Capri Meets Boston

The "Stay-At-Home" challenge was presented to artist members of the Copley Society in Boston recently.   During the long storied history of the Copley Society of Art, there have been dozens of famous artists who were connected to or displayed at this historic Society.   We were challenged to choose a painting by one of the historic artists of the past and pay tribute to their work with a new creation.

John Singer Sargent was born to American parents in Europe, where he trained, travelled and worked.  Though very active in Europe, he frequented the Boston area in the late 1800s.   Many of Sargent's murals are found in the Boston Public Library, the Museum of Fine Arts, and Harvard's Widener Library. Sargent's largest scale works are the mural decorations that grace the Boston Public Library depicting the history of religion and the gods of polytheism. He worked on the cycle for almost thirty years but never completed the final mural. Sargent drew on his extensive travels and museum visits to create a dense art collection.  The murals were restored in 2003–2004.

Rooftop

Perhaps I should have paid homage to a Boston-based work, but his paintings from Italy are my favorites.  They have a flair all their own.   I particularly like this painting by Sargent because of the fun mood and carefree summer feel.  

Boston Harbor Grand View

This painting was a very large undertaking and now, after working on it for three years, it is "critique-ready".

The expansive scene depicts Boston Harbor from the fifth floor of the Boston Harbor Hotel.   This venue is a personal favorite, but not a place where we, or most, can often afford.   The painting depicts a busy summer vista; you name it - it's happening. On the water, along the shore and even overhead there is movement and action.   At water level, there are ferries, schooners, sailboats, tugs and tankers.   Along the water's edge the World Trade Center, several hotels, the Moakley Federal Courthouse, and lavish waterfront residences are visible.  In the distance is Logan Airport with jets lifting off every two minutes.   

"I really ought to tackle this scene in paint," I had declared on more than one occasion.  I remember being mesmerized at the hotel window trying to take it all in. It would have to be a large painting and in my old studio, I barely had room to work on it.  When I did put it on the easel, there wasn't space to work on anything else - how mundane.   In the new, larger studio, I have the space and I was able to dedicate a corner for this project and still be able to work on other creations.

The most challenging part of this project was assembling all the reference material.  I used several pictures of the harbor, covering this wide expanse.   The dome-topped pavilion became my measuring unit for sizing the many pictures involved.

The lighting scheme is late afternoon and there were tropical shower clouds drifting in from the northwest.   I am open to feedback, good, bad or otherwise!

Boston Harbor Grand View

Doorways on Marlborough St

Marlborough Street 18

The doorways in the Back Bay of Boston shine with style and finesse all year long, but in late summer the flowers are peaking and the frontages are especially pretty.   For capturing city scenes in paint, I gravitate to Marlborough Street because it is quieter than Boylston or Commonwealth, which are just as grand.   Even the less manicured frontages have the elegance of mid-1800 architecture.

Lunch Along Boston Harborwalk

Family Lunch

These lucky folks are enjoying lunch at the Boston Harbor Hotel along the Harborwalk.     The two parents, a son, and a daughter are vacationing in Boston.   The daughter is slated to start school in the Fall.  In anticipation, there are lots of nerves, judging by their faces, but they are enjoying this, the last pre-college family trip.

What attracted me to the scene was the curviness of the bright iron tables and chairs.   The family of four, was encircled with all the lines.   Also the dark red brick really set off the white furniture and dinner napkins on the laps of the diners.   With this many shapes and colors, the painting should keep the viewer interested for more than a few seconds.  At least that is the goal.

The truth is, I painted this from a reference photo taken from five floors up while I was on vacation.   It was a wide angle shot that included a band that was playing, almost panoramic.  This family was incidental to the photo, but I cropped it and zeroed in on this snippet.  Also, I made up the whole first paragraph.  I have no idea who these people are!   :)

Inspiration from Historical Hassam

Marlborough Street - Childe Hassam

Every Spring, the Copley Society of Art holds an event called "Fresh Paint".   Dozens of painters head out into the streets and waterfronts of Boston to capture the scenes in the open air tradition, better known as "en plein air."

To this year's event there was an added twist.   We were invited to choose a painting from a list of forty famous Boston based paintings and use that painting as inspiration in the creation of our new piece.    I selected painter Childe Hassam's Impressionist painting of Marlborough Street shown here.

Inspired by Hassam Marlborough Street

My version, inspired by Hassam's city-scape, a corner in Boston's Back Bay, is missing the horse and buggies and the long dresses.    The red rooftops, long shadows and stoop-front roses remain very similar.

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!

