Category Archives: art and nature classes

Cape Cod Art and Nature Outdoor Classes: Summer Summary

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Sure, the summer was hot, humid, and still incredibly dry here on Cape Cod. Twice I cancelled class because of predicted rain that never materialized. Mostly, however? This summer was amazing. We went to locations all over the Cape on Thursday mornings and sketched and watercolored enough memories to help get us through the cold months ahead.

We begain in early June at one of my favorite outdoor places to paint, the Shirley Cross Wildflower Garden and grounds of the Green Briar Nature Center in East Sandwich. We were serenaded by birds, watched by painted turtles and rabbits, and surrounded by beauty everywhere we turned.

The Stony Brook Herring Run and Grist Mill in Brewster is always a wonderful location. The birds were amazing–herons and egrets in feeding frenzies down in the creek with ospreys calling overhead as the baby herring headed back toward the sea. There are so many lovely vistas and subjects to draw and paint that we could return there again and again.

The next class was held at Frances Crane Wildlife Refuge off Rt. 151 in Falmouth (Hatchville). Always a wonderful place for colorful wildflowers and butterflies and on this day, model airplanes being flown by the local club.

Work by Michelle Law

A private garden tucked away in historic Sandwich Village is always one of our favorite spots and it didn’t disappoint this summer. In fact, the gardens seemed even more beautiful this year.

Popponesset Marketplace in Mashpee seemed like a fun spot to try out. There were lots of architectural elements and some fun people watching and sketching, too.

Bismore Park at Hyannis Harbor is another picturesque spot that is easily accessible and fun to visit.

The green in YarmouthPort where the Gorey House is located was a new one for us this year and although rain was predicted it waited– just until we had finished.

Our plan to visit Bourne Farm was quashed when we got there and found it closed for a special event but the lovely director there pointed us to a nearby cranberry bog which turned out to be a lovely location.

The grounds of the Aptucxet Museum and Trading Post in Bourne have turned out to be among our regular places to go since it offers multiple subjects and views. This summer most students chose to paint by the Cape Cod Canal where there was a breeze.

Last week we went to Wellfleet Harbor where we stayed for lunch and an ice cream from Mac’s on the Pier and a visit to the Frying Pan Gallery. It’s another great location with many options to paint.

This week is our last and we will meet at Spohr Gardens in Falmouth to close out the season.

After that we will have 3 all day trips–to Provincetown, Nantucket, and Martha’s Vineyard.

Thanks to all who attended my outdoor classes. We had crowds of 14 and intimate groups of 2 and 3. These classes have been my favorites every year ever since I began them back in the 80s.

If you are interested in learning more, please email me at capecodartandnature at gmail.com to be added to my email list.

Finally, Spring is in the Air!

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Spring is always more of an idea than a reality on Cape Cod. The cold ocean keeps the temperatures on land cooler than farther inland and we have wind, a lot of wind, most days, as well.

Signs of spring are here, though. The ospreys and piping plovers have arrived. Crocuses are blooming. So are the stinky skunk cabbages. Red maple is starting to flower, peepers are starting to peep and the woodcocks are doing their springtime fling thing.

I have a super busy spring ahead, teaching lots of classes and doing lots of painting and writing myself.

Two special sketching and watercolor retreats are planned for May and June. In May we’ll be staying at a farmhouse in Truro for three days, May 17-19, and traveling about Truro and Provincetown to do our work. We have a great indoor space as well, in case the weather doesn’t cooperate. Cost is $450 and is all inclusive; bed, board and lessons.

June 21-23 I’ll be heading to Deer Isle on the coast of Maine, just in time for the explosion of lupines all over the island. There are amazing views from pretty much everywhere and it’s a lobster fishing village. Accommodations are rustic but adequate and most of the time we’ll be out and about exploring, sketching and painting. Again, everything is included for $450.

Both retreats are filling fast so please be in touch soon if you wish to reserve a spot. capecodartandnature at gmail dot com is the address. Sorry, this host doesn’t allow email links for some reason.

If you’re a real beginner I have both a Sketching for Scaredy Cats and a Watercolor for Scaredy Cats class that have just started at Cotuit Center for the Arts. These will repeat in the summer so keep watch if they’re something you’d like to try. I’ll also be teaching my Watercolor and Sketching on Location all over the Cape all summer long.

New Online Nature Sketching Course!

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Are you hoping to start a nature journal this year? Wait no longer! I’m offering an online Nature Journal class for all levels beginning any time you want. You can sign up for one month and continue as long as you’d like. Sign up for a year and save some money as well as stay motivated. All you need is a sketchbook, a pencil and the willingness to try something new.

Yes, the weather may be frightful, but I’ll show you some fun sketching projects that will keep you drawing and interested all through the worst of the snow and ice.

Traveling? Bring your sketchbook and follow the prompts wherever you are!

Don’t wait–sign up before January 1 and save some cash! Just send me an email at capecodartandnature at gmail dot com and I’ll send you a PayPal invoice.

Sign up now and receive your first lesson on January 1 along with hints and a suggested supply list. Lessons will be sent once a week and you can begin any time you want.

A 30 day trial can be had for $20. Ongoing lessons can be secured now for the next calendar year for the sale price of $20 a month. I will send a monthly PayPal invoice on the 15th of the month (ie. on January 15 to start February 1) This will be a one time offering and is good from January 1, 2019 until December 31, 2019.

