Last week my husband and I journeyed to The Cape for several sunny days filled with lobster! One day my Father took us to visit Provincetown. Provincetown, MA is a lovely town right at the tip of the Cape Cod curl.
There seems to be a gallery every few feet as you walk down the main drag. A wide range of tastes, styles, and mediums are represented. I didn't, of course, take any photos in the galleries. But Provincetown had plenty of lovely bits of inspiration right out on the street.
I stumbled across this fantastic etched glass window in a bright red door:
I love how there's even a mini Cape Cod curl in the design. The door simply couldn't be anywhere but on The Cape! And did you know that glass etching is something you can do quickly and easily at home? (Check out this tutorial.) It sure makes me wish I had a door with a window to try it out on!
I like the red and white color combo of the door and the house — a combination which can also be found in this photo:
I think it's interesting how the red, white and blue of this building don't immediately make me think of a flag. It's a good reminder that proportion of color really matters — it's a mostly white palette, with a strong pop of red and some very small blue accents.
These buoys are another lesson in color theory.
Look at the beautifully contrasting colors on each of those bad boys: yellow and purple, orange and blue, red and blue, white and well…anything! It's a colorful jumble of fun!
Speaking of fun…
It's a bench made of lobster traps and buoys! Super fun!
I really loved this art gallery sign:
I think the letters are made from dried seaweed. How perfect for a gallery right on the beach!
I try really hard to make sure that the embellishments I use on a scrapbook page reinforce the story of the page. I always hope that the design does too. Visual storytelling mixed with actual storytelling. And that's just what this sign does. It's hand made (art gallery) from seaweed (beach art gallery). Love it!
The sea does terrible things to painted wood. Terrible and wonderful things.
I love the texture and the layers of color. I am reminded of an art journal page or a canvas covered in layers and scratched away to reveal portions of what is underneath. I adore distressed layers. You can easily achieve this look using the Vaseline "peeled paint" technique. (And here's that same technique, but with a stencil.)
I saw this piece as I walked past a shop window.
I actually really like the photograph as a whole — the reflection of the house in the shop window seems to strengthen the message of the art piece. It's as if we can see what the figure is seeing.
This grainy photo may look like any vacation snapshot (all these photos, btw, were taken with my iPhone), but I see artistic inspiration in it.
All of those little boats! I am somewhat pod obsessed (as you know from yesterday's post) and these little boats are a perfect pod shape. So seeing them all stacked together like this has my brain whirring with some potential ideas for painting! In fact, these boats were the inspiration for yesterday's pod shape with the lines through it (like the slat seats in the boat above).
I like the big boats too!
Besides the gorgeous rust and distress (and that fabulous teal green on the back of the boat), I can clearly see a sketch for a layout. This image is so bottom heavy (as is the boat).
Isn't that a fun sketch? And not one I would have come to on my own.
I like hand painted signs.
It's amazing how a hand painted sign makes the place feel like it must by homey and friendly. I always think there's something lovely about seeing the hand of the artist. It's welcoming. A good reminder to stay away from perfection. I always say that something made by you should feel like it.
Provincetown offered up plenty of purposeful public art as well.
Lots of inspiration to be had on the streets and waterways of Provincetown. If you're ever in the vicinity, it's a fun and art filled town and definitely worth the visit!
I found lots more artistic inspiration on my Cape Cod visit, so watch for some more Cape Cod posts coming your way soon!
Thanks for stopping by!
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P.S. Want to win some brand new stencils? I designed two doily stencils for CHA-Summer. The Crafter's Workshop is giving them away on their blog!
Provincetown is a great destination. Glad you had fun. It’s time for me to go back! Fish and chips here I come!
Provincetown is a great destination. Glad you had fun. It’s time for me to go back! Fish and chips here I come!
Provincetown is a great destination. Glad you had fun. It’s time for me to go back! Fish and chips here I come!
Provincetown is a great destination. Glad you had fun. It’s time for me to go back! Fish and chips here I come!
Provincetown is a great destination. Glad you had fun. It’s time for me to go back! Fish and chips here I come!
