Love, Shells and A Feather

What does love, shells and a feather mean, gentle reader? Ooooh la la, I can’t wait to share with you today! But first, this is Virtual Post Card #6 from our Road Trip North 2023. And, I promise to share more about love, shells and a feather here today. But first, here is information about this blog. This is a place where, each week, I share my paintings, road trip musings, and inspiration. Whether this is your first or millionth visit here, hiya, hello and a warm welcome! I choose a theme to guide my paintings each year. To read about this year’s painting theme, check the description in this link here. To subscribe and get a weekly dose of color for yourself, subscribe here. Ready for more about this week’s view? OK! Here goes!

Where Are We

Yes, it is probably a good idea to share our location. Why? Well, because for the past few (holy smokes SIX) weeks, I have been writing about our travels in Maine, Canada and other picturesque campsites and family and friend sites up the East Coast. Since last Thursday, however, we have been sleeping in a house with a bedroom (ahhhh what a delicious delight) with friends here on Block Island.

We arrived by ferry, a day early in an effort to avoid the wild winds and waves of Hurricane Lee. I remember contacting the ferry service to change our ticket. The woman who helped me was surprised to learn that we wanted to arrive a day early, rather than depart Block Island a day early. Ah well, we were grateful to have a fabulous view of the sunset over Point Judith as we trekked to and then safely arrived at Block Island. And, we were relieved to have Hurricane Lee pass the island without incident, too.

Here’s a view just a short walk from our friend’s house. It’s absolutely gorgeous. The stonewalls are covered with a gold colored lichen, the seas are off in the distance. The beach is accessible via a short wooded path.

The wall in the foreground is all that is left of a mansion that burned down here in the ’60s. There’s such beautiful natural views. And, the island itself has an incredible and storied history. But, as usual, I digress! HA!

Why Love

Now that you know where we are, why did I call this painting Love, Shells and a Feather? I guess there are numerous reasons? First, here’s the set up for the painting. You’ll notice that I’m painting indoors. This is because I decided not to bring my oil paints with me on this leg of the trip. The gouache paints are water-based. I just feel a bit more comfortable cleaning up my paints with soap and water in someone else’s home. You know, rather than the gamsol and dawn soap requirements of oil paints?

So, you can see the treasures I have found on my daily walks here and the painting in progress too. I stood up at a bureau in one of the guest rooms to do this and other paintings while here. Not ideal but gotta say it was wonderful to paint without the black flies buzzing in my face (Meat Cove Nova Scotia) or the fog lifting (Acadia Maine).

But! The fact is that I love love love taking walks along dirt roads and the beach. And, I love the bonus of discovering nature’s gifts along the way. Here’s more about these gifts.

Shells and a Feather

Most mornings this week, Best Dog Ever (BDE) and I walk down to Mansion Beach. With each walk, I notice the difference in the color of the sky, sea and sand. And the treasure trove of shells is different each day, too.

Another morning this week, BDE and I were out for a walk when we accidentally surprised a large brown bird. It must have been hiding in the underbrush at the end of the driveway. It made a funny “SQWAK” noise as it flew off. The only thing this bird left behind was the beautiful feather in this painting. I picked it up knowing that I would love to paint it.

Painting of Love, Shells and a Feather

Here’s the painting of Love, Shells and a Feather! And, yes, I loved collecting each shell and the feather. I also loved arranging each and painting them too.

“Love, Shells and a Feather” is 5×4 inches, painted in gouache paints on cold press paper. Yes, it’s for sale for $50 + $3.63 tax + $20 shipping = $73.63. Contact me here to purchase. I pinky swear promise to pop it in the mail to you as soon as we return to North Carolina in late September.

How About You

How are you doing gentle reader? I hope you have had a good week and survived – even thrived – in spite of the worrisome weather and other world events? Either way, I would love to hear from you. Please share what’s happening in your world in the comments below. And, thank you, as always for reading along here today!