Saldanha Bay is beautiful, it floods the senses! Hundreds of fishing vessels and sailing yachts vied for my attention, but I decided not to overlook the small things! For this composition I experimented quite a bit. I chose a large bollard, miles of rope and one of the ever-present seagulls to paint. The canvas is square and was primed with Napels Yellow. Where I usually fall into illustration mode, this time I ignored the intricate ropes and decided not to "count coils" and paint every little detail! And lastly, I have made generous use of black acrylic paint, which I do not normally use.
I am often surprised that so few people in our area make time to visit Saldanha Bay. When I asked around, I received an answer: "Saldanha is much too industrial with all those factories"! Now, nobody will blame the reader if he starts thinking Birmingham or Detroit! But in truth there is a small steelworks and a fish processing factory, both very picturesque. As the seagull and I glance over the shimmering bay towards the misty steelworks on the horison, we both think: Now, that is not bad at all, is it?
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Industrial or not, I'm sure Saldanha has got plenty to offer the artist - this is beautifully done Marie! The buildings in the distance just give a hint of what you're referring to - lovely!
ReplyDeleteAnother gorgeous seaside painting, Marie! I didn't think of the two cities you mentioned, but I was reminded of Elliott Bay in Seattle and the Thea Foss Waterway in Puget Sound. And still, with the industry, it resonates with beauty and old time sea ports.
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting Marie!...I can smell the sea in the air...the atmosphere is done so beautifully. I especially enjoy the great depth and subtle handling of distant buildings and land.
ReplyDeleteThe composition and the use of the black paint really works here, Marie. I like seeing the suggestion of industry in the background, then the pleasure boat, and the foreground which is beautifully painted. I always enjoy these nautical subjects.
ReplyDeleteLovely Marie - how lucky to have somewhere beautiful to paint that will not get crowded! Like your own secret.
ReplyDeleteSending you hugs from across the miles!
Being faced with all that choice and selecting a wonderful scene! Beautiful Marie - and I too have avoided Saldhana because of the publicity about the industrialisation there. Thanks for putting me straight.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Marie - it's still beautiful! And you did such a good job on the seagull - I see them all the time and can't seem to paint them without them looking trite. I'll take a lesson from you, I think.
ReplyDeleteYou did beautiful work on this painting, Marie! I love the composition and I have to tell you that the rope is awesome.
ReplyDeleteLiked the strength in the foreground against the 'smoky' distant buildings. Had a peep at your critique and agree that little touch of rich green just does something to the composition.
ReplyDeleteMaree and Liz, Isabel le Roux oftens paints Saldanha with a lot of colour and joy!
ReplyDeleteSherry, Linda, Catherine and Nancy, your kind comments mean a lot to me.
Kelley, I have to do tiny alterations to the beak until it looks right, so the gulls are not easy at all!
Manon, I loved doing the rope!
Thank you, Joan, and thanks for checking that critique, I often forget the formula of "a lot, less, and a little"!
Very nice composition and attention to detail without over doing.
ReplyDeletethrough an artist's eye, it's all a feast.
ReplyDeleteI like what you did here.
Hi Marie...
ReplyDeleteWish I could see the way the gull does!! Wonderful place.
Marie, thanks for visiting my blog recently. Insomnia from an unusual hit of late night caffeine finally freed up some time to blog!
ReplyDeleteThis piece is wonderful, with the closeup view taken us into the distant bay scene.
Also, I am delighted to find a fellow sailor. When my husband Gary was alive, we owned a sailboat berthed in San Francisco and spent many wonderful hours sailing the picturesque Bay. We sailed the British Virgin Islands on a chartered sailboat in the late 80s. I like your piece with the boat under maintenance. You give us such a wonderful sense of place with your artwork!
So nice to have a visit from Dewberry Fine Art!
ReplyDeleteMary Sheenan Winn, I felt very happy doing outdoor still life, Tx for your comments!I am a little flat from painting all day, but will post another ocean-side still life to-morrow!
Marian, yes, they are so cheeky and confident, what are these gulls thinking?
Mary, how nice! You and I just missed each other because we sailed the British Virgin Islands,St Thomas and many islands in 1984-5. I was 40 then, now I am 66, but it feels as if one will easily cope with sailing again!Strange thing, though, now that there is Facebook, I cannot re-connect with any of the wonderful folks we met while sailing!