Oh how I love your photos. I have never been up to this part of our country. It has such a distinct look and feel. Your photos have captured them both. My favorite? I’ve got two. The crab-trap and buoy bench and… that ART sign! I love it that the sign just says ART. Not some snooty gallery name, just ART. I’d slam on my brakes for that sign!
Oh how I love your photos. I have never been up to this part of our country. It has such a distinct look and feel. Your photos have captured them both. My favorite? I’ve got two. The crab-trap and buoy bench and… that ART sign! I love it that the sign just says ART. Not some snooty gallery name, just ART. I’d slam on my brakes for that sign!
Oh how I love your photos. I have never been up to this part of our country. It has such a distinct look and feel. Your photos have captured them both. My favorite? I’ve got two. The crab-trap and buoy bench and… that ART sign! I love it that the sign just says ART. Not some snooty gallery name, just ART. I’d slam on my brakes for that sign!
Oh how I love your photos. I have never been up to this part of our country. It has such a distinct look and feel. Your photos have captured them both. My favorite? I’ve got two. The crab-trap and buoy bench and… that ART sign! I love it that the sign just says ART. Not some snooty gallery name, just ART. I’d slam on my brakes for that sign!
Oh how I love your photos. I have never been up to this part of our country. It has such a distinct look and feel. Your photos have captured them both. My favorite? I’ve got two. The crab-trap and buoy bench and… that ART sign! I love it that the sign just says ART. Not some snooty gallery name, just ART. I’d slam on my brakes for that sign!
I loved Provincetown when went there but now I have to go back to ‘look’ again! Thanks for showing me a piece of my state in a new way!
I loved Provincetown when went there but now I have to go back to ‘look’ again! Thanks for showing me a piece of my state in a new way!
I loved Provincetown when went there but now I have to go back to ‘look’ again! Thanks for showing me a piece of my state in a new way!
I loved Provincetown when went there but now I have to go back to ‘look’ again! Thanks for showing me a piece of my state in a new way!
I loved Provincetown when went there but now I have to go back to ‘look’ again! Thanks for showing me a piece of my state in a new way!
Thanks for sharing these terrific photos. I’ll probably never get to visit Provincetown, so it’s great to see it through your eyes.
Thanks for sharing these terrific photos. I’ll probably never get to visit Provincetown, so it’s great to see it through your eyes.
Thanks for sharing these terrific photos. I’ll probably never get to visit Provincetown, so it’s great to see it through your eyes.
Thanks for sharing these terrific photos. I’ll probably never get to visit Provincetown, so it’s great to see it through your eyes.
Thanks for sharing these terrific photos. I’ll probably never get to visit Provincetown, so it’s great to see it through your eyes.
Just love how you find inspiration everywhere and articulate it so clearly. Thank you! (PS – I’m registered for your stamp carving workshop at create NJ, and am really thrilled to meet you.)
Just love how you find inspiration everywhere and articulate it so clearly. Thank you! (PS – I’m registered for your stamp carving workshop at create NJ, and am really thrilled to meet you.)
Just love how you find inspiration everywhere and articulate it so clearly. Thank you! (PS – I’m registered for your stamp carving workshop at create NJ, and am really thrilled to meet you.)
Just love how you find inspiration everywhere and articulate it so clearly. Thank you! (PS – I’m registered for your stamp carving workshop at create NJ, and am really thrilled to meet you.)
Just love how you find inspiration everywhere and articulate it so clearly. Thank you! (PS – I’m registered for your stamp carving workshop at create NJ, and am really thrilled to meet you.)
Thanks for sharing your Provincetown inspiration with us; I’ll look forward to more! And can I tell you how much I love, love, love that you’ve pulled a page sketch out of that photo of a boat? Absolutely brilliant; you, miss Julie, are a rockstar!
Thanks for sharing your Provincetown inspiration with us; I’ll look forward to more! And can I tell you how much I love, love, love that you’ve pulled a page sketch out of that photo of a boat? Absolutely brilliant; you, miss Julie, are a rockstar!
