Finding Treasures

It is cold and raining outside and a good afternoon to organize and sort out files in our new house. Came upon images of a working marina with railways that led into towering man-cut caverns used to shelter work in progress. I had sketched there, taking in the remnants of material culture and maritime traditions that the setting offered me alone that afternoon.


On location: Marina di Cassano, Sant A'gnello, Campania, Italy  2006

c. early 20th century view

Shore Side and Return to the Scull

2013 is over and I for one am glad. Many things happened both good and bad. And although sailing the Chesapeake was great I believe 2014 will be even better.

On New Years Day we started moving into our new (old) house in Richmond. Since leaving St. Augustine in the spring of 2012 we have lived in a tent and a series of apartments. This self-chosen 'vagabond' lifestyle was quite an education. We came to realize that we need another "base camp" to venture out from. Think we found a nice one.

The Old Home Place

Annie is buttoned up tight and weathering the winter at Gwynn's Island. When it warms a bit (mighty cold this coming week) I plan to go over, camp at the marina and return to maintenance jobs that have been on hold. While there I'll be checking in with my gallery in Mathews and the good folks at Deltaville Maritime Museum where I'm consulting on their new exhibits. 

The end of the year blog check revealed that the post on Annie's sculling oar is still the most viewed. I hope others have tried the design or modified it for the better. I still would like to hollow out the blade's underside to roll down in the water and hopefully get more thrust. We'll see...

Photo by Steve Earley

Happy for the Nice Press

While at The Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival I was asked to write a bit about my painting. It turned up in the winter issue of Ash Breeze, the journal of the Traditional Small Craft Association. Thanks to Andy Wolfe and Mike Wick.   Click here to view on page 6...

First Out, Last In

Really fine seafood is harvested on the Chesapeake's western shore of Virginia. This year I was lucky to get some of the best oysters I can remember. And there were a few fine crabcakes as well.

Watermen that work the Bay off The Hole in the Wall, along the Pianktank and length of the Rappahannock are close to this often trying environment... up and out even in the coldest months. Here's a Happy Holiday to them and their families. Thank you for the treats.

First Out, Last In
Watercolor on Arches paper
© Curt Bowman 2013

Night Fishing

Although I studied ichthyology in graduate school, researched white sharks in South Africa and cook a tasty Huachinango a la Veracruzana... I am not a fisherman. In fact you could probably count the fish I've caught on your fingers and toes. That includes trash on the line.

I do see a bit of poetry in it. Especially the lone fisherman. I am trying to capture that in my painting.

Moonlight on East River, Mathews County
© Curt Bowman 2013

Hideout

A couple of months ago I rented a garage in an alley in the Museum District, a few blocks from where we live. It is a nice walk and a quiet sanctuary where work can be done. Annie is put up for the winter and her spars are hanging on the wall awaiting a bit of renewal and next spring season. 

Working on a large series of paintings on steel. They blend maritime tradition and the non-objective. In process...

A place for lists

Oil and transfer on steel

Palette

Hipster table

Memories

Reference

Never too many shelves

At the Easel

Finishing up on a commission for my friend Michael. Painting is a bit like a sailing trip. You give your best, take some chances and see how it all comes out...

Who needs a food truck...

via Daisy II  (photo courtesy of Richard and Carol Clammer)

Looking (Way) Back

I have been organizing my photo files and came upon images of my first boat. She was my home in the late 70's and these pics bring back lots of memories. Her name was Quelle, an English Alan Buchanan-designed Spartan, carvel planked of African mahogany on steamed black oak frames. 23' on deck, 6' 6" beam and 4' of draft. I hope she still sails as sweet and whomever sails her loves her half as much as I did.

