Friday, September 23, 2011

CHALLENGE TO PAINT FROM PHOTO OF PEGGY'S COVE

After posting my photos from my cruise on Facebook, my friend Arthur Anderson came up with a wonderful idea. He chose one of the Peggy's Cove photos and made a deadline date (Sept. 30, 2011) for as many artists as we can get to paint it (or draw, collage, whatever medium). I posted it as an invitation to an event on Facebook. So far, some of the fans of my Fan Page (Paintings by Linda https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Paintings-by-Linda/365237511760) have accepted the challenge.
www.PaintingsbyLinda.net


First a little history of Peggy's Cove:

Peggys Cove is about 50 miles southwest of Halifax and comprises one of the numerous small fishing communities. The community is named after the a cove of the same name, a name also shared with Peggys Point, immediately to the east of the cove.

HISTORY:

The first recorded name of the cove was Eastern Point Harbor or Peggs Harbor in 1766. The village may have been named after the wife of an early settler or taken its name from St. Margaret's Bay as it marks the eastern beginning of the Bay and Peggy is a nickname for Margaret. Two versions of the popular legend claim that the name came from the sole survivor of a shipwreck  near the cove. William do Garthe, Artist and resident said she was a young woman while others claim she was a little girl too young to remember her name and the family who adopted her called her Peggy. In both versions, the young shipwreck survivor married a resident of the cove and became known as "Peggy of the Cove" attracting visitors from around the bay who eventually named the village, Peggy's Cove, after her nickname.

Many artists and photographers flocked to Peggys Cove. The first lighthouse at Peggys Cove was built in 1868. More than 400 million years ago, tectonics movement of the Earth's crust allowed molten material to bubble up from the Earth's interior. This formed the rocks we see today and are part of the Great Nova Scotia . The unique landscape of Peggys Cove and surrounding areas was  carved by the migration of glaciers and the ocean tides.

CHALLENGE:
This is the photo that we are basing the challenge on. I am looking forward to all of the different takes that I hope we see from this picture. Thank you Artie for coming up with such a brilliant idea.


As the paintings are posted on my Facebook Fan Page, I will add them to this blog, along with any titles and information the artist would like us to know.

I tend toward to see paintings in a mystical fashion. I like to look into the depth of the way the Artist paintied the picture. You will see from my comments that perspective. Of course, not knowing what the Artist aimed for, if te painting is not accompied by an explanation from the Artis of what they wanted to portray, I will lean toward a surreal interpretation.

The first one to post her rendition of the photo was Renu Kristin Kvalfors, from Norway. She used colored pencil and gel pen to create a very spiritual picture. Renu said " I was thinking this was the house where all the lost souls from the sea can come. Violet is the spiritual coloure...correct me if I'm wrong ♥" She also stated the drawing was at night.

Here is the wonderful mystical spiritual drawing created by Renu Kristin Kvalfors.


 I am the second person to complete a painting from the same photo. I used Acrylic paint on an 11X14 canvas.  I painted my rendition of the photo, the way I remember it, when I  visited Peggy's Cove, in Halifax, Canada. It was a foggy day with no shadows cast. I took some liberty with the rocks making them almost liquid in movement, creating their own lively shadows.

"Moving on the Rocks"
11 X14 Acrylic

I chose to do some of the people contained in the photo-also taking some liberties with the color choices of the outfits, sky and rocks. I enjoy adding a bit of mysticism to my paintings, giving a Surreal touch.
"Lighthouse"
16 X 20
Acrylic

How about this wonderful painting by Artist Arthur Anderson.
I see this rendition of the lighthouse as dramatic and free flowing. The lighthouse almost seems as if it is alive in it's own manner, leaning in a gentle breeze, observing the people who are observing it. The sky is very ominous, capturing the life of the lighthouse.


Sunset At Peggy's Cove
Debi Gorga
32 X 28
Acrylic


 Debi Gorga submitted this very expressive and colorful rendition of the lighthouse. I love the green that is used in the painting. There is a certain turbulance that I feel when looking at this painting. At sunset, all of the tourists are gone from Peggy's Cove. I think when I observe this painting, a unseen weather force kicks up and creates this turbulance. The weather conditions are ever changing at Peggy's Cove.

"I'll Leave the Light On"
Maria's Watercolor
This watercolor painting by Maria's Watercolor, titled, "I'll Leave the Light On" is a lovely rendition of the subject. I love the way Maria chose to put the lighthouse off to the side of the painting, giving a whole new perspective. The colors are soft and relaxing.

Wes Anglin
Photo Shop rendition of Peggy's Cove

Interesting take on the challenge. Notice the different view and colors used to express the subject. this was done with photo shop.

Rhonda Meyers
Rendition of Peggy's Cove Lighthouse



"Totally a new effort in trying watercolor pencils, which I hadn't used before. I just thought it would be fun to try. No title, name it lighthouse or whatever that lighthouse's name was. I'm no help!! LOL"

This drawing was added by Rhonda after the challenge was over- and we are very happy to have it! Beautifully drawn image!


PLEASE ADD YOUR COMMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS POSTING:LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU

5 comments:

  1. When I was at Peggy's cove, it was through a tour from the Cruise. We had a wonderful guide named Ellen, that gave us all the detailed history of Peggy's cove. without her, it would have just been another beautiful light house to look at.

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  2. OMG I can't believe you put name it "whatever" in my notes!! LOL. Some serious painters here~ This was fun. Rhonda

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  3. How lovely!

    Each person brings a different gem in their work:

    Renu, turning it into a nighttime scene with monochromatic drama. She rendered the people and the rocks very well.

    Linda, who added a light from the beacon tower and a choppy sea against a perfect tonal and value mix.

    The termoil in Debi's interpretation is evident. She added touches of green, and a brilliantly lit lighthouse, again, as in Renu's, a nighttime setting. The contrast works excellently here.

    Maria's "I'll leave the light on" employs excellent composition and painterly expression. I'm envious of how she handled the rocks. . . Care to give us a hint, Maria?

    Rhonda Meyers' watercolor pencil interpretation is minimalist in an almost "vignette" manner. Did your medium dictate this, Rhonda? Or would you have created a similar piece in wet medium?


    I'm proud to be included in this group. You've all inspired me.

    Artie

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  4. and thanks to you Artie- the group exists! what about your own wonderful work? the Lighthouse looks alive! Also beautifully painted!

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  5. Artie, this was an experiment in watercolor pencil. I am not sure what I would have done otherwise.
    I agree all of the paintings are creative and inspirational!

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