Thanks for sharing your Provincetown inspiration with us; I’ll look forward to more! And can I tell you how much I love, love, love that you’ve pulled a page sketch out of that photo of a boat? Absolutely brilliant; you, miss Julie, are a rockstar!
Thanks for sharing your Provincetown inspiration with us; I’ll look forward to more! And can I tell you how much I love, love, love that you’ve pulled a page sketch out of that photo of a boat? Absolutely brilliant; you, miss Julie, are a rockstar!
Thanks for sharing your Provincetown inspiration with us; I’ll look forward to more! And can I tell you how much I love, love, love that you’ve pulled a page sketch out of that photo of a boat? Absolutely brilliant; you, miss Julie, are a rockstar!
Yes Keitha, I thought it was brilliant too! What an inspirational woman you are Julie! XXX
Yes Keitha, I thought it was brilliant too! What an inspirational woman you are Julie! XXX
Yes Keitha, I thought it was brilliant too! What an inspirational woman you are Julie! XXX
Yes Keitha, I thought it was brilliant too! What an inspirational woman you are Julie! XXX
Yes Keitha, I thought it was brilliant too! What an inspirational woman you are Julie! XXX
Thanks for the mini vacation in my mind, I loved it. I love the ocean and all the colors, I can see so much artistic potential in those photos.
Thanks for the mini vacation in my mind, I loved it. I love the ocean and all the colors, I can see so much artistic potential in those photos.
Thanks for the mini vacation in my mind, I loved it. I love the ocean and all the colors, I can see so much artistic potential in those photos.
Thanks for the mini vacation in my mind, I loved it. I love the ocean and all the colors, I can see so much artistic potential in those photos.
Thanks for the mini vacation in my mind, I loved it. I love the ocean and all the colors, I can see so much artistic potential in those photos.
Love the travelogue & photos…to find inspiration like that in a photo is a fabulous idea. Since I rarely do LO’s this may have to be the one to lift…thanks!
Love the travelogue & photos…to find inspiration like that in a photo is a fabulous idea. Since I rarely do LO’s this may have to be the one to lift…thanks!
Love the travelogue & photos…to find inspiration like that in a photo is a fabulous idea. Since I rarely do LO’s this may have to be the one to lift…thanks!
Love the travelogue & photos…to find inspiration like that in a photo is a fabulous idea. Since I rarely do LO’s this may have to be the one to lift…thanks!
Love the travelogue & photos…to find inspiration like that in a photo is a fabulous idea. Since I rarely do LO’s this may have to be the one to lift…thanks!
Love the bench and the sketch. As close as it is, I have never been to P-town. I may have to change that though:-)
Love the bench and the sketch. As close as it is, I have never been to P-town. I may have to change that though:-)
Love the bench and the sketch. As close as it is, I have never been to P-town. I may have to change that though:-)
Love the bench and the sketch. As close as it is, I have never been to P-town. I may have to change that though:-)
Love the bench and the sketch. As close as it is, I have never been to P-town. I may have to change that though:-)
Wow – I am stunned with that LO sketch from the photo too! I’m heading to Lake Michigan on vacation this week and will be seeing things with new eyes. Thanks so much for this timely post. Inspiration is everywhere!
Wow – I am stunned with that LO sketch from the photo too! I’m heading to Lake Michigan on vacation this week and will be seeing things with new eyes. Thanks so much for this timely post. Inspiration is everywhere!
Wow – I am stunned with that LO sketch from the photo too! I’m heading to Lake Michigan on vacation this week and will be seeing things with new eyes. Thanks so much for this timely post. Inspiration is everywhere!
Wow – I am stunned with that LO sketch from the photo too! I’m heading to Lake Michigan on vacation this week and will be seeing things with new eyes. Thanks so much for this timely post. Inspiration is everywhere!
Wow – I am stunned with that LO sketch from the photo too! I’m heading to Lake Michigan on vacation this week and will be seeing things with new eyes. Thanks so much for this timely post. Inspiration is everywhere!
