Cruising... Around Rockport

Lately, I have been working steadily... and daily on a painting project which is both enjoyable and at the same time one which will increase inventory dramatically. I have chosen to use a combination of watercolour with pen and ink because the two encourage a loose, painterly approach and are quick to dry. I am comfortably able to complete at least one image per day and then still have room for other things in my life that deserve equal attention.

The purpose of the whole activity is to create a number of carefully selected images which best reflect and capture the central essence of our picturesque and historic village. Last summer, I paid special attention to how traffic moved in the village and I noted where most visitors lingered longest taking pictures and looking over the historic plaques which The Rockport Development Group have installed at these important sites. I have focused my time and energy on these select sites.

We intend to have cards depicting these images commercially printed  into 7x5 inch cards and 10x8 matted enlargements. These are portable... less expensive than original art and should appeal to those who are with touring groups or are vacationing visitors who arrive independently. The original art for these images will be shown framed in our Gallery... but at the moment, it seems likely that we will choose not to offer these for sale right off the bat.

We did very well with my photographic images and photo reproductions of my paintings last summer, but making the cards ourselves makes the activity very labour-intensive. Our time we feel... would be better directed towards painting and doing our own originals to compliment and supplement the tourist items Not being able to purchase a larger original work... in the presence of less expensive reproduction alternatives should inspire souvenir sales opportunities... which can be themselves framed inexpensively... and to their tastes and pocket books later on when they arrive back home. A part of making a living in the art market and economy... at any time... past or present was having diversity of product and price point!

I soon will be able to return to what I truly enjoy... painting BIG... whether en plein air... or in the studio! There is a smell in the air... creeks and rivulets have started to run... birds are arriving at the feeders earlier due to earlier morning light. Cardinals are noisy... with their territorial song displays. SPRING.... is definitely in the air!

 "Autumn Shadows at The Church of the Redeemer, Rockport" - 7x5inches - w/c & ink on paper

 "The Boat House Restaurant"... Once Cornwall's Store c.1900 in Summer

"St Brendan's Roman Catholic Church in Winter" - &x5 inch w/c & ink on paper

"Captain Carnegie's Home" - 7x5 inch w/c & ink on paper in Spring
Captain Carnegie was the skipper of the ferry which crossed between Rockport and Alexandria Bay.

"Down Cornwall Lane" - 7x5 inch w/c & ink on paper in summer

"The Collins General Store c 1910... now the Rockport Boat Line Gift Shop

&x5 inch w/c & ink on paper

"Victorian Boat House at Smuggler's Cove... Now a Ghost" - 7x5 inch w/c & ink on paper


Well... must get back to the drawing board! Check in again soon... here's the run so far.... Enjoy!


Good Painting!... to ALL!!