CYNTHIA KOWAL

Independent Street – July Morning

Acrylic Paint on paper, 36 x 19 inches, 2017

July mornings can be sunny, hot and steamy so any shade is welcome. This view is from Liberty Street looking down Independent Street to Water Street. This section of the short, side street has a hidden quality because few cars and people use it. The Tannery is lightly rendered in pale blue at the right. A hint of a truck is near, an homage to Alan Bull, a well-known artist based in Newburyport and an important teacher in my development as a painter.

Woodwell Ave, Water View with Grey Sky

Acrylic Paint on paper, 36 x 20 inches, 2017

This view is from Union Street looking down Woodwell Ave, a short, side street that ends at Water Street. The river is visible in a little patch of color.

Out Water Street – South to Opening

Acrylic paint on paper, 36 x 20 inches, 2017 • AVAILABLE

Yellow House, Water Street

Acrylic paint on paper, 34.25 x 22 inches, 2017

Water Street has many attractions for a painter’s eye that may repeat but never grow old. Strong shapes and contrasting colors, zig-zaggy street lines and tilt-y phone poles, changing light and a distant view are favorite constants and quintessentially Newburyport. The image was used for a public works mural on the Joppa Rail Trail.

Water Street – July Morning

Acrylic paint on canvas board, 14 x 11 inches, 2017

This favorite south end view captures place, time, and an American flag. One muggy morning as the sky was clearing, the initial “pass” was done quickly on-site using acrylic paint. The painting was completed in studio to retain the atmospheric quality of that summer morning. The American flag was a challenge to paint. During regular walks in town, I like to observe flags with their folding stripes and see hints to convey stars.

Purchase Street, Springtime

Acrylic paint on paper, 29.75 x 23 inches, 2018

Spring light is glorious in the neighborhood. This intersection view captures its impact on white clapboard buildings in combination with moist skies, emerging red maple buds and young green leaves.

Red Line and Row, Water Street

Acrylic paint on paper, 29 x 20 inches, 2018 • AVAILABLE

Green House Looking from Park Street

Acrylic paint on paper, 20 x 16 inches, 2018 • AVAILABLE

Bromfield Corner, Water Street View

Acrylic paint on paper, 20 x 16 inches, 2018 • AVAILABLE

Tennis, Atkinson Common

Acrylic paint on paper, 20 x 16 inches, 2018 • AVAILABLE

Summer Street, Yellow Bloom, Rings Island

Acrylic paint on paper, 20 x 16 inches, 2018 • AVAILABLE

Charles Street Look to Yellow House, Water Street

Acrylic paint on paper, 23 x 18 inches, 2023 • AVAILABLE

Three Flags – Lime Street

Acrylic paint on canvas pad sheet, mounted, 16 x 12 inches, 2023 • AVAILABLE

This view down Lime Street towards Water Street, three American flags, and distant river made an irresistible subject one Fourth of July weekend. The masts from the boatyard add character in the neighborhood.

Out Water Street – C Tree

Acrylic paint on canvas pad sheet, mounted, 16 x 12 inches, 2023 • AVAILABLE

This is a favorite, opening view on walks, heading towards Joppa Park along the Merrimack River. The big area of sky and distant river make the first impact.  Then nearer details charm with light, shadow, and life in the South End neighborhood.

Red House – Rolfe’s Lane

Acrylic paint on canvas pad sheet, mounted 20 x 17 inches, 2023 • AVAILABLE

The Red House sits at the “city” end of the Plum Island Turnpike along the Merrimack River. Late afternoon light at the end of summer created the commanding, long side view of the old building. The road continues on towards the local airport, salt marshes, and beaches.

Independent Street, Sunday Morning

Acrylic paint on canvas, 24 x 18 inches, 2023 • AVAILABLE

This view is from Liberty Street looking down Independent Street to Water Street. Brilliant light and shadow emerge on a summery morning when the sky is almost done clearing out from morning fog. The short side street has American flags and other charms. Deep shadows in the street are cast by the Tannery building.

Lime Street Intersection, Wintertime Walk

Oil paint on canvas, 24 x 18, 2023 • AVAILABLE

The skies are clearing and the light is brightening on a raw, late winter afternoon. The view is from Lime Street towards Water Street. The orange house at the Purchase Street intersection was the location for a neighborhood “pharmacy” in the bygone days. The river appears in the distance with a patch of color.

Water Street Sweep, Tower and Pennants

Acrylic paint on canvas pad sheet, 12 x 16 inches, 2023

Sweep refers to the phone lines that travel across the dull sky, as important to the composition as the awning and flapping pennants. It is a quietly subdued day in charming Newburyport. This view has been pretty constant for fifty years.

Lower Marlboro Street, Autumn

Acrylic paint on canvas, 14 x 11 inches, 2023

During an afternoon walk, a variety of rich colors and light stopped me in my tracks. My glance got caught up in the street, leaves, near and far shores along the river.  At this stage of autumn, the tree canopy had diminished enough to let more sky open up the scene. I started painting soon after, loving the challenge to capture expanse and details.