Saturday, October 5, 2024

CLOUD SHADOWS - ALASKA

 


I stood for some time watching how the light and shadow played out over the side of this mountain in Alaska. At times, the cloud cleared till I could see the peaks more clearly but I liked this look when they were more shrouded and the further ones draped in shadow. The water was a deep glacier blue of the shade I have only seen in Alaska or Canada - probably from the icemelt. I am still drawing heavily from the inspiring period I spent there and hope I am able to capture some of it in my paintings. This small oil on canvas is 8 x 10 inches.

Monday, September 30, 2024

ALONG THE CHRISTINA

 


I painted this scene looking upriver from a viewpoint next to the Rowing Club. The boats are launched from a floating dock which you can see just in front of the building. On this early morning, sunlight illuminates the water and far bank but the foreground is shaded by a large trees that trail over the river. I noticed sunlight filtering through the trees in spots onto the grass and this was an effect that I wanted to included in my painting.



 

Shown above was my initial block-in using thinned oil paint after finalizing the layout and details. I don't always start a painting this way but because of the full range of tones from dark to light in this scene, it helped me better decide how to proceed. Size of this one is 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

Wednesday, September 25, 2024

HEADLAND - SAGRES

 



Here at Sagres, Portugal, I was standing on the beach next to the fort which was above and behind me. I liked the way this headland stretched out into the bay but decided for this painting, to focus on the just the tip. A collapsed section had created this darker shadow which I found exciting against the sunlit areas of the almost sheer rock faces. On the extreme tip, two fisherman dropped long lines down into the sea and a few gull patrolled just offshore. Since this bay is secluded, the wave action was mild compared to the one on the other side of the fort which was very popular with surfers, even in winter. Size is 8 x 10, oil on board.

Saturday, September 21, 2024

ALASKAN MOUNTAIN IV

 



While on board the ship, I managed to do a few paintings and studies during our trip to Alaska a few years ago, this painting came out of those studies. Mainly I was trying to capture some of the incredible beauty surrounding us and how small we felt next to some of the massive mountains we found along the way. In the painting, you may see some tiny trees which do give somewhat of a scale to the actual size of these ranges. As it was late in the season, there were only a few icebergs around but we often came across smaller clusters of ice floating near the shore. Soon, the winter snows and blizzards would come to this part of the world but for that day, we had perfect weather. A cool breeze but beautiful sunny skies - perfect for viewing vistas such as this. 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

Monday, September 16, 2024

OSPREY FEATHER

 


I found this feather when walking by the Christina river a little while ago. I pretty sure it is an osprey's feather, they are regularly seen flying by and diving for fish,  and their nest is not far away downriver. The resident pair used to use a nesting platform set up in the middle of the marsh but this year they opted to nest on the old railway bridge. A month or so ago, I did see three of them in the air at once so I suppose they have been at least partially successful but the area is also covered by a pair of Bald Eagles and they are know to predate Osprey chicks. Perhaps the people in the nearby education center know more about their breeding success, I'll have to ask the next time I'm down that way. Size of this watercolor is 12 x 9 inches.

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

ALONG THE ALGARVE

 



Another painting done from our Portugal trip some years ago. I loved the colors of the cliffs and rocks found in this area and actually had to tone down their intensity somewhat. This was a quiet beach we spent some time on and I managed quite a few studies. On the opposite side was a narrow path heading up part of the cliff side which I tackled as it allowed some wonderful views across the water a little higher up than would otherwise be possible. I still have to do any paintings from that viewpoint though. This one is another 10 x 8 inch painting, oil on board.

Thursday, September 5, 2024

OVER THE SHALLOWS

 



I started this painting a long time ago and can't quite remember if I showed it here on my blog, perhaps in an unfinished state? Anyway, here it is finally completed. I loved looking at this scene across the shallows to the distant body of water which had been highlit by the late afternoon sun - the view here is looking directly towards the light. I probably did another smaller version of this back then but as most of my records are still in storage, don't have access to know for sure. I'm hoping this will change soon but in the meantime, I'm still travelling around looking for places like this to paint. This is a 9 x 12, oil on canvas, 

Saturday, August 31, 2024

OFFSHORE ROCKS

 


I saw these rocks just offshore when we were visiting Portugal. Here, I was looking almost directly into the late evening light which because of some cloud cover, is a bit subdued. The rocks appear quite dark against the much lighter sky behind but there are some highlights where the sun was catching their edges on the left but this is hard to see in the photo. I also captured a wave passing through the scene which adds just a little bit of drama to what would otherwise be a rather quiet image. This is another 8 x 10 inch painting, oil on board.

