Three Days of Painting at the Isles of Shoals (part two)

Oceanic Hotel, Star Island, Isles of Shoals, N.H., all photos by Jonathan Small, ©2009.

As I previously mentioned, the Isles of Shoals have long intrigued me. When I first looked into the possibility of going there, it looked like the only way of staying overnight was to attend a retreat through a church group. That's because the only place to stay on the islands is in the Oceanic Hotel on Star Island which is run by the Star Island Corporation as a religious and educational conference center with close ties to the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ. Recently they adapted a more broad minded attitude and changed their policy to allow non-church affiliated groups and "personal retreats" to the hotel. When I saw that the Worcester Art Museum was offering a trip to the Isles of Shoals I signed right up.

The hotel lobby.

The Oceanic Hotel is a hold-over from the Grand Hotel Era of the late 19th century, but don't go expecting five star accomodations. Meals are served cafeteria style in grouped tables, and the fare is no-frills home-style cooking. Bathrooms are shared and the walls are paper thin. The hotel is extremely eco-friendly which is noticeable in many ways. There are a number of limitations with the water supply; many of the bathrooms have no hot water, but you can carry a pitcher of hot water up from the first floor. I found trudging to the basement bathrooms worth the effort as they have hot running water...much more civilized. There are designated days and times when showers may be taken, so don't miss the oportunity. They actually maintain three water supplies: drinking water is mainly produced by desalination, hot water is captured rain water, and toilets flush with sea water. There was an odd looking experimental wind turbine in use.

Sunsets are big events at the Isles of Shoals.

Rowboats for hire.

White Island Light

Smuttynose Island, the location of the 1873 murders and now known for the name of the Smuttynose Brewing Company of Portsmouth, N.H.

The Art Barn.

We did come to paint.

Isles of Shoals Pathway, by Jonathan Small

Miss Underhill's Chair, by Jonathan Small. Miss Underhill was the school teacher on Star Island. She used to love sitting at the top of the rock on the left until one day in 1852 when she was swept to her death by high surf.

Star Island Chapel, by Jonathan Small.

I'll probably do some more finished paintings using my studies and photos.