Boston Long Wharf View

Walking Boston Long Wharf

It was Fresh Paint Day in Boston!   With Boston Harbor behind me, I set up on the far end of Long Wharf and looked straight up State Street positioning the Old State House in the far distance.  The Boston Harbor Islands ferry docked here and I was able to hear the tour guide's script several times.   "Boston is built on 75% man made land..." - one factoid that stuck with me.  It was a great day all around, though not an easy painting experience.  Most of my energy was spend trying to "de-complicate" the scene. 
There was a mix of old and new buildings but I concentrated on blunt shapes.   It is hard to stay out of the details, but with limited time, there is no choice.    I used a board with a grey undertone.   Once the sky was carved in, the furthest buildings seemed done given the nice grey that conveyed distance.   The figures came and went, so the walkers here were done as an assimilation of the features of several people over the course of two hours.

As the in-progress photo shows, I had pre-framed the canvas and used painters' blue tape to mask the edges.   Once I finished, I peeled off and headed back to CoSo to the artists' party and drop off.    This is a nice auction for anyone who would like a painting of a Boston scene.  Forty painters participated and you could get a great deal!

Bids taken now through May 3, 2018 at the Copley Society of Art.

Duck House with Pigeons

This painting was started on a perfect 75 degree August day last year in Boston.  I just came across it during my studio clean up.   It was so close to being done that I set about adding the final touches.

Beautiful Boston Public Garden (BPG) is a popular spot for locals and tourists.  People stroll about, some enjoying the swan boats that slowly paddle around the pond.  One look at the green scene and I reached for a linen panel undertoned with burnt sienna.   I knew this reddish base coat would help relieve the myriad of greens.  It also allowed me to skip painting the brick buildings in the background altogether - at least for the paint-out portion.

Duck House with Pigeon - BPG

Duck House with Pigeons

The pond was essentially green, not because of dirty water, but because it was reflecting the green willows and beeches on the far side.   Out in the middle of the pond was a duck house, my center of interest.   Apparently nobody had told the pigeons that this was a duck house because there were dozens of pigeons sunning themselves on its pale gray roof.   This is a city after all!

So please excuse the insertion of a painting from August while in the middle of February!

Full Moon Over Zakim Bridge

Full Moon Over Zakim Bridge

It was zero degrees and we were walking (half running actually) to the TD Garden for a New Year's Eve Basketball game.   Despite the biting cold and winds, the spectacular scene of the moon splitting the space between the Zakim Bridge and the TD Garden called for a picture.   I was so glad we stopped to snap it, as it turned out to be a great photo reference for this painting.  There were no people because we were the only crazy ones walking in the brutal temperatures.  The long horizontal aspect was perfect for the 12x24 inch canvas.  The city lights and neon signs were bright and colorful.   Even the North Station trains and the turquoise supports were visible beyond the city snowbanks.  This is going to be a good over the sofa addition for a Boston sports fan I think!

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Frozen Boston Skyline

Frozen Charles River at Dusk

New Year's Eve 2018 we celebrated along the banks of the Charles River just behind Boston's Science Museum.  What a view of the city from inside our room at the Sonesta Hotel!  The John Hancock building and the Prudential Tower were the tallest and most recognizable buildings from here.  The historic Longfellow bridge with its "salt and pepper" shaker shaped central towers was visible as well.    The whole scene was breathtaking and especially spectacular at dusk.

In the painting, the Charles River reflections may look watery, but it was ice that was picking up the reflections. People in the Boston area may remember that this was an absolutely frigid weekend, with temperatures well below zero.     The only water was a very small patch at Charles River boat club moorings. Around some shrink-wrapped boats, water pumps were running, presumably designed to keep the icy from forming around these fancy boats.  This dark watery area had attracted several geese that were huddled together at the edge, literally not moving for hours.

Fenway Park - Behind Bleachers View

Night Game at Fenway

This Fenway Park scene depicts the view from the tunnel between Bleacher Sections 40 and 41.    It's always a thrill to emerge from the darkish concession area to the mesmerizing and colorful buzz of Boston's Fenway Park, especially at night.    The energy of the crowd is contageous and the setting is like no other in Major League Baseball. The classic Fenway Park sign with its vintage red lettering is boldly emblazoned over the homeplate area. 

The painting has some strong angular lines but also rounded and fuzzy areas such as the figures and the crowd.  The warm orange lighting from the concession area under the stadium seating contrasts nicely with the cool day-toned type of stadium lights.   The World Series just ended, but finishing this painting has got me looking forward to spring training already!

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Boston Hatch Shell Reflections

Boston Hatch Shell Reflections - Stage One

I found a parking spot on Beacon Street in late morning as I was heading to the Copley Society to drop off some paintings.   This spot was just a few yards from Arlington Street and the intersection that leads to the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge over Storrow Drive.  I've wanted to paint along the Charles River for some time now, but I had myself convinced it was not really accessible, and would involve too much walking.   This was my chance though, and it did require some hiking. 

