Spring Comes to Perkins Cove

It was a typical spring day on the coast.  A  huge fog bank drifted in over the land then moved out to sea along with the tide.

Perkins Cove in Ogunquit, Maine is shifting gears from its quiet winter season...

...to the popular summer hot spot it has become.

Everywhere, boats were getting ready for the season.

I  was so busy sketching I didn't notice the name on this sail boat until Marcus pointed it out..."Quick Draw".  

This tiny protected harbor has a fleet of lobstermen who are active all year.

The boats were returning from their morning run. 

Traps were piled on the docks. Lobstermen were loading new traps onto their boats.

Freshly loaded and ready to go for tomorrow morning!

Perkins Cove was created by connecting a man-made trench from the Josias River to the sea.

I sat on a bench sketching on Fish Cove, the original harbor the fishermen used. 

Fishermen liked Perkins Cove, and so did artists. In the 1890's Charles Woodbury founded a popular summer art colony in Ogunquit. His great grand children still live near the cove. 

Perkins Cove used to be busy with fishermen and artists working and selling their art to summer visitors.  Now the former fish houses are little tourists shops.

Marginal Way. 6x6 watercolor, Rives BFK

This is my watercolor kit for the day. Two small color sets and a tiny water jar. I can carry everything in one hand and my pocket.

There are so many tourists in the summer that artists can only easily paint in the cove off season... the town limits the amount of time you can park here during the summer. 

Using my water-filled brush makes quick sketching easier.

Rocks, Perkins Cove. Lobstermen Parking

6x6 watercolor, Rives BFK.  

The S.S. Crusher is the town's ice breaker. What a face! It is used on cold winter mornings to open the harbor so the boats can go out. In winter the cove freezes overnight because there is so much fresh water flowing into it from the river.

The landing above the docks offered a great view of the cove.

Fred, the harbor master, built his own boat last winter. 

I quickly sketched a few boats. 

The cove has a pedestrian draw bridge. It is the only user operated drawbridge of its type in the US.

The sun came out for a couple of hours drying the watercolors nicely !

Moored in a row. 4x6 watercolor, Rives BFK 

Michelle V. 6x6 watercolor, Rives BFK.

Baby Jess. 6x6 watercolor, Rives BFK.