Blue Crab Circle

Blue Crab Ring

This painting was an imaginary design.   I positioned my crabs in a circle, trying to inject some variety in both shapes and color.   Crabs typically sink down into the sand and the swirling water around them can create sandy ripples.   In this painting the mounds of sand emphasize this curved armature.   The canvas itself was an odd, almost square shape and I thought having a circular design was a suitable offset.

It's summer and I love having Cadmium Orange on my palette .... it is a good color for mixing summer light, and of course blue is its complementary color. 

Fishing Off the Beach at Sunrise

Fishing from the Beach at Sunrise

Walking at the shore, it's common to see the little fish jumping out of the water in groups; bigger fish just behind them I assume - bluefish or stripers maybe.    This fisherman must have spotted the same dark swirl in the water.   He demonstrated just how beach fishing is done...wading into the surf, casting as far as possible with his long ocean rod, then walking up to the tideline to place it in the rod holder.   Yes, a beautiful scene for a painting!

The undertone for this painting was a pretty mid-value blue, sure to be a good complement for the reddish/orange sunrise.   At one point, this blue undertone had me thinking that I might not even have to paint the beach houses that receded into the distance.   Once the primary wave was painted though, its darkness created a problem with the darkness of the houses by contrast, ie that original blue undertone was too light.  So I added hints of shadow and rooflines.   The obvious center of interest rightfully gets its attention, but the beautiful beach at dawn is a perfectly colorful backdrop, even with a crashing, three foot surf.

Hot Vacation Week at the Beach

Hot Vacation Week at the Beach

Beach houses that are situated on the east facing shorelines of New England are lucky for many reasons.   One of the best reasons is that they have a perfectly clear view of sunrise.   As a morning person, I've noticed that often people will rise early and get right out onto the beach, especially the big family groups like in this scene.  It may have been too hot to sleep.   Perhaps they haven't gone to bed yet - ha.

 I liked this composition where the shade tent offered a dark contrast and some silhouettes against the orangey dawn.   I added some atmosphere to the shoreline figures to convey the humidity...more? less?   I'm all ears.... :)

Passion for Purple (aka Cool Red Zinnias)

Cool Red Zinnias

On my easel now is a summer floral.  In the light background, there is an abstract pattern of leaf shapes which forms a layer of interest behind the contrasting dark crimson and purple zinnias.  

In front of the arrangement there is a mixture of cool (and colorful) light shining on long stems.   Zinnias are fun to paint because their rows of petals form a circular bullseye around the center.   I played with the light on the tips of the petals to show where the light was casting from above. 

I still may change the color of the vase - too dull.  What do you think?

Fenway Farms

Fenway Farms

Over the past few years, venerable Fenway Park in Boston has been improved, expanded and modernized in many ways - at least to the extent it can be.   Its tiny footprint in the middle of the city of Boston may be a drawback, but the special character and electric atmosphere at Fenway more than makes up for its old-fashioned aspects - for example, seat size!

One fascinating upgrade is the addition of a rooftop garden which supplies some of the produce for the wide variety of nice cuisine now available.    Here is a pre-game scene, an hour before sunset, depicting the long rows of mixed greens. What an unlikely location, all surrounded by brick and concrete.  Why the produce is as green
as the dazzling Fenway Park turf!