The one that survived the lake

I didn’t think there would be any more opportunities to paint boats in Hudson this year, but my friend Michelle reached out with a nice invitation to join her at the yacht club last weekend, and I didn’t hesitate to say yes. I’m so glad I did.

We chose a painting spot out on the pier where we could look back at the marina and the trees on the shore. It’s a complex viewpoint but I chose to focus on the blue sail cover in the foreground and the masts behind it. Two thirds of the way through my painting, I briefly considered tossing it in the lake and starting again, but I think it was just missing darks. I repainted the background to darken it and that helped a lot. Painted on a pad of Arches 140lb CP paper, using lots of Cobalt Blue that had escaped a well on my palette.


49 Comments on “The one that survived the lake”

  1. Janice Kelly says:

    Really excellent. The colour and draping of the mainsail is very, very well done. Enjoyed all aspects of the work.

  2. Betsy says:

    I love this! So complex, yet in a way, streamlined in colors and shapes. Really glad it escaped the lake!

  3. Anne-Marie Vanier says:

    Thank you so much for sharing how you felt through the process. It helps those of us much less experienced that you are appreciate the challenge we face when painting – even more so from life. You made beautiful order out of chaos and I love the result!

  4. Susan Gayfield says:

    Glad you didn’t toss it. Really nice.

  5. Jan says:

    So beautiful and the complexity takes my breath way. Kudos for saving it from the lake and hanging in there to finish it!

  6. K Grantz says:

    I love reading how you go about these complex scenes. I’ve been thinking a lot about negative space these days and it seems that the entire top of the painting is itself a complex series of negative spaces. Love the blue sail cover!

  7. Linda says:

    Fantastic, a really great work. Very well done. Kompliment 👍

  8. Cathy says:

    That’s a beauty. I’m glad you didn’t give up on it!

  9. BUNNY DE RIDDER says:

    Haha I can fully understand that it is easy to get lost painting this and getting the values right. I admire the painting!

  10. Denise - Austin, TX says:

    The lighting on this is gorgeous!!! Glad it didn’t end up in the lake!!

  11. lois says:

    I’m glad you didn’t toss this, either. It looks very dramatic.

  12. joantav says:

    So glad you didn’t toss it. It is really lovely! The front boat stands out with all those masts behind it.

  13. Maureen says:

    Good for you for not tossing it! I’ve been tempted to do that with my work more than once. The colour on the sail is stunning.

  14. Cherry clark says:

    That is a truly magnificent painting.

  15. Chris Rusk says:

    This really strong – I was fascinated by the water’s surface at the base of the boat especially to the front of it – it drew me in. Everything fits beautifully.
    A very successful work – I really like it 🙂

  16. Michele Meredith says:

    So lovely and abstract. Glad you didn’t!!! Always fun painting with you .Lets get out there again.

  17. -N- says:

    Glad this one survived the frustration! And good to know even the best artists (of which I think of you) are human. As always, your paintings are so fresh and colorful they make my day the better for seeing one.

  18. Sharon Maggiore says:

    Really enjoyed this one. My favorite parts are the shading on the covered sail, the reflection on the side of the front boat and the water reflections.

  19. Corinne Murphy says:

    Thank you, Shari! Your water shots are always remarkable.

  20. Denise says:

    Another stunner! Your encouragement to “never give up” is so rewarding!
    Denise

  21. Ginie says:

    Amazingly beautiful Shari!

  22. gaelle1947 says:

    Bravo! That’s not just a survivor, it’s a winner, in all aspects!

  23. Elizabeth Daggar says:

    It’s incredibly complex!! And the painting you managed is astonishing. Agreed about the blue draped tarp- it really draws the eye and gives the scene wonderful grounding.

  24. Jeanne says:

    You should enter this painting in an upcoming competition. Wonderful focal point. Thanks for sharing.

  25. janesai65 says:

    Beautiful detail work


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