Paintings of Buildings and Architecture
Ack’s Hurricanes Earl & Irene – en plein air watercolor landscape painting
Moor’s End Farm, on Polpis Road is a family owned enterprise with many greenhouses, sheds, stands, and outbuildings, all providing intriguing subjects. The piece, inspired by Andrew Wyeth’s work, was close to completion when high winds of the oncoming before Hurricane Earl on 8/25/10 nearly blew over my easel.
Civil War Monument – en plein air watercolor landscape painting by Frank Costantino
Situated in the middle of Upper Main St., Nantucket, this memorial is a most noticeable reminder of the lives sacrificed by Island’s soldiers in this nations’ most dreadful conflict.
Island Icon – en plein air watercolor landscape building painting
Set in the center of Main St. Nantucket, the Town’s weathered patina Memorial planter, always seasonally decorated, has become one of the welcoming sights to the historic island, as well as an enduring symbol of its traditions.
Nantucket Lantern – en plein air watercolor painting
An extended shadow of an ovoid lantern, distorted by the sun’s angle into a transluscent reshaped ellipse, was portrayed essentially as a duo-color palette, with analogous accents.
Orange Street Church – en plein air watercolor landscape building painting
Painted over the course of two mornings, this watercolor of Nantucket’s Unitarian Universalist Church captures the iconic profile of its golden domed steeple and clock.
Symbol of Another Time – en plein air watercolor landscape building painting
This plein-air watercolor of Nantucket’s historic windmill was painted mid-morning, capturing a dynamic foreground of the vermillion vane pole and enormous wagon wheel that control the wooden gear train for positioning the vanes toward the wind.
Blue Moon Cafe – en plein air watercolor landscape building painting
A local and tourist fixture of this seaside village, it is an iconic rest stop over the harbor inlet of this Maine village. The contrast of blue and yellow set the approach to the color scheme.
Bridge Clock, Sunny Afternoon – en plein air watercolor landscape painting
The connecting upper level bridge between the two wings of the Yale Art school houses this enormous time piece befitting the Gothic style architecture of the University. The glancing afternoon light reflected in the centuries old stone facade and details of this section of the venerable university immediately suggested the palette for the work.
Glady’s Walker’s Farm – en plein air watercolor landscape building painting
A low angle street side view depicts an old family-working farm, owned by its matriarch Gladys, 99 years old and blind, but still living on the property and cared for by extended family and neighbors.
Yellow Garden Shed – en plein air watercolor landscape building painting
An outbuilding on an expansive estate, this simple structure with its adjacent outdoor work area, framed by thin and thick trees, was highlighted by a bright afternoon sun. Its decorative trim accents provided an interest beyond its utilitarian shape.
Pickin’ Up Lunch- Powers Market – en plein air watercolor landscape building painting by Frank Costantino
On an overcast, intermittently drizzly day, with a practical need to protect the watercolor from rain, I happened on an adjacent picnic table under a maple tree, which offered an unusual low eye-level as well as a protective canopy.
Pilot House- HYC – en plein air watercolor seascape maritime painting
A small control house on the dock of the Hingham Yacht Club has an overview of all the club’s activities and the extended harbor and its boats. The view was started at a higher tide, and the water completed at low tide.
Porch Light Study- Powers Market – en plein air watercolor landscape building painting
Powers Market in late evening presented an intriguing subject for a nocturne watercolor, with its warmly illuminated porches, interior lights of the bay windows and side entrance, and the subdued light of the 3rd floor apartment; contrasted by the pallid, cool cast on the building’s exterior and surrounds.
Snow Steeple- Early Spring – en plein air watercolor landscape painting of church building
Hingham, MA An almost totally backlit from a low sun during the last days of winter, this vignette of Old Ship Church's stately steeple and bell ringer were enough to convey a sense of its prominence in the center of town. The minimal highlights on the...
Summer’s Welcome Respite – en plein air watercolor landscape painting of store building
Ocean Park, Maine As the invited Juror Of Selection for the Ocean Park Plein Air Festival (ME), I visited this unique Chautauqua community and spent a number of days with the painters and event staff. Struck by this nostalgic piece of Americana, the...
Gilfillan’s Farm Bell – en plein air watercolor landscape painting
Pittsburgh, PA A red roof and red façade, foiled by lush green all around; an alluring complimentary color scheme; how can it not be painted? An historic farm site near Pittsburgh PA. Purchase Options 10" x 14" Original is Available Contact the...
Fishin’ No Mo – en plein air watercolor architectural landscape painting
St. Simon's Island, GA At Cannon's Point, a preserved 600 acre nature site on St. Simons Island GA , the remains of a fisherman's shack, encrusted with plants and rust and decay, was foiled against the lush vegetation of this warm climate. Most of the...
Courtyard Cafe – watercolor landscape painting
Santa Catalina A sister watercolor to two other paintings completed on scenic Catalina Island, this secluded open air courtyard and café, chairs and table were reflected in adjacent window; and glimpsed from under a balcony framing the view, it beckons as...