Sending a gift? Just let me know and I’ll send out a gift certificate online or by snail mail.

Summer Class Schedule

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It’s that most wonderful time of year again! Time to sketch and watercolor outdoors! No experience needed….

Here’s the list of dates and locations–please print for future reference. Pay as you come, $20 cash per class. Also, if you come to 10 classes you will get the 11th one free!

Email me the week of the class to let me know you are coming. Foul weather will cancel and sometimes locations will be adjusted. I must know by 6 p.m. the night before the class if you are coming.

Provincetown classes will begin earlier and last longer but will cost the same. We can meet in Orleans and carpool to save on parking.

Thursday, June 7, Fort Hill, Eastham

Thursday, June 14, Provincetown

Wednesday, June 20, Peterson’s Farm, Woods Hole

Thursday, June 21, High Head Dunes, Truro

Wednesday, June 27, Sandwich Marina, Sandwich

Thursday, June 28, Wellfleet

No classes week of July 4

Wednesday, July 11, Private garden in Dennis

Thursday, July 12, Atwood House and Gardens, Chatham

Wednesday, July 18, Railroad Bridge, Bourne

Thursday, July 19, Orleans

Wednesday, July 25, Private garden in Sandwich

Thursday, July 26, Monomoy Center, Chatham

Wednesday, August 1, Osterville Historical Society, Osterville

Thursday, August 2, Highland Light, Truro

Wednesday, August 8, Bray Farm, Yarmouthport

Thursday, August 9, Provincetown

Wednesday, August 15, Highfield Hall, Falmouth

Thursday, August 16, Marconi, Wellfleet

Wednesday, August 22, Long Pasture, Cummaquid

Thursday, August 23, Wellfleet Harbor, Wellfleet

Wednesday, August 29, Green Briar or Game Farm, East Sandwich

Thursday, August 30, Herring Run, Brewster

What’s new

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Big news around here! I have accepted a position with the Cape Cod Maritime Museum as the Education Coordinator. I will also be responsible for marketing. The position is part time for now and full of opportunities for creating classes and workshops for the museum, in the schools and in the community. I am very excited about both the place and its programs. And, I can walk to work! If you haven’t been to the museum, check it out after it opens for the season on March 15.

My new position will not keep me from teaching my usual classes. I will, however, be offering a painting class there so keep watch for that announcement. Dates and times have not been set yet.

As many of you know, I teach a lot for many different organizations. I teach both art and nature classes all over the Cape and I especially love it when I can teach classes that have elements of both, such as my outdoor drawing and painting classes. Last year I taught outdoor classes twice a week from April through most of October. We traveled from Falmouth to Provincetown and painted all sorts of different landscapes as well as some of the Cape’s most beautiful gardens.

Here’s one of my students at Beech Forest in Provincetown.

And another with a prime seat at Fort Hill. We had classes painting the sunset as well. This one was at Sandy Neck. Here we were at an incredible garden in Dennis. Another garden, this time in Sandwich and it was full of sunflowers and nasturtiums. This is my get up. An easy to carry stool with a minimum of supplies that fit in a canvas bag. Right now I am teaching at Green Briar Nature Center in East Sandwich. The class is full and we are having a wonderful time. April is right around the corner so keep an eye out for my class announcements on the website, Facebook, etc.

In the summer I will be teaching several family nature journaling classes for Green Briar. These are not up on their website quite yet.

In September I will be teaching a weekend long intensive at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, Drawing and Painting Birds.

I’m Back on the Blog

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What can I say? I’ve been off walking beaches, drawing, working on two children’s books, writing essays and poetry, painting, teaching, hanging out with the grandkids and well, not posting here. You can always find me on Instagram or Facebook if you’re looking for me. My goal is to post at least weekly here once again, however, so keep checking in here as well.

Last November John and I were lucky enough to spend 10 days in  New South Wales, Australia, with his sister, Emily. She treated us to all sorts of wonderful day trips and a 4 day trip into the Blue Mountains. A highlight of the trip was seeing and hearing this kookaburra, a member of the kingfisher family that is both quite loud and quite noisy. I will post more about our trip in later posts.

I’ve been doing lots of writing and drawing. Sketching the birds coming to my feeder has kept me busy on snowy days.

There’s been a lot of beach walking at or just after sunrise…

A lot of dog walking…

and watching my youngest grandson play basketball–that’s him throwing the foul shot.

I’ll be starting a new class next week at the Green Briar Nature Center. Hit the link for the pertinent details. You’ll have to scroll down a bit as they didn’t make a direct link.

More soon!

Catching up and Planning for Summer

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I know it may seem I’ve disappeared for a bit but I am busy planning my summer art and nature class schedule. There will be watercolor painting for adults and teens, nature sketching for families and adults and late afternoon nature walks for families. I will also be offering some private and semi private drawing and watercolor lessons.

Last weekend I sprained my ankle which took me off the trails for a bit but hopefully I’ll be back on my feet very soon. It has given me time to do some planning, however, so that is good.

I also gave a talk yesterday to a local garden club and it was so much fun. I had been very nervous but everyone asked so many wonderful questions that it was great. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it and now I feel maybe I could do more of these for local groups.

Anyway, that is what I’ve been up to. I will hopefully have some more fun things to post about what is going on outside very soon.