Aquinnah Cliffs Watercolor

Beachcomber

Watercolor done at Philbin Beach in Aquinnah.

More Menemsha Watercolor

The stone jetties in Menemsha are a lot of fun to paint and draw. This is from my travel watercolor sketchbook.

Sketching at the Lobsterville Jetty

A pen sketch from the Lobsterville side of Menemsha this morning.

Make Your Own Treasure Map Day

In today's class, the kids got to make their own treasure maps (the same project that was so popular last year). I showed them many examples of old maps, both real and fictional, and also some beautiful reproductions of different designs for compass roses. After they drew and painted their map, I helped them age the paper using coffee grounds. I snapped a few pictures of some of the maps while they were drying.

A simple island, but make sure that you keep an eye out for the ominously named "Blodsand beach".


Those who venture into "Unforgiveibiel bay" should keep an eye out for piratical ruffians.


Here we have the always popular island of "Never Land". However, it seems that poor Peter Pan has been ostracized and the island is now equally divided, split down the middle, between Tinkerbell and Hook.


As you can see, the line clearly defines where Tinkerbell's land ends and Hook's part of the land begins. Tinkerbell has also graciously allowed the "Magic School" to conduct classes on her property.


While he doesn't have a Magic School, Hook can offer visitors "Hooks Fighting Ally". Just keep an eye out for the ferocious sea monster. He might say "Grr!" at you!


Beware to all who enter "The Island of Danger"! Here we have a wide variety of danger for thrill seekers who dare to try their luck.


Keep an eye out for the spooky inhabitants of "The Gost Room". People can also stop by the "Treasher map making studio" to make their own souvenirs.


And I don't think I have to tell you to look out for "The spooky old man's home". Rumor has it that the spooky old man bears a striking resemblance, both in appearance and mannerisms, to Christopher Walken.


Don't forget to visit "Zombi cafe" for a nice local cup o' joe.


"Night Island" presents us with a unique geographic formation. Here you will find such landmarks as "The Gulf of Night", "Wolverine Woods", "Snake Lake", and "Dark Shark Ocean".


And what map island would be complete without a ship full of pirates looking for treasure? "Land ho!"

Watercolors in Menemsha

I went to Menemsha today for a little bit to eat lunch and to get in some watercolor practice. I brought my little travel watercolor sketchbook and decided to work on pictures featuring buildings, since those are a weak point in my drawing skills. And so, here are pictures of the Coast Guard station and a little garage down by the water. I was hoping to paint more than two pictures this afternoon, but it was just too windy down by the water to manage more than this.

Island Summer

Yesterday I made the annual summer trek out to Martha's Vineyard. I'll be here until August 12th, teaching art classes for children at a local art gallery. This will be my fourth summer teaching at the art gallery, and here is what I have planned for the classes this year. I'm strongly encouraged by my grad school program to do some teaching this summer, and since I was going to be teaching these classes anyhow it works out nicely.

I'll be posting art whenever I can this summer. I always carry a sketchbook around the island with me, and I try to draw during my lunch breaks or whenever else. I'm hoping to finish up some bigger pieces I've been working on, as well as possibly make some more Lost character portraits this summer. I might be sharing some stuff from the classes I'm teaching as well.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with this silly little doodle. My mom had left a note on the kitchen counter about family dinner plans at a local seafood restaurant, and since there was no morning newspaper lying around I felt the need to embellish her note while I was drinking my morning coffee. I think the correct inner monologue for the biggest fish would be, "Nom nom nom!"

Completed Mailbox

And the custom mailbox is done! I finished painting it earlier this week and attached all of the hardware yesterday. It feels good to have that project done with.