Cloud Shimmer 6x6 SOLD

SOLD

Same view as before but with the full tide and some distant rays of sun lighting up those cumulus clouds, high over the Bay of Fundy. It's hard to remember not to keep mashing brush strokes on top of one another. It dulls the color and creates mud. The most saturated orange in this, is the underpainting, of which I'm a big fan. It unifies the work and facilitates color vibration. This felt good to paint.

Joy's Cottage 8x10

This cottage belonged to 3 sisters, one of whom died two summers ago. Her name was Joy and everyone who knew her said her name described her perfectly. I think of her spirit being here when I paint this little cottage. I will mention also, that the photo does not do justice. Like reproductions in art books, the computer monitor doesn't give the depth of seeing the real painting and some works photograph better than others. I need to tweak this just a touch, but for now it's up for all to see.

Parrsboro

I'm in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia for two weeks. Got here late last Monday night and so far have done at least one painting each day. Yesterday I painted a couple of watercolors outside fighting the blackflies which bit me numerous times. Thank heaven for spray benadryl. If one must know why I would plan my Nova Scotia vacation for the last two weeks of June, when the weather's iffy and the blackflies are biting it's because of the lupine which blooms profusely this time of year only. Sunday I donned my bug jacket which completely covers my face and upper body and set up to do a painting at Two Islands. There are no serviceable photos of the paintings yet but I thought I'd share the lupine. An addendum to this post is that I have to come to the Fundy Geological Museum to connect and I didn't get this post up last Friday as I'd hoped. They were closing and I only had the draft prepared. Didn't feel like spending time indoors either Saturday or Sunday so today I had to come over and put up the post. If you want a quiet vacation, this is the place.

Anna's Cottage 8x10 oil on board

I've been so lax in posting but I don't think anyone's hanging on my every word ;) I've had family togetherness since Saturday, beginning with a lobster cookout at my mama's house, in Brockton, with all the sibs and significant others. On Sunday, my baby bro Tom, his wife Anne and their toddlers Ryan, 3 and a half and Colin 2 came to stay until late yesterday afternoon. We had lot's of fun at the beach during a super high moon tide on Sunday and exploring tidal pools yesterday morning at low tide. Awesome to have these babies in the family after so long without young ones. I am working on another watercolor which I'll post in a day or two. With all the Codman trauma, some paintings never made it to the blog. I painted this 8x10 in Nova Scotia in June. I call it 'Anna's Cottage' after one of 3 sisters who owned the cottage. After I did the painting I found out that one of the sisters, Joy, had just passed right when I was painting it. Everyone who knew her said that her name, perfectly described her. She was a young woman of 72 :(

Study at Two Islands

I've held this post back hoping to get a better photo but since Monday, July 2nd, when I arrived at my studio to find that 16 studios, including mine had been broken into, their doors pried open with a crow bar, I've been scrambling to visit several possible new studio sites. Our building was recently sold and zoned for condos, so the writing, as 'they' say, was on the wall. Nothing was missing or damaged that I can detect but it was upsetting to find my lock repaired, as best it could be. The building has never been completely secure, but we've had no real trouble and I've never been afraid there. Most of our intruders were homeless cats and kittens which ended up being taken in by group members, and neighborhood kids skateboarding in the hallways at night. So, this is the photo I'm going with. I will say that any painting I ever saw in with my own eyes, looked better than the best photo of it.

Two Islands Farm

This abandoned farm is a typical sight around the Parrsboro area. At one time, this entire region was a bustling ship building and fishing site. Many famous vessels got their start here and coal was brought from Springhill and exported by ship and rail. At one time the only road to Truro and the lower peninsula was through Parrsboro but this has been replaced by the Trans Canada Highway which bypasses it. It's a great place to paint and really get away.

Painting in Parrsboro

I've finally hooked up to the internet here in Parrsboro. Got here Monday night and had two glorious days with sun and warm temperatures. Yesterday we took a ride down to Springhill where we toured the coal mines. I also managed to do a couple of small paintings. This charming red shed is in progress. The blackflies drove me inside. Here we are suited up to go into the mine. Priceless :)

Partridge Island 6x8

Don sat in the car reading while I did this little painting of Partridge Island in beautiful Parrsboro, Nova Scotia. The rock formations are dramatic here on the Fundy Shore. It's a geologists dream.