Quincy 400 Marina Bay Festival Plein Air

On July Fourth weekend, I was invited along with other painters to create some live works of art of along the boardwalk at beautiful Marina Bay in Quincy, MA.   Quincy was founded in 1625, a mere five years after Plymouth, so its 400th anniversary is here and it was celebrated in grand style.   There was a full three days of programming including great music, patriotic parades, children's events and even John Adams made an appearance in vintage garb.  

The heat was a factor and remembering to drink while immersed in a plein air painting is always a challenge.   The event company who invited us took very good care of us though, and we were even treated to a gourmet lunch (albeit in a box).  I created two paintings that day which were part of a mini competition on Sunday.   Amazing artist Morgan Davis took the top prize with her painting of the clock tower.   (far left in the picture)  That's me with my eyes closed :).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The complex dock scenes below would have terrified me not too long ago.  I have since learned to let the details go and concentrate on the big shapes and concentrate on painting a few key elements well.   The viewers' eyes and brain do the rest as they digest the painting!   All the American flags were done with my palette knife with one very loose, long stroke.  

 

Marina Bay Boardwalk - West Q400

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marina Bay Boardwalk - North Q400

Wollaston Yacht Club Plein Air

The Quincy Art Association organized and hosted this paint out and yours truly was the instructor/demo painter.   We arrived plenty early to get set up and it was a good thing.   We quickly realized (like boaters before a storm) that we needed more ropes (aka bungies).    The wind was gusting to 25-30 mph and it was the first lesson that was discussed regarding successful plein air painting.  The large tent next to me where the painting participants were working actually flipped over.  Equipment must be weighted down to the point were it will not budge!   In every photo, I'm gripping my easel out of habit, even though I was securely tied down.  The bright sun and warm temperatures (low 90s) were also challenging but the participants stuck with it and all came away with a work of art they should be proud of!

This is my painting from the demo, a depiction of the Wollaston Yacht Club and dock with Quincy Bay and some Boston Harbor Islands in the distance. 

Wollaston Yacht Club and Dock

 

 

Beach Painter

Maureen Painting at Wollaston Beach

It's June and that means people want to be outside.   People were out in droves along the boardwalk at Wollaston Beach and were able to observe the first in a plein air series put on by The Quincy Art Association in collaboration with "Better Beaches", "Save the Harbor, Save the Bay", and Massachusetts DCR.   

This was my painting done while also watching a demo by Vincent Crotty.   The conditions were a little tough because of the gusty winds.   My gear was sufficiently weighted down to combat the wind which helped enormously.

Here is my painting of Vincent in action as he appears to pause, and contemplate his next stroke.  

Beach Painter

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!

Quarry Climb

Quarry Climb

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was 1825 when the Quincy Quarries were opened.   The granite for the Bunker Hill Monument, the Provincetown tower, and several piers around Boston sourced their stone from Quincy.  It was a major economic industry and active mining operation until 1963.

After the closures, the quarries themselves slowly began to fill with water.   They became popular - and dangerous - for swimming and cliff jumping.  Numerous people died jumping into the flooded pits, and eventually it was closed to the public.  

At the turn of the century, a novel solution was deployed during Boston’s “Big Dig” project.   The massive amounts of fill from the central artery tunnel was used to fill the pits, creating a safer perimeter for the large granite outcroppings.

Today the Quincy Quarries connects to the Blue Hill Reservation trail system and is open to the public.  People explore, rock climb, and enjoy views of the Boston skyline.   As depicted in the painting, some (many?) use their medium of choice (spray paint) to adorn large slabs of granite as well!

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.

Birthplace John Adams

John Adams Birthplace

I've painted the John Adams grand manor of "Peacefield" many times, so I thought it was time to check out our second president's earlier roots.  This small, antique, saltbox-colonial, Adams's birthplace, is also located in Quincy, MA on Franklin Street.   It was built in 1681 and purchased by Deacon John Adams, President John Adams’ father, in 1720.  We learned on a guided tour that it still stands in its original location, at that time, a 188 acre farm.

