Great Bay at Moody Point #2

by Alden Cole on January 17, 2013 · 2 comments

Great Bay #2acrylic on masonite panel
12″ x 20″
collection of Pasha Buck

Painted in one session, Wednesday 9.26.12, the first day of an autumn vacation in New England; there to celebrate my 50th high school graduation reunion from Thornton Academy in Saco, Maine. I took my way north to Dayton via Megabus to Boston, then C&J bus lines to Portsmouth, where friend Heinz Sauk-Schubert picked me up. The next two nights were spent in Newmarket, New Hampshire, at Moody Point on the Great Bay of the Piscataqua River, where this painting struggled into the light. My own worst critic was hanging over my shoulder that day while painting, so after a few hours of give-and-take I finally gave up. Complaining of my struggles to Diane, Heinz’s wife, she was most complimentary of the painting. I whined some more about the difficulties of painting, then announced “Well then, it’s yours. I’ll give it to you as a poor exchange for the great meals you’ve cooked while I’ve been here.”

Despite my criticisms of the painting, I took photographs before I left, and once back in Philadelphia, seeing pictures up on screen, I realized the painting was better than I had thought initially. Always interesting to see paintings photographed and on screen – gives a totally new perspective. Anyway, I sent images of the painting to several friends, the response was unanimously complimentary. I mentioned this to Diane, and she graciously offered to return the painting if I ever had the chance to sell it. This occurred on January 8th, the Tuesday after my 2012 holiday emails series finished. Pasha Buck, an old friend I haven’t seen eye-to-eye since 1978 in Santa Fe, and who had responded early in the series that she felt she needed to own an Alden, concluded that her favorite painting of the series was this one, and she was ready to write a check as soon as she had my address. I was thrilled for many reasons: as a retiree, a little extra cash is always welcome; plus selling one’s art is one of life’s biggest thrills anyway; it confirmed that the painting was really a pretty good painting after all; AND it was the second painting I’ve sold this New Year 2013, at the beginning of the second week. Will this become a trend?

{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }

Janet Gaudette January 28, 2013 at 10:45 pm

Hi Alden,
Congratulations on another sale! I’m glad you remained constant in your pursuit despite discouragement. Perseverance rides again!
I like the composition. Great job executing the linear & aerial perspective leading to the bay’s outlet. Creates a mystery of what is beyond. To me, that is the focal point. But like poetry, to each his own.
My Website is still under construction. I got side-tracked by your Blog which is an inspiration. . I like your farm series. Adds validity to what my instructor used to say, “Paint what you know”. Keep up the good work.
Sincerely,
Janet

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