First Cliff from Scituate Light

Scituate Lighthouse is wonderfully accessible with free public parking, always a valuable feature for plein air painters.   I've painted the lighthouse on multiple occasions in the past so on this day I framed a different scene.  This composition is south facing across the Scituate Harbor inlet toward what is called the "First Cliff".   There are jetties on either side of the inlet which are depicted.  The "cliff" on the far shore is encircled by some amazing oceanfront properties.  There was so much going on in this scene between all the people and various boats that I found it hard not to include at least a few of these elements in the painting.  What I liked most about the day was the fair weather clouds. :)

 

First Cliff from Scituate Light

 

Fishing Friends at Dusk

 

Fishing Friends at Dusk

Have you noticed how often I paint the water?   I can't resist the colorful movement of the waves, the moist air.  I like watching and painting other people enjoy the water too.   This is the view from Buoys Restaurant, where we we enjoyed a Valentines Day dinner at sunset.   We had a great table right at the water's edge.  These fishermen were set up across the inlet at the southernmost tip of Treasure Island, a part of St Petersburg, FL.   I snapped this photo because I loved the poses of the men and most of all, the egret that stood watch behind them.  I had plenty of this year's gulf sunset paintings to use for color references too.

Cool Greenish Morning - St Pete Beach

There is a main thoroughfare that runs north/south along the interior shore (east side) of the St Pete Beach barrier island called Pass-A-Grille Way.   Conveniently, the parking and the sidewalk are right along the inlet where I saw dolphins, pelicans and all kinds of egrets.  It was early when I set up to paint and the shore of the "mainland" was barely visible because of the mist.   

A walker who lives nearby told me that the foreground dock that I was painting had just been completed when Hurricane Milton hit.   There was enough damage (and more pressing repairs on the island,) that it remains unusable - that is - unless you are painting it. haha  The dock beyond the closest pier is the functioning Merry Dock and that is where the Miss Pass-A-Grille fishing boat was docked.   Luckily that boat did not move while I painted.   

As for the painting process, I tried to stay true to the misty morning, making sure that everything had a greenish tinge to it.   If I had had chromium green with me, it would have been useful, but instead I made do with Sap Green, Viridian, and Emerald.   The seagulls and pelicans were also very cooperative!

Merry Dock

Favorite Hangout Area

 On St Pete Beach, there is a fun and funky place right on the beach that draws a big sunset crowd each evening.   It's an informal fish fry type place called Paradise Grill where you order at the walk up window then sit to dine at picnic tables or on the many colorful Adirondack chairs that are at the edge of the beach.   Both of the paintings in this post were done at this spot.   The first was an afternoon capture of the pretty tropical water as a backdrop for the two rescue surfboards that lean on a tall rack.   Fortunately they never moved as far as I could tell during the trip.    The orange life jacket popped out against the turquiose water which caught my eye immediately.   The board was actually a black underpainting and maybe that is why the colors look extra bright.    

Rescue Boards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The small but colorful sunset painting has a high key chroma for me and I'm going to say it took less than an hour.   My husband and expert consultant came over and implored me to stop right there and leave it as loose and colorful as it was.    I actually listened this time.  hahaha.   I do like the wild strokes and it has a nice tropical feel.   Hope you like it too!

Fans of the Sunset

 

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.

Happy Days

Of the many lobster boats that chug in and out to sea via the Green Harbor River, the one that is always most recognizable to me is "Happy Days".   I always loved the dazzling reflections from the afternoon sun on the shiny, bright, crimson bow.   Usually a trail of seabirds can be seen escorting the vessel as it entered the channel.   I'm thinking these seagulls on the shore have heard the racket and are on their way to join the party too!

Happy Days

Beach Grasses and Sloping Seawall

Beach Grasses and Sloping Seawall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Galveston's seawall is an important part of the island.   After the hurricane of 1909 it was built in the hope of preventing the level of devastation that occurred.   They say that every structure in Galveston sustained damage and hundreds of people died.    The location of this painting was on the beach with the main seawall behind me.   The large stone structure on the right is part of a seawall ramp down to the sand.   It acted as a great wind blocker too!  The painting also depicts one of the many jetties that jut out into the Gulf.  It was a winter day to remember.

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.

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

Tropical Watercolors Jamaica

Beeline to Purple Spikes

I seriously thought about packing my oils for Jamaica, but elected to again bring watercolors.   They are so much cleaner, and lighter for packing, but as I've noted many times before, I'm not a watercolorist.   Watercolor experts are in a league of their own in my view.   I'll share a few amateur tries today. The colors look a little washed out - see?  I can't get good color! :)

Big Old Leaning Tree - Jamaica

Beach Huts at Dusk

View from my Chair

Plein Air Painting in Chatham

 

Chatham Dunes

Beautiful Chatham, MA is only a little over an hour from us, yet once we crossed over the Cape Cod Canal, it felt like a distant getaway.   This was a short end-of-summer vacation trip complete with lots of walking, touring, shopping, eating out, and - the bonus, plein air painting.     I painted three paintings over the three days, all of which are shown below.