Thursday, August 29, 2024

WINTER SPARROW

 


House Sparrows are common around here (as they are in many parts of the world) but I still like their bold chirpy character. In winter, the black bib is not as apparent as in summer giving the bird a slightly more subdued look which I prefer. This bird is sitting on a rather rusted spike that was part of a large rivet-like attachment holding together what must have been a boat dock or some sort. Heavy storms had have broken apart the large timbers, one part of which was still attached and I chose this prop to echo some of the colors in the birds plumage. Size is around 12 x 9 inches, watercolor on Bockingford paper.

Sunday, August 25, 2024

RING-BILLED GULL STUDIES

 


I did these adult Ring-billed Gull studies mainly to contrast the different head patterns in their winter plumage. A few birds have paler marking than the two shown here, conversely some are quite a bit darker but I find these medium-sized gulls very attractive and have done many studies of them ever since I saw them for the first time over 30 years ago.




These studies of first winter birds were done for the same reasons as the adults. I am especially attracted to  them mostly because of the soft-pinkish bill and their dark brown eyes. To me they have a somewhat 'cute' look to them in this plumage and being 3 year gulls, I am still seeing some 2nd year birds around here with pinkish bills although a few are beginning to turn a darker greenish-yellow whereas the irises are getting lighter. Both studies are about 12 x 9 inches, watercolor on paper.

Wednesday, August 21, 2024

MAGELLANIC PENGUIN

 


Although I haven't seen Magellanic Penguins in the wild, I still wanted to do this study of a bird I saw at the zoo. When living in Cape Town, I watched the similar African Penguin on a few occasions as they were quite near to where I was staying at the time but not sure if any of my old sketches of those birds survived the many moves. Anyway, this was an enjoyable diversion from the mostly oil paintings I have been doing of late, Size is about 10 x 8 inches, watercolor on Crelando paper.

Monday, August 12, 2024

COASTAL MARSH, MID-MORNING

 


I did this small oil study while visiting a wildlife refuge in NJ some time ago. At this point, I had driven out a long way and had parked up so that i could take a better look around. Here, I am looking back towards the coast which on this morning, looked very hazy and distant. Two Black Duck in flight added a little life to the scene. As I stood painting, a Northern Harrier drifted by followed by an Osprey or two. Sparrows called nearby - I think they were the rarer Seaside Sparrows but I never got a very clear look at them. Further out were a small flock of Brant Geese and across the water to my left, Green-winged Teal slept alongside a young Great-blue Heron and two Snowy Egrets. Greater Yellowlegs called from the shallows just behind me - their calls ever clear in the quiet solitude of the day. This painting is 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

LAUGHING GULL STUDIES

 


Up until just recently, it had been very quiet on the gull front around here. There was just the occasional bird seen from time to time and earlier in the year, there were a number of non-breeding gulls around (mostly 2nd summer individuals but also a few adults too). But during July, I began seeing more and more gulls coming through mostly following the river in from the Deleware. These were for the most part adults and when I spotted a few gulls across the river in a nearby park the other morning, I went over to take a look. Surprisingly they were mostly Laughing Gulls with a few Ring-billed Gulls also seen. The study of an adult was one of 3 that I saw and had already started its moult as can be seen by the white feathers coming in on its chin and a subtle darkening of the bill. The eye ring was still quite red but beginning its transition to dark. The plumage was faded and worn. but I noticed a new inner primary on each wing just coming in.




The bird above was a second adult that I did studies of. Very faded and worn plumage with the primaries and secondaries looking ragged. This one is obviously quite a bit further ahead of the other with its moult. The bill too is much darker and will eventually be almost completely black with usually just the tip on the upper mandible red. The eye ring has also faded and is now a dark grey. Within a month or so, the head will be almost completely white with just a smudge of black behind the eye. These studies done on Grumbacher watercolor paper, sizes about 6 x 9 inches.