Shut up!! That LO sketch from that photo??? You never cease to amaze! I am not a “sketch girl” when it comes to scrapbooking, but this new way of looking at and translating composition is cool! Looking forward to more of your Cape Cod posts!
Shut up!! That LO sketch from that photo??? You never cease to amaze! I am not a “sketch girl” when it comes to scrapbooking, but this new way of looking at and translating composition is cool! Looking forward to more of your Cape Cod posts!
Shut up!! That LO sketch from that photo??? You never cease to amaze! I am not a “sketch girl” when it comes to scrapbooking, but this new way of looking at and translating composition is cool! Looking forward to more of your Cape Cod posts!
Shut up!! That LO sketch from that photo??? You never cease to amaze! I am not a “sketch girl” when it comes to scrapbooking, but this new way of looking at and translating composition is cool! Looking forward to more of your Cape Cod posts!
Shut up!! That LO sketch from that photo??? You never cease to amaze! I am not a “sketch girl” when it comes to scrapbooking, but this new way of looking at and translating composition is cool! Looking forward to more of your Cape Cod posts!
Great post – wonderful trip! Loved the pics of the buoys!! Also liked heading of your pod inspiration. Cool!
Great post – wonderful trip! Loved the pics of the buoys!! Also liked heading of your pod inspiration. Cool!
Great post – wonderful trip! Loved the pics of the buoys!! Also liked heading of your pod inspiration. Cool!
Great post – wonderful trip! Loved the pics of the buoys!! Also liked heading of your pod inspiration. Cool!
Great post – wonderful trip! Loved the pics of the buoys!! Also liked heading of your pod inspiration. Cool!
WOW!! Thanks for the great photos of the Cape! It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go…on the bucket list.
I love your blog…don’t take time to comment…shame on me.
I really like how you’ve explained what inspires you and what you see in each photo…THANK YOU!
WOW!! Thanks for the great photos of the Cape! It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go…on the bucket list.
I love your blog…don’t take time to comment…shame on me.
I really like how you’ve explained what inspires you and what you see in each photo…THANK YOU!
WOW!! Thanks for the great photos of the Cape! It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go…on the bucket list.
I love your blog…don’t take time to comment…shame on me.
I really like how you’ve explained what inspires you and what you see in each photo…THANK YOU!
WOW!! Thanks for the great photos of the Cape! It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go…on the bucket list.
I love your blog…don’t take time to comment…shame on me.
I really like how you’ve explained what inspires you and what you see in each photo…THANK YOU!
WOW!! Thanks for the great photos of the Cape! It’s a place I’ve always wanted to go…on the bucket list.
I love your blog…don’t take time to comment…shame on me.
I really like how you’ve explained what inspires you and what you see in each photo…THANK YOU!
Your photos are fantastic and really make me what to hop in the car and head east!! Will have to add it too my bucket list!
Your photos are fantastic and really make me what to hop in the car and head east!! Will have to add it too my bucket list!
Your photos are fantastic and really make me what to hop in the car and head east!! Will have to add it too my bucket list!
Your photos are fantastic and really make me what to hop in the car and head east!! Will have to add it too my bucket list!
Your photos are fantastic and really make me what to hop in the car and head east!! Will have to add it too my bucket list!
Thank you so much, Julie, for that lovely walk through Provincetown! I felt as if I were walking right beside you. The pictures are superb. That was a lovely mini-holiday. I do admire those weather-worn, well-salted doors and signs. I could imagine putting my hands on them and feeling the raw roughness. You have a great eye!
Thank you so much, Julie, for that lovely walk through Provincetown! I felt as if I were walking right beside you. The pictures are superb. That was a lovely mini-holiday. I do admire those weather-worn, well-salted doors and signs. I could imagine putting my hands on them and feeling the raw roughness. You have a great eye!
Thank you so much, Julie, for that lovely walk through Provincetown! I felt as if I were walking right beside you. The pictures are superb. That was a lovely mini-holiday. I do admire those weather-worn, well-salted doors and signs. I could imagine putting my hands on them and feeling the raw roughness. You have a great eye!
