Sunapee Boathouses

Watercolor Paintings of Unique Lake Sunapee Architecture

The inspiration to paint the Lake Sunapee boathouses was intertwined with the boat-building project my husband undertook over the past couple years. His dream was to produce a very sea-worthy, trailerable, traditional-looking day cruiser with modern materials. I call it a "poor man's picnic boat."

The boat project took over the workshop and the garage for a much longer time than estimated. My husband was feeling pretty guilty by the time the boat was finished. So, to placate me for all the painting time lost and having to shovel out the car for two winters, he decided to launch the boat for the first time in the most beautiful and impressive lake around. In our minds, this is Lake Sunapee.

It was a glorious midsummer day when we launched, the lake was sparkling clear, and we could go anywhere we wanted. I immediately noticed the many picturesque boathouses, and soon we were speeding from boathouse to boathouse, admiring their grace and character. It was then that he said, "Why don't you paint a series of boathouses this winter?"

The idea caught on, so we returned with my camera, and took many pictures. I spent most of the winter of 2005-2006 working on watercolor paintings of the Sunapee boathouses.

I have not painted them all. I don't know if anyone has ever taken a count, but there are an astounding number of them. I randomly chose ones that were appealing--a lot are tiny, some are old and well-used, some are architecturally charming. There are still a few more I would like to paint, and probably some I haven't even found yet to photograph.

Some are represented in miniature paintings, to emphasize the tiny, delicate quality of some of the Sunapee boathouses. Other scenes are related to the time of year—the busy summer days, the colorful fall, and the abandonment of winter.

I hope that you will take a little time out of your busy life to appreciate these paintings and the charming structures they represent. There can be few lakes in the country with such wonderfully preserved boathouses!



THE RED SHUTTER
Original Watercolor
Framed 26 inches wide x 16.75 inches high
$475

It was the leaning shutter on one of these two boathouses near Burkehaven Landing that attracted my attention.

Original painting--For ordering information, click here

Reproduction--For sizes and prices, click here


THE STRIPED DOOR
Original Watercolor
Framed 20 inches wide x 16 inches high
$350

This Sunapee boathouse is located on Great Island. It clearly dates back to the era when the ferry would land here, dropping off people who would spend their summer on the island.
Original painting--For ordering information, click here

Reproduction--For sizes and prices, click here


CAPTAIN DAVE'S BOATHOUSE
Original Watercolor
Framed 9.75 inches wide x 9.25 inches high
$180

Captain Dave runs the popular tour boat that runs out of Sunapee Harbor. It seems only fitting that his boathouse would be one that I would paint. He told me that there is a story about it being lost in a hurricane that he might relate to those who asked.


Original painting--For ordering information, click here

Reproduction--For sizes and prices, click here


MOUNTAIN VIEW
Original Watercolor
Framed 28 inches wide x 14.25 inches high
$475.00

This painting features a sweeping view of the length of Sunapee Lake. The boathouse is situated in the area known as "the narrows."

Original painting--For ordering information, click here
Reproduction--For sizes and prices, click here


COME ON IN
Reproduction

As we rode by this Sunapee Harbor boathouse, the story I conjured up has the boy at the bottom seeing the girl and her dog and is urging them to dive in and join the fun.


Reproduction--For sizes and prices, click here


THE SISTERS
Reproduction

These stately boathouses sitting side by side near Sunapee Harbor remind me of two proud sisters. If you go close, you will see that there is a sculpture of an Indian between the two.


Reproduction--For sizes and prices, click here

FALL COLORS
Original Watercolor Painting
25 inches high x 20 inches wide
$475.00

The old green house and boathouse in the Rockmere area provide a wonderful contrast to the bright fall colors.






Original painting--For ordering information, click here.

Reproduction--For sizes and prices, click here


HIGH AND DRY
Original Watercolor Painting
13 inches high x 13.35 inches wide

$180.00
This quaint building must have been a boathouse once, although it is certainly on dry land now. I loved the squareness of the building, and the turquoise door


Original Painting--For ordering information, click here.

Reproduction--For sizes and prices, click here


OLD RED
Original Watercolor Painting
9 inches high x 11.5 inches wide
$180.00
Of all the Sunapee boathouses I painted, I think I like this Great Island boathouse the best. There is something about that sagging roof that shows the longevity of them all.
br> Original painting--For ordering information, click here.

Reproduction--For sizes and prices, click here

Return from "Sunapee Boathouses" to Home Page