Sunset And Shell Hunting

 

Sunsets are probably what Saint Pete Beach is best known for, and from what I’ve observed, shell hunting is a close second. So that’s why the first two paintings I did while staying there this February capture those two topics.

Each evening people are drawn to Florida's west facing coastline to enjoy the show, no two ever the same.  This fiery sunset happened from our closest shoreline, which was the Pass-A-Grille Beach. The high contrails and low horizon clouds were lit up in a full spectrum of orange, peach and yellow. As the sun sunk lower, the sky was more vivid and the sand and vegetation became cooler and bluer.   My canvas was a black board to start with and I was able to carve the shape of the figure with my scrape out tool, essentially leaving the substrate unpainted.   I feel like this is exactly the type of painting that will remind me of my favorite part of this getaway.

 

 

Fiery February Sunset

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second painting was done at the 1st Ave Beach Access at the southernmost tip of the St Pete Beach barrier island.  A very popular spot for shell hunters, people wade in and out of tidal pools looking for the holy grail of the shell world (sand dollars and spotted junonia).   I'm more of a seaglass gal, but I can certainly understand the theraputic benefit of just wandering through sand and water looking for treasure.

  

Shell Hunting at the Sandbar

As for the painting, I was attracted by contrasting shapes of the barrel shaped palm, slabs of concrete and the humans on the sand. I probably applied 80% of the paint with palette knives leaving thick, barely blended strokes.   I intentionally left much more warmth in the undergrowth and vegetation to convey a tropical feel.

Middleboro Paint Outs

 These three paintings capture scenes in Middleboro, MA, a mostly low lying area with ponds, lakes, streams and cranberry bogs.   True Grit Art Gallery holds an annual painting event where painters capture scenes from within the town boundaries for a month long exhibition of the masterpieces that result.

The first scene is from Lolans Farm in mid-October.   The displays are bursting with harvest bounty with every kind and color of pumpkin you can imagine.   It was a brisk and mostly cloudy day when this woman walks through scanning for the perfect pumpkin.

Scanning for the Perfect Pumpkin

 

 

 

 

 

The next painting was done along the Nemasket River next to the Oliver Mill.  This spectacular old stone bridge was first built in 1859 and was referred to as the Muttock.   It was repaired/rebuilt a number of times since but the structures' sturdy, rustic design remains true to the original.   The bridge was a visual  magnet for a painter like me - love of water and Irish roots.   The gorgeous reflections of the stonework and autumn color doubled the magnificence of scene.

The Muttock

The third and final plein air exhibition painting was done at an area called Betty's Neck.  It was a perfect day for enjoying the fall color.   I met a couple who were scoping out the spot from where they were going to watch the Northern Lights that evening.   They agreed my very spot was going the get the nod once it got dark.   For me, it was very much the bright sunshine, water and peak foliage getting the nod.

 

Causeway View - Betty's Neck

 

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!

Pegotty

Pegotty

 

Scituate Harbor is sheltered in part by a rising land mass known as "Second Cliff."  From the one-way loop road there is an overlook to Pegotty Beach, the place from which I painted this scene.  It's most interesting landmark was the remarkable beachhouse on tall pilings.  It reminded me more of the sea stilt structures commonly seen on the Outerbanks of North Carolina.  I believe there were many more structures along this shoreline which have been claimed by the Atlantic Ocean over the years - during our notorious Nor'easters.    This beachhouse is still hanging tough!

Water, Rocks and Salty Air

Water, Rocks and Salty Air in Progress

 

 

It's so exhilarating to be at the shore and especially so when the surf is up.   The waves that pummel the rocks send a salty mist into the air that I have to believe is more therapeutic than any medicinal alternative!  The earlier question, "will it be too chilly?"  was quickly resolved.   "It's actually sort of hot!"  The rocks all around began to heat up. :)

Water, Rocks and Salty Air

Crock on the Path

Roughing in the Scene

Walking the wooded, stone lined path in this painting put me in and out of sunlight on this early morning in June.   During the set up, the long morning shadows were somewhat horizontal which presented a mundane light/dark pattern. I roughed in a sketch of the scene nevertheless, and as time went by, the change in the sunlight and shadows I had hoped for did come.   The first tree's shadow was now at a more dynamic angle. and the big crock of geraniums was fully lit.  

