"CHRISTIAN BAKER FARM RED BARN" AN ORIGINAL PASTEL PAINTING BY CLARE KLAUM 11-2-2013

Thank you to Larry and Tammi Knorr for inviting us to paint at their Awesome Historic property on Saturday!  The paint out was well attended and the day was cool but still great weather for November.  This barn was the subject for many artists and I took up the challenge! It was cloudy and the sun was in & out.  I chose to paint the view when the sun was fully out.  I got several photos of their sheep in the pasture and hope to use them for a future studio painting.  As the afternoon got cloudier and much cooler I was the last one to leave and finished the painting at home in my studio where it was warmer.  Thank you again Knorrs for a wonderful day!

COAST GUARD BEACH, EASTHAM, CAPE COD" AN ORIGINAL PASTEL PAINTING BY CLARE KLAUM 9-13-2013

Several of SVPAP members and Seven Lively Artists members spent last week painting in Cape Cod.  I completed 6 paintings and this painting was done on my last day of painting.  The Coast Guard beach is wide and beautiful, but very difficult to get two rolling carts down to the beach.  So I sat on the wide steps over looking this walk way to the beach.  I loved the way the waves were coming in between the dunes and the plants that framed the beach and water.

"WINDMILL ON A WINDY DAY" (CAPE COD) AN ORIGINAL PASTEL PAINTING BY CLARE KLAUM 9-13-2013

Day 6 plein air painting in Cape Cod.  It was very windy that day and I took shelter tucked  in front of a bank of  Catamarans.  This windmill must have been decorative because it was not turning in the wind.  The water was very choppy and the sky changed so many times, I chose to paint it when it was not as dark.  By the time I was finished there must have been 20 seagulls on the little island but I decided that three were plenty. 

"HAZY DAY AT WELLFLEET HARBOR"(CAPE COD) AN ORIGINAL PASTEL PAINTING BY CLARE KLAUM 9-13-2013

Day 4 in the afternoon in Cape Cod.  This was a small painting 6x6 on Pastel board.  It was very hazy that day and difficult to see very far in the distance.  But it did give a very atmospheric feeling to my painting.  It was even difficult to tell what color the cottages were so I went with what I felt would work.

"FORT HILL TWO" (EASTHAM, CAPE COD) AN ORIGINAL PASTEL PAINTING BY CLARE KLAUM 9-13-2013

Day 4 plein air painting in Cape Cod.  This is my second year painting at this sight.  Last year my painting included a grove of trees on the right.  I loved this view because of the linier view of the marsh and the golden rod on the hillside.  It is a beautiful location. While we were there a gentleman in full Scottish attire, kilt and all played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes.  It was 9/11 that day and a touching reminder of that tragic day.

"CHATHAM LIGHT HOUSE, CAPE COD" AN ORIGINAL PASTEL PAINTING BY CLARE KLAUM 9-13-2013

Day 3 in Cape Cod.  Painting the Light House was challenging with the roof angles of the house.  We didn't think we would be able to stay to paint because the parking signs indicated we could only park for one half hour. So, I parked and sat behind my car and painted across the street from the Light House.  No one ever asked me to move, and several people came by to observe and chat.  Only once did I have a problem when a tour bus pulled in front of me and stayed there for a half an hour.  I just had to paint by memory at that point.  It was a beautiful sunny day and great for light and shadows.

"SWAN POND RIVER JETTY" (CAPE COD) AN ORIGINAL PASTEL PAINTING BY CLARE KLAUM 9-13-2013

This was my first day of painting in Cape Cod.  I loved this view but I had to be elevated slightly to see the marsh grass and water winding through it. It just so happened that the restaurant nearby was opening their deck for lunch.  So I asked if we ( Johanna and I ) had lunch could we paint on their deck and they said yes.  We had a lovely time painting, eating a great lunch and sipping on a glass of wine.  We were really roughing it!  I almost sold this painting.  A women and her daughter were admiring my painting and reminiscing about when they went to that beach.  She asked how much and I gave her a price and she was willing to buy it right then,  but I said it was not finished yet. (The perfectionist in me) So I gave her my card and got her name and phone number.  When I called her the next day to tell her it was finished and I could meet her at the restaurant I never heard back from her. I learned a valuable lesson.  Sell it on the spot whether I feel it is finished or not. She liked it the way it was and I should have signed it and sold it.