How long have you lived in Gloucester? born here. lived in Los Angeles for 5 years as a child (dad was in the navy); returned to northshore (manchester, wenham, essex for 7 years), gloucester high school, san francisco for a year, art institute of boston 4 years (brookline, allston, somerville, west stockbridge, cambridge), gloucester for a few years, rockport for 2 years, nyc 22 months, magnolia 15 years, west gloucester 2 years, east gloucester 6 years. i’m a glosta gal (mom born in rockport, extended finnish family in gloucester).
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What is your favorite season In Gloucester? all of them.
Do you have any secret outdoor spots in Gloucester where you go to “get away”? magnolia beach to the nature trail behind clark’s pond to the coolidge reservation.
What is your favorite pizza joint in Gloucester? sebastians
What is your favorite sub shop in Gloucester? mike’s place
What place would you go for a romantic dinner in Gloucester? my house
What is your favorite bar in Gloucester? don’t do bars
What is your favorite breakfast joint in Gloucester? two sisters
What is your favorite local event in Gloucester? fiesta, gotta get my blessing and ambie’s sausage sandwich.
In the summer do you prefer the beach or to be on a boat? beach
Who is your favorite local artist?
The first Cape Ann artist that I have always admired is landscape painter Ken Gore (1911-1990). Ken was a member of the Northshore Art Association and The Rockport Art Association. He had a studio and gallery on East Main Street across from the The Beacon Marine where he taught painting on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. My father, a student of Ken’s, arranged for me to have lessons with Ken. My paintings were not very good, but Ken saw ability in my drawings and encouraged me to seriously pursue art. I was 13.
Attached is a photo of Ken’s painting "The Willow" that was auctioned through Blackwood March Auctioneers a few years ago. I chose this painting to accompany this post because of the sheep, as well as his trademark use of the palette knife. Ken told me that when he was first learning to paint he was given a 2" brush to paint and 3 colors: red, yellow, blue and white. The subject? sheep. He could paint them in his sleep. Ken said that anything one could do with a small brush, could be done with a big brush; but, a small brush cannot do the work of a big brush. This advice has guided me through 40 odd years of painting, My preferred brushes are 1-2" bristle chip brushes that can hold alot of paint.
btw: my first lesson was to draw a portrait of another student’s husband, then to paint his portrait. the drawing was true to the man’s age. the painting made him look so much younger that his wife bought it. i didn’t get the money, it was paid to Ken for my very first lesson. In exchange for future lessons, I posed for Ken’s classes.
Which is your favorite local beach? coffin’s beach
Who has the best chowder in town? connolly’s
Excluding GMG what is your second favorite local blog? www.debbieclarke.blogspot.com i know, a bit egocentric, but in a good way. if i’m not for me, who is?
Do you prefer haddock chowder or clam chowder? haddock
What is your favorite Gloucester neighborhood? all of them.
What is your favorite local band? A Train
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Good Morning Gloucester 
Debbie Clarke, My Art Sensei! She’s opened my eyes to the many possiblities of art. Thanks Deb! your posts have meant more to me than you know! 6 years ago we met….
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6 years ago? wow. seems like yesterday. thank you Paul.
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Hi Debbie. Nice shot (although a little out of focus) and info about you (some of which I learned about you during our excursion to Sagamore Hill). I don’t think you’re egocentric at all. Someone told me long ago, if you don’t toot your own horn, no one else will toot it for you. And my favorite – never hide your light under a bushel; let it shine for the world to see. Shine on, girl.
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Debbie Clarke? Egocentric? lmfao! No!
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