"Moonlit Trawler"
Woodcut hand rubbed painting
on Oriental rice paper
Image size: 6" x 8"
Paper size: approx. 9" x 10"
Price: $125.00
The woodcut printed painting "Moonlit Trawler" is derived from the woodcut "Marsh Creek Trawler" which I posted yesterday.
Work on the water never stops day or night. I liked the mood of a trawler returning home safely on calm water in the moonlight.
"Marsh Creek Trawler"
Woodcut hand rubbed painting
on Oriental mulberry paper
Image size: 6" x 8"
Paper size: 9.5" x 11.5"
Price: $125.00
I hand cut this picture of a shrimp trawler in a marsh creek into a block of wood, then inked and transferred the painting by rubbing it onto thin oriental mulberry paper. The resulting woodcut print is a reverse of the design on the original woodcut block.
More of my trawler paintings may be seen by clicking this Link.
As I sketched and took reference pictures at the Robert Ashley Boat Landing 
in the fishing village of McClellanville, I enjoyed talking to researcher workers with the US Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Sea Turtle Project and the SC Dept. of Natural Resources Mink Restoration Project. Both projects are finding populations on the rebound this year. What great news.
Here is a picture of native wild minks on a mat of sea grass and driftwood. 
Minks live in the marshes of the Lowcountry where they build nests on floating mats of dead sea grass. They are highly susceptible to environmental toxins and have been a "species of concern" due to their dwindling numbers in the northern coastal areas of SC.
South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources researchers are monitoring the newly reintroduced population of wild minks in the Cape Romaine National Wildlife Refuge.
Pictured (l to r) are Clemson Grad student Michael Waller and tech Will Chaplin back at the landing after a day doing mink surveys.
They ask boaters in the CRNW Refuge to not disturb their survey equipment 
that has the pictured label attached.
US Fish and Wildlife Dept. BioTech Allan Dawson (center), Rebecca Gallagher (left), and Jerry Tupacz 
secure their boat after a day on Cape Island working on the USF&D Sea Turtle Project. They report they're finding more sea turtle nests this year (2008) than last year. If nests continue to be found at the present rate, there may be over 1,000 documented nests in 2008 compared to 800 nests found in 2007.
It was a busy day of painting trawlers and working on Jeremy Creek in the historic fishing village of McClellanville SC.
Rainbows are one of nature's best surprises. This rainbow appeared in an afternoon shower over Charleston yesterday.
I thought about painting it but decided the photo captures the moment better.
It brightened my day. I'm posting it hoping it will remind you of rainbows you've enjoyed too.
"Flag Day on Sullivan's Island"
Ink Drawing
8" x 10"
I like the look of this cottage on the beach at Sullivan's Island with the sun on the roof and the American flag waving in the sea breeze.
I may use the ink drawing to do an oil painting. I've got lots going on right now but it would be fun to paint - the bright blue sky, red beach house, and American flag above it all.
American Flags were flying all over Sullivan's Island as I painted on the beach today. This island that has seen so much military action in it's history, is proudly celebrating Flag Day 2008. I'm posting photos from Sullivan's Island where flags can be seen flying on street posts, in yards, on the beach, porches and harbor side flag poles.
Near Fort Moultrie, the"Stars and Stripes"waves in a strong sea breeze among a group of palmettos, the state tree of South Carolina.
The afternoon sun highlights flags on the road to Fort Moultrie, one of two historic forts that make up Fort Sumter National Monument,
a division of the National Park Service.
Sullivan's Island Baptist Church reflects the bright afternoon sun while a flag billows in the sea breeze.
This Sullivan's Island beach cottage
displayed the original SC State Flag (blue field with a white crescent in the upper left corner) along with a Colonial era American flag on the front porch. A contemporary US flag is seen on the street in front of the home.
Another island home sports porch bunting, red, white, and blue bows and an American flag on the street.
One Sullivan's Island resident displayed a variety of flags in their yard.
The flags on display represent some of the many branches of the military that have served on Sullivan's Island over the years.
These are pictures of the flags in the yard shown above.
"Oh say does that Star Spangled Banner yet wave 'ore the land of the free and the home of the brave..." The Star Spangled Banner composed in 1814 by Francis Scott Key.
Our country is facing many complicated and deeply challenging issues but I still feel fortunate to live in the USA where we have more freedom and opportunities than many in other parts of the world.
Tearoom volunteer and 6th generation St. Matthew's member, Laura Fisher Altman offers a tray of homemade desserts to Mrs. Stevie Thomas of the Hat Ladies of Charleston in the courtyard garden during Spoleto Festival 2008.
Mary Pstrak Runyon of Charleston, SC and Fort
Worth, Texas 
enjoys afternoon tea at a courtyard table. Ms. Runyan planned her trip to Charleston during Spoleto and Piccolo Spoleto to visit with family and friends and attend festival events.
Margaret Peck, Executive Director of the Outreach Learning Center at St. Matthew's serves a tray of tempting treats to the Hat Ladies of Charleston during their afternoon tea at the St. Matthew's Tearoom during Spoleto.
Archie Burkel (right) founder and president of The Hat Ladies of Charleston (www.hatladies.org whose club motto is "Look good, Feel good, Do good") 
with members Stephanie Wilson (left) and Ruth Edmunds.
Pat Shoesmith is "pretty in pink" as she sits near colorful artwork on display in A Charleston Artist Guild Exhibition and sale in the dining room during the Spoleto Festival.
The inside dining room is full of excitement and beautiful paintings as the ladies enjoy their afternoon tea and good company.
An open door in the dining room allows those inside to enjoy the music from performers in the courtyard as they enjoy their tea and view the original artwork by members of the Charleston Artist Guild.
The Plantation Singers (www.plantationsingers.com) 
performed traditional spirituals in the Courtyard Garden. Their beautiful singing was the highlight of the afternoon (after the delicious homemade tea sandwiches and scones).
The Rev. Dr. Dick Campbell, Pastor Emeritus was on hand in the 1872 church sanctuary to answer questions about the history of St. Matthew's and share stories about his tenure as pastor from 1986 - 2004.
With so many volunteers and patrons supporting the tearoom, it's no surprise that the event has been a great success and will provide much needed funding for the church's 2008 Community Outreach Learning Center program. “Quality Time”, an adult respite care program for people with Alzheimer’s and other memory loss disorders, will be the recipient of all tips.
