The banner has been hung!

The top photo was taken this morning and is of the Boy's and Girl's Club with the new mural.  It's the work of four Arlington high school students and the project was created as part of the initiative to make art for the public in Arlington.  I'm honored to be a part of this committee and so proud of the artists and all who worked to make this happen.  I think it's a beautiful addition to the views of Spy Pond that I've been finding.  The other photo was taken from the other side of the bike path bridge which I assume used to be a train bridge--a "tunnel vision!"  

While on our walk we met a group of people fishing.  This is a very popular sport on Spy Pond and a fellow said that this group gathers annually to fish for carp.  A woman was standing by some fishing poles and I assume she was fishing.  I snapped her photo and painted in my studio, being too much of a wimp this morning to paint out.  Gotta get some warm gloves!  The painting will be added to this post when done.  

It was such a delight to be out in the warm sun on this mid-November Sunday morning and see all the folks looking at the mural and just enjoying the day.

Fishing at Spy Pond

8x8 oil on canvas

Around the pond

photo of granite slabs in Spy Pond near the shore

Today I decided to bike around Spy Pond.  It turned out not to be a very long ride but I took side trips down the streets off Pleasant St. to see how much of a view I could get.  Again a lovely warm day and there were lots of people about.  My biggest surprise was coming upon several upright granite slabs near the shore at the Pleasant St. end of the path parallel to Route 2.  I had read about an attempt to build a railroad bridge over the pond which was abandoned and have to do some research about these.  The other delight was great blue heron which I unfortunately surprised but watching him or her fly away was awesome.  Not sure yet what my art image will be but here's a pic of the granite.

meeting pond citizen mr. carp

Jerome and Mr. Carp

Well there's nothing like clear blue sky to cheer  me up and unhook me from the grips of a bad cold.  Cally called for a walk so we headed out to Spy Pond via Quebrada Bakery for a coffee.  It's breezy and cool but a glorious late fall, first day of Eastern Standard time,  so an hour earlier and showing a lovely low sun angle which is perfect for some pictures.  We mosied down Linwood Street and saw much typical Sunday morning people activity with bikes, strollers, family photos, but the highlight was spotting a fisherman in a red parka at the edge of the pond.  His name is Jerome and he kindly agreed to  me snapping some photos of him reel in hand.  As I was leaving he called me back as he had landed one!  Here's a pic of mr. carp-a relatively small specimen of 5-6 pounds.  Jerome explained that they can get at least twice as big.  He  put it down after removing the hook and we took pictures.  Then he gently carried it to the water and released it. I've now met my first citizen of the pond!

Leaves and Logs

8.5x11 acrylic monoprint

It's such a pleasure to explore a new area and meet new people.  I feel like a reporter and find myself coming out from behind the shy persona that I keep.  I think Adria was on to something when she suggested this project-it certainly throws me into the local life!