The 21st century noise and traffic on this street was a stark contrast to the bucolic setting I imagined when hearing the Guide's story of the property back in the colonial era. Well, the painting looks as rural as the original description of the Homestead, surrounded by trees, fieldstone walls and wild flowers.  This 11x14 inch painting will be on display at the Annual Quincy Art Festival Exhibit called "Best of Quincy."

Peacefield III

Peacefield III

Peacefield - Stage 1

The homestead of John and Abigail Adams is located in Quincy, MA and I've painted it several times now.   I just love this rendition which was done for a client with great admiration for John and Abigail Adams, similar to my own.   The formal gardens of the Adams estate reach their glorious peak in August, my favorite time to visit.   The perfectly manicured lawns and short hedgerows counterbalance the riot of flowers clamoring for attention.  Every color is accounted for, and so are the nectar loving creatures - honey bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.

Peacefield - Stage2

To the rear of the property is the presidential library.  It  is relatively small, but has a grand and graceful roof line and chimney, constructed of red bricks mostly covered in ivy.   Each time I visit, I walk to the back gardens to check on the rose bushes stretched out espalier-style on a rose arbor, originally planted by none other than First Lady Abigail Adams.  (Abigail's rose bush can be seen on the left on three black vertical supports.)

Peacefield - Stage 3

I've included photos taken during the painting's development.   I think it is apparent from the first stage that the composition was plain and easy, but strong enough to lead the viewer in, before the eyes return to studying the bright flowers in the foreground....at least I think that is the way most would scan the painting. :)

Peacefield in Full Bloom

Peacefield

My first paintout at Peacefield, the homestead of President John Adams and First Lady Abigail Adams, was exactly three years ago, in August of 2014.  The National Park Service oversees the property and does a nice job interpreting the Adams Legacy as well as maintaining/preserving the house and property.  The Rangers welcomed me, and since not all organizations are accomodating of a painter who plans to place themselves in the middle of a tourist area, I was very grateful for their hospitality

My favorite feature of Peacefield is the 18th-century style formal garden. Thousands of plantings, colorful perennials and annuals to enjoy line the gardens.  As I mentioned in the previous Peacefield blog, a rose bush planted by First Lady Abigail Adams in 1788 continues to stand guard; it leans on a large trellis to the south of the larger garden.  To think that I was walking upon the same soil enriched by the hands of such historical icons was truly inspiring.

Peacefield in Full Bloom

Inspiring also was the graceful old house and presidential library.  Similar to the last paint out, I set up on the far west end of the garden to maximize the split of light and shadow, a wide view so as to include foreground light.    I began by establishing the darks and lights in muted greens and grays and rusts.  I labored a bit over the mansion and library since accuracy is important for famous structures.

Finally, I was ready for the best part, the colorful blooms.  The sun illuminated the bright and vibrant petals - "oil-paint-right-out-of-the-tube" bright.  I liked how the rows of flowers and hedges led into the library and residence. This is not a great photo because of the wet paint glare.   I'll make some studio fixes and put on the website soon because this painting is my entry to the "Best of Quincy" Arts Fest next weekend.

SOLD

Boston Skyline from Adams Shores

Underpainting

It was mid-September and we were enjoying wonderfully mild weather - great for painting out.   The Quincy Arts Festival brought me to the area so I sought out a new location to paint while I visited.   Merrymount is a small section of Quincy located on the southern end of Wollaston Beach.   It took a little searching for a water view that was not blocked by a residence.   Several Boston Harbor Islands were visible to my right from this location.   Check out this video that pans the location where I set up.  https://youtu.be/JHEUJSNiqCA


Boston Skyline from Adams Shores - In Progress

From this shoreline, there was a distant but clear view of the Boston skyline, the colorful Boston Gas Tank and Marina Bay.   The water was so calm that the tallest Boston skyscrapers were actually reflected in the water, a fairly unusual sight with ocean water.   I used my palette knife almost exclusively as I needed to apply paint thickly enough to cover the previous painting underneath (the bad pink roses above).


Boston Skyline from Adams Shores

A wonderful bonus was that I met some new friends who actually knew some of my cousins, both on my mother's side (Virginia and Jack) and my father's side (Pat and Eamon) of the family.  I will certainly be returning to this gorgeous and painter friendly spot in the future.