Scarborough's Miles of Marshes

I was invited to paint up in the marshes with a great group of painters.  Some of them are out every day painting all over Maine.

We met at the Scarborough Marsh, a truly awesome spot with long flat vistas and acres of broad expanses.   The trail used to be a railroad track. We set out early with all our assorted gear.

Decisions, decisions...to paint way out or stay nearby ?  The trail through the marsh is now the Eastern Trail so it is used by many and the bicyclists are numerous.  

I like to paint out of the back of my car if at all possible. So when I saw this view not far from the parking lot I was happy.

It was maximum high tide.

The trees were getting that late summer green and some of the grasses were already starting to turn russet.

Like a number of days this summer it was getting hot and the air was still, very unusual for the marshes where the wind almost constantly blows .  I put up my umbrella so I could paint in a bit of shade.

Two other painters were just up the trail from me. 

I started the block in and noticed the tide was beginning to turn. 

More painters arrived and set up. The umbrellas looked great rising above the flat marshes. 

Midway , I'm painting fast and the tide is really going out rapidly.

Groups of bicyclists and walkers go by the entire time we are painting.

I have enough information now to finish the painting. 

The huge expanse of water behind me has dropped so much that all kinds of old docks and structures are exposed. Maybe parts of an old bridge? I'm coming back here again as soon as the weather gets chilly. This location promises nice color in autumn and great winter  scenes.

The Quick Draw

Saturday afternoon was the quick draw event on the grounds of  Park McCullough, it was gorgeous, a perfect day.

Jack Haran, John Caggianno and I discuss where we might paint.

We are standing in the rose garden of the estate.  John decided to paint in the garden.  I have to say the painters at this event were really great people...haven't met such a nice group at an event before- really supportive.  

Hui Lai is checking her gear before heading out.

This 1938 Dodge was parked in a great spot. 

The Lions club set up food tents so we wouldn't fade away to nothing as we painted to make the deadline.

Frank Constantino held a quick meeting for the painters in the carriage barn to lay out the rules.  

I choose to paint the 1920 Ford. 

 Visitors came by the entire time we painted.  They loved watching the quick draw. 

Sharon Carson paints the large moose sculpture.

James Gurney paints the 1938 Dodge truck. 

Carlton Manzano focused on the carriage barns. 

Jame Ramsey went out to the edge of the  field to set up her umbrella.  

Tarryl Gabel painted on the edge of the property looking up at the hillside meadow and trees. 

Bill Cloutman painted the roof edges of the mansion. 

Everywhere you looked you saw painters scattered across the landscape.

This estate has its own gas private pump! 

Jack Haran paints the mansion. 

Vcevy Strekalovsky painted the multiple gables of the carriage barns.

Bob & Nan Lowary chatting with and some of their many high school volunteers. They were great! 

I've got the car blocked in...I really like Quick Draws.  I like to paint as fast as possible. 

John is deep into his painting. 

Andrew Orr worked away smiling.  

Chris Coyne studied the edge of the roof he was painting. 

  The finish lines looms!  What is this new habit I have of one hand on my hip while painting? To get it out of the way?  So I won't grab a brush and start in with two hands ? Thank you Marcus for the great pictures !



Quick Draw Winners 
First 
James Gurney (Rhinebeck, NY)
"1938 Dodge"
Oil

Second
Vcevy Strekalovsky (Hingham, MA)
"Outback"
Oil

Third 
Bill Cloutman (Marblehead, MA)
"Park McCullough Carriage Barn"
Oil

People's Choice 
Matthew Perry (North Bennington, VT)
'Park McCullough and North Bennington"
Pen & Ink and Watercolor

Painting in Vermont ~ 3rd Day

Saturday morning we painted, framed and dropped off paintings for the opening on Saturday night.

Tony Conner was hanging the show with the help of his high school volunteer team.

Jane Ramsey arrived right after I did and pulled out her paintings for us to see. We were all working so hard we hadn't seen anything anyone was painting unless they were near us in the field! 

Tony is giving directions and they are listening.  These guys had to move fast!

Paintings were unpacked, lined up on the tables and Tony would tell the boys exactly where to place them.

They were practically synchronized- it looked like a dance.

Jane wanted our oppinion on which two paintings to enter in the competition. 

Hiu Lai arrived minutes later as Jane's paintings were being hung - no kidding.  Go Tony- what a pro!  

Bob Lowary explained the reason for the color of the antique glass balls on the lighting rods.

Frank Costantino arrived with more painters right behind him. The show was going up fast! 

Painting in Vermont ~ 2nd Day

We had a little sun & lots of clouds on our second day of painting. 

I set up on Main St with a view down the hill toward Mount Anthony.  

There were some nice shadows and light so I blocked it in fast.  It didn't last long then more big clouds rolled in. 

People were dropping by all day to see the painters at work . Jim & Jeannette Gurney were down the street from me at the crossroads in the town center.

When I arrived Jim was painting with a mall stick and a sable brush...this guy is into refined detail ! 

Jeanette was painting in watercolors behind him.  They were both painting the Powers Market.  I loved Jim's "Art Dept" orange cones...   they are so "official looking" they keep the coast clear of parked cars in big cities.   Go Jim!

Here is a close up of Jim's painting.  A real gem. 

The next painting location we headed to was behind Park-McCullough where we found Andrew Orr set up and splashing paint!

I set up down the lane behind him...

...where I could get a view of the barns and meadows... 

...and I drew it in as fast as possible as sunset is early these late summer days.

Finally the sun broke through a short while later and, wow what a difference! 

I'm working fast.

The horses loved having the painters around - these must be some of the most intelligent, gentle horses I've ever met. 

They frolicked in the sun as we all painted like mad!  Day 2 was ending fast! 

Check out James Gurney's blog on his hot reports of North Bennington Plein Air....