Sand Beach
Posted: October 8, 2023 Filed under: Uncategorized 38 CommentsIt’s my first visit to Acadia National Park in Maine. Wow, what a spectacular place! My MISA workshops here start tomorrow so I’ve spent a few days driving through the park, scouting out painting locations. Sand Beach was high on my list so I headed back there today with my sketchbook.
The surf today was even more dramatic, after the remnants of Hurricane Philippe passed through here last evening. I don’t think I’ve ever tried to paint water that was a wild as this. And when I was part way through my sketch, a fine mist starting falling so I had to pack up my gear before the whole sketch washed away. I dried the paper using the hand dryer in the restroom, and I have to admit, I don’t dislike the texture that I was left with from that mist. I don’t ever sprinkle salt on my paintings but in this case, it worked. In the warmth of my room I added a few spots of white for the crashing waves.
Love it! Very moody! Great waves!
Thanks Frieda!
And the salt was a good idea. It gives a great rough structure to the rocks.
The salt came from nature which makes it even more fun!
Aaahh from the sea!
Welcome to one of the most beautiful places! The wildness is caught here – especially the wind.
It sure is one of the most beautiful places. Not sure why I waited so long to see it.
Glad you like it!
Your last few emails were missing your paintings. Any idea why? Thanks, P
Hi Patricia, I’m not sure why you can’t see the paintings. It seems that other people see them because I have lots of comments. Do you have slower internet? Perhaps they are not downloading. I haven’t had any other complaints.
Beautiful! I’ve been to Acadia several times and it is breathtaking.
Can’t wait to see more.
Nancy, I think I need to come back when I am not teaching so I can really see it, and do some hiking. But wow, it’s amazing!!
We just came home from Maine, we didn’t get as far north as Acadia. We just love Maine and go every year. Acadia and the entire Mt Desert Island is just wonderful to experience. There is so much to do. I’m glad you had fun! I love the sketch!
Laura, I have been to Southern Maine many times but this is the first time up here. Wow, it’s really a stunning landscape. And yes, lots to do!
Great painting. It is amazing what watercolor does of its own will at times. I hope to get more adventurous and experiment more on my paintings. I work mostly in classes that I take locally. Then I finish up sections after class at home. Getting too old to travel for classes any more. I have assisted an instructor at the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. for a little over 11 years. Love it when the lightbulb goes on over a student’s head on about the third day of classes.
I enjoy and save your Sketchbook emails for encouragement and ideas of things I can look for close to my home.
Barbara Pigati Greenwood, IN (Suburb if Indianapolis, IN)
Barbara, it’s so nice of you to write. I know that lightbulb feeling very well. I usually see that when someone figures out the right ratio of pigment to water on the brush. When they put down that juicy wash that looks so gorgeous on the paper, I see it go on. It’s a great feeling. And it’s wonderful that you save my posts. Some people say that blogs are dead but I still love writing mine and hearing back from people that they find it useful, so thanks for that too.
Love your seascpae! I wish you good weather and stalwart students.
Thanks Ashley! The forecast is looking good, and so far the students seem eager and nice. Today will be our first day out on the town. Hope you’re well.
Lovely, lovely, lovely!
Magnificent waves!
It’s wonderful to have you here
Shari this is lovely. And yes, the surf at Acadia is spectacular. If you can, definitely go up to the Schoodic Peninsula area of Acadia. From Bar Harbor you can take the ferry to Winter Harbor, then the park service bus to Schoodic. It’s truly the very best section of Acadia, less populated by tourists, allowing a closer, more accessible and intimate experience of the park’s extravagant beauty and ocean’s power. If not now, maybe your next trip.
Our favorite little village is Corea, just up from Winter Harbor!
Enjoy.
Shari this is lovely. And yes, the surf
Very cool textures!!! Beautiful!
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Looks really nice. Thanks for sharing
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Like others, I have been to Maine many times but never to Arcadia. Your painting really captures the effects of the hurricane. The colors are lovely. have missed writing for awhile. Lots going on here at home but hopefully all is settled down now.. I do envy you your travels.
Marvellous result!
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It’s a miracle. I see both words that you wrote! Thanks Alison.
It’s always great, Shari, how you paint a picture of what was happening when you did a painting. As visual artists, we all love imagining a scene in visual terms. Thank you!
Lynn, it’s always nice to hear from you.
Beautiful sketch! I love the texture! Adding salt manually never seem to come out right. Trust Nature to do it the right way. Acadia NP is beautiful and must be amazing at this time of the year with fall foliage everywhere. A little tip if you go to Bar Harbor – see if there are any cruise ships in port that day on cruisemapper.com. The town gets overcrowded with 2,000+ people visiting for the day.
Thanks. Glad you like it. As for the cruise ships, there seems to be one here every day. I think the autumn cruises are very popular. But we are mostly out of the centre of town so we’ve managed to stay away from the crowds. And if we go into town we go early before they get off the ships.
Love it! Another happy accident!
Betsy, thanks!
Nice work
Thanks!
I am slowly catching up on your postings. I was in Venice for the last month and couldn’t comment on your blog at all. This painting is just wonderful!!! I love the effect of the mist and the salt. There is such a feeling of energy and freedom in this one.