Sunflower Field

I have painted this view of the Suffolk County Farm many times, but have never seen sunflowers in the field...cows maybe, but not sunflowers. This view is on the exit ramp of a very busy highway here on Long Island. The ramp runs on the south side of the Long Island Expressway and there is this very roomy spot next to the marked exit ramp. I'm always expecting the highway police to come along and give me a hard time about parking there, but so far I've been lucky. It isn't like I'm anywhere near the traffic coming off. Just one side of the field had the flowers so I backed up into the corner to get this view. I always sit in my car for safety when I paint or sketch there.

Fountain in the Mist

After painting the fountain I posted yesterday I must have had fountains on my mind. The Patchogue Sketch Club was meeting at Post Morrow in Brookhaven on Wednesday evening. There is a fountain there too, although I've never seen any water in it. I debated about not going because as I pulled out of my garage it was already starting to sprinkle. Our weather had been iffy for days with showers popping up quite often. I ended up driving to the location only to find that it was misting there too.  I started to paint directly in watercolor figuring that if I worked quickly I might be able to complete something before the weather was too bad. I went back to my car and got my painting umbrella which helped keep part of me dry but wasn't doing anything for my paper. I stayed for about 40 minutes and I did as much as I could before it got worse. I took the sketch to the car before I packed up and when I got home I notices there were all tiny water marks on the painting from the mist. I could have worked on it more but I like the effect.

Sayville Fountain & Breakfast

I was passing by this fountain in Sayville and noticed it had water. The last time I sketched it I think it must not have been summer because the water wasn't running. There was part of a house in the scene but I used artistic license and left it out. Most of the water is saved whites but I also added a few narrow drips of water with my white gel pen.

This was a sketch for a recent scavenger hunt on Wet Canvas...food and fruit. It was hard not to eat the breakfast before sketching it...thus the bites taken out of the peach. :)

Lunch, Anyone?

While I was at the festival in Patchogue the other day there were booths selling lots of foods. I liked the colorful look to the sausage & pepper truck, although that is something that would never tempt me. I worked on this until I heard that the zeppole eating contest would be starting shortly. I had friends that were taking part in that so I didn't want to miss it. For anyone unfamiliar with zeppoles they are fried dough, sort of like a doughnut but shaped more like an oddly shaped ball, then they are dusted with powdered sugar. They are delicious but turn to lead in your stomach. lol

A Classic

On Saturday I went to a festival in Patchogue and there was a car show as part of the event. I couldn't resist sketching this 1932 Oldsmobile. I met the owner, who was a classic himself and probably older than the car. lol

Last Lobster

Lobsters were on sale at the supermarket last week so I figured I'd better grab a few before the price goes back up. This little fellow posed nicely for me. I didn't have to keep moving him back to the correct spot. :)

Pine Neck Park

At the end of Pine Neck Avenue in Patchogue is a small park with a bit of waterfront, a boat launching ramp, and a dock. Just as I was getting ready to sketch a family came along with fishing poles and crabbing nets. This young man stayed put for quite a while.