Montauk's Finest

Purchase Information

I had so much fun painting these two working fishing boats out on the docks of Montauk, NY.  The air, the light, the water, the boats and the fisherman themselves made it so exciting. I had to work fast not just because of the setting sun, but also because Montauk is a very busy fishing port. Moments, and I mean moments after I finished up this painting, a gigantic fishing vessel pulled right up against the dock I was painting on, completely blocking my view. That day, timing was everything.

Net Working

I am beginning to paint for my gallery shows which are scheduled for later this summer. I am back to painting figures and beach scenes, as this is what people have come to expect. The works are bigger than the daily 6"x6" panels I've been painting and posting of late, and they are based on photographs. I must admit, I am definitely back in my comfort zone. However, I feel that this past year of "almost" daily painting, the challenge of still life alla prima and stretching myself with plein aire work has brought a looseness and spontaneity to this work even though I am using photographs.

Fish Plate

                                               
So I guess this is a bit of a fish story, with pictures to go along with it. My daughter, Edwina, was home from college this week and we planned to paint together. She said she wanted to paint a fish. Here's where she is so great for me. I never would have thought to paint a fish. So, off to King Kullen I went to buy a fish with its head still on. Here's the fish... a porgy... and as the check-out girl remarked, a nice size one!

I wanted to share with my daughter one of my most trusted painting tools... my color charts as outlined by the great Richard Schmid in his book, Alla Prima : Everything I Know About Painting. Here's the fish with the charts... cobalt blue and tera rosa:

It is a very good thing that we set up outside. That porgy was not only a good size, he was also very stinky.

This painting is available for sale in a beautiful gold frame. $395.