Winter in St Augustine

Windy Day in the Dunes

It's mid-August, and I find myself just posting paintings from February!   We spent some time in beautiful St. Augustine, FL and did several plein air paintings.    The ocean is a must for us and this destination had the ocean and much more... history, architecture, gorgeous beaches and of course a seemingly unlimited number of food options. It beat shoveling!   

To the east was the ocean; to the west, the Matanzas River.  We pretty much canvassed the whole area.  And always we returned to the beach for extensive walks and of course some paint outs.

The paths to the shore consisted of a very wide swathe of dunes.   So pretty!

St Augustine Beach Dunes

Pink Dunes

Matanzas Inlet

At the southernmost tip of St Augustine Island was the Matanzas Inlet.   This uprooted tree replanted itself on the river bank creating lots of shadows set off by the blinding light. 

 

 

 

Bridge of Lions

We frequented the historic downtown area often, touring, shopping and eating.  Of course, as the nation's oldest city, founded in 1565, there were forts, piers, shrines, quaint alleys and bridges all worth visiting.

St Augustine - plein air painter approved! 😊

Corner of Bridge and Avenida Menendez

Bridge Over the North River

Bridge Over the North River

Old Washington Street parallels route 53 at the Pembroke/Hanover line.  Although chaotic Route 53 is visible from where I was (next bridge over the North River), it was much more serene.    The trees were just starting to bud; some were pale pink and others just a dull gray-green.   It felt great to be outside!

North River Paint Out

 

 

 

 I was surprised at how many boats and kayaks passed under me given that it was only April and quite cool.  This is a tidal river and the flow was against most of the boats I saw.  Motor-less boats really had to battle the current and I confess I got a good chuckle out of hearing one couple's banter (aka - argument) as to who was working harder.    "I AM working hard!"  Followed by a stream of rowing instructions, "left, left, I said LEFT!"  "now RIGHT."  " GRRRRRRR!   Well, they made it through the "narrows" to the other side, and I'm guessing quite heated up!   I did wonder if, upon their return, would they ride this same flo-tide in, or struggle against an equally strong ebb-tide.  I''ll never know!  :)

Wooden Wonder - Powder Point Bridge

 

Wooden Wonder - Powder Point Bridge

 

 Red sky at night, sailors' delight...

It's not quite red but the thick overcast was giving way to clearer skies, and setting sun was catching the underside of the cloud bank at the Powder Point Bridge.   This marvelous bridge is special to many on the South Shore of Massachusetts.  It's unique length and structure has made it into documentaries and movies over the years, and of course, it is a favorite of photographers and painters.

The bridge is, in fact, the longest wooden bridge in the United States at 2,200 feet.  When the original bridge was built in 1892 it subtracted seven hours of travel from the trip from Duxbury Center to the Gurnet which is at the furthest tip of Duxbury Beach.  The bridge has been a topic in this blog several times if you'd like to know more and see my past paintings of it.

This painting is large at 18x36 which makes it the perfect living room piece for "over the couch."

Morning at Sea Street Bridge

Morning at Sea Street Bridge

Our closest beach is now Humarock, presenting variety of nice views for plein air painting.   The vantage point of this painting is from the ocean side of the Sea Street Bridge looking back across the South River.     The small buildings on my left provided deep foreground shadows on me and the beach roses at the base of the bridge.   I made sure these rosebushes were dark enough to contrast with the dazzling sunlit boats and buildings across the water.   Does it look hazy, hot and humid?  Because it was!

Cohasset Cove

Border St Bridge in Spring

Cohasset is a pretty little town nestled along the South Shore of Massachusetts between Hingham and Scituate.   Today we painted along an inlet - a waterway known as "the Gulf".  It passes under the Border Street Bridge, a spot I painted at a couple of years ago in spring.  See first photo...

Border St Bridge Rapids

On this summer day, adventurous kids and a few adults were jumping from the bridge into the water.   Most scrambled to the side and climbed the rocks to the top again.   But some swimmers road the rapids over the falls down to an area where the water slowed down and flattened.   These swimmers navigated to a dock with a ladder where they could climb up and repeat.

Cohasset Cove - In Progress

Cohasset Cove - Nearly Done

Yikes!   I found myself serving as pseudo-lifeguard as well as painter.  Not that I can picture myself jumping in and saving anyone, but I was keeping account of the over-the-rapids swimmers. Those rocks must be nice and smooth!

 

My painting scene includes the rapids entering at the left and flowing to the dock.  It is an 8x8 inch square.

