Final Step

Work

© Curtis Bowman

 

Preliminary Step

Blocking in a painting of transferring oysters from retrieved traps...

An Early Morning Retake

Modern shrimping as we know it was 'born' in Fernandina, Florida in the first decade of the 20th century. Immigrant fishermen, notably Italian, first adapted a small otter trawl to internal combustion-powered wooden boats. This enabled them to build an industry that spread, in the early years along the southeast US coast, to Key West, and the Gulf of Mexico. It is now one of the world's most popular seafood, harvested by factory ships. The old wood shrimpers are mostly gone.

I researched, wrote monographs, presented findings and developed exhibits about it. But that was years ago. It again comes to mind when we visit family in the low country of Georgia.

Earlier this year:
Eleanor and I had gotten up early in her brother's old Victorian veiled with Spanish moss hanging from old live oaks. We were in the old town area of Brunswick, Georgia and were off to sketch and paint a quick watercolor before the heat set in. I noticed an old packing house sign at the entrance to a tree-covered sand road. We ducked in and found a shrimp boat dock stuck back in an earlier time. Crew had shuffled off the boats, where I expect they may have lived, to sit on a variety of worn-out lawn chairs and drink coffee. They were cordial but pretty much ignored us.

Eleanor recorded the view. We drew but mostly I smelled the salt and muck and thought about the past.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chance Meeting

While eating dinner on Gwynns Island with friends Steve and Barry, another friend came up unexpectedly. I had met him, Roland, a couple of years ago at St. Michaels, Maryland. He was eating at the table next to us with his wife. He said he had a picture he wanted to send me. It came the other day and I like it a lot...

Art on Canvas and Steel

There is a lot of movement in the studio. The one-person show of my paintings has me finishing work, making hard choices and preparing hanging hardware. Soon it will be time to submit the final list to the gallery and transport the work to be hung.

There will be an opening on Friday, September 11 and the show will run through mid-November, including the very popular Urbanna Oyster Festival.

If you are in the area... drop by. I would love to see you.

The Carolina Loop

I arrived in Elizabeth City, North Carolina midday to join the fleet, crewing on the F.D. Crockett. Five buyboats and an accompanying classic motor yacht were on the their way south on a two-week cruise. Hailing from different parts of the Chesapeake this group had continued on after rendezvousing with a total of 13 buyboats in Poquoson, Virginia. Through the Elizabeth River to Portsmouth and on down the Dismal Swamp Canal, the group had already seen much when I stepped onboard.

After a steamy day, some fine fried fish at Quality Seafood, and a television shoot we headed south down the Pasquotank River and across the Albermarle Sound. As we approached the northern shore of Roanoke Island the channel turned east and and back south through a narrow channel that led to Manteo. For me it was a homecoming of sorts, having lived in the small town over 35 years before. It was a lot different as one might expect. A new waterfront, shops and restaurants, and lots of tourists milling about. Like St. Augustine it is beautiful and easily draws a crowd.

Leaving Elizabeth City

Shadow Fay

Aboard the F.D. Crockett

Capt. Dave prepares for a blow, Propwash

55th Virginia's '671'

Capt. Bill's berth, 55th Virginia

Rope steering, Thomas J.

Rope locker, Nellie Crockett

Down below, Nellie Crockett

Elizabeth II, a colonial reconstruction, Manteo harbor

Visitors learning about the F. D. Crockett's log construction

Tied up stern to

After a rainy day onshore, the boats headed north back across the sound toward the Albemarle Chesapeake Canal. With strong NE winds the decision to go came at the last hour. Good time was made into the wind and a five hour run found me at the wheel meandering up the North River to Coinjock along the canal. Steve and Spartina had come down to sail in the river and I was fortunate to get a ride with Steve to retrieve my truck in Elizabeth City.

Thanks to John, Vera, Gordon and all those aboard the 'fleet' for a great four days!

Heading north

55th Virginia

Pushing through a NE blow

Coinjock

Manteo NC waiting out a nor'easter

Friends, Framing and Finishing Up

It seems that I could be more timely with my posts. But sometimes life moves right on, leaving ones best intentions unfulfilled.  Sunday before this past one my friends Steve and Barry joined me on Annie for "The Great Circumnavigation of Gwynns Island". It  was to be sure a beautiful, fresh day on the water. More about it from Steve's perspective.... here.

I have been busy building an extension on my studio. A mostly free-standing pavilion will give my an open but covered area to create art pieces and hopefully a boat project space. Just finished laying the deck and hopefully a roof is in the near future. Going to build common rafters with purlans to attach a metal roof. A bit more DIY research on Youtube is needed.

And the painting for my one-person show in Urbanna Harbor Gallery, Urbanna, Virginia is progressing. The opening is September 11 and will be up through the Oyster Festival in November. If your in the area, stop by!

Out The Hole in the Wall

© Curtis Bowman 2015

Acrylic on canvas  18" x 24"