Boston Hatch Shell Reflections - Stage Two

I placed my gear on wheels and headed for the famous Hatch Shell, a half-moon shaped outdoor stage located on the Boston side of the Charles River.   The green space here is also known as the "Esplanade."  There were several little footbridges over the parallel waterways and I painted one that was bathed in sunlight.   I painted from the next footbridge over. 

Mounted State Police Unit Passing By

Although leafy trees largely obscured my direct view of the Hatch Shell stage, its golden sunlit reflection was visible in the water.  As is often the case with plein air, the scene was loaded with elements to the point of being chaotic.  As the painting progressed though, the wildness was tamed down by the rhythm of color mixing and palette knife strokes.  With reflections, they are best developed right in synch with their subjects and not as an after-thought.

Boston Hatch Shell Reflections

Commonwealth Ave Window Boxes

Comm Ave Window Boxes - Stage One

In Boston's Bay Bay, Commonwealth Ave is undoubtedly among the most picturesque urban stretches in Boston.   The greenway down the middle is always busy with walkers, and now with Spring upon us it offers a pleasant and shady path that connects the Public Garden and Kenmore Square.

Most of these residential buildings have exquisite mini front gardens, each one more lovely than the next.   This "brownstone's" color was more plum than brown which is probably why the fuschia window boxes looked so striking.

Comm Ave Window Boxes - Stage Two

My canvas was a small 8x8", underpainted in a neutral tone. The architectural drawing of the buildings took most of my time.  I wanted my verticals perfectly vertical.  The facets of the bay windows each relate a different value of the plum.  The photos do lie in that they don't quite capture how warm and yellow the light was.

Among the people who stop to watch or ask questions, my unscientific estimate is that 75 percent have painted and/or want to paint.    And why is it that people who want to paint more, don't?   Well, I've been that person and there are lot of reasons.  It's waaaaay too complicated for a single blog post!

Comm Ave Window Boxes - Stage Two

Here is the painting result so far.   The most fun is yet to come - the sunlit tree branches and the flower highlights.   And definitely more yellow!
Finished painting is now on the website.




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Fenway Park Gate B

Fenway Park Gate B - Stage One

Boston's beloved Fenway Park is nestled into the city surrounded by streets and back alleys, unlike the sprawling parking lots and plaza's of many newer professional ballparks.   That is precisely one of the reasons that a visit here is so unique, nostalgic, and energizing.   How do thirty-five thousand people get absorbed into such a small footprint, in the space of a few hours?  

Many of them enter through the back gates along Ipswich Street.   Here on the Gate B side, people can take photos with the statues of Red Sox legends such as Carl Yastremski and Ted Williams.   Trolleys typically use this corner for their hop-on/hop-off customers.     On this day, the corner was busy since it was a game day, but first pitch was still a few hours away.   Vendors were arriving and the cleaning crew was tending the area.  I think there was actually a anticipatory buzz in the air even though most of the fans had not even arrived yet.  

I thought that the biggest challenge for this painting would be matching the famous Fenway green.  That went well enough but surprisingly, the pavement proved to be a more challenge.   Given the bright sunshine, the blacktop was light grey with various shades of shimmer mixed in and it took a few tries.   The painting offers several points of interest including the statues, the garage, the trolley, the upper stadium, and the trolley with riders.

So remember, the next time you visit Fenway, check out the back entrance for a walk down the Red Sox Memory Lane. And incidentally, if you have children with you, entering through Gate K (for Kids) means extra fun and it is located just to the right of Gate B.

Haymarket II

Haymarket II

I always liked the painting I did a while back of the vendor area at Boston's Haymarket, which is just east of Fanueil Hall Marketplace in Boston, MA.   I liked it so much that I decided to paint a new version of it.
On market day, the street is transformed into a festive collection of tents and awnings under which dozens of vendors sell their colorful produce and more.   In this scene the orderly chaos was brightly lit from one end so I played up the directional light in warm tones, contrasting that with deep blue shadows.  This painting would make a nice momento for anyone who has fond memories of trips to Haymarket.

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Boston Guild at Public Garden

Painting with the Boston Guild

Today a number of painters gathered at the Boston Public Garden to share easels and supplies with anyone who wanted to give painting a try.    It was a gorgeous October day so in addition to interested painters, lots of tourists and walkers were enjoying the demonstrations.

