Waterfront Museum Barge (II)Oil on canvas by Francis Sills ©2008

This Barge caught my eye as I was out looking for something to paint. The muted reds, set against the brackish green water, seemed an obvious choice. Red Hook has such a special quality to it; almost out of time and place. It was great listening to this creaky barge and the lapping water. Several deck hands were repairing and working around it outside while I painted. I have a sense that this is what New York was like long ago, before the skyscrapers and the traffic. David has preserved a real cultural and historic gem... I can't wait to paint it again.