If you’re familiar with Cape Cod, you know the classic architecture that has defined the Cape for centuries. The classic “Cape” house is known well outside of Massachusetts, owing it’s roots to the Cape, built to withstand storms, and named by a former Yale president who visited the peninsula in the 1800s. The name stuck, and the old Cape cottage style home has remained a defining architectural style not only on the Cape, but throughout New England and beyond.
Since then, the Cape and other classic “New England” style architecture has faded from the Cape’s mystique as newer, bigger houses are built over the foundations of the historic homes.
While on the Cape recently, I noticed the abundance of beautiful old architecture in the most unlikely place…along Route 28, the notoriously summer-clogged two-lane “highway” where tourists and residents inch along, on their way up or down Cape. It’s easy to miss, as you’re inclined to be looking for a restaurant, shop, or gas station as you creep along. But on this trip, the slowed traffic gave me time to actually notice what I was passing, and have passed many times.
This painting, “Centenarian,” is one of these old homes I’ve passed many times, but have not noticed before. If you look past the gas station next door, or the parking lot of the pancake restaurant behind it, there are traces of the “old Cape” made famous in the paintings of Edward Hopper. With the removal of the parking lot and any sign of the Mobil Mart, brought the house back to its roots, to a time when even Route 28 was a scenic aspect of the Cape. Despite the disappearance of many of these older, classic, structures, there are many left, sometimes hiding in the open.
So many of the old structures in rural New England exist amongst a tangle of trees, vines, and brush that grows up to and around them over the years. This kind of encroachment isn’t acceptable with our homes…we’d never allow it. But with these often abandoned buildings, this growth adds to their mystique.
A few new pieces under way will attend to give equal value to the structure and to the vegetation growing alongside it. Above is a quick oil study and sketch of “Tangled” based on an abandoned Vermont barn I’ve painted several times.
“Poplar Grove” | 28 x 18 | oil on canvas | Banks Gallery, New London, NH
One of four new pieces at Banks Gallery, New London…
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Last weekend’s opening at Left Bank Gallery in Wellfleet was hindered by a bad accident on Route 6 which had the entire Cape from Dennis to Ptown gridlocked. The gallery has kindly organized a second opening, tonight (Aug 23) for those who would have attended, but couldn’t get into town. A preview of the work at the show is below. If you’re in the Outer Cape area, Left Bank is on Commercial Street, which leads to Wellfleet Harbor (a must-see on its own).
I’ve been happy to support the efforts of the ASGCC over the past few years, and continue this year with an offering of two Cape-inspired paintings for the organization’s upcoming art auction August 30th.
The ASGCC Facebook page can be viewed here with information about the auction.
I’m pleased to contribute work annually to the WGBH Fine Art Auction, and support the station’s great programming. Two pieces available this year, both of which can be viewed on the WGBH auction web site by clicking this link. Both pieces measure 20 x 20 and are oil on canvas, framed in black floaters. Happy bidding!
Nice write-up from the Martha’s Vineyard Times review of the “Summertime” show at Louisa Gould Gallery in Vineyard Haven, Martha’s Vineyard.
My pottery (particularly coffee cup) obsession is real, and bad. Can’t be on the Cape without stopping by Scargo Pottery in Dennis, and was equally unable to pass on a visit to Chilmark Pottery in West Tisbury (I guess owner Geoffrey Borr didn’t like the sound of West Tisbury Pottery). But the rustic, quiet, and secluded studio off State Road is Mecca for anyone with a passion for pottery. Picked up a few of these small, colorful bowls, along with my obligatory new “favorite” coffee mug. I was surprised to learn the studio does not sell work online, and discussed with Geoff him possibly doing so. Seems his “brand” as the Island’s best-known potter would translate well into an online shop. I know I’d buy stuff…
Morris & Whiteside Gallery in Hilton, Head, SC, is hosting a summer Small Works Art Auction with 6 small pieces of mine, along with many other small works by M&W artists.
To download the absentee bidding form, click here
Instructions for the bidding are available at the top of the Auction page. Happy bidding!