Jacob's Pond

Fishing at Jacob's Pond - In Progress

Norwell is the next town over from us and they have a beautiful pond with open green space called Jacob's Pond.    A couple of weeks ago we took a long hike following a trail along the pond itself to the furthest northerly area and then back on a more wooded trail.   We loved this adventure and decided to come back the following week for a paint-out.

The day was delightful and there was a variety of scenes to choose from - and lots of shade.  Entire families were kayaking and people fished from the docks and shorelines taking full advantage of this very pretty spot.  

Fishing at Jacobs Pond

In my painting I decided on this small walking bridge that led to an island that sits in the middle of Jacob's Pond.   I included the young guy fishing from the bridge.  When he was done fishing, he walked by me and noted that he had just seen an otter, so I was watchful, but never saw him.   We did see snakes...
three sightings, or maybe I saw the same snake three times.     Nice spot to visit though!

Pembroke Herring Run

Pembroke Herring Run - Stage One

I often drive by the Herring Run Historical Park along Route 14 in Pembroke, MA.   "I really have to paint here someday" I say to myself.  Well finally today was the day - early June, very sunny and very green.   What could be more relaxing than painting next to a bubbling, stone-lined brook under a breezy canopy of tall trees?   For me, maybe being ocean side, but this little paradise was a close second.

Pembroke Herring Run - Stage Two

The water level seemed especially high, probably because of the large amount of recent spring rain.  The foam and splashes were to be the painting highlights, showing the stream's fast movement - hopefully. Here is an action clip from where I was standing (of the water, not my paint brush - haha).

Pembroke Herring Run

   I liked the bright sunny greenery on the far side of the archway opening.   It gave me a chance to show the sense of distance.  In fact, as I look at it now, that small opening commands more attention than the rushing water, and I'm okay with that.  Here is an

Sea Street Bridge

Sea Street Bridge - In Progress

It was a mild February day and a perfect for mid-winter painting outside.   I bundled up as if it was zero degrees though - you never know how cold and damp the ocean air will be.    As usual I wandered east as I'm naturally drawn to water.  There is a bridge that connects the coastal barrier island, Humarock, to the mainland, the Sea Street Bridge.

Color Matching the Sky

It's nice when the sunlight is from behind because color comparisons are easier.   I mixed the color, scraped it up onto the palette knife, and held it up right next to the element being matched.   In this example, I show the sky color. To me, there is no better way to be accurate for both the color and the degree of lightness than putting the paint and subject side-by-side. 

Sea Street Bridge

With the bridge in the background I devoted most of the surface to the pretty winter flora.   The beach grasses were dried and bleached out from harsh winter conditions.   They were a stark contrast to the thick scrubby cedars - maroon-green - if I had to name the color.  Despite being in full sun, they were very dark, and as such became the dominant feature in the painting.

Cape Cod Canal Sunset

Cape Cod Canal Sunset

It's seven miles long and was man-made just about one hundred years ago.  The Cape Cod Canal cut 62 miles off the water route between Boston and New York.   The previous route took mariners through treacherous waters around the tip of Provincetown to reach Buzzards Bay and Long Island Sound.

It was a modern day maritime marvel then, and it still is, but land lovers get to enjoy it as well.   Access to the shores of the
waterway has never been easier and people can walk, cycle, fish and of course, watch the scenic vistas.    This painting depicts an exceptional sunset with the Sagamore Bridge in the foreground and the Cape Cod Canal Railroad Bridge in the distance.   

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.

Blinding Bridge Light

Blinding Bridge Light - Strolling at Sunset

In the quaint village area of Mystic, CT, a 1920 vintage bascule bridge spans the Mystic River, and carries vehicle and pedestrians within the tourist district of town.   This amazing bridge is opened for five minutes at forty minutes past the hour for six months of the year.   The concrete filled counterweights hoist the 85 foot movable span into the air allowing boat traffic to pass beneath.   Rather than feeling inconvenienced for having to wait, most people, including us, seemed truly fascinated with this engineering marvel, a wholly mechanical spectacle in an (overly) digital world.

Toward dusk we began to walk over the bridge to find the spice shop we had spotted on our map.   The sun was directly ahead, a golden, blinding type of glare, and it was casting long figure shadows toward us.   The light and shadows on the bridge made fascinating shadow effects, and the sun obliterated the bridge crossbeams, creating a blindspot effect that I have tried to mimic in the painting.

