Sunday, November 8, 2009

Near Halifax, Nova Scotia


Water Street, Chester, Nova Scotia
12x16" watercolor on 300 lb. Aquarelle Arches block.

This is my November installment for Bill Guffey's Virtual Paintout challenge blog. This month the city chosen was Halifax Nova Scotia and and its surrounds. I think all painters I knew back in the day had applied or certainly knew about going to school in Nova Scotia. There's an excellent video documentary,"Rivers and Tides" on Andy Goldsworthy that features work he did there. So - I felt some familiarity with this area even though I have never been there. I did the usual Google street map searching and I really wanted to do this lighthouse and rocky shore, but finally chose this view southwest of Halifax in a town named Chester. I had never seen a boat like this - it looks like it came to a sudden stop rather than floating restfully at dock. The view of the bay with its ferryboat reminded me a lot of Hatteras Island here in NC.


13 comments:

Shelley Ross said...

Ah, Very Nice! The water reflections are perfect. You handle watercolour so well. I really love your colours on this one.

I have never been to Nova Scotia, but it is on my list. As a Canadian, I must see the other coast! I've been walking the virtual streets of Halifax for a several days now and am planning a piece for the Virtual Paintout, too.

Shelley

Gary said...

Thanks Shelley - I am really looking forward to seeing what you've found. I just might do a second one, it seemed to be spring/early summer in the village of Chester on Google - found flowering trees w/shadows, etc.

Gillian Mowbray said...

A beautiful painting - probably my fav of all the entries on VP so far.
Thanks for the Andy Goldsworthy link. I'm a great fan of his work - it's so emotive - maybe because it's transient. I enjoyed that.

Autumn Leaves said...

Beautifully done, Gary. I love boats and water paintings, always. I really admire that you've captured the weathering or rust on the white ferry boat too!

Leslie Hawes said...

Rich color to your painting. Brilliant!
Thoughtful inclusion of Goldsworthy's video.
Words can't describe how poignant his works are.
Thank you for posting it.

Jeanette Jobson said...

This piece is beautiful Gary. You have the feel of the water and reflections, I can almost hear the lap of water against the side of the boat. And the colours are rich yet muted too. They 'fit'.

I was born in Halifax and of course live just 'down the road' now :) in Newfoundland so this scene is very familiar. This is indeed Chester.

I shall be revisiting Halifax and surrounds again to see what treasures I can unearth there too.

Jeanette Jobson said...

I forgot to say that Goldsworthy's video was brilliant and sad at the same time. It makes me want to go build a similar one on the beach.

Unknown said...

I love studying your work. Trying to figure out your techniques. Keep posting, I'm learning a lot! ;)

Krista Meister said...

Gary, I am in awe of your talent. This is truly a beautiful painting. I've just recently discovered traveling virtually and using Google Street Maps. I'll have to look into the Virtual Paintout Group.

Phillip Holt said...

Gary,
Good job with the boats, that was one of my favorite locations. You really did a great job eliminating some of the junk on the pier. The rust on the boat look great.
If I have the time I will paint some boats at Peggys Point.
Phil

Silvia Williams Paints Watercolors said...

Gary, I am very impressed with your Halifax boats. The image stays imprinted in the mind. You have really captured the seascape , the boats and the feeling. I love your colors and the accuracy of the painting. Great job.BRWS does not meet again till March. Can let you know . It is the second Tuesday of month. Come join us.Silvia

Cathie Tonkins said...

WOW! Well everyone has said it already but I will pipe in. The cool sky and the wonderful reflexions in the water are wonderful. Gonna give up your secrets! :-)

Rosemary said...

Ditto to all the above comments! Great painting with lots of atmosphere! Every now and then I try watercolor, say swear words (mild ones) and rip up the paper! How you can capture the ripples in the water, the reflections and keep it all so "clean" is a mystery to me! Ok...guess it's called "talent"! Anyway...bravo! Great job!

Thanks for including the Goldsworthy clip!