Coventry Country Store

Paint out at Muse Le Belle Artisteis in Coventry CT. www.muselbelleartiste.com
Painted in the past 5 hours.... a lot of people talking but especially me. Oh well. It came out all right. Building was very old. In all fairness to myself I did start an 8x10 and then set that aside to get tacky and started the 6x8 and just kept going with that.
I looked it up on Wikpedia: W.L Wellwood General Store, under new ownership, has been renamed "Coventry Country Store". The general store was originally built in 1787 making it one of, if not the oldest, General Stores in America (past owner claims to have not found one older).

Quiet Place

I decided to make a trip to the Northwest corner of CT to paint a covered bridge there, and since it was over an hour to drive there in the midst of winter, I had to find another spot for the afternoon painting. What I ended up with was a morning one of the bridge: 18x24 painted 7:30-10, a mid morning view from the opposite side: 24x20 painted 10 to 12:30 PM ; and this, the 3rd, 20x16 between 1:00 and 3pm. I drove by and turned around to go back. I just had to go for the third. All three were a total of 5 trips with only 4 of them being productive. The weather was terrible when I got there on one occasion, so I had to leave. No sun.. but the other 4 visits allowed enough time to get most of the information down that I needed to finish the paintings. This painting had more than a few hours studio time, and has made it into a couple of tough juried shows. I just delivered it for another showing at the Salmagundi Club in NYC to the 31st Juried Non Member Show, which will be up until the opening of July 18.

Sunset View

Every Year I wait for this tree to bud out in early spring. The tree has grown and it is similar but different every year; always a challenge. The sky colors at this time of the year are cooler than summer, when oranges and yellows become predominant. The first visit was for the sky. If it wasn't happening I would have maybe done a smaller painting and gone another day to catch the sky for my larger plan. This painting consisted of two visits and finally finished up little details out in my driveway. I like the north light there, as it works well for finishing up.
If you do work outside near a building or vehicle, think about reflections of the colors around you. These may compromise the hues you are working with, just as a brightly colored outfit will relflect on the painting surface. I was really happy to trade my white car for a gray one. I can't tell you how many times I had to move the car when I was painting on site to get rid of the glare. Such problems...!

Riverbend

This is a view of the CT River from the East Haddam Boat launch. The sky was a good one as they have been recently, what with all of the crazy weather. One minute a down pour with thunder and lightning, the next sunny with rainbows. Tough to decide whether to set up or not. I don't mind playing beat the storm but sometimes with thunder clapping in the distance I worry about lightning. This is painted on one of my prepared panels. I love the surface. The texture of the gesso priming gives the painting an added interest. I prefer my own over some of the manufactured brands. Besides liking the result I also enjoy the prep work. This painting will be part of the Art Guide online exhibit.

Maple, Spring Afternoon

2 visits

H.D. Smith Carriage Factory

This is a painting of the H.D. Smith Carriage Factory located in the Plantsville section of Southington, CT. William Sherman Ward took out over 50 patents while serving as superintendent of the factory starting in 1883, including the first of it's kind Carriage bolt cutting machine. I have loved this building ever since I can remember. It has personality as well as history... It was enjoyable to set up across the street and paint this view.
You can find some info on carriage bolts here: http://www.blacksmithbolt.com/gpage14.html
They are kind of beautiful really.

Storm Coming

As soon as I set up I realized it was probably going to rain. But I figured I'd try to beat the storm. It was kind of misty but in the distance some light as well as color. I got there in time for a sunset painting and some of that light was trying to get through the clouds. I love that feeling so I started up. The drops were not that much at first so I kept going. Then I heard thunder accompanied by much larger splashes and that sent me packing. If there isn't any thunder or lightening I would keep on..

Onion Twist

Just thought I would try it. It almost took longer to find thee perfect onion than to paint it. I am sure anyone watching me look through the onion pile in produce would have wondered about me....

