Peaceful Path

In Brewster there is a beautiful path to the ocean. In the summer the trees and bushes are in full foliage and make the path look like a secret garden. The shadows have amazing colors in them. Traveling down the path is a refreshing break from the sun. The path itself has a steep incline and then as you go over the dune, Cape Cod Bay comes into view. The sandbars are deep sienna and it is a very beautiful and peaceful place.

Bursting Sunflowers

Back in September I went to Fort Hill in Eastham. That time of year is absolutely stunning down there. All of the wild flowers are in full bloom and the foliage is just starting to turn. Unfortunately, when I got there I discovered they had mowed it all down. Everything was gone. I was so disappointed. As I was driving away I noticed a red barn with a big row of sunflowers. I almost drove right past them. No one was behind me and so I backed up to take in their beauty. They more than made up for my previous disappointment. I took several photos of them and this is the first of several I'm sure I'll paint. They were just past peek - but still beautiful.

"Puddle Bath"

Here is another little bitty painting - 3x5. I love watching birds in puddles taking a bath.

Untitled

Earlier I painted a path leading through the trees to the beach. This is the other side of that path. It is overlooking Cape Cod Bay and it was early September I think. I have another angle I want to try. That day at the beach I got a lot of reference shots that I'll be working off of this winter.

White Roses

This is the other option. I'm torn - I would rather have more roses and less vase. So I think I'll go with the horizontal.

White Roses

I'm still playing with this painting. But it is due today for the "Small Wonders" exhibit at CCAA. I'm cropping it down to 9x12 and I'm not sure which direction I'll take it.

Sesuit Shadows

Sesuit Beach is one of many on Cape Cod Bay. I actually got lost trying to find the right path back to the parking lot. The dunes look so similar and there are several paths off of the beach. This painting is little - 5x7 and I scanned it - so the quality isn't very good. I'll be putting it in the "Small Wonders" show at Cape Cod Art Association today. I have one other watercolor that will also go in. There are several shows running about the same time frame. So I'm a bit frazzled.

Shady Beach Path

In Brewster overlooking Cape Cod Bay there are many beach paths. This one is my favorite. There are several old crooked trees growing and the brush is thick. It isn't your typical pathway. This painting shows how it looks in early Autumn.

Autumn Colors

Autumn is by far my favorite time of year. The marshes and dunes turn to different shades of gold. The air is crisp and the sun is still warm. It is the best time of year by far.

Sunrise Over Sandy Neck

Sandy Neck Light has always been one of my favorites. As kids we would sleep overnight in our camp at Sandy Neck. On rare occasions we would go all the way down to the point and see the light. We no longer can stay overnight at the camp, but I still enjoy an occasional trip to the light. My husband and I will take our boat out of Barnstable Harbor and go over to Sandy Neck. On any early summer morning, you can set up a blanket on the beach and have it all to yourself. We have also kayaked over to the beach. It is too cold now to go over, but there is always next summer.

Nantucket Wave

Summer has passed and the beach now belongs to the seagulls and pipers. It is so quiet and peaceful walking along the shore. And . . . wicked chilly.

A Reflective Walk

On the north side beaches of the Cape, you can walk for miles on the sand bars at low tide. I've always been drawn to the reflections in the tidal pools. I love the interesting patterns the water makes when it is drawn back into the bay. There is nothing more peaceful than walking along a sand bar listening to the waves break along the beach. A friend of mine, Linda Phillips, gave me her photograph to use as a reference for this painting.

Autumn Morning Mist

One of the paintings in the exhibit is "Autumn Morning Mist". On the way to the bus stop I pass by Crab Creek. One morning it was so stunning, I had to go home and get the camera. The fall foliage was peak - there were ducks dabbling in the water - the mist was just starting to burn off - and the morning sun was turning everything a vibrant shade of gold. I knew it would make a beautiful painting. I thoroughly enjoyed working on it.

14 Artists...2 Decades...1 Teacher

Cape Cod Waterworks is holding an exhibit at the Brewster Ladies' Library for the month of October. The exhibit is a collection of work of several artists who all studied under Jane Heyerdahl. Since Jane retired and moved to Vermont, we all decided to hold one more exhibit together. What Jane didn't know, was that we were making this exhibit a tribute to her. The name of the exhibit is: 14 Artists ... 2 Decades ... 1 Teacher. On October 4th, 2008 we had an artist reception. It was a great turnout and it was a lot of fun.

Jane taught us all watercolor at Cape Cod Community College. After the course was over, several of her students wanted to continue on. Jane and a few students decided to meet as a group to critique and encourage each other. Over the past 20 years, the group has grown. I was one of the last of her students to join the group. At one point they had a gallery in Falmouth and since then several of the artists have moved on to start their own galleries. We have exhibited many times together and have helped each other through difficult times. It is a wonderful group of artists and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

"Marsh Mallows in Bloom"

If you are driving down 6A about enter into Sandwich, and you glance to the right, this is what you will see. The marsh is in full bloom with purple flowers (sorry I forget what they are called) and pink marsh mallows. The dunes of Sandy Neck are in the background. This painting was selected by the Dan'l Webster Inn and Spa for their menu gallery. The actual painting is in The Watershed Gallery in Cataumet, MA until Columbus Day weekend (508-563-9395)

"Goldies"

At Gray's Beach in the late summer or early fall, the goldenrods and wild flowers are at their fullest. This is the perfect spot to take in a sunset. Many people come and sit at the end of the boardwalk watching the sun go down. This painting was one of the ones that was selected by the Dan'l Webster Inn and Spa's menu gallery. At this posting, the Dan'l Webster Inn has this painting for sale and will be displaying it.

Acadian Summer

A couple of years ago we went on a vacation up in Maine. We visited the Acadia National Park - it is stunningly beautiful. This was one of the scenes. This painting is in the "A show of class" exhibit at The Cultural Center in S. Yarmouth, MA (see below Sunset Sail painting for more information)

"Sunset Sail"

Please join us for our opening reception on Friday, September 12th, 4-6 p.m. at The Cultural Center, 307 Old Main Street, S. Yarmouth, MA 508-394-7100, http://www.cultural-center.org/

Show dates: September 10-21, 2008, Hours: 11:00-5:00, Wednesday-Sunday

Participating Artists: Jack Ahlin, Sue Carey, Eileen Casey, Louann Corrado, Grace DiMauro, Kathy Edmonston, Bev Gorvine, Anita Parker, Candice Ronesi, Kate Walls and Odin Smith

On a side note, I was very lucky to have this painting selected for the front of our announcement card.

"Afternoon Blues"

This is a typical beach scene on the north side of Cape Cod. The sand is still hot from the afternoon sun and yet the cool blue shade is a sweet relief. This painting was selected for the Dan'l Webster Inn & Spa's menu gallery. It was also used in their press releases.