

Little Blue Shed - Stage One

I remember when we first moved to Marshfield there was a plot of land at the corner of Webster Street and Ocean Street, a major intersection, that was an unsightly patch of weeds and rubble.   I'm not sure what had been there in years past, but someone had a dream to transform it.   In 2010, thanks to the Molly Fitzgerald Memorial Fund, it was transformed into a lovely little oasis dedicated with paths, greenery, and a water feature.   Molly was a remarkable fourteen year old Marshfield girl who died unexpectedly in 2006.  You will be as touched by her spirit as I was when I visited both the website link above - and Dandelion Park, the location of this painting.

Little Blue Shed - Stage Two

It was a pleasure to set up right in the middle of this serene little spot.   I could hear the water trickling from the small fountain.  The petite and perfectly-in-scale blue-gray shed stood out against the orange fall foliage.  Yes, I am always predictably attracted to a rustic shed, my center of interest.   I loved how the sun was lighting up the roof shingles and the white trim contrasted with the purplish blue shadows.  The photo is washing out the trim to a stark white although in reality, the white trim and light shingles have color when the painting is viewed in person.

 On the right, there was a butterfly bush and since we are well into October, the drying leaves looked silvery green.   I used a rainbow of pale lavender, pale pink, pale green and naples yellow for these silvery highlights.

Little Blue Shed at Dandelion Park

After completing a realistic rendition, it was time to stop looking at the scene and decide by looking - just at the painting - if changes were needed for the sake of a better painting (aka - artistic license).   I pumped up the orange foliage beyond the actual scene to counterbalance the complementary blue shed.     Are there any other changes readers could suggest for this painting?

Thank you to the Molly Fund for creating this beautiful open space!

Along Water Street in Plymouth

Water Street Shops

Gift shops opened their doors - literally - to tourists and locals on this warm, sunny September day.
Along Water Street there was a steady stream of walkers and many were interested enough to stop and chat about and/or observe the painting process.   The palette knife seems to be of particular interest.  I explained that I liked doing skies with wispy clouds with the palette knife, after which I usually switch to a brush. 



Many people stopped: a couple from Orleans who were spending the day on the "mainland."  two French speaking women with palette knife technique questions, a retired Cinncinati couple, lovely ladies Ellie and Christine, a female National Parks Ranger and a young mother who wondered, could that neck of land out there (Long Beach) possibly be Cape Cod?  A young lawyer from China even bought a painting of the Mayflower that I had done last year. 



Brewster Street Afternoon

I got two paintings done from virtually the same spot.   One painting captured the block of shops between Water Street and Winslow Street.  Racks of clothing, colorful souvenir shirts and bags hang along the windows.  The second painting is the scene looking up Brewster Street, the 1820 Courthouse and The Spire Theater at the top of the street.   For this second painting, I was looking directly into the sun, so the values are simplified to bright and dark.   The "black top" of the street actually appeared white. :)