Whether you live on the Cape or vacation here, you are bound to run across artists who paint "en plein air," which means we are out and about painting on site at any of the terrific vistas that surround this place.
I'm one of these en plein air painters and during May I had a good time painting works to place at "Birdsey On The Cape" in Osterville, MA at 870 Main Street. The scene I'm focused on here is at the Oyster River in Chatham.
While some artists travel light, I am not one of them. I have a van. It's stuffed with art materials. The portable easel used on site is a bit like a praying mantis and can pinch the fingers as it is set up, but its old fashioned design works pretty well.
Once I'm set up, I have to work quickly since the light doesn't stay still and neither do the shadows that help the painting look lively. So the painting gets blocked in over the course of about two hours and then its time to switch canvases and come back another day if the painting needs additional work.
I use cotton canvas, Belgian linen, or specially prepared panels as the surface on which the painting is placed. Oil paints, low-VOC mineral spirits, and brushes help me get the work done. If I'm lucky, the elements of the scene won't get moved away...for example a boat that I might be painting might get moved by its owner or the tide is rising, the wind picks up, and the position of the boat shifts and so do the shadows it casts.
The painting I've posted here was done over two days and it took some dodging the fishermen's trucks and boat trailers to stay at it, but it's now done and available in a gold frame at Birdsey On the Cape. Sue Carstenen is the owner of the gallery and she'd be happy to show it to you. Stop by or give her a call at 508-428-4969.
Here are some photos of my recent efforts. The painting is now on exhibit and available for sale at Birdsey on the Cape at 870 Main Street, Osterville, MA.
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