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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Powder Point Bridge Winter Winds

Powder Point Winter Winds

Although for winter, it was a relatively mild forty degrees, the raw winter wind made it feel much colder at the Powder Point Bridge in Duxbury, MA. Bracing against the chill, I didn't spend time on long admiring gazes at the always beautiful Duxbury Bay.   Instead I got right down to the business of mixing the cold,  molasses texture paint.    The color scheme this time of year is greatly influenced by the low angle of the sun, and that translates to gray-blue water, gray-brown bridge, gray-gold grasses, gray-pink sky.   In spite of the lack of chroma, the resulting painting and gray palette seemed especially nice, almost serene.  Morning walkers were not deterred by the cold, moist winds so I had plenty of choices as to who would be painted.   I decided on this couple, a tall man and short woman, kinda' like my husband and me.

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Jumping Off the Beach St Bridge

High Tide Beach Street Bridge

One of the most popular activities of summer in Green Harbor involves an old concrete bridge, a high tide and enough gumption to submit to a cold, salty, and swift current.     I have no idea what age is typically "old enough" to take the plunge at the Beach St Bridge.   I do know that I've seen smallish tykes standing there, as if frozen, deciding if this is the day they will have come of age.  I have seen adults similarly frozen, standing on the conduit pipe deciding if this item on their bucket list is worth it!

In the painting, the span of water is wide is because the scene is literally at sea level - from a kayak.   No I'm not painting from within the kayak but from a photo I took.   This vantage has a view all the way through to the Cut River and marsh on the inlet side.   The dark bobbing heads are shaded by the bridge.  Often there will be a Mom or Dad standing off to the side taking a photo of the moment of truth, when perhaps they are probably there to supervise.  At least that would have been my story to my kids.

Tulips Peaking - Boston Public Garden with Spring Bulbs

Tulips Peaking - Phase One

It was the first week of May and finally it is starting to warm up - and green up.    Tulips beds line the many walkways in Boston Public Garden and even from a distance, the bright colors are a delight after a cold grey winter.  

This creation is comprised of two 8x8 squares that were positioned side by side.   I used "sight sizing", a technique in which the scene and the painting are developed in duplicate (when standing a particular distance from the canvas) such that the eye can move from subject to canvas and the scene looks identical (in theory:)).

Maureen Painting at BPG

It was pleasant and sunny at the start but as the clouds moved in, the light changed, which is as always, a primary challenge of plein air painting.  I wanted to be sure that the peaking tulips were included, but as I often do, I didn't get close enough for them to make a big statement in the painting.     Instead, the old granite steps, walkers and ducks became the more important elements.   The swan boats had just started running so that was a nice backdrop, although they didn't make it into the painting.

Tulips Peaking

Lots of people stopped to watch the progress.   A young Emerson College senior named Marshall stopped by and we had a somewhat philosophical discussion about paint application and impressionism.  He was strolling through the BPG after having just taken the last test of his college days!   I congratulated him heartily and wished him success.   Old enough to be his grandmother, I could fully appreciate this huge accomplishment in the grand scheme of life.  That he was taking time to savor the day in a place where nature and city collide was so nice.. joining lots of others who were taking time to "just be."

Well beyond the two hour mark, I checked the time and realized that my parking meter had expired!   I packed up and headed for my vehicle.   I could see orange tickets on several windshields, including all the adjacent cars!?    No ticket for me! Great day all around!!

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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Tidal River Morning

Igo Dock - Stage One

The Green Harbor River feeds into the Atlantic Ocean just on the other side of the dyke depicted in this painting.   When the tide is rising, the salt water pours into this basin and at ebb tide the fresh water pours out of the basin into the river channel and onto open ocean.

Igo Dock - Stage Two

I was standing on the brand new dock at the Peter Igo Recreational Park in Marshfield, MA.   The dock's low water level afforded a unique angle of the shoreline all around.    I used bungy cords to tie down the easel to the bolts that connected the dock sections, and other than some gentle rocking caused by the waves, the gear felt secure.

Igo Dock - Stage Three

Tidal River Morning

The term bird watching paradise came to mind with egrets, swans, ducks, geese, red winged black birds, and of course seagulls.   The color scheme had an overall grayness because of the milky skies and the silt under the salty riverbed.   The starring role had to go to the snowy egret that spent so much time with me.  The egret actively fished standing at the edge of the water.   It recoiled its necks into the letter S and in a flash, stabbed its beak into the water, most times coming up with a small silver sliver.   When the breeze came up, its long white feathers floated up catching the light - a gift to see.

Little Bridge Oceanside - Martha's Vineyard

Little Bridge - Martha's Vineyard

It was my birthday weekend and my (incredible) husband surprised me with a trip to Martha's Vineyard.    He had revealed that we were going to be painting en plein air on the trip, but did not reveal the destination until just before we left.  Woohoo - Martha's Vineyard!   