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

ICELANDIC GOAT

 


We found a small herd of Icelandic goats while touring around the island one day so stopped for a while. They were all quite friendly and allowed us a close approach = probably they were used to visitors and hoping for some food. The older males were the most impressive with their horns and very long coats while the smaller females (which had white coats) were shorter-haired. Well, that was a few years ago and although I did some studies while in Iceland, it has taken me until now to get around to doing more detailed studies of these impressive animals. This oil is another 10 x 8 inch painting done on gessoed board.

Sunday, July 28, 2024

SNAGGLETOOTH

 



I forgot just how long ago I started this painting of a snaggle-toothed monster, but it has been with me during each move as I always intended to finish it somewhere along the way. I think the main reason it took so long as I couldn't decide what I wanted the croc to be resting on. In the end, I just added a slightly textured base and finally I could call it done! Looking at the finished painting, I'm really glad I put in the effort to complete it. Size is about 7.5 x 11 inches, watercolor on Arches paper

Monday, July 22, 2024

BREAKING SEA

 


Along the coast of Hong Kong again. I managed to find a place with quite rough seas after a storm had passed so painted this scene trying to contrast the waves and lighter foam against the dark of the rocks. I kept the foreground open as a way of drawing your eye into the painting over the waves and the motion of the sea on to the rocks in the background. I love doing smaller paintings like this as I feel that I can capture the intimacy of a scene more easily. Size is 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

Monday, July 15, 2024

LATCH

 

 

While visiting a farm some time ago, I began working on a painting of the south side of a small barn. Attached to the barn was a tool shed and I noticed how the weak afternoon sun created an unusual shadow of the latch on the edge of the half-opened door. Deciding to try and capture this, I did a few small sketches first then painted this one using acrylic which I felt would be suited to the subject. Size is 10 x 8 inches.

Monday, July 8, 2024

OSPREY PORTRAIT

 


I recently completed this Osprey study - something that I have been working on for some time. I haven't had really close-up views of ospreys in the wild, most of my views have been through a telescope which at least allowed me to do a few studies. This is the main reason the painting took so long, anyway, it's done now and I can finally move on to the next painting.



This pencil study is one of a few I did in preparation for the actual painting and I worked quite hard to get it looking the way I wanted. Once completed, I transferred this image to watercolor paper then used this and other reference for the final work. The watercolour is sized at 12 x 9 inches, the drawing at 7 x 5 inches.

Friday, July 5, 2024

CLEARING SKIES

 


During one of our trips to the Netherlands some time ago, we visited Amsterdamse Bos which is a large park-like area outside Amsterdam. There was a multitude of things to paint but I settled on this scene of tall trees in early spring, trying to capture the different shades of green under a clearing sky after some morning showers. A glimpse of distant water appears on the right and the nearby fields were full of geese and birdsong - truly wonderful! Size of this painting is 9 x 12 inches, oil on canvas.

Sunday, June 30, 2024

BARN OWL

 



The other day, I came across images of this Barn Owl painting that I did quite some years ago now. For some reason I had almost forgot about it although seeing the painting again, I do remember working on it and the struggles I had, but I don't think that I have posted any pictures of this one. This is a slightly more cropped view, I think the actual painting shows more of the textured whitewash wall surrounding the old window. I do remember being happy that I had captured the owl in the way that I wanted to and that the painting brought back memories of my youth looking for owls not only on my grandfathers' farm but also any other barns that I came across. One evening my brothers and I attempted to stay a night in an old barn but the eerie screetch of a Barn Owl calling close by in the pitch dark sent up quickly scurrying back home! This acrylic on canvas is about 20 x 16 inches.

Sunday, June 23, 2024

FRENCH BAKERY

 


Living on the edge of the harbor as we did, one of our morning rituals was going out in the morning for coffee. We would walk over to the downtown district and often frequent this French bakery, not just for coffee but also for their delicious baked goods. Here the early morning light cast a deep shadow over the facade so that the interior was dark and mysterious. Would they still have some of our favorite desserts? Size of this painting is 10 x 8 inches, oil on canvas.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

ICELANDIC WATERFALL

 



Iceland has many waterfalls, some extremely impressive. This is one is less so but still, I enjoyed watching the heavy stream of water flowing around and over the submerged rocks creating a foamy pool just below me. Started from a quick sketch I did on site, later when I got back to my room, I would paint from these sketches perhaps also using some video that I took. When I got back home to the studio, I was able to go through the series of paintings I did there touching up as necessary but without doing too much to change each one. This painting is in oil and done on canvas - size is 8 x 10 inches.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

