Cape Cod Art and Nature Outdoor Classes: Summer Summary

Posted on September 7, 2022 by admin

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.

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!

Posted on March 29, 2019 by admin

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.

What’s new

Posted on March 10, 2017 by admin

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.