On the first day after settling in, we sat on the beach for a while watching the incoming fishing boats being chased by seals and swirling seagulls.   The late summer colors were beautiful and subtle and I hadn't planned on painting.  I  figured though, if I gave myself one hour before dinner, I could get a color study done.  The thought was irresistable. The color match was pretty accurate and it may look nicer in person because of all the thick paint.  Chatham Dunes.

Chatham Boat Launch

On day two, we discovered the boat launch scene by using Google Earth.   I could see the kayaks stacked up on the sand and no houses nearby on this bird's eye view.  Sure enough we were able to drive right down to the shore and we had the place to ourselves.   Technology is occasionally great!   We both painted this pristine vista and you can probably make out my husband's figure on the left of the in-progress photo.

Boat Launch with Sand

I had just finished and stepped sway noting with satisfaction that it was just the way I wanted it, when the wind took my whole easel down.    The good news is that the painting landed face up.  The bad news is that - well - see photo. I was not happy and it took me a while to get over it.  I scrapped off the sky completely and decided that a little sand in the sand and grasses was okay!  True plein air after all.

Chatham Silhouettes at Dawn

The third and final painting was done the next morning about an hour past dawn.   The silhouettes of the veranda, chairs and beach house were dark and dramatic against the soft bright sky.    Luckily I worked the sky, ocean and far barrier island first.   I say "luckily" because these elements soon disappeared in the mist.    The up sloping lawn was very green and not a look that I wanted to emphasize.  I left that decision for the studio, and in fact, it soon started to rain.   I was very happy to have gotten a paint-out in at all!

Along the Shore Near Brant Rock

Along the Shore - Brant Rock

There is a public beach opening at North Street near the Marine store in Brant Rock that I hadn't been aware of before.    A tall new seawall separates the little neighborhood from the beach, but there was an opening where I could stand.  

My scene had beach houses on the right, rocks that lead to "the" Brant Rock to the left and a stunning, rocky shoreline in the middle.    The canvas underpainting was dark which was a good contrast for the sand, rocks and waves.    The impasto paint is plenty thick and juicy which you will notice if you zoom in on the image.




Occasionally I stopped to watch and listen to the rhythmic surf - only to snap myself out of this trance - surf hypnosis!

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

Windy Day at Driftway

Stage One - Matching Color

It's warming up outside and the colors all around are taking on summery hues.    The "high in the sky" sunlight is most responsible.    The wind, however was also a factor on this day when I set up at the Driftway walking paths in Scituate, MA, a local treasure along the North River.

The only downside to painting at the Driftway is the number of dogs running around and exploring.    It's not that I don't love dogs, because I do, but it's not a good situation if one becomes interested in a fully loaded paint palette (bad for him) or worse, sniffing my gear sitting on the ground (bad for me).   The vantage I decided on - down river - could be seen from the long fishing pier.    No humans or canines, seemed motivated to walk all the way to where I was, so there were no mishaps. 

Stage Two - Windy Day at Driftway

The views were gorgeous, and because of the wind, the water was dark and rushing.   That was the effect I tried to paint for the water.   I guess I could call this one, Rushing Water.  Let me know your thoughts on these titles, or otherwise.

Windy Day at Driftway

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

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!

Six Boats and a House That Floats - Revisited

This was painted from the roof deck of the Long Wharf Marriott in Newport, RI.    It is part of the Copley Society of Art Exhibition entitled " Anchors Aweigh."

Six Boats and a House That Float

The drawing itself was challenging.  Sight-sizing wasn't possible because in order to see my scene, I had to lean over the railing and look down, versus having the canvas and scene side-by-side.    I guess that made it more of a memory exercise.    The top down angle adds an interesting twist.

Other than the occasional gusty wind and constant rumble of the ventilation system, it was very pleasant!

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!

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Bright September Beach

Bright September Beach - In Progress

Hurricane Maria hardly influenced our weather here in New England, bringing only some tropical fog bands.  It took a right turn and headed out into the Mid Atlantic when it was just 400 miles south of Cape Cod. 

Bright September Beach - After Paint Out

The storm did pump up the surf this week though, resulting in big, long, rolling, four-foot waves.  The rhythmic crashing of waves were mesmerizing and the fresh ocean scent of salty moisture was heavenly.  It was a perfectly sunny September beach day and the perfection of the scene had the pull of a giant human magnet; I had no choice but to give in - gather up the gear and set up for a quick paint session.

These warm autumn days are glorious and knowing that the weather will not last, I ventured out to the beach access and let the sun and water reflection wash over me. That wasn't all that washed over me.   The salty moisture in the air coated my hair, skin and clothing... and come to think of it, probably my painting and palette.  I read somewhere that the air at the beach is super charged with negative ions from the pounding of the waves and the propelling of moisture into the air.   I never get sick of this view, or of painting it.   I hope my blog readers do not get sick of seeing it.  Every one of them is different - really!