Scaling Up for an Installation

Several months ago I bought a lovely sketchbook and some new fountain pens and have filled it almost exclusively with line drawings of Wolfe and Simcoe Islands.

There was no plan, other than a sort of fixation with the islands and the village of Marysville in particular and faith that it would lead to something else.  Along the way, I joined the Wolfe Island Gallery, which is an artists co-operative in the village, again with no clear idea of just what I would display.  When word came through that the Gallery would not physically open this summer, a purpose for the drawings

occurred to me, as I had hoped it might.

In the absence of the Gallery, I decided to redraw the little sketches on 3' x 4' sheets of durable tyvek and lace those as banners along the main street of Marysville.  This is also the prompt I needed to do much larger, stand-alone pieces, which will be better suited to exhibition than my tiny little bound sketchbook, not to mention omit the seam of the 2 page spreads.

The photos are of my tiny 6" x 9" sketchbook,

selecting from photocopies which sketches to re-draw and a 3' x 4' test enlargement.

Outdoor Room

I ran into my friend Matt the other day in the ferry line up.  He had been working with a contractor pal, building a dock and commented that the island was "bucolic".   An apt term and particularly appropriate to describe the porch in the sketch.

I had noticed it the day before, but as its such a domestic space it seemed intrusive to sketch it - almost like looking into someone's living room.  But luckily, the next day the owner was sitting out with friends and I asked for permission to draw -  not only out of courtesy but because it can look a little creepy to be parked in a car staring out the window at someone's home.   I was welcomed and even offered a drink - that seems to be a consistent vibe in the village.  Visitors Welcome.

Do They All Float?

Not surprisingly there are lots of boats on Wolfe Island stashed here and there in fields and open sheds.  This little fleet dwells in the village and all look ready to go for a swim.

No Gas

There is a garage in Marysville, but nowhere to buy gas, so keeping a tank full requires some planning.  Luckily there is a mechanic and they are right on the main street of the village.

"Ferry's in"

A large part of my attraction to Marysville is the island experience. The ferry trip back and forth,  despite the constrained views from the car, is a connection to the sea state on the crossing and the duration provides a sort of mental separation from the City.  Even staying in the car, it satisfies my  love of just being on the water.

In the village, there are views from Main Street out to Barrett's Bay, but more than that, there is a rhythm of activity tied to the hourly ferry schedule.  Cars queue up along Main Street to ensure a place on the next boat and when it arrives theres a sort of tidal flow of 50 or so vehicles disembarking.  Ten minutes before arrival of the ferry there is a rush to pay up and turnover of tables at the local restaurants and over and lots of waving and salutations as people acknowledge friends along the street and at the terminal as the ferry unloads and takes on a new load.

Visitors Welcome

At the side of Main Street at the edge of Marysville there is a small pull-off to a private dock.  Under the shade of a willow tree is a charming little bench with a couple of plaques remembering people, who I'm guessing enjoyed the spot.  What really caught my attention though was the message on the side - "VISITORS WELCOME".  Thats consistent with my sense of being a newcomer on Wolfe Island.

Marysville Long House

Like many older buildings, this house has been added to in several stages.  There is an addition to the north, with a wrap-around veranda for shade and a long drive-shed wing behind the main house.  And speaking on main houses, the long extension reminded me of the pattern of long sausage link houses in the State of Maine.  I have never taken the time to research why that pattern is so ubiquitous in Maine, but surmise that its some intersection of building ordinances and the practical desire to stay under shelter when moving from house to drive sheds.

Cormorant

Now here's an honest working boat, standing at the boat repair shop outside of Marysville.  She's a no nonsense utility boat from Garden Island, where several families live year round without ferry service.  I' sure its nudged through rotten ice  and felt its way through heavy fog many times over the years making necessary trips to the mainland.