Quogue Wildlife Refuge

Last Tuesday my PALS plein air group met at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. The forecast was for drizzle in the early morning but clearing by the time rush hour was over. We meet at 10:00 so that sounded like it would work out, but at 10 it was still misting. The refuge has an indoor nature center with huge, nearly floor to ceiling windows overlooking a former ice pond. They opened the building early for us so that we could stay dry. This was the lovely view.

Indoors we had the view as well as exhibits of animals and insects around the room. I did sketch a turtle in a tank next to me.

 

Here are Linda, Michele, and Dale enjoying the views.

 

Return to Quogue Wildlife Refuge

My plein air group scheduled a return to the Quogue Wildlife Refuge this week. It was a miserable, rainy day. Luckily they have a nice building with big picture windows where we were able to sit and paint.

Beach Sketches

Yesterday I took a ride out to Dune Road in the Hamptons. It is a barrier beach that runs from Westhampton through East Quogue, Quogue, and Hampton Bays. This part of Long Island has been a favorite of mine since I was in my 20s and I always tell Jerry that when I die I want my ashes sprinkled there. Along the road are million dollar mansions, some condos, a few resorts as well as a few small cottages. It is a beautiful area but at high tide it is very often flooded in spots. Beach parking in the summer is expensive unless you are a resident, but at this time of year you can park easily. I planned on parking at Ponquogue Beach because the parking lot has great views across the dunes and bay and a pavilion with tables where you can sometimes be sheltered from the wind. Just my luck...the parking lot was closed because they are rebuilding the beach pavilion. I ended up driving along heading back west and checking out every parking lot along the way. Most spots had no view of the water unless you were out of the car, and it was too windy yesterday to do that. Finally in Quogue I found a small lot that is more of a street.  It went up to Dolphin Beach where there was a small opening in the dunes. I could just see the water from my car...perfect! When I finished my watercolor I turned the car around to leave and noticed that the view looking toward the bay was nice too, so I did that view as well.

Beach Sketches

Both of these were painting with watercolors before the painting challenge started. They were done along Dune Road in the Hamptons, one of my favorite places to visit. The bottom one is the concession stand at one of the beaches in Quogue.

Dune Road House

On Monday I headed over to Dune Road in Quogue. This is part of the Hamptons, and the houses here are expensive even if they are small like this one. It is prime real estate.

It was a bit windy so I did this from my car. This is 5 x 7.

April 10 - Dillon, SC

Dune Road View II

On Friday we had such wonderful weather so I drove back out to the Hamptons to the same spot on Dune Road where I knew I could park. I wanted to try another view of this area. Instead of painting the view to the right like last time, I looked slightly left. This painting is about 6 x 15. I also used a fine micron pen for the wires. I think that works a bit better.



Dune Road Views

With the forecast for mild weather I headed for Dune Road out in the Hamptons, an area that has million dollar homes. Right now you can park in some areas, but once the season starts you have to be a resident. This was done in the Quogue section of Dune Road where "Hotdog Beach" used to be. I believe the fence on the left is what remains of "The Barge" which was a local bar/hangout when I first started going to the Hamptons in college. The second painting was done from the same parking area, but I parked close to the road itself so I could look down the road to paint.