Hopperesque

This is the first of eight paintings painted during my short 5 day stay in Rockport, MA. This was painted at 9 am on the first day. A small one to get warmed up. Lot of fun with the dramatic lighting. Hopper had the goods on the light. Right after this I started one of the light house itself. This one seems to be calling out for a larger painting.. hmmm.
I would have liked to have posted as I went along but it would not have worked out time wise. Trying to get computer savvy on someone elses is not worth it. The sun comes over the horizon here around 4 am. If I had been feeling better at least 4 more would be listed. Next time!

Bass Rocks View

Bass Rocks was popular with Emile Gruppe. I had never seen them in person before. When I got there I could see why. Everywhere I looked I saw a painting. A great place to paint. I will definitely return here to paint again. This painting is oil on pastel board. It was an interesting surface for oils. Gesso with a bit of fine grit worked nicely for my effort. I saw this path in my minds eye and did not realize that it was not actually there until I went for the finish. I was asking myself where did it go? The realization of what had transpired kind of surprised me. I like surprises. After this painting, I drove on the same road to the Eastern Point Lighthouse to try to finish the painting from yesterday.

Eastern Point Lighthouse

This was the second painting of the trip. Started the afternoon of the first day. I am not one much for light house paintings but this view with the path attracted my attention. I took my time and enjoyed the view. Kept the light even though I worked it for about 5.5 hours. Lots of information. The next morning I painted the Bass Rocks view and continued to the light house to finish up for another 6 hour stint. Still have work to do on the flag and the railing. Red takes awhile to dry. I kept getting pink....

Essex Boat Yard

I drove out to Essex to paint the marshes but caught by the light here. While I painted, the people in the restaurant right behind me came out to kibitz. Next thing I knew I was being interviewed by Mike Farrell, a reporter for the Gloucester Daily Times. Next came the photographer, Mike Dean, Head Photographer.. I was the story. It was fun and I got my painting almost completely done. Lots of bugs and they were ignoring my best spray.

Lanes Cove

Just a bit farther down the path revealed this handsome little fishing boat. I guess they didn't get a chance to fix the flag. Or maybe it is a statement... In any case this 6x6 took about 2 hours....! all that stuff. Nothing was where it should be and then I concentrated not on the drawing but on the shapes and everything fell into place.

Harbor View Roses

I pulled in to this scene high on a hill that leads to the Granite Pier. Couldn't resist the view so this became my morning painting. Calm waters and strong sunlight.

Granite Pier

After finishing the Harbor View Roses on top of the hill leading down to the Granite Pier, I decided to drive down there to see what I could see. I knew I was going to paint this as soon as I got down there and saw it. No matter the time. Time Challenge and I wasn't willing to give anything up including the masts... I was quick to paint in the hillside so that it would be tacky by the time I went for the finish with the masts.

Magnolia View to Eastern Point Light

This is the last stop from the 5 day painting trip to Rockport. Magnolia is a beautiful oasis off of Rte 1. I enjoyed my visit there and walked the length of the ocean view drive that surrounds the town. Finally settling on this scene. About an hour and a half to paint and 3.5 hours of getting a sandwich and strolling around the town. Pretty bad of me but it was a lovely day.

Morning Breakfast

This one required getting there and set up early... So ... up at 4:15 and there by 6:30, but alas, it was swamped in fog. Couldn't see past our noses.. finally around 7:30 could actually see quite a bit. The cows even got up and went out for breakfast. By 9:30 it was all over with. By 10 it was 90 degrees in the shade and I was getting shaky. I love fog paintings. It is one of the hardest to go out on though. You drive out on belief that you will find the thing to paint.

Stony Creek Afternoon

Stony Creek has so many views to paint, that it is hard to choose. This view last year would have shown a red house..
Painted between 3 and 6 is my best guess on the time. The first hot day and there were a lot of bugs.
Sunscreen, hat, bug spray. Forget the umbrella as it was gusty. About a half hour last night in the studio to clean it up.

~Jennifer

North Cove Sunset

Still getting used to the camera after 5 years... This was finished a few days ago but due to operator error could not get camera to take a picture...
This was a view through a keyhole niche in the wall of private properties lining the street. Luckily I happened to look at the right time and saw the view. No sooner than I set up, the sun went.... But I set up anyway and it came back even better.. Faith