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| ©2013 R.L. Delight, At the Fade of a Gray Day, 6"x8". oil on linen panel |
I titled this one, "At the Fade of a Gray Day" for a couple of reasons. The first of course is that it was at the end of the day when I was painting this and I was having a difficult time seeing due to the fading light. The tide had gone out and the water was starting to flatten. The waves were still medium-large for the area though.
While most of the time I was surrounded by the roaring of the waves, occasionally another sound would intrude, helicopter sounds. They seemed to echo all around me and eventually I would spot one through the gray clouds and mist. They were coast guard helicopters and I saw at least two of them out going back and forth and around. I figured they were either training or on a rescue.
Alas, it turns out they were on a rescue, one of three in fact.
If you walk out to view the ocean at night or at dawn you often see the lights of crab boats out to sea. As I have mentioned many times, this area is dangerous, as most of the ocean is. Three crab boats got into trouble that day. One life was lost. Apparently cold and exhaustion were a factor in all three incidences. I feel for the families. I know that it is hard and dangerous work they do for a living.
If you ever pass through Astoria Oregon, go to the Maritime Museum. Not only does it have the maritime history of the area but it explains the existing working industry. Astoria is at the mouth of the Columbia River. There are hundreds of shipwrecks spanning a few hundred years at the Columbia River bar. It still claims lives occasionally. There is a Coast Guard base there for a very good reason. If you are at all interested in sailing, ships, or the sea, it is well worth visiting.
Tomorrow is the final day of the challenge! My post will have the final painting as well as what I have learned and where I will be heading next.
2 comments:
Great job! It is difficult getting out there to paint when it is grey. Renee Lammers
This one looks very different. I like it. And hats of to you, you have just about completed this wonderful challenge. I know I have certainly enjoyed your hard and very creative body of work so far.
Oh what a shame that it wasn't a training exercise. Walter Scott is quoted as saying "It's no fish you're buying, it's men's souls. The memorial in Gloucester has lines from the 107th Psalm.
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters: These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
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