Meig's Point -- 12 September 2013 -- and CTSA Member Notes

Hammonassett was golden! The marshes are all starting to glow with their fall colors, and the trees are filled with migrating birds, including the great swarms of tree swallows in the photos below. There was at least one new observation platform along the beach path, and workers were clearing grass and brush around what I call Larry's Beach, right at the waterfront entrance from the Meig's Point parking area. But storm damage still is evident, and places where we once had paintable vistas still have not healed.

I arrived around 8:15 and hiked around the two "island" trails behind the Nature Center. Although both were beautiful, the paths were swarming with hungry mosquitos. I ran the circuit, snapped some pics, and headed back just as Patty called, wondering where I was. We decided to head out to Meig's Point, where we found Jay, Tom, Gail Bannock, and Dick McKillip (all MAS plein air veterans) already setting up.

Patty ultimately had to give up, probably around 10, because of her allergies, just before Veronica arrived. So altogether we were 7 for the day, although Patty is not in our group shot. Some of the others got together for lunch.

Yesterday, I had an email from Hans, who is just back from a week in Tuscany, where he says he completed an impressive 16 paintings. He sent me 8 of them, which I'm including in this post.  Very nice work, Hans! We're looking forward to your being out with us again next week at Guilford Train Station.

On another note -- Congratulations to Eileen Eder for her first prize painting, Blue Glass Shadow, in the Guilford Art League show and to Joan McP (Seagull Cottage) and Pam Carlson (High Meadow), who also won prizes in the GAL show.

Meig's Point Photos

Tuscany According to Hans

/j

Call to Paint -- 12 September 2013 -- 8 AM -- Hammonassett

Greetings to All,

Looking at the hourly forecast for Thursday, I think we will be OK in the morning. It might be advantageous to come at 8 (when the gates open), in case the weather turns early and to avoid the building winds. For now, they're saying the winds will be South to Southwest. So I'm thinking we might do better painting on the trail out behind the Nature Center, where we might get some protection from that southerly component. Let's plan to meet in that back lot. Directions below.

In case things change between now and then, you should check the blog before you go. In any case, if you carry my cell # (203-641-7427) with you, you can check in if you don't find us. For those of you who don't have a cell phone, if we change at the last minute, I'll try to remember to set up my CTSA sign on a short tripod at the far end of the main Nature Center parking lot, where you would make your left turn to get to the back lot.

If we end up at this site, but you prefer to paint elsewhere in the park, we will hope to do our recap in or near the back Nature Center parking lot at 11:45 if weather permits. If you check in with me when you arrive, I'll call you if we quit earlier.

I hope to see you there.

/j

HAMMONASSETT / NATURE CENTER

From I-95, take Exit 62, and go south on the Hammonassett Connector. After 1 mile, at the traffic light on Route 1 (Boston Post Road), go straight through and into the park. Follow the signs for the Nature Center, counter-clockwise around the round-about and then east for about 0.5 mile to the Nature Center (on your left). Turn left (north) at the far end of the Nature Center parking lot, and drive to the end of the dirt road. There you will find a parking area and the entrance for a loop trail at the north-western end. Pack light, as you will have a little hike if you want to access the marsh views at the back side of the trail.

Riverside Park, New London - 7 September 2013

CTSA was well represented at the Down By The Riverside Festival today. We turned out seven painters -- Cheryl, Keiko and her friend Valerie, both Gretchen B and Gretchen K (her first time out with us this year), Elena, and me. The weather was perfect, and the Conservancy had cleared sight lines so that we had windows on the Thames River behind the park's trees and understory.

I arrived about 8:15 and got myself painting a bit before 9, having sketched three scenes from photos. That enabled me to mostly complete two paintings before lunch. Other artists began arriving around 10:30, as the festival began officially at 11 AM. Most of our group sat down for a quick complimentary lunch just after noon. Everyone else went back to work, but I had planned to leave in time to get back to Guilford before GAL receiving closed at 2 PM. I was wishing I could stay. The live music and a picture perfect day made for great ambiance, and I felt I could have turned out a couple more paintings through the afternoon.

Like Sally on Thursday, I got wrapped up in my own paintings and in watching the clock and neglected to shoot photos.  Just for flavor, I've included a few pics of the park that I shot earlier this week in the rain and a couple from this morning before things got going. It was a challenge artistically... not much man-made...

Our paintings will go to the New London Train Station for I think about a month-long exhibit opening October 19.

Next week, we're back to our Thursday schedule and painting at Hammonassett for our first time this fall. Check the blog before you go to learn where we will meet. It might NOT be Meig's Point.

/j

Guilford Green September 5, 2013

What a beautiful morning though some may have been hesitant to come due to the low hanging clouds.

We had five painters: Jay, Tom Mayer, Cheryl Sorenson, Judy Gay, and me.  Three of us spent our morning across from the Guilford Food Center.

Joan McPherson came at noon and we were all talking so intently that I completely forgot my duties as CTSA poster for today.  There were some good paintings produced too.

So...sorry, but no photos.

Sally

Call to Paint - Thursday, September 5, 2013 Guilford Green -- 9 till noon

This is our first Thursday for the fall season--hooray!   Joan wasn't going to post for a CTSA paint out this week as quite a few of you are attending the Saturday Riverside Festival.  Since I'm not heading to New London, I thought if anyone is around and wants to join me, I will be painting at the Guilford Green on Thursday morning.   I know it may be an all too familiar area for most of you, but painting any of the buildings from different angles is still fun and challenging.

I will be painting at the SW corner of the green across from the iconic Guilford Food Centre.  For those early birds who want to catch that early morning light, I will be there around 8.

Directions:
From I-95, take exit 58 (route 77). Turn south onto route 77 (a.k.a. Church St) and continue south and you will dead end on the green.

I hope to see a few of you there.

Thanks.

Sally