Backwater, watercolor

A simple skiff tied to its moorings with the tide out. When the tide comes in you will be able to reach it with a boat hook from the small dock, untie the lines and row out to check on your nets and crab pots.

Detail of Backwater

Final Berth, watercolor

This old skiff is now "floating" in a sea of grass and weeds, some of which are growing up through the bottom of the boat. The lines of small boats have always attracted me as a painter.

Hauled In, watercolor and drybrush

This net hoisted on the boat's stern almost looks like a piece of sculpture to me. The intricate webbing and large cork floats appear very organic. That object in the left foreground leaning against the gunwale is a planer board, used to open the net when being pulled by the boat.

Martha, watercolor

I came upon this woman fishing a backwater creek with a cane pole. She had the 5 gallon dry wall bucket for her catch and a coffee can for her bait. I asked if I could take a photograph and she said it would be OK. When I asked for her name she replied, "Martha".

On the Ways, watercolor

A small fishing boat in the boatyard for repairs or a bottom paint.

Scrub Oak, drybrush watercolor

Scrub Oaks can be seen all along the coast. They are bent and twisted by the prevailing winds and their bark is sometimes very smooth from being sandblasted by the beach sand. They provide habitat for a variety of birds and other animals. Hopefully they will not totally disappear as a result of overdevelopment. We need to preserve as much of our maritime forest as possible.