A Rushing River

This painting of the Herring River was done while the water was rushing out. Often the kayakers get caught going up the river with the tide and then face the incoming tide and it is tough paddling. The wind picked up while painting and I hurried to finish. I wound up with a bold painting which happens when rushed to finish.

Fog and Damp on Herring River

We were out painting before the fog lifted. Instead of clearing it wavered between more fog and less. The dampness actually helped the painting since none of the lines were sharp. I did get cold and had no extra clothes to put on. With a shaky hand I dropped my rigger brush and it went right between the dock boards into the water. Couldn’t do that again with a lot of tries. Color appeared with nearer objects. The trees were so dark in the distance that I mixed my greens with violet and Paynes grey. It was challenging but I learned something about painting in fog on location.

Bells Neck

Battled bugs at Bells Neck and painted fast. I was covered with insect repellent but got plenty of bites. It is very humid this morning and I think that sweat attracts bugs. The painting was easy now that I am ready with many greens to mix. The bright green is a combination of quinacridone gold and sap green. Works great. I wanted to put a kayak into the scene but could not fit it in and so used an old birch that was still standing to have some focal area.

Hydrangea Festival

Yesterday was the Hydrangea Festival and every artist is assigned an area for painting. I painted in the Camp Ground. This is an old religious site that evolved into very small houses that then grew into closely packed houses that are mainly rentals. They are all very interesting; some originals that you could not get a family size pizza into. Lots of hydrangeas grow on Cape Cod. There is no shortage of places to paint. I am not a flower painter but liked the area with its hill and tall trees.

Quiet Boating

A quiet kayak cuts through the marsh waters of Bells Neck in West Harwich. I finished the painting of the kayaker and left it on the table. The wind blew it off. I tried to clean it up but some stuff remained on the face. This happens and then it gets messed up trying to clean it.

Riverside View

It hot here on cape Cod. The wind is really gusting and I keep watching my umbrella, as I expect it to go any minute. There are usually two cat boats moored here on the river but today, surprise...both are gone. I am always envious of the home owners on the riverside who can watch all of the activities. Water views have a real calming effect on me. I can even battle the wind gusts. There are squeals of excitement from the little ones jumping into the water. They keep asking their father to score their dive. I've been there.

Low Tide on the River

Back on Cape Cod. It is always relief to find my house just as I left it. My paints and easel are right where I left them. There is plenty to take care of at the house but I squeezed in a morning to paint down by the Herring River. The tide was out and a lot of mud was showing. One of the wonders of painting on Cape Cod is the brilliance of everything. Someone once said that is results from having water on each side of the land. This creates an 'umbrella effect'. Whatever, it is a great place to paint plain air.

Harwich Port, Cape Cod

From previous sketches, I put together this monochromatic painting.  The whites all interconnect leading you into town.  They are created by leaving the paper clear.  It is a fun exercise, especially with all of the wet into wet background.

Waiting for Breakfast

I was up in the center of Harwich this morning and did a quick sketch and painting of Ruggies, a very popular breakfast spot. Several people were in front waiting to get a table. The morning was cloudy with sun coming and going. Great to be out painting.

Swan River Lobster Shack

Yesterday was a hot day on Cape Cod. I ventured out trying to find my plain air group meeting on the Swan River. I ducked down to the water's edge and painted this fish market on the Swan River. There were plenty of kayakers with comments. It was so humid that my wet into wet was never in danger of drying.

The Kite Shop

An iconic marker for HarwichPort is the Kite Shop. Every kid visiting the area has made at least one stop. The shop has expanded lately with candy that can be chosen in the old fashion way; one selection at a time, and you leave with a bag. Also, the main sidewalk in front of the shop is usually filled with summer items. I am attracted to paint it because of the myriad of colors. The flags, wind socks, whirly-gigs, etc. are sure traffic stoppers. I paint from across the street and have plenty of company from the strolling vacationers.

