Coves
One of the reasons Mace and I moved to Cape Ann from Pennsylvania, was that I was totally enchanted by the rocky coast. I love the sea, and I enjoy sitting on a granite stone for an hour or two, watching the waves. I think of coves as small sheltered inlets of the sea. Typically, the land curves inward. Coves have appealed to me as metaphors for a sheltering place, such as a house or a shed. Coves differ from a harbor, (which are also common on the coast), in that the harbor has water deep enough for boats to rest there. Harbors protect the coast from the rough waters of the open sea, whereas coves are much gentler and are swimmable inlets. There are 29 coves on Cape Ann itself. One winter day, a long while ago, I went out to visit as many of the coves that I could find. I cut plates the same size, (10x14), and set about making my matrix, or plates. Most of the coves have ingenious names that came from who knows where. By happenstance, Mace and I built our new house on Goose Cove. So far, I haven’t seen one goose on it. However, I do love it so much, but, as yet, I haven’t made a plate of it.
Braces Cove
Medium - CollagraphSize 13 x 17Price $300
One of my favorite places to walk is this cove. It is a little larger than most of the coves, and is in quite a remote area. It is a wonderful spot for a picnic. What I was most concerned about, while creating the print, was what part would be light colors, and what would be dark. The final piece is created from my own poetic interpretation, as I added some weeds, and also some other small additions that I made from random plants. (It is not a literal picture of this place.)
Dodsworth CoveMedium - CollagraphSize 13 x 17Price $300
This small cove is far away from the other coves; located across Highway 128. There’s a stunning view of a faux castle, as well as other monuments. I like the way the sun sets here with it’s blaze of color.
Strawberry CoveMedium - CollagraphSize - 17 x 13Price $300
The secret to a happy afternoon is sitting on the rough tan rocks of Strawberry Cove. And then we slide down carefully and put our feet in the water. A happy place no one cares if you sit close to the water and take a little swim.
Folly CoveMedium - CollagraphSize - 17 x 13Price $285
Sheltered, a favorite stopping place for a few cars and bikes. The rocks overlook a long reach out to open sea and a far-off gaggle of sail boats going in the wind back to the Rockport harbor. Many snorkelers brave the pebbly beach and cold waters for this challenging way to net a lobster or knit a memory.
Hodgkins CoveMedium - CollagraphSize 13 x 17
Price $300
This is a winter scene of a cove that people with small boats use to get in and out. Of course, the walls are made of the local granite and you can see trees on either side. I like it because it’s different from all the other coves; man made with reason.
Pigeon CoveMedium - CollagraphSize - 17.5 x 13.5Price $300
Memory of a childlike place inhabited by old boats and cars. As I stand on the hillside I see the sillouette of a nearby town with its spires and tumbling houses. Where the lobstermen left with their nets early in the morning.
Straitsmouth CoveMedium - CollagraphSize - 13 x 17Price $285
On this variant, you can see the small lighthouse in the middle. I added this so the viewer could see how different two similar prints can be. In this instance, they are called “variants”.
An Hour before TwilightMedium - CollagraphSize - 17 x 13Price $285
It’s time to meditate. Let the waves comfort you and inspire you to write home. For this collagraph I made the plate or base concentrating on darks and lights - the values and masses- the forms, later shown with the colors I chose.