Relaxing Riverside

Relaxing Riverside

We carved out time during a trip to Western MA for plein air painting.  Lots of streams and rivers crisscross the Connecticut River Valley.   We stumbled upon this beautiful spot along Millers River in Erving, MA.   I shouldn't say that its discovery was completely by chance, because my husband speculated that there would be access spots below the several bridges that traverse the waterways.   Similar to how people hang out and relax at the ocean shoreline, a few people sat in the shade of the bridge buttress enjoying the water.   This sweet pooch was full of energy and would greet all who came down the path.   He also put on a show for us.  He would float with the river current, then scramble to the edge and bound back to his owner, who barely moved a muscle.

Leaning Pond Trees

Leaning Pond Trees

Another pond paint-out this week.   I was standing in the same spot as last week but turned about 30 degrees to the south.   These two trees lean toward the pond, and away from the small pond-side cabin - thankfully.   Some dead branches dip down toward the water and out toward the water and the sunshine.   I included the white lilies and lily pads this time.   The goal was to convey a sense of dappled sunshine that makes my time there so pleasant.  Perhaps it still needs more sunshine...
 
What do you think? 

Summer Pond Impression

Summer Pond Impression

My son lives on a gorgeous little pond in southeastern MA, made all the more pristine because motorized watercraft aren't allowed.   On this very hot day, I worked on this summer color study - just for the fun of it.   The vast patches of lilypads were covered with pretty white flowers.  I was tempted to paint them as any Monet lover would, but decided to paint a long view instead.  Just like all the color studies I've produced over the years, it turned out better than a "planned and finished" painting.  I like the choppiness of the color, giving it a painterly quality.

Much of the paint was applied with a palette knife with the color barely blended.   A closer view shows the ribbons of color in a single stroke.   The only hint of sky is in the reflections in the water just beyond the rocks.   Looking downward at the sky reflections made them appear darker and almost murky blue. 

Lonesome Cedar

Lonesome Cedar - Stage One

Cedar trees are a common sight on the South Shore of Massachusetts.   If you have ever been in a Cedar Grove, you know that their dense habit creates a natural noise cancelling effect; it is almost magical how they deaden the sounds.

Lonesome Cedar - Stage Two

There aren't too many Cedar Groves left,  but often there will be a lone cedar at the edge of a field, marsh or river.   They usually look very dark and bushy against any sunlit backdrop, as in this painting done along the North River, looking toward Marshfield, MA.

Lonesome Cedar - Final

Aaah - Vacation

Aaah ... Vacation

This patio is a beautiful spot especially in the morning. The arbor juts out to the west from the house, the perfect place to be for a summer vacation morning.   The July greens are lush and moist and the tendrils of the vines stretch for sunlight above the arbor, and things a blooming. 

This is a large painting that was executed in several steps because of all the architectural elements. It was more work than most, which is ironic because the theme of the scene pays homage to doing sweet nothing!

That's not me, by the way. :)