My Beach

My beach is just down the road from my cottage.  It is a friendly place with lots of kids and families.  I exaggerated the umbrella in the foreground to create the focal point.  I was tempted to put more figures into the painting but didn't want the 'where's Waldo' look.  I will do it again and try that approach.  On any weekend day there are many umbrellas, kids and swimmers.  I am not a beach guy, but do go there with my sketch pad and gather material.  I sketch in the cast shadow of a big beach umbrella.

Sesuit Harbor

Wednesday was our plein air day.  My late arrival left me alone with the Harbormaster who had lots of stories about the harbor.  Meanwhile, some very large thunderhead clouds began forming and passing over the area.  I did this painting quicker than usual and let it remain as done.  There are so many boats anchored in the harbor that it was difficult to choose what to paint.  I intended to paint more on the left but thought that if I speeded up I could get away before the rain. 
It did start to rain just as I put my easel away.

The Busy Corner of Harwich Port

Painting on the Main St of Harwich Port, MA is informative.  This pizza joint is a very busy place in the afternoon.  A little further down the street is The Kite Shop.  I have painted this building many times.  Harwich Port is bustling with summer vacationers.  Everyone stops for something at this section of Main Street.  This was a very quick sketch because the Port was getting ready for the Wednesday 'Music in the Port' which turns out hundreds of families and kids and almost completely blocks the street, which is Route 28.  There are 5 different bands playing and moving around.  Lots of temporary food stands appear and plenty of ice cream is served.  It just doesn't get any better.

The Brewster Grist Mill

It was so nice to be out painting yesterday.  I've had 3 false starts and finally finished a plein air painting.  Brewster is a quaint old town on Cape Cod with this nice park and the Grist Mill.  The water runs down behind and in front of the paddle wheel.  It was a cool shady morning at the start but the sun finally caught up with me.  I had several interested vacationers come by and comment.

We are in a prolonged heat wave and, fortunately, I have A/C at my cottage so get a good nights' sleep.  Have been cooking with the clams I harvest from the harbor and have had plenty of happy  diners.  It is hectic around here but fun with all of the family and friends from years past.  Celebrated my grandson's 9th birthday with an ice cream cake and lots of presents.  It is great to see these kids on the beach going from one activity to another.

A SUNNY MORNING ON 33RD STREET

A sunny day for painting and a lot of comments.  The urban landscape group set up on 33rd St. next to a popular breakfast spot.  Those who dined indoors, came out right where we were painting.  Everyone was pleased with breakfast and very chatty about painting.  The usual 'I can't draw a straight line' and 'do you sell your paintings' comments were there along with my favorite, 'how long does it take you to do a painting'.  My answer is 45 years.

I chose the site because of the warm color notes and cast shadows.  The power lines and poles clinched the deal.  We did worry about the one hour parking but received a gift.  The meter maid came around the corner and the little truck went up in smoke.  Following a major kerfuffle, the tow truck came and hauled it away- unlimited parking for the rest of the day.

Oak Park Salon

Painted with the Urban Landscape Painters in Oak Park.  We meet on Wednesday and find an urban venue for painting.  A bright sun was shining from the left onto this building.  The tree cast strong cool shadows on the side and this caught my eye.  I quickly sketched the shadows which were changing.  Then set up my easel and started.  The structure was first done with raw sienna and while still wet, I did some direct watercolor glazing with manganese blue.  There is always risk in direct glazing since you have to wait for the final color to develop with drying.  The method does produce more vivid hues.

Lots of visitors; some offering advice like, 'be sure and get the trees behind'.  I love this urban scene for subject matter.  Oak Park was once a very elegant neighborhood and is currently undergoing major changes.  You still do not have to go far to find the old face of Oak Park.

A SKETCHY MOTEL

Painted yesterday at a sketchy spot in the next town.  This motel has the old signage that attracted me.  When I set up I realized this was the run down part of town.  A 'good morning' to a passerby is more or less a challenge.  Maybe they are fighting a hangover or a pulsating eyeball, but in general, they nobody was  pleasant.  The motel had steel doors on the units which were occupied.  At times it takes diplomacy doing plein aire painting.  The painting was done wet on wet and when dried, I added some dry brush strokes.  The paper curled up on me, so I will have to rewet and flatten it out.