Painting at Lake Sunapee

Whenever time and weather allow, I often head to the seashore, the lakes region, or the mountains to find a quiet place to paint. The latest endeavor was at Sunapee Harbor to work some more on this painting of the boat-the MV Kearsarge-that is. This is usually a quiet place with kayaks and ducks paddling around.

First order of the morning: coffee at Fenton's. Then a mosey on by Wild Goose Country Store before I set up the pochade box.

My husband settles down to read while I paint. I put in a couple more hours on this after leaving it tucked away for a year. In the rack in the studio is a stack of 8x10's and 9x12's of en plein air starters. I never finish one on location-my style is too detailed for that-I finish it up in my studio at a later date. Instead, my goal when painting outdoors, is to pin down the composition, light and basic colors. Notice how the shadows disappeared as the morning clouded up.

Boats, ducks, and the occasional loon come in to shore. The scene is always changing but ever the same. The MV Kearsarge is being replaced after 40 years of service by a new dinner boat.

Sunapee Harbor is a relaxing place to lose all track of time and capture a moment on the lake.