"The Stephen Taber Passing The Rockland Breakwater"
24"x36" oil on canvas © 2011 Brian Kliewer
View paintings of Maine Windjammers.
It is a small world, and the Internet makes it even smaller. I was recently contacted by a mutual fan of the schooner Stephen Taber after he saw my painting online. I liked his comment...
"I enjoyed seeing your charming painting of the Taber passing the Rockland Breakwater light....she shows best with a bone in her teeth rather than pushing along with the yawl boat in little or no breeze, however it doesn't always blow a gale."
No, it doesn't...and I probably wouldn't have been on the breakwater if it had been. But I agree that a strong wind would have given a stunning view. However, I love the golden backlit view of the sails in the sunlight here and for me, this worked fine. The Taber's elegant lines are prominently on display here and that was the most important thing. I think it's a beautiful ship. Perhaps future paintings will have more "action" but this day on the breakwater was a very calm, pretty kind of day and I didn't want to change anything.
This reminds me of a walk I took out to the lighthouse once. It was a fine morning, though kind of chilly. The breakwater is nearly a mile long and you really don't want to be on it in any kind of "bad" weather.
When I got out to the lighthouse I decided to take a break and sat down for a few minutes. I was on the sheltered side of the lighthouse. When I got up and looked back toward the shore, the wind had picked up and waves were crashing over the top. I still had that long walk back to take! It wasn't quite as bad as it looked but I was dodging spray most of the time. When I'd see a particularly large wave coming I'd try to time my steps to miss the worst of it. I got back fine, just a little wet and with nerves mostly intact.
The building you see in the distance is the Samoset Resort.
It is kind of a long walk. About halfway out you'll see this granite slab (middle of photo) that spans the breakwater from one side to the other. It's the only piece of granite on the entire breakwater that stretches across its width and it's easy to walk right past without even noticing it.
I love walking out to the lighthouse. You can see so much you'd otherwise miss onshore. It's almost like being aboard a boat without actually being "on the water."
2 Responses to A Small World
via kliewerstudio.com
Hubby and I have owned a timeshare at the Samoset for 24 years. It's during mud season, but it's quiet and peaceful. We've been out on the breakwater in all kinds of weather. We're far less brave than we were when younger, to venture out when the waves are covering the granite - probably a little wiser too.
In fact, in our later years, we've become downright wimps about the cold and the wind on the breakwater. Much better to go out to eat and stay inside and read.
The area is a beautiful place but has changed a lot since 1986. I remember when the Farnsworth was just the little house, and there was no walk along the harbor. I'm glad you see and ponder the non-tourist attractions. Maine has a personality in all seasons, not just after July 4th.
Lori
via kliewerstudio.com
I have to head out to the light again soon....if I dare! :) It can really cut through you, though. Even when it's only in the 40s or 50s on land it can seem so warm in comparison. But I love the breakwater. I haven't been out there to watch a sunset in ages. I think I'll do that this year.
A lot has changed in Rockland over the years. Some things good, some not so. If I can hold on to what's important to me through my work, then I'll feel I've accomplished something.