Latest Shoreline Painting by P.J. Cook and Watercolor Lessons Starting Wednesday

Shore View

New original painting offered with a beautiful gold frame. Inspiration for this painting is from the beautiful shoreline along Long Island Sound in Connecticut. There are still some undeveloped areas where the beaches are untouched. This is an original acrylic painting 20 inch by 20 inch with a overall size of 26 inches with the frame. Painting can be viewed and purchased at Aritsans Harbor, 188 Main St. in Old Saybrook, CT. Wed - Sat from noon to 5pm and Sundays 10:30- 2pm.

New Watercolor Lessons starting this Wednesday May 16, 2012 from 2:30 - 4:30. Watercolor classes are held at Artisans Harbor, in Saybrook, CT. All levels of artists are welcome. There will be 6 classes held once a week on Wednesdays. Various techniques, tips and tricks will be taught as the students follow along as I demonstrate a new technique each week.

If you have any questions please email at pj@pjcookartist.com
Thank you

Painting Custom Cottage Furniture - Acrylic Painting of Sandpiper Birds On Sofa Table

I have continued working on the sandpiper birds running on the beach that I am painting on a sofa table in the cottage furniture style. As you can see in the picture I have a worked on a few of the birds, adding more detail.  I will continue adding the details on the birds until I finish all seven of them.

The background is taking shape with the waves and foam. I have been adding thin layers of acrylic paint so the crackle texture still shows through. I think that will give the painting some interesting texture. Check back to see the finished sandpiper beach painting later this week. I will be blogging next on my wood chair project that I am painting for a Connecticut charity showing the steps of painting a seascape on a chair. For other cottage furniture projects check out Beach Cottage Art.

Seascape On Table - Acrylic Painting On Wood Table

This is a project that I have recently finished painting of a seascape on a solid wood table. This was a special order for a customer of a Westbrook, Connecticut beach. I added the two Adirondack chairs to the painting. The occasional table is 22" x 18" and is sure to be a conversation piece. Imagine having a painting on a table of your favorite beach or place and having your guests recognize the scene.

I have a durable finish over the painting that will last like any piece of wood furniture. The legs have my whitewashed wood grain painted on that has a very realistic look.

Contact me through my website at pjcookartist.com for more information on having your own favorite scene painted.

Winter Ducks - Birds seen at this time of year in Connecticut

One of the things I enjoy in the cold winter here in Old Lyme, Connecticut is viewing the winter birds. I call them winter birds because that is the only time of year that I see them. For the last several winters these ducks arrive when the cold weather starts and they disappear when our weather starts to warm up. I assume they have traveled from more northern climates to find open water.  This photo above I took on the Black Hall River here in Old Lyme. These ducks are Hooded Mergansers and they did not like me getting this close. They rapidly scurried around when they first spotted me and then they swam further away.  I took this photo quickly before they swam up the river away from me. These ducks are so unusual with their large feathered heads and black striping on their bodies. I may paint these birds in oil on canvas or in watercolor some day and use this photo for reference. For that reason I always carry my camera and I take the time to notice my surroundings, give it a try you might see something interesting .

Handpainted Decorative Chair - 1st Design For Nautical Series

I am working on a series of 4 nautical scenes for my hand painted decorative chairs. This first chair is of the Saybrook Breakwater Light with two sailboats, catboats to be specific. This lighthouse is popular in the state of Connecticut and is offered as a license plate Save the Sound.

I have settled on a whitewash color for the chairs. It has a white wood grain effect that looks very beachy. I have used acrylic paint for the painting because it is very durable. Once I finish a chair I apply a coat of clear protective finish. After that the chair can be sat in! Yes, these chairs can be used everyday if you so desire. I have used this same paint for other projects and they have lasted for years, some are even outside!

I have this chair for sale at The Lyme Tree Women's Exchange in Old Lyme Center (next to Subway). You will find it in the window.

Check back for updates on the next decorative chair in this nautical theme series.

Thanks, P.J. Cook

New Seascape Sketch from P.J Cook!

My idea for painting a scene on a wood chair is a seascape. The chair will be sold at auction to the highest bidder. Read my previous post for auction details. The chair will look great in a beach cottage.

The scene will be the view walking towards the beach on a path through the sand dunes. The path is surrounded by sand dune fences with the shadows coming from the fence across the footprints in the sand. The ocean will be at the end of the path with a few puffy clouds and maybe a few birds and a sailboat in the distance.

I will need to design a piece of wood that will be attached to the back of the chair. Then I will paint the scene on the wood. I want to be able to still sit in the chair so my wood back will be sturdy. The painting on the seat of the chair is the beach sand with footprints going towards the water. I will work from the seascape sketch to layout the painting on the chair.

Look for my next post later this week for a photo of the wood back to be attached to the chair. Follow along with my project!