Footbridge in Progress

My painting depicts a classic Boston scene, namely the footbridge over the duck pond.  I don't mind painting a scene that I've painted before, in fact, it seems easier.    Perhaps being familiar with the lines and angles from a previous paint out frees up the mind to inject some creative flair.  In this case it was using multi-colored piles of paint (unblended), applied in a thick layer for the high key bridge supports, and the darkest transparents under the bridge.   And although it was October, few trees had peak autumn colors.  That didn't deter me (and other painters) from pumping up the greens with yellow, gold and red.   The many trees were reflected in the duck pond, broken up by the surface ripples.  

Engagement

I noticed several couples pausing on the bridge, enjoying their romantic moment.   Hugs, selfies and even engagements happen here.   This famous spot is a beloved Boston scene, and a perfect scene to share with your beloved.


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Graceful Back Bay Architecture

Marlborough St - Back Bay

Hugh Maguire's book entitled "My First 40 Jobs: A Memoir" describes Marlborough Street in the Back Bay section of Boston, MA this way:  "Marlborough Street is filled with old red brick townhouses, condominiums, and apartments three to five stories high featuring countless bay windows, gables, turrets; and you can look inside some windows and see brilliant chandeliers shining from high-ceilinged, spacious rooms.   In front were tiny plots of grass bordered by high, black iron fences harkening back to the 1800's.   Tulips, roses, daffodils, hyacinth, crocuses, azaleas and rhododendron bushes brighten the eyes on these tiny lawns.  Dogwood and magnolia trees planted a century earlier on the sidewalks and on some miniature lawns turned spring in Marlborough Street into an unforgettable sight.   To this day I consider Marlborough Street the most beautiful street in Boston." 

I would be hard pressed to argue with him.  Marlborough Street has been the subject of several my paintings now, all of which have been sold.   This painting features a stretch of homes on Marlborough Street between Fairfield and Gloucester Streets, and the starring role goes to the home with the magnificent slate shingled turret.

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House Portrait

It is a very big deal when people move, bigger still when the move is from a house that they called home for many years.   Compound that with a lifelong city dweller relocating to the suburbs? - huge. I'm thinking that parking problems, low flying jets, and air/noise pollution will not be missed. Instead,  silent and daily thanks are given at the joy of pulling into a driveway.  :)

House Portrait

But in reality, living within minutes and walking distance of friends, family and work, especially when children are young, provides a unique support system that most lifelong suburbanites do not understand.    For Bostonians in traditional neighborhoods, social networks aren't a new phenomenon accessed by staring at an ipad, but rather by simply sitting on the front steps, or walking to the bank and corner store.   City living can be quite good and today's surging real estate sales prove that today's twenty and thirty somethings realize it.

A house is just wood and nails - that is, until newborns are brought home, holidays are celebrated there, and renovations completed.   All of these special life events place a personal signature on a house making it a memorable place.  This cityscape will hang in the new suburban home of a friend who is still adjusting to her new digs and locale.  A way to remember that this was a good place to raise a family and call home.

Boston Waterfront Nocturne

Boston Waterfront Nocturne

The Boston Harbor Waterfront has become a world class attraction over the years.  The extensive Boston Harborwalk weaves in and out of each wharf and is just magical on a warm summer evening, especially if you enjoy the person/people you are with!

This scene depicts Rowes Wharf on just such a night.   The Boston Harbor Hotel and the Custom House were brightly illuminated and the colorful dock lights sillouhetted the luxury boats and yachts.   The watery reflections contrasted beautifully against the inky black water.    This iconic Boston scene would trigger wonderful memories for anyone who has seen it, and especially I think, from this angle
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Historic Flour and Grain Exchange (aka. Downtown Rooftops)

The historic old building shown in the painting was Boston's Flour and Grain Exchange Building.   In today's modern skyline, it is dwarfed by towering skyscrapers, but not one can compare with the grace and grandeur of this rock-faced masonry building.   Originally a meeting hall for the Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Exchange was built on land donated by streetcar magnate Henry M. Whitney and completed in 1892. Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge designed the masonry and tiered arches which exemplify the Romanesque Revival style associated with H.H. Richardson. The sturdy walls and elaborate design reflected an expression of flourishing financial security appropriate to the city's commercial circles. The exterior was restored by Beal Companies in 1988.

Downtown Rooftops

The magnificent architecture grabbed my attention each time I looked out the window of the fifth floor of Boston's Downtown Hilton.  Since I had a perfect vantage point for a painting, here it is!

I was striving for architectural accuracy in the painting; no improvisation on my part would make this building more beautiful, but it was tedious to stay true.   In the distance were the Tobin Bridge, the North End, and Cambridge Street.   It was a cloudy day so there was less contrast than if it had been sunny with deep architectural shadows.

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