Oliver Mill

Oliver Mill

Along Route 44 in Middleboro, MA there is fascinating place where the Nemasket River passes under an old stone bridge and divides into several prongs that comprise the outskirts of the old Oliver Mill.   Today, the various levels in the streams create an elaborate and effective herring run from Narragansett Bay through the Taunton River and back to the Nemasket River.   The spot where I painted on this day was from within the mill structure - surrounded by three of the walls of the mill but open to the sky above.

 

 

The stone wall remnants of the old structure offered a gorgeous contrast with the end-of-summer greens and yellows. In fact, things were already shifting toward yellow and red.

The thing about plein air is that during the course of standing in a spot for two to three hours,  you are bound to see something unusual.  In this case it was a blue heron that decided to sit up on a railing overlooking the streams squirting out below.   A dog walker came along and of course there was intense curiosity by this young dog.  A better and more memorable title may be "Black Dog Spies Heron."

Bog Pumphouses

Bog Pumphouses

 

 

 

 

 

 

A friend and I painted at this huge cranberry bog in Middleboro, MA.   The winding road with three visible pump houses attracted my attention right away.   I hoped to capture the perspective of just how big these bogs were by virtue of the diminishing size of the three structures.

The day started out a little cloudy and dismal, but gradually, it brightened.   Light changes can dramatically affect your painting.   "Chasing the light," is a common mistake, meaning, you paint your initial scheme of light as it appears (in this case cloudy - very pretty).   Then things may change.   The lighting scheme brightens and we observe the new light and paint that (in this case it became full sun).

The funny thing is, if you are really engrossed in the process, light changes may not be immediately apparent.   It's sometimes only when you start sweating that you realize it got warm and sunny :).  I did chase the light a bit, but since I worked the far horizon first, which is cooler and bluer - even on a sunny day, painting a sunny foreground an hour later worked fine.  I did have to go back and add the shadowy section on the road to be consistent.

I thought about adding the first visitor to our area of the bog - a coyote!   It was walking through the bog straight toward us but then, about 40 feet away, took a right turn away!  Yikes!   Plein air can be very exciting!

Brushy Texas Tidal Stream

At the East Beach salt march, things were surprisingly "non-green".  It had a tan/pink look to it.   I guess I was not expecting that a place like Galveston, known for its warm weather would have "winter" where growth turns brown and gusty winds blow.   

The days still were relatively mild for us New Englanders.   We set up for painting along the access road to East Beach where the shipping lanes for Houston parallel the shore.   I faced a tidal inlet with the large, public bathhouse in the far distance.  To the left,  there was a constant flow of large colorful oil tankers.   We also spotted plenty of natural elements like egrets and shore birds, presumably wintering from our areas in the north.

Brushy Texas Tidal Stream

Two Boston Skylines from the South Shore

Along several locations on the South Shore, there are over-water vistas of the Boston skyline.  These two scenes were both done plein air - one from Quincy and one from Hingham.   

The Logan Airport approach corridor (presumably depending on the winds) crosses overland just to the west of the Atlantic shoreline, thus the jet and hints of colorful gas tank from Quincy.

Pink Boston Skyline

 

The second skyline is from a vantage a bit further south at Crow Point in Hingham.  This is a gorgeous spot in which many waterfront homes, are graced with their own docks.  

Boston Skyline from Crow Point

 

The paint mixing and application for the sky and water were done thickly via palette knife.   The buildings and hard-scape elements were done with brush - thick nonetheless.   These are the summer colors of New England; we seldom see turquoise!

Rows of Harbor Slips

Rows of Harbor Slips - In Progress

There is a perfectly located municipal building along the water in Scituate, MA.  Apparently the building is not in use, so I was happy to enjoy the spot for painting,  along with others who had also discovered a view that could only enhance their morning coffee.

 

The wide aspect of this canvas (8x16 inches) was nicely suited for depicting a sweeping vista that included rows of boat slips, the distant Second Cliff, a long dock with boathouse and even the privacy fence of the next property to the south.

