Ports 'O Call

Last week one of the plein air groups met in San Pedro where the Port of Los Angeles is located.  There is a busy touristy area called Ports 'O Call Village which features waterfront shops and restaurants beside a busy channel with cruise ships, cargo ships, and an occasional fire boat.  Just across the parking lot is another channel where there are working boats, fishing net maintenance, etc. which is a neat place for plein air artists to paint.  I painted there in 2012 and posted my watercolor in San Pedro.     

It was another beautiful morning at the harbor.  Shade was hard to find again.  I ended up painting close to a row boat and pile of nets which had some shade for awhile.  There are so many exciting views to choose from.  I was happy to be satisfied to try what I could see from my bit of shade.  I will bring my umbrella next time.  

Speaking of next time, a fellow painter mentioned a plaza area at the end of the channel which I hadn't checked out before and there were wonderful views.  That's where I'll paint from on my next paint-out there.  At this spot was a fascinating public sculpture, a 40-foot-tall bluefin tuna suspended by its tail from a steel frame, titled Ghost Fish 107 by Carl Cheng.  It commemorates the once thriving tuna fishing and canning industry which was at the site until it began shutting down a generation ago.  (I remember an elementary school field trip to the Starkist cannery there.)  The open frame fish is full of nets, buoys, tools, ropes, license plates, gauges, and other detritus resting at its head.  The fish's eye was especially playful and appealing.

   

8 x 10 watercolor

Ghost Fish 107 by Carl Cheng