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!