Open Studios Saturday 10-6

I will be opening my studio today along with other members of 4th Floor Artists. The group originally started in the early 1990's at the FL & JC Codman building over on Plain Street in Rockland, MA. Last year we were forced to find homes in two buildings within a mile of the Codman. After the dust settled about 50 artists remained of the more than 100 that had been in the old building. I am in the Sandpaper Factory at 83 East Water Street in Rockland. Two blocks away is the ET Wright building at 379 Liberty Street at the corner of Webster Street. I'll have some snacks and some coffee for those who might brave the rain and 4 flights of stairs up to my studio which is at the front of the building. Here I am in my previous studio at the Codman. I will only be open today as I am going to New Hampshire tomorrow to visit the little boys.

Bristol Mill 6x8

Besides my attraction to Mill Buildings in general the inspiration here is the fabulous red and green color scheme. I hope it pleases you as Qiang would say.

Cordage Park in Fall 5x7

Yesterday was another glorious fall day despite the hurricane winds we took over the weekend. The trees are still colorful and not all have turned. It's very late for that phenomenon to be happening in this region. Yesterday, I painted this little study at Gray's Beach in Kingston. Sitting in the car, of course, with my little 6x8 pochade box. When I got home I opened up Emile Gruppe's books to check out his pointers on landscapes. Gruppe , a Cape Ann artist was a student of John Carlson who wrote Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting, (arguably) the definitive book on the subject. Both of these guys were masters in their own right. Check them out. I'm after more polish in my paintings, loose control as it were. Doing these little studies is a good way to improve. Not to mention the enjoyment factor.

Three Amigos

The most beautiful day was had painting in the dunes of Truro, with the Three Amigas.

Cordage Park 5x7

Here's the finish.

While on my mission over there, I collected some of the broken window glass, which is purple. I've loved those windows and have been skulking around this place for years in all seasons but never got a successful painting. Something about the scale is intimidating. These buildings were quite something in their day. I hope when they go condo, they'll be able to save the brick buildings. Sorry about the crappy photo. I'm shooting these at home when the studio would be better. Uh oh. I had to edit this because I chose the wrong photo and published, so I think my subscribers are going to get the same picture I last published. I don't know if when you edit the post and republish, it sends it out again. Sorry about that ;)

Cordage Park 5x7

I got this little sketch done while waiting for the security patrol to come and let me out after I trespassed (Yes, I KNOW) out in back of the old cordage buildings, taking pictures. While I was there photographing blissfully, ever the artistic explorer, someone locked the gate, Oh Crap :(

Luckily, and I do mean luckily, there is a new Marina down there where it used to be pretty much desolate. I got the attention of one of the workers and he called the Security guy to come and spring me. While I was waiting I thought I should paint. I'll finish this up and post the final. I was a little embarrassed in a 'curiosity killed the cat' kind of way. These beautiful old mill buildings are right on the water where they used to ship the rope from. Good thing I got my fill of pictures 'cause I can't go back!