Today is a return to architecture with the sprawling Wentworth Coolidge Mansion located on Portsmouth’s waterfront.
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A Quiet Afternoon at The Memorial Bridge
Today’s image is a very simple, peaceful image of the Memorial Bridge in its final days. Closed to traffic and standing tall over the Piscataqua River, the bridge enjoys a nice view of the late day sky above. It’s a bit eerie to see that the Kittery side tower already had its rounded cable holders removed, already altering the bridge’s appearance beyond the obvious disappearance of the center span. Once I am able to get a post-worthy shot of the bridge in its current state, I’ll be sure to share with all.
The Memorial Bridge Lift Span in Prescott Park
The Memorial Bridge lift span was brought up to the State Pier when it was initially removed from its home. After a couple days of intrigue and restricted access for viewing, the span mysteriously showed up at Prescott Park and has been there for the weekend. It’s amazing to see it up close, especially some of the finer details like the incredibly frayed cables at the top of the corners of the span.
The Last Day of the Memorial Lift Span
Tomorrow will include photos of the lift span being floated out – but for now I wanted to share two shots of the flurry of activity that had to happen in order for the span to be floated out in the first place. The first shot above features two workers hurriedly screwing something onto one of the barge towers that will help secure the 2 million pound lift span. The shot below is a serene capture of the Cape Cod barge at rest with the early morning light reflecting the scene in the rich blue water of the Piscataqua.
Black & White Memorial Sunset
While I was scouting out good spots to watch the lift span float out of the Memorial Bridge, I decided to head over to Four Tree Island for a nice head on shot. The wind was sharp and my hands were absolutely frozen, but a nice long exposure with a fascinating cloud movement made for a worthy image. Hard to imagine that in a few days this view will never be the same. I’m looking forward to some action shots with the barge carrying the bridge – but until then some scenic shots will have to do the trick.
Congress Street Corridor
The Congress Street corridor is a great spot to watch the light change during various points of the day. During the winter, the late day sunlight streaks across Congress Street, barely reaching the Breaking New Grounds building in Market Square. In this shot of the mid-afternoon, the North Church and the square enjoy some direct sunlight while the buildings on either side of the street create a claustrophobic view up the hill.
The Gallery at 100 Market
I’m very excited to share that I’m part of the current show at The Gallery at 100 Market (@ 1oo Market Street in downtown Portsmouth). See below for additional info regarding the show! I will have several of my favorite pieces on display, in a series I call “Looking Up”. Ascension: Portsmouth Harbor Lighthouse is one of the pieces. Hope to see you there.
The Gallery at 100 Market is bringing a bit of bright to the winter months with “Sweet, Sentimental & Thoughtful Delights.” The exhibition features works selected for their lighter side: humor, inspiration, blitheness and nostalgic.
“Sweet, Sentimental & Thoughtful Delights,” a four-floor exhibition, opens with an artist’s reception on February 3, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Gallery at 100 Market, 100 Market St., Portsmouth NH.
“We’ve learned over the years that seasons affect people’s taste in art,” says Michael Simchik, gallery patron and 100 Market owner. “This exhibition is like a full-spectrum bulb – something to chase away the winters blues and the short day’s grays.
Simchik says The Gallery at 100 Market was established with two things in mind. Foremost it was created to support the artist’s business of one. Second it would offer quality exhibitions as a community service that includes a broad variety of work, including less commercial forms that are less apt to find wall space in the downtown.
“This show’s service is simply to maintain quality and lift spirits, and that’s definitely what it does; call it our wintertime community service,” says Simchik. “There’s deftly handled color and intriguing images. It’s an exhibit that will appeal to families as well.”
The show features the work of numerous children book illustrators with fantastical images from monsters to frogs, Anne Scheer’s delightful images of children’s toys and Jocelyn Toffic’s take on Mucha. Greg Kretschmar is exhibiting his photography for the first time. Anne Howland created working pieces that will delight children of all ages.
For the first time 100 Market will re-hang work from a previous exhibit. Philip Case Cohen’s large photo images were slated for the large main walls. But due to complications they arrived late and were put in a smaller area on an upper floor.
“These are beautiful pieces. They simply could not be seen properly given their size and the smaller space where they were first exhibited,” says Jean Hurlbut, McLane Law Firm’s gallery liaison, a show supporter. “We’re truly glad the jury saw fit to bring these pieces back and give them the space for proper viewing.”
“Sentimental” includes collage, mixed media, assemblage, photography and painting. The artists include: Scheer, Robert Squier, Nathan Walker, Kathy Morrissey, Russ Aharonian, Alan Ammann, Cori Caputo, Cohen, Shannon Connolly, Rosalind Fedeli, Tess Feltes, Marian Forbes, Kate Higley, Ann R. Howland, Aline Lotter, John Maciejowski, Elaine Mendzela, Darlene Furbush Ouellett, Susan Paradis, Jasmine Inglesmith, Rebecca Emberley, Jocelyn Toffic, and Kretschmar.
Deconstructing the Memorial
Before the project can move forward, it must first take a few steps back. The deconstruction of the Memorial Bridge is underway, and the central lift span will be floated out on Monday evening next week. I was amazed when I stopped to take a photo of the light at the top of the abutment, when all of a sudden, I saw some sparks go flying down the length of the bridge.
Cranes at Work
Cranes at work unloading salt onto the Market Street terminal for Granite State Minerals. Soon I’ll be featuring tall red cranes of another kind – the two twin cranes that are helping to dismantle the Memorial Bridge.
Boat & Reflections | South End
Another glimpse of life on the water in Portsmouth. This image was taken from Peirce Island near my favorite boat launch. The low tide allowed me to sneak a bit closer to the water and further from the shore than I usually would…and I’m happy with the results. Another example of why it pays to wake up a bit early.
THE DAILY PORTSMOUTH 