Middle Cove

Middle Cove beach oils 8 x 16

If you mention Middle Cove to anyone on the Avalon Peninsula, they will know exactly where it is. The pebble beach slopes to the sea and is fed by a river which crosses the beach.

It is synonmous with capelin fishing and during the short season, the roads and beach are impassable with people and cars all trying their hand at getting some fish. The gulls and the humpback whales are usually the heralds of capelin season. This link to some photos on Flickr by Ideaphore show the whales having a feast. Its a true wonder to see this in person as they're so close to shore.

Here's a short video that gives you a feel for the moment and place.

On this day the beach was quiet with few people around, just how I like it! The water was still with just a slight wave lapping on the shore.What interested me was the colour of the water that morning. It was an amazing shade of turquoise, purple and golds of the rocks reflected in the water. I still may tinker with this piece a little to refine the beach and water, but will leave it a few days to percolate.

A closer view of the piece.

And now a little history, as I always think its good to know more about the soil you stand on and its roots.

The area encompassing Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove was within the boundaries of lands granted to the London and Bristol Company in 1610. In 1627, the company experienced financial difficulties and evidently made lands available to private groups. The name Logy Bay itself first appeared on a Southwoods map in 1675. Despite this, permanent settlement did not begin until the early 1800’s. The earliest record of settlement in Logy Bay was in 1818 when Luke Ryan, a fisherman, sought permission to build a fishing room. The earliest records of settlement in Outer Cove and Middle Cove appear around 1827, but occupation here most likely predated this year.

The early settlers of Logy Bay-Middle Cove-Outer Cove were Irish immigrants predominately from the Counties of Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and Cork. In particular, the town of Inistioge in Kilkenny was the origin of most of the pioneers of Logy Bay. These early settlers were attracted to the area by the easy access to the excellent fishing grounds that lay just offshore and by the good farmland that dotted the region.

Between 1827 and 1830 there were 9 petitions for land in Logy Bay, 3 in Middle Cove and 30 in Outer Cove. By the 1850’s, the Irish had established themselves here and proceeded to shape the landscape. Irish heritage is still strong here today and can be seen through such things as religion, folkways, music, and dialect.

Source: The Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove Heritage Committee

Ballycaters

Ballycaters

6 x 12 oils

Newfoundland has its own language in many ways. So much so that there is even a Dictionary of Newfoundland English printed. Many of the words have origins in England or Ireland with some French connection, and are simply derivatives of the word. Some - well some are just plain odd.

Ballycater is one of those words. It is used to describe the ice that forms from salt sea spray on rocks. You can see this on the coast during the winter creating wonderful patterns on the rocks.

This painting started with the on site watercolour sketch of the cliffs and sea at Middle Cove in Logy Bay. The sea was very rough and the spray worked its magic on the walls of rock.