Sand Dance, 32 x 48, oil on linen
It's enlightening to watch children on the beach spontaneously begin to dance. They spin, run, and splash, feeling the water, sand, wind and heat of the sun (ok, I could have said earth, wind, and fire.)
open studio tour May 21 & 22, 10 - 5 daily
The weather's looking good for the Cape Ann Artisans Studio Tour, May 21 & 22, 10 - 5 daily. Come see my new, spring work and take a stroll in our gardens (tip: if you're into birding bring your binocs - the warbler migration is in progress). The new work includes several 'atmospheric' pieces, like Low Tide (previous post), and then there's Good Harbor Water, a playful piece that leans abstract. My dog theme continues with Black, Red and White.Download a tour brochure and map here
Good Harbor Water, 24 x 30, oil on linen, © 2016 Rob Diebboll
Black, Red and White, 20 x 30, oil on linen, © 2016 Rob Diebboll
low tide
Low Tide, 20 x 30, oil on linen, © 2016 Rob Diebboll
Warm air pours over the cool, spring ocean at low tide, creating fog banks rising like dreams under a sleepy hat. This is one in a series of atmospheric pieces.
bonita beach
Bonita Beach, 40 x 54, oil on linen, © 2016
On Bonita Beach in January the Sanderlings run at your feet while the Pelicans glide overhead and the people go every which way, but usually north and south. No, we're not on Cape Ann anymore... This is a big one at 40" x 54", and took a good month or so to make. I keep tweeking things while it settles - this isn't the 'final' image anymore.
new online store
Just in time for the holidays, I got in two new greeting cards, "Brothers" and "East Breeze", bringing my offering to eight different cards. These are 4" x 6", blank, folded, with envelopes, in an attractive, clear box. You didn't know I had cards? To help with your last minute shopping I put together a secure online store. These are great stocking stuffers, or a nice, small gift for someone who appreciates sharing art. Take a look: https://squareup.com/market/robert-s-diebboll
a friendly visit - open studio day 2
Steve, Cheryl, Mike, and Dan visit the studio
My old friend Steve Ellis, with Cheryl and sons, came out to the studio this morning. The "boys", Daniel Ellis and Michael Ellis, are up and coming artists in NYC. Thanks, Steve, it was great to see you.
open studio day 1
The studio is cleaned up and ready to show off the work, which I feel really good about - I think it's my best show yet. I usually get 100+ visitors and it's going to be great weather all weekend after last night's rain. Bring it on!
cape ann artisans studio tour this weekend
waves
Waves, 16 x 16, oil on linen, © 2015 Rob Diebboll
This is a small color study done plein air, standing high up on the Cape Hedge popple dune (rock pile) looking down on the incoming surf. I'm intrigued by the life and color transitions of a wave. The many influences on the color include the wave height, water depth and clarity (bubbles, sand), ground type (sand, rock, seaweed), water surface angle reflecting light from the sky and sun. Of course, water is clear with a reflective surface, so it's creating color from what's below it, in it, and above it. This is the frustration and fun of painting water. BTW, did you know that the color "blue" was never mentioned in texts like Homer's The Odyssey and The Iliad?
long beach cottages
Long Beach Cottages, 20 x 30, oil on linen, © 2015 Rob Diebboll
The long row of cottages at Long Beach, Rockport, sit on sand held up by a tall, concrete wall. How long will it last?
brothers
Brothers, 28 x 42, oil on linen, © 2015 Rob Diebboll
At high tide Cape Hedge Beach is pretty much under water. At low tide it widens to reveal a different landscape to rediscover every day. This is a large, complex piece developed over July and August.
cape ann coast
Cape Ann Coast, 22 x 32, oil on linen
It's a hazy, summer day, standing on the popple dune at Cape Hedge, everything picking up a little gold from the afternoon sun.
boogie in july
painting plein air
A breezy, hot day is good for a ride on the boogie board.
Cape Hedge Boogie, 26 x 26, oil on linen
a hot day in rockport
Cape Hedge, 11 x 15, watercolor
This a good time to spend at the beach and do watercolor.
open studio tour update
studio and gardens
It was a great turnout for day #1 of the open studio tour Saturday, and a beautiful day it was. The gardens got as many complements as the art did and Kim gave several tours outside. It's rainy today with the remnants of Tropical Storm Bill relieving the drought, but I know it's not going to deter the diehards.
Open Studio Tour this Sat & Sun 10:00 - 5:00
Come see my latest work this weekend, June 20 & 21, as part of the Cape Ann Artisans Studio Tour. Download a tour brochure and map here. Here's my detailed studio location.
Thacher and Long
Thacher and Long, 20 x 28, oil on linen, © 2015
Rockport's Thacher Island, home of many a wreck, keeps a view over Long Beach where visitors find solace.
Walking Long Beach
Walking Long Beach, 20 x 30, oil on linen
A late spring day, the water has warmed up into the low 50's, and despite a little fog the sun is warming the sand. The new foliage of the blueberry and poison ivy on Cape Hedge's rocky point is red with patches of green and a little shiny, brushed by the passing fog.
CAA 14th National Prize ShowTapestry, 40 x 40, oil on linen, © 2013
Tapestry, 40 x 40, oil on linen, © 2013
Tapestry has been selected for the Cambridge Art Association's "14th National Prize Show", May 15 - June 25, 2015. Reception Friday, May 15th, 6-8pm (location TBD, one of two galleries).
East Breeze
East Breeze, 28 x 42, oil on linen
When the East Breeze picks up around 1:00 off the Atlantic its cooling relief can be welcome on a hot day at Good Harbor Beach. On a cool day though it can be bone-chilling, but dogs don't seem to notice the difference.