This "fresh paint" work of art is much more colorful and vivid in person than in the photo image and the painting is much more colorful than the real scene.

 

Crock on the Path

 

This painting is my Copley Society of Art "Fresh Paint" entry for 2021. 

Rocky Overlook House

The shoreline between the Esplanade and Bluefish Cove in Brant Rock is as rocky as can be.  Boats coming out of the harbor swing wide of this area, so I assume the rocks are just as plentiful out in the water as along the shore, as is depicted in this painting.   I can get creative with color and design with a subject like rocks.   As long as the big ones are in the front and the distant rocks diminish in size, they'll look real, no matter what colors I make them!   And why not make the sky match and turn the ocean green!

Rocky Overlook House

Dinghies at Town Pier

Dinghies at Town Pier - Phase One

It was a picture-perfect, glorious, early June day at the Town Pier, Brant Rock, Marshfield, MA.  Plein air painting was the goal, which is always plenty of enjoyment, but it was not my only entertainment at the busy dock.   As I was setting up, to my left there was a lobster fisherman loading traps onto his boat.   He was sliding the traps off of his truck trailer, to the retaining wall and onto the boat, which was nearly the same height because of the high tide.     He certainly demonstrated a great way to take advantage of the tide. 

Dinghies at Town Pier - Phase Two

To my right was a Mom who pulled in with her two girls.   The girls wore wet suits and life jackets and without hesitation, jumped into the water which was probably fifty degrees, and swam with glee for an hour.   (They paid me a visit after their swim.)  Right in front of me were two men fishing.   No bites - I don't think, but a fitting addition to the scene.

As for the painting, I framed out the composition with the pier itself, the Green Harbor houses across the water and in the foreground, the dock where several dinghies were tied up.   The blue dinghie sitting on the dock was to be the center of intere

Dinghies at Town Pier - Final

st of the painting, but it got demoted to second place once the white haired guy in the vintage wooden dinghie rowed right toward me.  

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!

Breakwater

Breakwater - Stage One

Have I mentioned lately how happy I am while I am outside painting?   Add to that being a location like this breezy seaside view, gentle, rolling waves - pure bliss.    As I set up, I was convinced that this would be a boring repeat of a scene I've done before.   As I dug into my Gamblin Radiant colors (radiant pink, lavender, teal) to create the sky, I was more encouraged.   Next I mixed the various sea-grays and spread it thickly with the palette knife, I was very happy with it.  The actual painting is so much more colorful than these photos with streaks of pink and lavender in the sky and sand.  Maybe you'll see the original sometime.

I did meet one of my faithful readers who bought a Green Harbor painting a number of years back.       (S - It was great to see you!)  Nice paint-out all around!

Breakwater - Brant Rock

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.

Surfing Ocean Bluff

Surfing Ocean Bluff - Final

It was a beautiful windy day and the surf was way up along the shore in Marshfield, MA.   Yes, the sun was out!   I was amazed at the number of surfers who were fearlessly braving the waves as well as ocean temperatures in the low forties!     These athletes came and went as I painted, all smiling and exuberant with the "perfect conditions." 

I took many pictures along the way both of my painting and the surfing action.  Here is a painting progression.

Surfing Ocean Bluff - Stage One

Surfing Ocean Bluff - Stage Two

Surfing Ocean Bluff - StageThree

Surfing Ocean Bluff - Stage Four

The Empty Tomb

The Empty Tomb

In our increasingly secular world, religious themed art appeals to fewer and fewer people.   I happen to like it and was relieved to hear initial reports that priceless artwork in Paris's Notre Dame Cathedral fire was not ruined.  Works like these could never be replaced!
This week's post is my humble rendition of Jesus's tomb as discovered after the Resurrection.   (His face is in the rocks.)

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.   

