Provincetown

The Finial Cottage, Provincetown

This painting is in the Provincetown Art Association and Museum's  annual 12x12 auction. 

It opens on August 12th and bids are ongoing through September 24th. Bid early and bid often and above all, visit one of the most beautiful and unique destinations in New England.

Provincetown Sunset #3

Still working on my Provincetown watercolors which are great fun to do. I've been asked what materials I use so I'll give it up. Any good sketchbook or watercolor pad will do. I'm using an Aquabee 6x12 (I like the long skinny format) 93 pound sketch paper. The paper has very good 'lift' quality even after the paint is dry for a while. I draw the sketch in pencil and then do some pen over it with waterproof Faber-Castell and Pigma-Micro pens. I then use liquid masking on the shoreline where I've indicated the buildings. I'll paint over them later. I also do a little masking in the water to keep some of the white which I can alter later if I choose. If it needs more pen after the paint I'll add some. In a sketch of a well known place with a recognizable skyline like this is, you must make the proportions and placement of the key buildings correct. From the left they are the UU Church, the town hall, the former Methodist Church which is the new (fabulous) library, the Pilgrim Monument and the two water towers.

Once in a Blue Moon over Provincetown

 $110 plus $10 S&H

In 2009 the moon was full on both December 2nd and December 31st which is the blue moon. I was visiting my friend Irene who lives on the edge of Race Point and Provincelands. We took a walk in the dunes and on the way back I shot photos of the moon which was visible before the sun set that day. There's just something about the moon that enthralls us.

I am busily working on paintings for my Provincetown gig but I do want to give a heads up about the 4th Floor Artists Open Studios this month. I'm not back from Naples until the 10th of May so I won't be able to participate.

Carol Marine Workshop

Next week I'm attending my second Carol Marine workshop hosted by Kelley MacDonald in her Warren, Rhode Island Studio. The dates are September 8-10. Carol has blogged her way to success with over one thousand and counting, daily paintings most of which are snatched up on eBay. It seems that there is one slot left if anyone would like to come. I highly recommend it.
You may have noticed that I'm slacking a bit on the paintings and it's true. I've been busy with summer fun but I have been doing a couple of 16x20 studio paintings of Cape scenes which I'll reveal soon. Don't forget to check out Fresh Paint Daily Painters where I am one of the featured artists. They've added some new artists and they rock!

Michael Costello Opening at Julie Heller Gallery

I'm taking an overnight trip to Provincetown to attend my friend Michael Costello's "Gods and Monsters" show at Julie Heller Gallery.

Michael is seriously good at both representational art and the kind of art that really stops people in their tracks. He tends to portray his models as the 'not conventionally beautiful people'. He's a hardworking fearless artist. Check him out.

Black Eyed Susans

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I have a new setup and some new lighting angles for my still lifes. Also, I use tissue paper for many of my backgrounds. I also have a new camera and am having a hard time getting good photos. It's time to read the book :( The color in this painting is much better than this photo shows. 

Toward Provincetown

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When you drive to Provincetown, instead of taking Rte. 6 all the way in, the better route is 6A which runs along the shoreline and brings you in through the picturesque East End. This painting is from the exact point where you come over the hill and get your first glimpse across the Bay to Provincetown . Every time I see this view it's like it's the first time. Wonder why I'm painting Cape Cod when I'm in Nova Scotia?

It poured all day!!

Days Cottages, Truro Massachusetts

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Okay, I'm sitting in front of the Fundy Geological Museum which has Wi-Fi looking at email and making a post at 10 o'clock PM. The light is just leaving the sky. It was a beautiful day here. Clear and sunny with a gale wind ;) My favorite thing in the world. A breeze!

Truro Dune Shack

This shot was taken in Truro last December during the first full moon of that month. The second moon was the 'blue' moon which occurred just before New Year's Eve. This is also my first nocturne. A genre that I love but have never had the knowledge to paint. Hopefully I have achieved it here. There's more subtlety going on in the color than shows here. I also made a value adjustment on the shack way on the far left where the white trim is. It looks too bright in this photo.

Provincetown Kite Store 12x12

I've always wanted to paint the kite store but it was as scary as the mums ;) This was supposed to be my entry for the PAAM 12x12 auction but since it was still wet I opted for the Spider Mums. My new Princeton 6300 brights are just kickin' when it comes to putting paint in the stripes of the kites and such. I love them. Check out my other blog for some interesting and fun photos of Provincetown. There is no place like it. Trust me.

White Spider Mums 12x12

SOLD

Maybe another tweak on this but it's mostly finished. I think a subtle dark stroke beneath the lemons and plums to keep them from floating, This was another of my 'simple' still lives and I went through the valley of "this is not going to happen" before hitting the 'sweet spot' today, going for the finish. There's a mental moment in each painting where the struggle suddenly switches gears and you know you're on the right track. There are things I'd do differently here but over all I reached the goal. I used some great new brushes that Kelley gave me and I can see the difference from my usual bristle flats. Completely changed my edges. This is for Provincetown Art Association and Museum's 12x12 silent auction event which takes place August 1st through September 7th. Stop in if you happen to be visiting beautiful Provincetown, Massachusetts.

One More Post

SOLD The washing is going in the machine and Don keeps trying to enlist me in his various chores. "Can you get the door?", "Could you hold this while I...", Can you clean out the fridge so I can throw stuff away?" "Let's go say good bye to Dan and Grace.", "is this...? Can you.....? ", "Where's the.....?" :D That's my hubby. Yesterday I went to hang up my laundry and sure enough. He left 4 clothes pins on the line and I had a dozen pieces of laundry over my shoulder. You gotta love it. We are alike but not, is the best way to put it! He'll be going to the card game at one and I'll have 4 hours to get stuff done. Works for me :D This cottage is in Truro, MA. I need to just finish up some rough spots here when I get home. No more posts 'til then. See You Sunday.