We live by a beautiful river. Its personality changes from day to day and season to season. I have painted it a number of times (you can see below), even once just using paper. The marsh changes color over the months, bringing the promise of spring when the first green tips show on the grass. Initially, the green is so subtle, you aren't quite sure you are seeing the evidence of spring. Is it a shadow, a mirage, a shift in the sunlight through the clouds? Within a day, the new green fronds reveal themselves without any doubt. Last week, we had sheets of ice on top of the marsh. It is a daily wonder. Tonight we pulled in at sunset and saw the sun lighting up the river and the clouds above. Stunning. How blessed are we.
This is my four hundred eighty-first daily drawing. Thank you for looking.
If you walk our local beach, you may find this view familiar. Our local beach is separated from the mainland by the South River which you can see below in the map. The South River joins the North River and the ocean in a very turbulent mash of currents and tides. A little history: The Portland Gale of 1989 shifted the mouth of the North River, separating Humarock and Scituate's "Fourth Cliff" from the rest of Scituate, and eventually the mouth of the South River moved there as well. This drawing is from the location of the "old mouth" of the South River, now beach. You can see the old and new below, a familiar contour to those familiar with the local landscape. The seawall and beachside homes come to an end at the old mouth. I wonder if someday the old mouth will open again to the sea.
This is my two hundred eighty-second daily drawing. Thank you for your continued interest.
"The
Cut River was dug in the early 1600s and again in the first decade of
the 1800s after the mouth of the river closed up. It provided an inland
waterway from Green Harbor to Duxbury Bay and on to Plymouth Harbor and
was safer than being on the open sea during storms. " from history of Green Harbor.
There are lovely old homes on pilings along this tidal river that runs parallel to the ocean. Several years ago I painted the oil study above with the backlit houses facing me, away from the ocean. I positioned myself and easel behind a couple of businesses in a sandy parking area and began painting. I looked down half hour later and noticed the water creeping up so I moved back, then back again 15 minutes later, then again, and packed up within about 35 minutes of first noticing the tide encroaching. A gentleman in a local business said we were experiencing the highest non-storm tides seen there, occurring twice a year. Fascinating, but not so conducive to a long painting session.
Yesterday, I headed down that direction with my sketchbook, and settled in for a quick sketch and wash in. I have to say, I first looked at a rock on the river's edge to see which way the tide was moving.. again incoming, though not quite so fast. I laid in a pale wash to indicate where the light and shadow line is, and will complete the sketch here at home. Interestingly, there is a whole new, and grandiose, home behind the closest homes. Did I leave it out a couple of years ago, using artistic license? I think not; more likely it was a tear down and rebuild. Changing skyline.
Will be fun to lay in the darks. I love the bones of these homes.
Thanks for looking.
Two recent drawings of local landmarks from my sketchbook. The Historic Winslow House up top was built circa 1699. it is a beautiful and graceful structure, with a long and fascinating history of occupancy by Massachusetts governors, judges, lawyers, doctors. The house has been owned and maintained since the 1920's by the Winslow House Association. My husband and I enjoyed our wedding reception there twenty years ago. It has a summer season, open for tours, and is worth a visit.
The next drawing is the annual Festival of the Arts Gala at North River Arts Society in Marshfield Hills. Each Memorial Day weekend for the past 37 years. The Festival opens on Friday night of the long weekend with a grand party on Old Main Street. The Festival photography exhibit is now held in the newly renovated Firehouse, pictured here.
Exciting news! These two drawings are going to be included in a time capsule coordinated by the Marshfield Historical Commission to celebrate their 100th anniversary. The capsule will be buried on October 5 and retrieved in 25 years!
As always, thank you for looking, comments always appreciated.
We live by a beautiful river. Its personality changes from day to day and season to season. I have painted it a number of times (you can see below), even once just using paper. The marsh changes color over the months, bringing the promise of spring when the first green tips show on the grass. Initially, the green is so subtle, you aren't quite sure you are seeing the evidence of spring. Is it a shadow, a mirage, a shift in the sunlight through the clouds? Within a day, the new green fronds reveal themselves without any doubt. Last week, we had sheets of ice on top of the marsh. It is a daily wonder. Tonight we pulled in at sunset and saw the sun lighting up the river and the clouds above. Stunning. How blessed are we. 