Main Street HarwichPort

This painting was done from memory and I put the VW bus on the street because I like them.  The Main Street of HarwichPort is an active place during the summer.  The Kite Shoppe has everything a kid on vacation could want.  I have been dragged there many times by my grandkids.  On Wed nights during the summer the place is a mob scene with something called 'Music in the Port".  Even though it is a main traffic artery, very little gets through with 4 bands playing and all of the vendors selling their wares.  The population of this town goes from a year round 8000 to 56,000 during July and August.  That is when I am there and loving it.

Autumn on the Herring River

There is a nip in the air.  The greens are now golden.  Birds seem to be more active.  We went to our spot on Thursday to paint.  The tide seemed to be running out and it was quiet but beautifully sunny on the river.  What a day to paint.  I captured the furthermost house with its boat in front and chose to ignore the few houses along the road on the left side of the river.  That way, I have a focal point that is not compromised.  The eye path has a reward at the end.  I finished the entire painting on site and have not done any more to it.  It was a great day of painting.

Kite Shop in Harwich Port

I've been on Cape Cod all summer and have been painting but posting very little.  Just found a camera and this is today's painting.  The Kite Shop in Harwich Port is an iconic building on Main St.  It has been here since I started coming to Harwich Port in the '60's.  It is a colorful place that attracts all of the kids.  I have painted it many times and from different angles.  I have been very successful selling it and all of my painting friends now paint it for their sales.

Along the Herring River

While watching my 49ers in the playoffs on Sunday, I painted a scene that I remembered from Cape Cod. I live close to the Herring River and have painted sections of the river many times in the past. This one is from the brain bank. I had fun painting it on a half sheet and then went and painted it again on a full sheet. (Had to deal with the frustrations of a last minute loss to NY Giants.)
What I like about the painting is the eye path created by the river with the focal point almost at the end of the trip.

Cape Cod Catboat

Cutting across the Herring River on a very hazy day is a typical boat found here on Cape Cod. It is called a Catboat. It is gaff-rigged with a single sail. There is a wide beam and flat bottom with a center board. This makes it very stable and comfortable. It also has a barndoor rudder. Quite a sight to see under sail and there are many of them here on Cape Cod. The haze wore off as I painted and why are there so many sea gulls on these hazy days? Anyway, a fun subject.

Cape Cod Fish Shack

This is a favorite spot for painting. I was out early and met only a few fishermen on this beautiful morning. The shack is for sale as indicated by the sign in front. It does lean back with its pilings all leaning toward the Herring River. Great location but has to be a 'teardown'. Over the years the shack has been modified and its tall superstructure for unloading fish is gone along with a ramp that went all the way around the side.
Today, there were lots of clouds forming but the sun stayed out as the clouds moved on. It was ideal for painting.

Cape Cod Boat Yard

I started off with a sketch of two boats and set up to paint them. The yard was filled with boats stored for the hurricane. The sun was blazing, it was hot and there was no shade. I quit and brought my sketch home.
My best feeling when painting is to get lost in the painting. This is what happened and the painting kept growing as it took on a life of its own. This is what I like; paint something you know, only imagine it. I ended up with 3 boats, 3 people, a shop and a wood pile. The original two boats were white and blue but you can see what happens on an afternoon with a paint brush.

Wychmere Boats

Yesterday was a beautiful day for painting. I was on the commercial dock in Harwich Port painting this scene and had plenty of company. A lot of people make the wrong turn and want directions. The boats are tied to each other and the largest was a wooden yawl with great lines. When I was in college I used to sail a 34ft yawl along the New England coast. I knew very little about navigation but was ok as long as I could see the shore and read my maps. There were some surprises with fog. Cape Cod is pretty safe for sailing with little experience because it is all sand bars. Maine is a different story. Our yawl was also wooden but always in great shape. Lots of stories from those days.

Main Street, Harwich Port, Cape Cod

Main Street is busy with shoppers heading to Dr. Gravity's Kite Shop. A colorful spot that is the destination of every kid under 10 years. The sidewalk is filled with wonderful things and there are many flags on the building. Parents should be warned of the risk walking their young ones. It is a must stop.
While painting from across the street, I was visited by locals, became a part of a movie by a crew filming a wedding day, and was critiqued by a lovely lady who did lots of painting but now just enjoys. We had a very lively discussion about plein air art. She was interested in my dappled lighting.
It was a beautiful Cape Cod day.