Sunday, December 27, 2009

Christmas in Cape Vincent



Cape Vincent New York is just 10 miles south of Kingston, as the crow flies.  However there is a lot of big water and a large island between the two.  So, travelling to visit our friends who live there takes about an hour and fifteen minutes by car which includes two big bridges and a brief stop at the border crossing.  The community is a small village with a rich history, beautiful old buildings and powerful huge maples that toss the sidewalks around.  Despite the dull gray weather I found plenty to inpspire me and recorded it in rather bland photos.  Bland until some creative manipulation made them quite "painterly" I think.  Perhaps I can come up with something to suit a commission for one of the CV residents....?










A few "unaltered" photos :

Sidewalks along the western stretch of Broadway.   Trees have the right of way, just as it should be!



The Cape Vincent Arts Council's  Chopin Festival is held in this lovely building.


The Fisheries Station and Aquarium, formerly a grist mill.


The famous "Stone House" which housed Canadian Rebels during the Patriot War in 1838.


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Wednesday, December 16, 2009

A dry spell


Finally something new to show after a dry spell in the studio.  This piece (12" X 24) is nearing completion.  I've been experimenting with my love (compulsion?) to portray flat horizon lines.  The calmness of a simple and strong horizontal is what I am drawn to do and when I manipulate it even a little, I find it unsettling.  The slight rise in the green hill seems too determined.  I'm hearing Julie Andrews "The hills are aliiiivvvvve .... and it's kind of creeee-eppeey!"

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Art for the Holidays



Lisa has mounted another interesting show at the Tay River Gallery and I'm happy to have six of my little landscapes included. Below is one of these, a night scene. The windmills on Wolfe Island continue to intrigue me despite the fact they are both ugly or amzing depending on your point of view.




                                                      Windfarm 8" X 10" acrylic on board



And here's a detail of another small one, called "Flow"  :