Docked in Tarpon Springs

 

It's SO fun to paint at the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs - and the weather is glorious once again.  The sun felt so strong as I stood in it to get this vantage.  A boat to my right loaded for sponge diving tours each hour and a half, so I had no choice but to stand forward, in the sun.  This may be the most iconic strip in the area, with cute shops and Greek dining lining the streets, and I just HAD to capture it in oils.  This painting and 8 others will hang at the Tarpon Springs Cultural Center through next Thursday.  Painting number 3689 in 3689 days.  

Sailing from Ephraim

This sailboat was picturesque as it sailed from the Ephraim harbor.  With the marina visible in the distance, this scene was a little slice of everyday life along this shore.  This place is one of my favorite towns along the coast in Door County.  It is full of nostalgic buildings dotting the coastline like jewels in a crown.  What a beautiful place to paint!  This painting makes 1308 in 1308 days :)

"Nimble" at Sister Bay

This morning's quick paint was held at Sister Bay.  I was instantly grabbed by this wonderful, old sailboat - and I had to paint it.  The weather was absolutely perfect - warm, sunny with gentle breezes.  I love getting to paint these sailboats - especially since I never get to see them.   We don't see too many sailboats in Missouri!   Painting number 1304 in 1304 days!

Fish Creek Sailboats

Fish Creek Sailboats
Watercolor on paper, 7x5, $100
FIsh Creek Harbor, Wisconsin
Purchase Information

Along the coast of the Door County Peninsula, sailboats of all kinds can be found.  In every town we stopped to paint, these gently floating beauties called out to me!  With all of the paintings I did create, I still wish I could have worked more of them in watercolor.  Until now, I have not sketched anything on my watercolor paper.  With the boats having such specific lines, I did lightly mark the masts and body shapes.  I am also working on hot pressed paper for the first time.  The paper lends an interesting, grainy texture to the color.  Up close, it adds sparkle to the masses. New colors on my palette today - antwerp blue and cobalt teal blue.  One by one, I am trying out some of my newfound treasures - and it is SO fun to experiment with new colors!  This painting makes 575 in 575 days - perhaps I'll work on another sailboat painting from my many new reference photos!