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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!

RETREAT

This quiet house and boathouse is one of the historical summer places on Great Island.

Reproduction

RED TWINS

These two red boathouses are visible along Route 103A.

Reproduction

A CLASSIC IN TEAL

Look at the shaped door molding and lacey trim!

Original Watercolor
Framed Size: 15" h x 15" w
Price: $195

Reproduction

Bue Doors, boathouses, Lake Sunapee, New England painting, New Hampshire art, watercolor painting, JoAnn Pippin

BLUE DOORS

The bright color of these blue doors add character to this boathouse under a house.

Reproduction

WINTER BOATHOUSE

You can see this one along Job's Creek Road, winter or summer. I used the image of the painting on my Christmas card one year.....

Reproduction

The Red Shutter, boathouses, Lake Sunapee, New England painting, New Hampshire art, Burkehaven Landing, JoAnn Pippin

THE RED SHUTTER

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

Reproduction

THE STRIPED DOOR

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 Watercolor
Framed Size: 16" h x 20" w
Price: $350

Reproduction

CAPTAIN DAVE'S BOATHOUSE

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 Watercolor
Framed Size: 9.25" h x 9.75" w
Price: $180

Reproduction

MOUNTAIN VIEW

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

Original Watercolor
Framed Size: 14.5" h x 28" w
Price: $475

Reproduction

COME ON IN

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

THE SISTERS

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

FALL COLORS

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

Original Watercolor
Framed Size: 25" h x 20" w
Price: $475

Reproduction

High and Dry, boathouses, Lake Sunapee, New Hampshire art, New England painting, watercolor painting, miniature painting, JoAnn Pippin

HIGH AND DRY

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 sunstruck green door.

Original Watercolor
Framed Size: 13" h x 13.35" w
Price: $210

Reproduction

OLD RED

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.

Original Watercolor
Framed Size: 9" h x 11.5" w
Price: $210

Reproduction

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