Half Moon Bay A.M.



I enjoy going to Half Moon Bay (HMB) for outdoor painting.


This time I drove on Main for a few blocks, then turn left to Johnson.  There I spotted the Community United Methodist Church.  It looked like it would be a good subject.  I walked around the area for a couple of blocks to get a sense of the overall environment.  Johnson was wide and empty during this time.  Residential houses sat neatly along both sides.  It will be a bright sunny day.  The distant sky is clear with faint blue and yellow patches, and green hills right below.  I set up on the southwest side facing north towards the church.


As soon as I started to sketch, UPS/FedEx trucks appeared at the curb, blocking my view.  What an unlucky coincidence.  Why didn't they stop on the other side of the street?  Fortunately, they left shortly.  Good.  I really wanted to concentrate on my work.
 

Later on, a few doors down, there was an open house.  A couple walked in and out.  The wide open, empty street prompted a question.  "Should I fill something in or simply narrow the width?"  At that moment, a garbage truck popped up seemingly out of nowhere.  I quickly sketched it into my picture along with two workers.  A lady came to fetch her empty garbage can.  She got sketched in also.  It was only then that I realized there was a line of garbage cans sitting along the curb on this side of street the whole time!


The sketch was about 90% done.  I packed up to meet with the other HMB Plein Air Painters.  The real estate agent of the open house happened to be outside.  I waved.  She came over to look at the watercolor.  "You're selling the house", I said.  "Oh, I hope I'll sell the house!"  "You will.  The economy's getting better."  Finally, she mentioned that she does oil painting.






Community United Methodist Church on Johnson Street