Painting of the Week: “Boathouse Cove”

“My home state, Maine, holds a special place in my heart,” says Olena Babak. “Among its few plein air events, Cape Elizabeth’s Paint for Preservation has been an opportunity to paint close to home and spend time with friends and family. The coastal weather brings both challenges and beauty. One year, I found myself inspired by the rolling waves and stormy skies of approaching weather. Though I usually create multiple paintings during the event, in this case, my focus was clear. I opted for the largest canvas I had in my car — 30 x 40 inches — and did a quick 6 x 8-inch color study of the scene that would serve as a reminder of my initial inspiration as I worked.

“It was a challenge to manage the canvas size and the weather’s whims, and I knew that I’d need a second day to finish my work between rain showers. It was a risk, but the result was worth it.

“Each artist who participates in the weekend-long event is asked to submit one painting to the ‘Wet Paint’ auction, which supports the Cape Elizabeth Land Trust’s mission of preserving the area’s environmental heritage. I was delighted that ‘Boathouse Cove’ secured one of the higher bids, and would help further the goal of protecting this land for future generations to enjoy.”

Thirty-one artists have been selected by a jury to paint outdoors over the weekend of July 17-19, 2026 at designated public and private locations chosen to capture the beautiful landscapes and iconic images of Cape Elizabeth. Learn more about Paint for Preservation here.

Transform your skills at the next Plein Air Live online art conference! Plein Air Live gives you invaluable insights and live demonstrations from some of the world’s best plein air artists. Learn more at PleinAirLive.com.

Browse more free articles here at OutdoorPainter.com
Blog post prepared for the web by Cherie Dawn Haas, Editor of Plein Air Today