Day of departure, Kitty Hawk, NC

On the railway

Down below

Fresh

Overtaking a pinky schooner, offshore St. Augustine, FL

Wing and wing

Film 'Takes'

To be truthful Captain Phillips was more of a nail-biter for me. There is just something about a guy with a gun that you don't understand what he's saying. All is Lost plods along. I guess I have contemplated his situation over the years and have read so many stories that it was not that shocking. Not that I ever want to be in his situation. It was rough to say the least.

Edge of My Seat?

I'm off to the early movie. All is Lost just opened in Richmond. Single-handed and lost at sea. Last night my daughter and I saw Captain Phillips. Hijacked at sea. How much suspense can a guy take in 24 hrs? We'll see...

Scored

We went out to Mathews County today for a birthday celebration for a number of friends. Warm sun, cool temp, and plenty of food. I was happy to see the oysters steaming in their own juice atop an old 55 gallon drum. Fresh out of Pepper Creek about a hundred yards away.

One Billion

On my recent trip to St. Michaels, Maryland I took Annie up Harris Creek behind Tilghman Island. It was warm and mostly still and made for a perfect place to anchor, fix lunch and draw boats.

Harris Creek

Under us were oysters. I was unaware at the time but it was heartening to find out later here. The Bay was down for years but not beaten. Thanks to those who knew and acted.

Michael's Coracle

Michael and I have been sailing friends for years. Once we were coming across the bar at Cortez, Florida in his Marsh Hen and we jibed, the boom caught on the stay and we came within feet of the restaurant docks at the Star Fish Co. Can still see those wide eyes with their mouths full of fish sandwiches.

Although he no longer has the Marsh Hen he brought his recently-built coracle to St. Michaels. It was a hit. The small 'basket' boat moved in and out of the small craft as he propelled her by pulling in water in a modified sculling motion. You can find more notes and pictures here. 

Penoscot 14 times 3

I failed to mention the final manifestation of a Penobscot 14 that came through our shop in Florida a couple of years ago. The hull had been made in Miami, purchased and moved to St. Augustine where I cleaned up epoxy and added seats, rails and centerboard trunk, etc., and resold to a fellow named Doug from Gainesville who finished her out. She was launched and continues to sail in Florida turning up on the Gulf from time to time. A belated Fine Job Doug. 

Terry tying down the hull in Miami

Coming out of our shop 'midstream'

Ransom II...  tricked out in Crystal River, Florida

Track(s)

I just finished a track map of last week's trip to the Eastern Shore of Maryland. It reminded me of an exploration a couple of years ago around St. Augustine, Florida where I lived. They appear to be somewhat frenetic meanderings. It happens.

Maryland

St. Augustine, Florida

Rainy Days

I was in line at the semi-annual Garage Sale at REI before 8am this morning. I have always wanted to go to one of these 'events' and it was fun. I have been a member of the coop since the mid-70s and still use equipment from those days. Although I was an avid backpacker then, the gear has commuted well to small craft sailing.

I grabbed a small folding chair for sketching when ashore, a pair of long quick-dry pants, and used my 10% yearly dividend. That equaled $0 out of pocket! I hope you have a store near you.

We are headed to the Richmond Folk Festival tomorrow. It has been going on in the rain and we are hoping it will slack off during the night. Eleanor is keen on hearing Portuguese fado and I, the Dardenelles. They are an old time band from Newfoundland, Canada. Wouldn't it be fine to sail there one day!

Bristol Channel Cutter Elizabeth off Newfoundland

When the water was flat and the autumn sun was high, I found a boat to draw under a shady tree.

Back Home

Just back from a week's trip across the Bay to Tilghman Island, Oxford, Wye Island and St. Michaels on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. For the most part it was light airs and unseasonably warm temperatures. In fact it was hot and still most of the time. But I had a nice time, saw old friends and made several new ones along the way.

Stay tuned for later...

Tilghman Island

Running wing and wing

Up the Wye River

Melanesian outrigger

Camping 

Crossing the Bay

Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival

Old Sharps Island Light

At the entrance to the Choptank, eastern Shore Maryland