FLOODED PATH

 


Early morning mist was beginning to clear by the time I reached this place that leads to a hidden lake. I wanted to explore there but heavy rains had flooded the path. I was standing on a rough piece of ground next area to the railway tracks painting - the reserve is off to my left, and I tried to capture the thinning mist and atmosphere of that morning. I painted as quickly as I could before the scene changed too much adding to the painting a little when I returned to the studio. It was a memorable morning and I'm glad I made the effort to go out painting. Size is 10 x 8 inches, oil on board.

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

EAGLE SCULPTURE

 



 

I saw this sculpture outside a wildlife rehab center when we were travelling in Ireland. Not having much time for myself (so what else is new!) I did a quick sketch before we left and later, did this painting using my sketch as a base and also referring to some video I had shot. Often when travelling, I am able to paint in the evening when we have returned to wherever we are staying, especially when I have a particular image in mind. I did this one purely for myself trying to capture this unique sculpture. I'm sure that when I am settled I will create something like this myself for my own collection. Size is 10 x 8 inches, oil on board.

Friday, May 31, 2024

MID-MORNING SUN STUDY

 



While living in Baltimore, we often walked down to Locust Point and on to Fort McHenry - the scene of an important battle in the war of 1812 when guns from the fort successfully defended the approach to Baltimore harbor from the British warships. I did a lot of painting there as apart from the historical pentagonal fort, there were many wonderful views in and around especially when looking across the water. Here I am standing under shadowed trees looking away from the fort to the distant headland. The effects of light and shade were exciting to explore as an artist and wonderful to paint! Size is 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

ROCKS NEAR SHEK O

 



Shek O is one of our favorite places to visit on Hong Kong Island. Not only a beautiful beach but many interesting places to explore. This is where most of Hong Kong newly-weds go to take their wedding photos - not surprising really as some of the views from the surrounding rocks are spectacular. There is usually quite a lot of wave action here (and in some of the surrounding beaches) which is a plus for artists like me - rocks, waves and water - a perfect combination. This oil, 8 x 10 inches.

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

MORNING MIST STUDY

 


It was very misty the other morning so I went out to see if I could find something to paint. At times the mist was so thick I couldn't see much but later it thinned a little and I came across this scene. Here I am looking across an overgrown meadow to a small copse of distant trees. A little creek flows through the middle but is mostly hidden by all the grasses. It is with paintings like this that I find I am beginning to approach something closer to my heart - closer to what I want to say about my life and my love. Oil on gessoed board, size is 8 x 10 inches.

Sunday, May 12, 2024

GREEN HERON

 


I had been hoping to get some better reference of a Green Heron as usually they are a little shy and don't allow a close approach. The few times I have been found one nearby, I had been without sketchbook or camera. Fortunately this time was different. I first noticed the bird when it gave its characteristic call in flight just a little way away then it turned and landed out in the open. I slowly walked directly towards the bird stopping every few meters or so while doing a quick sketch etc. Then when I could see the bird wasn't worried about my presence, I slowly moved a little closer.




Amazingly I got to within 2 meters or so and still not much reaction from the bird. I marveled at the plumage in the bright sun especially the almost iridescent green on its back. Still sketching, the bird stretched its neck upwards and appeared to be peering towards the sky - I think there could have been a raptor above but I didn't want to take my eyes off it. Then after a min or so, it shuffled out its plumage and gave a quick shake settling all its feathers back in place again. I think it couldn't quite make out what I was as it then started to display erecting its neck and head feathers.




Then it turned and slowly walked away while keeping its neck stretched upwards. Unfortunately a loud sound nearby frightened it and the heron took flight circling the marsh once before flying off. It was an amazing experience to be so close to a wild bird like this. I did these paintings in my sketch book mostly from my drawings and added watercolor trying to capture its somewhat complicated plumage. They say that all good things come to those who wait, well that was certainly true in this case! Sketchbook size was 12 x 9 inches.

