Painting Boats

---

     My biggest problem is perspective. I do alright with the landscape part of painting. I am not big on details. I don't paint individual tree branches or leaves because I figure people can get the general idea of a tree by its' shape and the area of where the artist or painting was. I rely on the viewer to use their imaginations to help them see what they want to see. There are some parts of the painting that should be done right. I am more of a traditional painter in that I like real things to look somewhat real. If I am painting an animal or a person, I want my painting to look like that animal or person. A boat should look like a boat, A leaning boat should look like a leaning boat. 
     I have always had a hard time painting perspective. The fog at the end of the road, the buildings lining the streets or flowers far away versus ones up close. I have trouble painting the shadows and the light. When the bow is turned just so on a lobster boat in relation to the angle of the stern. How to get the shadow beneath the boat to ripple on the waves. How to get the waves to look like water? I practice and fail and practice some more. Sometimes, when the music is just right, and I am lost in the moment, I can get it. And then I wonder how? And why can't I do it again?
     I love boats. I prefer lobster boats over sailboats, but I love to watch the big sailboats with their colorful spinnakers zip by. I love the kayakers go by close to shore. I wave to them as they pass by the house and I smile when they wave back. The best time is at sunset, when the lobster boats come home, their boats in silhouette against the mountains. The guttural motors, each one different, as they head to the harbor. Some race in while others move slow, their gentle wake behind them and I know I'll get it some day.