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In spring of 2019, American artist Sandy O’Connor was awarded a Copley Society of Art Visual Arts Fellowship to work at the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Massachusetts from Aug. 26 through Sept. 22, 2019. Follow along as she records her time spent in this historic art colony. Her focus is the subject of climate change and its impact on the coastal landscape of the Outer Cape. By researching, sketching and painting the natural beauty of vulnerable landscapes, she hopes to engage others in their protection and support efforts already in progress.

“Cape-Return” by Harry Kemp, excerpt from Poet of the Dunes, ©1952

To make me feel like one that walks 

On the body of the moon,

There will be a crater like, silver sweep 

Of dune over shadowy dune.

Weather report: Mid 70s during the day and mid 60s tonight. Rain/thunderstorms this afternoon and into tomorrow. Flash flood watch.

Yesterday I woke to another sunny morning. Yawn. (Today will be different with rain starting later which will continue into tomorrow). Roofers started pulling into the parking lot next to my studio pretty early, so I lost the chance to unload my equipment right next to the building. It took a few trips and I just got busy going about setting myself up. I’m in a temporary spot this week until repairs are done on the roof above the studio I was originally assigned to. The space I’m in now is HUGE. Luckily I’m working in watercolor and traveling light so moving again next week is no biggie. Afterwards, I went about pulling my camera and gear together to get ready for a Photography Dune Tour in the Province Lands at 4:30pm. It was offered by the Cape Cod Art Center with professional photographer and terrific guide, John Tunney, www.CapeCodPhotoTours.com.

We started out at the National Park Service Visitors Center at Race Point. It was magnificent and a real treat to venture into this gigantic sandbar that I’ve read so much about. That’s what is really, a massive spit of sand jutting out into the Atlantic ocean. Out there you feel like you’re on another planet. Every few minutes, and at every turn up and down the dunes, the landscape, sky and light seems to change. We were a small group of 8 and most of the time no one spoke because we were all in awe of our surroundings. We ended up at Herring Cove and the sunset was spectacular with sky that looked like it was on fire and seals playing in the waves in front of us. Behind us was a closed life guard station that looked like something out of an Edward Hopper painting. I needed an outing like this to get my bearings and inspiration at the onset of my time here. 

In the months leading up to my residency I did a lot of reading and researching ongoing efforts to remediate damage already done in certain locations by many local authorities, some of whom I’ve been in contact with to pinpoint exact spots. I hope to shine a bright light on the natural beauty and communicate conservation efforts to anyone who cares. 

Today I concentrated on outreach, making to do lists, scheduling time for meetings and activities. I managed to take a lunch time stroll through the ‘hood surrounding the FAWC and then down to the harbor a few blocks away before the rain sets in. Naturally popped into a gallery that I’ve been getting emails from for years now and had a lovely chat with one of the owners. Heading to the studio to get some brushes wet.  ~ Cheers, Sandy