Our painting gear and luggage fit easily into our painting van.  We headed for Woods Hole, Massachusetts where we drove right onto the ferry.   I loved it!  It was so easy and convenient, and surprisingly inexpensive, considering how it simplified things. ($121 round trip for two adults and vehicle). 



Paintmobile and Wind Blocker

Our first painting destination was the "Little Bridge Oceanside" situated at the northern most end of the Martha's Vineyard barrier beach on the eastern side near Oak Bluffs.   It was about 30 degrees and very windy, so we set up with some beach shrubbery and our vehicle blocking the northerly winds.   The bridge crossed over one of the two openings along the barrier beach to the cove on the other side.   






Little Bridge Oceanside - In Progress

Framing the scene seemed difficult because of the many challenges and choices.   My tendency was to "want it all" but I knew that would be too much for a short paint out.   Plus, including too wide of an expanse plays down the importance of the many elements.   I decided to zero in on the bridge and rocks because of the extreme darks underneath the bridge.   On each side of the little channel there was rip-rap that transitioned into jetties pointing eastward into the ocean.  


The sky color I had captured was right on the first try, but somehow, sand - no make that gravel - got onto my palette.  When I spread the sky color with my palette knife, I found that gravelly grains were scraping lines into my nice smooth clouds.  Arrgghh...sometimes debris in a plein air painting can be interesting.  This wasn't.   I did recover, but I probably lost the initial freshness and color, resulting in more blending than I would have liked.   
I worked each of the painting elements, the last element of which was the bridge railings.   I made angled cuts right through the pale, thick sky to the farside buttress.

Three boulders in front of me were rim lit so they were to be the center of interest.   Additionally pigeons landed on them at one point which I really liked.   Imagine, not exotic Martha's Vineyard seabirds, but pigeons.  Yes, I liked the irony of that.

Bridge and Cedar

Bridge and Cedar - In Progress

"Free, Fun, Fridays" is the name of a program in the Greater Boston for which many organizations and "not-for-profits" offer complimentary admissions/passes.  We took advantage of the free parking at World's End in Hingham this past Friday.  We hiked the trails and saw amazing views of the Boston skyline and then we settled in at a picturesque spot to paint.

A mature, old cedar near the entrance caught my eye, but I also liked the bridge which crosses over the outlet from the Damde Meadows Tidal Marsh.  I found a spot where I could include both of these nice features in my painting design. 



Bridge and Cedar World's End

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Engagement with Nature

Engagement with Nature - Stage One

Plymouth’s Town Brook is an amazing green oasis this time of year.  Every April tens of thousands of herring enter through Plymouth Harbor heading upstream to lay their eggs in freshwater. Most of the herring that migrate through Town Brook are a variety known as alewives, which Native Wampanoag have been using as food and fertilizer for centuries. Back in 1621 the Wampanoag people shared this knowledge with the Pilgrims.   The Town of Plymouth has done a great job weaving in this natural wonder for the enjoyment of all.  

Engagement with Nature - Stage Two

There are walking paths that run parallel with the brook that flow to Plymouth Harbor.   The roadways that surround the brook are up above the slopes on either side and as this scene shows, a main thoroughfare sits upon a beautiful old stone bridge.   It was perfect for painting with a potential scene in every direction.  I talked with at least a dozen people, walkers, tourists and workers also enjoying this gem.   As always time melted away and given that I talked to as many people as I did, it was no wonder that three and a half hours had transpired once I finished up.

I set up facing downstream looking at the large stone overpass with the winding paths and a small foot bridge in the foreground.      The transparent darks typically are applied thinly, but I thought the darks should be very dark so they are thickly painted.   Of course the greens and yellows are thick - like soft spread butter.  Oh so much green, but that coupled with the sound of running water made for heavenly experience.

Just Engaged

The most memorable encounter of the day was meeting a young woman who was there to take pictures of her friends getting engaged, a surprise to the bride.   She asked if she could hang out next to me as if taking landscape pictures so as to be unnoticed.  Of course! :)  The groom had arranged the whole thing (obviously a special guy).  At 10:30 the couple would be at the top of the brook at the Grist Mill, an exquisite spot for the special moment.  The woman taking photos was ready and to be honest I kept painting and didn't realize they had come.   A few minutes later they all came down to say hi,

very happy and emotional, and proudly showing me the ring.   How very special to have been - slightly - involved with this life changing moment.   Pictures of the couple and their lovely picture-taking friend to the right.

Oh and my painting is here too :)