There has been intermittent sun during our first five days on Monhegan Island, fog, rain, sun, clouds, wind... beautiful New England weather. And, we can hear the surf from the south end of the island, crashing into Christmas Cove due to the weather. My new knee won't carry me that far yet, but I am determined to visit my favorite spot before we finish our two weeks. This morning I could see the waves crashing against the southern tip of Manana, Monhegan's tiny island neighbor that provides the sheltered harbor here. I walked down to the rocks, found a place to perch, and spent some of my favorite type of time here on Monhegan, surrounded by the sounds, smells, occasional spray and the view of wave upon wave crashing and tumbling over one another. The first is a watercolor of the southernmost end of Manana and the rock called "Washerwoman". For the second, I turned to my right from the same seat, and drew the village in the distance beyond the rocks and scrubby vegetation on the shore. Interestingly, the vegetation seemed to come in three distinct layers as it receded. First, some small, low plants that looked like they may have had berries on them at one time, then Queen Anne's Lace with some beach grasses, then some yellow-topped weeds, among a different beach grass. I added color only in the vegetation, and like the effect.
This is my two hundred ninetieth consecutive day drawing and posting. Thanks for following along.
Later in the afternoon, shadows begin stretch down the east side of Manana, growing and overtaking the light until only a few spots of light remain, and are then extinguished. Now that I think of it, sort of a preview to the sunset's rhythm a couple of hours later. I like being reminded how quickly we are rotating on this Earth.
Here is a recent page from my sketchbook. I began applying watercolor in those remaining patches of light. Interesting how dark they look in the top image, when seen against the white page, compared to how light they read below when surrounded by dark.
We visited the island this summer over the 4th of July week, and again, the last week of July. There is a huge difference in the light and shadow pattern along Manana in just those three weeks.
This year, I brought home a clear thought about taking the time in my "regular life" to observe the magnificence of our world as I do when on Monhegan.
As always, thanks for looking. Your comments make my day.