Saturday, May 4, 2024

MARSH MORNING

 



This is my favorite time of the day! Early morning and the promise of a new day. Here I am in the Edwin B. Forsythe National Wildlife Refuge in NJ. The reserve was only a few minutes drive from where I was staying and this scene is looking north along the treeline. To my right are acres of open marsh and I had just missed a very close encounter with a harrier when I saw this but plenty of osprey's along the way made up for it. Since all places are different and each have their own special character, I keep these early paintings small when I work as a way of easing myself into the newness. Once I gain a bit of confidence, I can then start to work larger. This one though is another 8 x 10 inch oil on board.

Tuesday, April 30, 2024

MORNING SHADOWS

 



A few weeks ago, I travelled to the eastern shore of New Jersey and stayed in a quiet condo. My main reason was to explore the area and catch up on some of the early bird migration as well as doing some painting when I could. Going for a walk the next morning, I found a well-wooded place nearby where I saw this scene so did a quick painting of it. There was a hint of moisture in the air which I tried to show by keeping the background a little soft then worked on the shadowy trees and the foreground grass. It was the effect of light and shadow that initially attracted me to this little scene and I enjoyed working on this piece. 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

Thursday, April 25, 2024

WINTER MARSH

 



I painted this painting 'en plein air' working from a vantage point overlooking an inlet into the marsh. It was cold and windy so I didn't spend too long out there! At first, I wasn't that happy with the painting when I got it home but after some time, I realized I did capture something of the character of the place and now I like it a little more. Over the past few months I have been working on smaller oil studies. Towards what, I'm not really sure but I do feel that it is there somewhere in front of me and if I do enough of these paintings, I'll hopefully discover what it is I am searching for. If not, I'll go back to working on other sizes - probably large sky paintings. This one is another 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

Friday, April 19, 2024

ADVENTURE BAY

 


This view on Bruny Island off the coast of Tasmania looking along the beach was one that took me to a very special place. We spent time exploring and after making a few sketches, we drove down to the end of Adventure Bay and walked the trail to Penguin Island - what an incredible experience! In reflection, I'm surprised I haven't done a lot more paintings of this area - I'm sure I'll get to them in due course though. Frankly, there are so many images in my head that I want to translate into paintings that I'll probably never get to do them all. Oil on board, 8 x 10 inches.

Monday, April 15, 2024

PHILLIP ISLAND SURF

 



When we arrived on Phillip Island, the wet and windy weather moderated slightly. The sun broke briefly through the scudding clouds and we were met with a double rainbow as showers drifted off away across the sea. The wind was certainly bracing and the surf was some of the biggest I have seen! Huge surging waves full of spray and spume rolled in and one could clearly see the incredible power behind each one. Many gulls were offshore and amongst them I could see a few albatross along with smaller petrels etc. The visit was to be a very short one and soon we were off again - this time to see Koala Bears! This painting is an oil on gessoed board, 8 x 10 inches.

Wednesday, April 10, 2024

BY THE ROADSIDE II

 


This study was an attempt to do a better job of my first painting of the scene. I am going back quite a few years ago now to when I made a painting trip to Canada. After a long walk, I saw this scene looking across some fields and kept the sky simple in this one as it was one of those rare days when there wasn't a cloud in the sky. I also tried harder with the greens mixing them myself instead of using one out of the tube. I think it captures the day better than the earlier version and I find myself doing many smaller studies often as an experiment but also the fact that I am simply painting my experiences. Another 8 x 10, oil on board.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

ACROSS THE WATER

 


I this small study, I tried to capture the emerald-green water that I saw in Costa Rica. Clouds were slowly building in the background of this rather simple scene but it brought back many memories of my time there. This one, like almost all of my studies these past few months is sized at 8 x 10 inches, oil on gessoed board. I cut and prepare these boards myself giving them 4 or 5 coats of gesso and also priming the edges along with a coat of black acrylic paint on the back in an effort for permanency.

Sunday, March 31, 2024

CHURCH STEEPLE

 


One day when walking around Baltimore City, I happened to notice this church and something about the way the light caught the edges made me pause and take a longer look. I managed to do the painting looking up from the street at the back-lit building and arranged the composition to focus mostly on the sun-lit areas. I struggled a little with the correct tones especially the white of the turret which had different shades of warm and cool greys against the deeper blue of the sky. Like most of my plein air studies, this one is 10 x 8 inches, oil on canvas board.



