Happy Hour at Shea's Riverside

Happy Hour at Shea's  5 x 7"

This is the glorious marsh view seen from the back side of Shea's Riverside restaurant in nearby Essex. Drinks on their back desk—which overlooks the picturesque Ipswich River—is a delight on a summer afternoon. Below is a more zoomed-in 'en plein air' sketch of the same view (from my Summer Sketchbook series) that I made of the scene earlier in the summer.

Maggie's Cherry Trees

Maggie's Cherry Trees 12 x 16" 

This was a commission piece painted for my neighbor Maggie to give to her daughter Katie for her upcoming wedding (to clarify, the gift was a bridal shower gift). I hope the painting will always remind Katie of her childhood home.

Two Fine Gents Out for a Summer Sail

'Two Fine Gents Out for a Summer Sail'   8 x 10"

Being blessed to live so close to the ocean all of my life, I am always inspired by a trip to my favorite spot—the salt marshes. The deep blues and lush greens knock my socks off every time I visit—in whatever season—but especially on an easy, breezy summer afternoon, which was when I spotted these two fine gents out for a summer sail. I would love to have been able to hear their conversation that afternoon... Were they talking about their kid's achievements? ... a nagging knee issue that won't go away? ... Missing a deceased spouse? Hopefully they were just out having a grand day of summer bliss. In any case, their sail inspired this painting. 

Available for sale. Write to inquire about pricing.

Summer sketchbook: Clamshack Landing

I had a lovely Friday afternoon down at the 

marshes in Essex with my good friend 

'Sofia' (she has a very bubbly personality). 

Dutch angle intended.

A good summer memory!

Summer sketchbook: Essex marshes

 

This is a view of the beautiful salt marshes in Essex, at Clamshell Landing.

Summer sketchbook: Lone boat

 

This lonely boat is perched under a tempestuous sky.

Summer sketchbook: Barn at Appleton Farms

This is the picturesque red barn on one side of Appleton Farm, where Dan and I often take long hikes. I believe a caretaker lived in the white house behind it for many years.

Summer sketchbook: Sweet treats

Here is a fun watercolor sketch of the cake and some sweet treats 

that I made this summer.

My summer sketchbook series

Salt marshes behind Shea's Restaurant in Essex, Massachusetts

It's been a busy summer! These days I can't seem to carve out enough time for oil painting sessions (I generally like to give myself a 3-6 hour stretch), so I've taken to making these watercolor sketches to satisfy my craving to create. I wish I had a Medici as a patron so I could play all day with paints.

And here are a few quick watercolor field study sketches that I made this week. By quick, I mean 15—20 minutes. I just want to capture the spirit of the place, the colors and the composition. I may revisit some of these scenes with my oil paints one day.

A lone fisherman at Rafe's Chasm in Magnolia, Massachusetts

A stretch of the Magnolia coastline