Woodsie - 24 x 34 - oil on linen
A portrait has unique challenges besides the goal of a likeness. A palette that touches the personality; a composition that moves, like Life; legacy. Here, like with Triptych, I reference American Folk painting, especially Ammi Phillips. Happy Birthday, Woodsie.
Cape Hedge South - 25 x 25 - oil on linen
Look at the map of Cape Hedge Beach and you'll see at its southwest end the curl of its tail and the finishing promontory separating it from Long Beach. Last Sunday afternoon high up on the dune of stone popples above a few strips of sand and high tide I painted this view, cooled by a perfect ocean breeze and an occasional swim in the unusually warm water. We bobbed in the choppy waves, my toes in the air. A Willow Rest "Cuban" was my appetizer before this feast of light. Ah, take me back now to those warm popples under my feet, and hints of linseed mixed with salt.
A windy day, rough water, but the air is clear and the sun hot. Waves slam the sand, but once past the breaks you bob with the curls. Then back to the sand to warm up again. The soothing cycle. Forget everything, and dream.
Storm Surfers - 35 x 59 - oil on linen
I saw them in a dream, in winter.
Early Spring, oil on linen, 24x36
Started this one the first weekend of April, a balmy day on Good Harbor Beach. Even Mr. Purple Shorts was out for a shirtless jog. You'd think it was June. Someone brought an umbrella for the hazy sun. I squint and see the roundness of the earth, the continents shifting.
Winter Beach, 30x36, oil on linen
Winter Beach is finished. No snow here now. The bulbs are coming. So is a big painting that I've had in mind for some time now.
End of Summer, 30x36, oil on linen
The last day of Summer. The dogs are legal again. The crowds are gone. But it is still warm enough to catch a clean, green wave. The air is clear. It is still Summer today.
Red Flag, 36" x 36", oil on linen
The beach people love getting to Salt Island at low tide when the water parts over the sand bar. The divers take advantage of the shorter swim to the other side. I would love to go there someday. Red Flag was just accepted to the Cambridge Art Association show, Red, running November 10, 2009 - January 14, 2010. Find out more at the CAA web site.
The Point, oil on linen, 24x24
A view of the Point to the West, up river, from the island in the Adirondacks. On a hot, August afternoon, the river comes to us.
Bill, 24x36, oil on linen
Hurricane Bill blew by the weekend of August 22nd. He churned up big swells while staying far enough out to sea to let the sun shine on and through the water at Good Harbor Beach. The life guards made a few saves too. The late Summer sun gave hints of Fall sparkles, and lit up the swimmers and fishermen.
Rock and Water, oil on linen
It was a Rockwell Kent day on Lower Saranac Lake with Sarah and Hannah, clouds billowing up and up in the mountains all around us, yet nothing but sun on Martin island in the lake. The rocks were hot, the water cooling.
Painting on Martin
gouache, (c) 2009
It was one of those perfect beach days: clear air, hot sun, big waves. I sat in the sand, under the umbrella. It was a good day to gouache.
Crow and Gull
Finally finished Crow and Gull, I think. I wrestled with it for some time. It took me a few years to notice the dynamic between the crow and gull at the beach. Although the crow may be half the size it is usually able to steal an easy meal, a crab or perhaps a quahog.
Skimboarding, oil on linen, 24x30
Finished up Skimboarding. Compare to the first sitting a few posts back. I have it hanging over the mantle right now, but may take it back to the studio window soon, or not.
Nap at Cape Hedge
We have moved in to our Rockport home and are settling in. We took a break for a couple hours at the beach down the street, and I brought the gouache along.
Fetch oil on linen 12"x12"
Was opening the family camp over Memorial Day weekend, up in Saranac Lake. On this rocky point across the river we saw this couple working their dog with a serious game of Fetch.