Rows of Harbor Slips

 

Best Walk - Shore Walk

Best Walk - Shore Walk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My sister has a keen eye for composition and she often sends me her photo gems that she thinks could make a good painting.   Now anyone who paints knows that you are not supposed to use another person's photos because they technically own the copyrights.    So this little arrangement works out pretty well for me.   This painting was done from a iphone photo she took while scouring Quincy for me as I prepared for the Quincy Arts Festival.    Compositionally it has strong lines and you know I like to paint water.  

The painting did win a special ribbon which was awarded in honor of the late Kelly Cobble (known for her legendary support of all things creative and historical in Quincy, MA).  I was honored to hear that - she went out of her way to make us feel welcome at the Quincy Art Association.

Just Some Trees

Winter Trees from Deck

 

 

A warm day in February is much appreciated.   The snow that was still covering most surfaces had melted off the sunny back deck.   I grabbed my gear and conveniently stepped outside - easy version of plein air - no pack up!  

I decided to practice my tree structures with this loose and easy snowscape painting.   The oaks don't always drop all their leaves and they remain on the branches in orangy clusters.   In this case they offer a nice compliment for the blue snow shadows.

Late Light Bog in Winter

Late Light Bog in Winter

 

 

This bog is just down the road from me so I pass it all the time.    I've painted it before and I think I had become blind to how pretty it can be.   In winter, the cranberry plants become dark alizarin in color, which is part of the crimson/purple color family.   Dramatic long shadows were cast on the bog from the western trees.   Last week's snow was still piled up in a few low-light places.   All of this created an interesting scene, and the fact that it was a balmy 55 degrees made it perfect.    Since I was losing the light to early sunset, I painted quickly and somewhat wildly and was happy that I ended up with a very usable color study.

Two Megs - 2

I like all things "fish."  I'm a Pisces; I truly am "that" in a lot of ways. Ha ha. I eat fish often - usually 3-4 times a week.  I love to swim.   I crave being at the ocean, yet I am enthralled with all water related scenes.   

A favorite painting subject is fishing and fishing boats.  Does it stem from my being a Pisces or is it my ancestral Newfoundland fishing family roots?  Maybe both together?

Anyhow, I painted this exact scene a couple of years ago en plein air, and it sold right away so I decided to enjoy it again, this time from the photo.  The historic and enormous Boston Fish pier is the backdrop and the fishing boat called "Two Megs" in the foreground is picking up the sunshine.

Two Megs II

Frozen Feeder Spring

Frozen Feeder Stream

It occurred to me that one of the main reasons I like to paint sunny snow scenes is that it fulfills my desire to span the entire value spectrum (where value = lightness to darkness).  Whereas a foggy scene would have no super darks or super lights because everything is muted, a bright sunny day in the sun is another story,     Like in last week's Wilton Winter Mill, the darkest darks in the water occur because of winter's low sun angle, yet the snow can be brilliantly light because it is translucent.  

Of course the other reason I like to paint snow is that - usually - that is our reality for at least three months of the year.  Why not embrace it?!

Today's painting is a similar color palette, and has that same wide value range from darkest to lightest.   This painting is my favorite so far this season and was done on an aluminum panel.   On the painting's surface, the metal shows through and where it does, it looks a bit shimmery.  I also scraped off paint with the tip of my palette knife revealing aluminum to represent dry grasses.   

This is a New Hampshire scene along the edge of a pond where a little brook traveled under a footbridge.   Over to my left, there were people ice fishing and even a few vehicles sitting on the ice. Yikes, but this end looked melty and so picturesque!

Wilton Winter Mill

Winter Mill

This 7.5x7.5 inch painting captures a mid-February scene from last year's trip to New Hampshire.   The Souhegan River winds its way around the mill and on downstream.  It's mostly frozen but the water that is showing is a dark, rich, full chroma blue.  The icy edges are a muted chromium green.  I like that chatter of the underbrush on the bottom left balances the warm brick of this massive old mill.Although it looks frigid, I remember enjoying the "mild" temps while taking photos of the scene and the waterfalls (not shown).  

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.  

Path Behind the House

Getting Started

Path Behind the House - In Progress

Natural beauty isn't a plane ride away, or even a car ride away.   On this day it was literally in my own backyard.  I confess that I had made the short jaunt to the shore for a paint-out, but my two "secret" parking spots were occupied, so I returned, resigning myself to setting up at home.

