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).  

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.

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