Sunday, February 01, 2009

yesterday & today

(5x7)

(5x7)
The USS Jacob Jones was sunk at the mouth of the Delaware Bay by a German U-boat in February 1942. U-Boats cruised the bay because many of the boats used in the war were built in Philadelphia.
A bunker was built in Cape May Point, where the ocean and bay meet, in 1942, and it's still there.
My friend from HS Robin and I had a tradition of visiting the bunker every year on Thanksgiving: I would fly down to visit her in Key West; we'd go to the Miami Book Fair; then drive up to NJ together for the holiday.
The bunker is a good gauge of erosion. When we were in HS, it was partly on land; over the years it seemed to be moving out to sea as the beach disappeared.
Thanks to beach replenishment projects, it has been accessible by land at times, as now.
I have some wonderfully dramatic photos of the bunker, and always wanted to paint them ... Here's my first try.

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9 comments:

Helen Percy Lystra said...

Very nice sketches... love the story of your trips and the scene too

Anonymous said...

Interesting story and great that you have recorded the area for posterity. As always, love your colors.

Art with Liz said...

Laura these are really great watercolours and I especially love the one with the seagulls. It's always so nice when there's a story to go with a painting - you tend to see it through different eyes as a result. Lovely.

Teresa said...

You always manage to make your paintings so fresh, atmospheric, and full of lively color. I'm in awe of your color sense... and maybe just a teeny weeny little bit jealous!

Keep up the good work girl!

Jennifer Rose said...

wonderful colours :) I think the birds are pretty cute.

Sounds like an interesting place to visit and it is good that you have painted them and have a story to go with the paintings. Makes them mean more :) (if that makes sense)

Laura Frankstone said...

What a compelling subject! Lucky you to have access to it! These sketches are so nicely observed and painted.

Suzanne McDermott said...

These are beautiful, Laura. I'm always glad to be reminded of the Jersey Shore... the happiest spot of my childhood.

Jennifer Lawson said...

These are beautiful. I love the one from underneath. Great shadows

caseytoussaint said...

These are lovely, loose watercolors - I love your colors!