Path Behind the House

There is an abutting woodland behind our property and on this spring day, only the white fir trees cast deep shadows.   The deciduous trees were only just starting to bud so this path where we walk was bright and sunlit, a bed of pine needles.  That's it;  hanging out at home.  :)
 

Stetson Woods River View

Stetson Woods River View

Less than two miles from home, we found a new set of trails that are "hidden" behind an old cemetery.  Thanks to online maps, we discovered that there are many woodland areas along the North River in Marshfield.  We've walked four trails so far, my favorite an area called the Stetson Woods.   It actually has a riverside beach (tire swing and all) and a large picnic area.   Of course since it was December, we didn't meet another soul, never mind swimmers or picnic people. 

This painting depicts the northernmost edge of the woods where the marsh opened up wide to reveal the North River snaking beyond.   The expansive marsh was bright gold, but the shadiest spots were dark and frozen.    Tall marsh grasses and cattails help the composition by bridging deep shadow and bright winter light.

This painting took a while as it measures 24" x 30".

Soaring Back from Minot

Soaring Back from Minot

This spot probably takes as bad a beating from Nor'easters as any coastal spot along Massachusetts.   It faces due northeast, directly in the line of fire when the coastal storms hit.   Hints of past house damage was evidenced by mismatched roof shingles and/or fresh/new wood supports.  Yet it was a different story on the mild and clear Sunday afternoon that this paint out took place.   The water was calm and frequent walkers passed along the loop to Scituate Light.  Despite the distance, Minot Light was clearly visible at the horizon line.   The scene was complete when this aerial glider motored past; his route seemed to skirt the shoreline and presumably he got a view of Minot Light that few of us can hope to ever take in!

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.

Hanging Under the Apple Tree

Apple Tree

In the four short weeks since I painted this, the scene has changed dramatically!  The apple tree leaves are now dropping and the flowers' bright colors have faded.  At that point I was thinking, oh there is just so much green - too much.   The remedy was to scoop up pink flower pigment and mix it with the predominant greens.   The result was more varied reddish greens for alternating leaves.   This trick is handy for painters who want variation, but need a color that is consistent and harmonious with the rest of the painting. I even put some pink in the grass, just because it looked pretty.    I still may deemphasize the stone wall.   Did you spot that these stones look too blue?

Brant Rock Union Chapel

Union Chapel

The Brant Rock Union Chapel is a pretty little church on the edge of the Brant Rock esplanade.   Did the "fieldstone" walls come from the fields or the shore - which is just a stone's throw away?   It is a picturesque scene, even when the sea water inundates it.  It is enjoyed by all denominations and is open during the summer months.

Brant Rock Market

Brant Rock Market

This sweet "little market," is a family owned business in the Brant Rock section of Marshfield, MA.   It is a bakery, a butcher shop, a convenience store, sub shop and lottery outlet - but really so much more.  It has an old fashioned feel, staffed by super nice family and locals who serve and enjoy all of the "regulars."     The aroma of fresh bread hits you at the door, usually resulting in me getting much more than I had planned.   I even get my Thanksgiving turkey there.     The exterior is not exactly beautiful, but those who frequent this place no doubt, have a fondness for this scene. 

The market is only a street way from the open ocean and in the painting, the summer morning sky is moist and tropical looking.   Always there seems to be a steady stream of cars and customers; we love supporting this small local business!

Farmstand

Summer Farmstand

A local farm stand has been supplying me with some spectacular produce this year.   They provide the usual summer specialties: lettuce, corn, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers and eggs.  I've been stopping there at least three times per week all summer.   The fruit (especially the peaches and plums) have been so good that I am lucky if my purchases make it to the destination without being eaten en route.  And never mind my plan to use this fine looking bounty for still life paintings!  

In this scene, Drew, the attendant is helping a customer pick out her treasures.  Their figures are mostly shaded, although there is rim light here and there.  Two other elements that I included were the red wheelbarrow full of corn (half sunny, half shady) and the A-frame street sign. I took liberty with the placement of these rearranged for the sake of balancing the painting.   
Alas, this week the mums and pumpkins made their appearance, which means the farmstand will be closing soon.   Oh, sweet summer, don't go!