Farmhouse Ruins - Donegal

Farmhouse Ruins - Donegal

These farmhouse ruins are adjacent to a new farmhouse on Fegart Road, Isle of Doagh, Donegal.   The September light illuminates the green grasses, and the colorful lichen on the crumbling stone walls.    The nothern-most tip of Ireland, Malin Head, is the mountain ridge 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.

My Favorite Loop

My Favorite Loop in Progress

The Norris Reservation in Norwell, MA is a gorgeous open space that is now designated as a land preserve by the The Trustee's of the South Shore.   I set up for this painting along a beautiful trail that abutted a pristine pond.  There were so many choices for the scene, but what grabbed me about the spot I chose were the spots of sunlight cast on the trail itself.   Every so often someone would emerge from the sunny distance and walk toward me.   This woman stood out as she walked her beautiful black and white dog along their favorite loop.

My Favorite Loop

Cliff Walk Paint Out - Revisited

Last year we drove to Newport, RI in late June for a weekend getaway and painting trip.  There were hundreds of scenes worth painting and settling on a location is tough.  As walkers we invariably find places to park and paint that would be easily be missed while driving.    This painting spot was at the halfway point of Cliff Walk at a dead end street.

Cliff Walk Newport - Final

The day was glorious - bright and sunny and just warm enough.  This scene faces northeast, so the sun and water glare was to my right.   It did get easier to see as the sun moved, but my eyes did take a beating.   I remember stopping to look around and thinking, what an amazing world, and how lucky are we to be surrounded by all the elements of nature we revere - sun, ocean, breezes, roses.   After painting, we walked the rest of the trail to the southern terminus before looping back to our painting location.   We then could apply fresh eyes to our wet paintings.

Here is a video snippet of the Cliff Walk Paint Out ...you'll have to imagine the smell of the roses and salt air!

Rocks and Seals - Take Two

Brant Rock Seals

There is a section of rocky coastline between the Green Harbor River and the Brant Rock neck section of Marshfield, MA that has become home for a small seal population.   At low tide, the seals can be seen sunning themselves on the more distant rocks.  They actually looked like rocks themselves, except that the shape was a little different - two pointed ends (head and tail :)).

The seals were the highlight of this paint out, along with the mild temperatures and calm seas.  As for the painting, there were challenges.  I've been painting a lot of rocks and surf lately so I mistakenly thought it would go smoothly.  I set up on the (sinking) sand, near the (rising) water line, just down from the (windy) opening along Ocean Street.   I began sketching the myriad of rocks and boulders connecting the abstract dark shapes across the scene.   Fast forward one hour...the easel blew over and I couldn't seem to get set up the same way again.   I painted for a few more minutes holding the board in my hand, working around the sand and gravel on my palette.  Arrggrrhhh!  I remind myself that a bad day painting on the beach beats a great day in an office every time!

The painting was only about 60% complete when I packed up.  That was a year ago.   I just found this painting again and with fresh eyes, saw what it needed.   So this is "Take Two" with a few improvements - I think.

Here's a paint-out bonus...a short clip of the seals.

https://youtu.be/-sd13uJa2gw

Mid-June Morning in Green Harbor (aka Summer Serenity)

Summer Serenity - Green Harbor

Dawn occurs when the sun breaks the horizon; everyone knows this.   What dawned on me a couple of years after moving to Green Harbor was that the location of daybreak is vastly different between early summer and six months later - early winter.    In June, it seems like the sun is practically rising in the north and similarly in winter, the sun breaks the horizon line far to the south over Duxbury Beach.  This painting depicts a mid-June morning in which the sun has been up for a couple of hours, yet still hovers due east from our beach.   The colors in the clouds and water are tinged with spectacular pinks, turquoise and lavender, and the darker water to the right and left is a grey-blue.   The sun is poking through clouds and rays of light cast extra sparkles and glare,  but yet is not quite high enough to fully illuminate the boulders and sandy shore.  

I've heard it said that the French Riviera has similar light to Green Harbor.   And let's face it, if they said it, it must be true!

BUY NOW