photos from chincoteague

Well, I had a very relaxing few days in Chincoteague--what a beautiful place; my photos don't do it justice. Peter was working, so every day I'd just set out on my own, exploring the town (and shopping!) and going to Assateague to walk the trails and the beach by myself. The solitude was wonderful, refreshing.
But, I regret to report, I only attempted one little painting, of the view from the hotel deck, and it was awful! Yes, I know, I'm too hard on myself, my friends will protest, but it really was dreadful: tentative, weak. I left it behind in the hotel.
I've tried two little paintings since I've been home, with equally disastrous results. I'm anxious, trying too hard. Since falling off my nearly daily painting schedule I've lost some confidence--everything I attempt seems hamfisted to me.
Like my mother trying to walk again on her shattered ankle, it seems it's going to take a little rehabilitation to get back to where I left off.

My father, Danny, age 29, and me, the first-born and only daughter.
Today's Dad's 78th birthday.
This picture is nearly 50 years old: I feel a strange combination of connection and remoteness when I look at these two ... but something in the gesture, in the way we're holding on to each other, strikes right to my heart.

off to chincoteague

(5x7)

(5x7)
A couple more cheap-paper paintings ... I had the subjects sketched out, so couldn't resist. Just trying to warm up before going to Chincoteague: I'll be on the 2:30 ferry today and in Virginia before dinner. An adventure.

Pulling together a few supplies for the trip I found this old still life that I've been hanging on to for years though I never finished it ... the bottom part really wasn't working for me, but I do love those two poppy pods and the orange yoni-shaped things--no idea what they were!

(10x14)

Back from Virginia Monday afternoon with, I hope, some new paintings to post!

"sea fever"

Caribbean scenes
(9x11 sheet)

Since I haven't painted at all in a while, I thought I'd start out using my "cheap," lightweight paper, the paper I usually use for one- or two- minute poses in life classes, where you barely get anything down and have no time to correct.

And now I know, firsthand, why art teachers always say to never use cheap paper! I intended to do these just in one pass--no layering, no alterations ... But, once I started, there were things I wanted to do--like soften the hard edge at the top of the wave in the first painting--that the paper would not allow.
You never know where you may want to go with a painting, even if you planned to only do a quick sketch, so always use good paper.

San Cristobal fort, Puerto Rico
(9x11 sheet)

............................................................
I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide
Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;
And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,
And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the seagulls crying.
...........................................................

from "Sea Fever," John Masefield