Harvesting the Oysters, a Work In Progress

Harvesting the Oysters, 16" x 24"

I live adjacent to Buzzard's Bay, Massachusetts.  Feeding off that bay are thousands of inlets, one of which, Little Harbor is my neighborhood.  That little harbor is quite shallow and and low tide one can walk across it.  There also is where an oyster farm is situated.  Oysters, unlike other bivalves settle into one place two weeks after birth.  So, once they are clinging to the baskets, they cooperatively await the harvest. This takes 18 to 24 months for oyster to become adults or grow to market size, approximately 3 inches. In this painting the men are harvesting for the market.  In the distance is Buzzard's Bay.

Bayou Dorcheat

Bayou Dorcheat, 2020, Oil on Panel, 16" x 24"

The Bayou Dorcheat's headwaters are near where I grew up in Southwestern Arkansas.  The Bayou runs south through Arkansas ending near Monroe, Louisiana.  It is practically inaccessible except near Dixie Inn, LA.  One needs a proper vehicle and a boat to truly explore Dorcheat.  This is probably what has protected this beautiful force of nature.  Fortunately, my brother knows every water hole and secret place in the area.  He drove me into the dense areas thick with cypress, old growth pine and high quality bottomland forest. The green was all encompassing and the slow movement of the water mesmerizing.

This piece has been submitted to the Copley Society for juried selection in their Member's Summer Show, Reflections.  The show will be virtual from July 30-August 31.  

Bayou Dorcheat in Progress

I'm not happy with the large tree on the left.  The reflection is to large and dominant.  I may lower the tree to about the middle of the panel, thus reducing the reflection,  Or, let the reflection get lost in the water toward the bottom of the panel.  

Bayou Dorcheat in Progress

For the past few years I have been painting on gesso prepared panels that I have prepared the ground with layers of color.  Once that ground is established I will begin to paint the subject using both glazing and opaque techniques.  I am again using a gessoed panel to paint Bayou Dorcheat.  However, this time I am applying the paint directly onto the gesso ground.  Because I glaze a lot, the paint is sliding around and not clinging to the board.  This is making for a very interesting affect with the glazing.  Going to be fun. The blue reflection of the sky will be very important in establishing a focal point, balance, and contrast.