Wednesday, March 27, 2024

PEAT FIRE

 


While travelling in Ireland, we tried to experience as much of Irish life as possible. So when we visited this traditional white-washed cottage complete with a peat fire burning in the hearth, I was happy to spend some time exploring the interior. First though, I was aware of the rather strong smell of the burning peat turves and sat for a while staring at the fire thinking how this must have been for so many through the years. Especially in winter when the dark comes early, the welcoming warmth and light from a fire was at least something to look forward to. I kept the tones in this painting quite subdued as I wanted to capture how it would perhaps have been on one of those dark, wet and windy nights in Ireland. Oil on canvas board, 10 x 8 inches.

Saturday, March 23, 2024

ALONG THE COAST

 


I liked the way your eye was drawn into the distance when looking along the coast in this scene. Walking the beach in Portugal was always going to be a thrill and I had lived the moment in my mind many times before finally making the trip over. There was a continued sense of wonder and excitement as I drove from place to place especially in the Algarve. We spent a few weeks there and although winter, the weather was as close to ideal as we could have wished it. There were many paintable subjects and so far, I feel that I have only scratched the surface. Like most of the other studies posted here lately, this oil is an 8 x 10. 

Sunday, March 17, 2024

RAVINE STUDY

 



When we visited Madeira, one of the things we did was to drive to the peak of Pico do Arieiro (1862m - almost 6000 feet!). Mostly we were driving through mist and light rain but nearing the top, everything miraculously cleared up as by that point, we were above the clouds and into brilliant sunshine. Views were incredible to say the least and I remember looking down this wonderful sun-filled backlit scene thinking I had to do a painting of it (along with many other scenes that day). Managing just a small study on site, I did this painting as an experiment later on and kept it small as I was thinking of how exactly to capture what I saw and felt there. This oil on board is 10 x 8 inches.

Sunday, March 10, 2024

ISLANDS END

 


Another scene from Hong Kong. This is just the kind of place I loved to explore, clambering over rocks, skirting the edge of the sea, often splashed by errant waves but having the time of my life! Deeper water has a different wave action than that closer to shore - one often reads about 'the hump of the sea' and I have experienced it many times. I tried to get some of that feeling in the painting - mainly deeper water where the rocks fall away suddenly. I also kept certain values in this piece light so as to better indicate bright sunlight. Size of this oil is 8 x 10 inches (20 x 26cm).

Monday, March 4, 2024

DISTANT SAIL

 





I saw this scene while I was back in Hong Kong a while ago. I love views like this of distant islands and in winter, when the sky is clearer with less haze, there is a purity of the light that I really enjoy. I tried to capture this feeling in the small painting done here with sunlight reflecting not only on the sail of the distant boat but also across the sea. This one is 8 x 10 inches, oil on board.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

GREY SKIES IN JAPAN

 





We were driving along the shore looking out to sea when I saw this scene. Heavy clouds that almost touched the water looked like rain but was actually snow - a dusting could be seen on the headland and in some places close by. There was no place to stop so I worked from some of my video trying to capture the almost bleak feeling of the day. This is a small 8 x 10 oil on canvas.

Monday, February 26, 2024

CLOUD MOUNTAIN STUDY

 



 Another painting from our Alaskan trip. Here I focused on clouds surrounding the mountain peak - a mystifying sensation for me. The idea of this particular idea touched something deep inside but I couldn't explain what it was. This month I have been working almost completely on landscapes revisiting some of the places I have visited over the years and pulling out some of the work done back then as well as painting new ones. There are a lot more paintings to come and I am hoping to cover almost all the places I have been to during my travels.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

BEND IN THE RIVER STUDY

 



After moving to Wilmington, I have fallen really behind with posts on this blog! I think it has taken me a little longer to settle in even though we have stayed here before. Finally I am fully set up now with my studio overlooking the Christina River and points beyond. The large windows faces East so I get to see the sunrise each morning and can easily go to the pool deck to see the sunset so very happy with that! This small study done in my sketchbook was painted looking out and down to the river just as it was getting dark. The barge Catherine (New York) was docked against three steel pilings just on the inside bend and made an interesting counterpoint to the flowing river. A few days after I had painted this, a tug and a smaller riverboat pushed it out to the Delaware river and disappeared downstream. Size of this watercolor is about 5 x 7 inches.