Thank you so much, Julie, for that lovely walk through Provincetown! I felt as if I were walking right beside you. The pictures are superb. That was a lovely mini-holiday. I do admire those weather-worn, well-salted doors and signs. I could imagine putting my hands on them and feeling the raw roughness. You have a great eye!
Thank you so much, Julie, for that lovely walk through Provincetown! I felt as if I were walking right beside you. The pictures are superb. That was a lovely mini-holiday. I do admire those weather-worn, well-salted doors and signs. I could imagine putting my hands on them and feeling the raw roughness. You have a great eye!
Thank you for the tour. It reminded me of when my husband & I went there. A happy time.
Thank you for the tour. It reminded me of when my husband & I went there. A happy time.
Thank you for the tour. It reminded me of when my husband & I went there. A happy time.
Thank you for the tour. It reminded me of when my husband & I went there. A happy time.
Thank you for the tour. It reminded me of when my husband & I went there. A happy time.
My gosh Julie . . . you make me realize I need to open my eyes to my surroundings as I travel around. What wonderful snippits of colors, textures, and details!
My gosh Julie . . . you make me realize I need to open my eyes to my surroundings as I travel around. What wonderful snippits of colors, textures, and details!
My gosh Julie . . . you make me realize I need to open my eyes to my surroundings as I travel around. What wonderful snippits of colors, textures, and details!
My gosh Julie . . . you make me realize I need to open my eyes to my surroundings as I travel around. What wonderful snippits of colors, textures, and details!
My gosh Julie . . . you make me realize I need to open my eyes to my surroundings as I travel around. What wonderful snippits of colors, textures, and details!
Im looking forward to it too!
Im looking forward to it too!
Im looking forward to it too!
Im looking forward to it too!
Im looking forward to it too!
speaking of etching on glass – I think your wedding stencil templates would be fab. I thought about doing them to our shower doors which is glass, not plexi.
speaking of etching on glass – I think your wedding stencil templates would be fab. I thought about doing them to our shower doors which is glass, not plexi.
speaking of etching on glass – I think your wedding stencil templates would be fab. I thought about doing them to our shower doors which is glass, not plexi.
speaking of etching on glass – I think your wedding stencil templates would be fab. I thought about doing them to our shower doors which is glass, not plexi.
speaking of etching on glass – I think your wedding stencil templates would be fab. I thought about doing them to our shower doors which is glass, not plexi.
Wow- I want to see this place one day!!!
Wow- I want to see this place one day!!!
Wow- I want to see this place one day!!!
Wow- I want to see this place one day!!!
Wow- I want to see this place one day!!!
I love PTown. We used to go there every year for our family reunion. These pics bring back some fun memories 😉
I love PTown. We used to go there every year for our family reunion. These pics bring back some fun memories 😉
I love PTown. We used to go there every year for our family reunion. These pics bring back some fun memories 😉
I love PTown. We used to go there every year for our family reunion. These pics bring back some fun memories 😉
I love PTown. We used to go there every year for our family reunion. These pics bring back some fun memories 😉
Julie, Your dads house is truly beautiful. Oh how I wish I could afford something like that. You can tell where you get your artistic talent from. My daughter is here from Atlanta and really enjoyed the pictures too. She a photographer and think your dad’s place is beautiful also.
Julie, Your dads house is truly beautiful. Oh how I wish I could afford something like that. You can tell where you get your artistic talent from. My daughter is here from Atlanta and really enjoyed the pictures too. She a photographer and think your dad’s place is beautiful also.
Julie, Your dads house is truly beautiful. Oh how I wish I could afford something like that. You can tell where you get your artistic talent from. My daughter is here from Atlanta and really enjoyed the pictures too. She a photographer and think your dad’s place is beautiful also.
Julie, Your dads house is truly beautiful. Oh how I wish I could afford something like that. You can tell where you get your artistic talent from. My daughter is here from Atlanta and really enjoyed the pictures too. She a photographer and think your dad’s place is beautiful also.
Julie, Your dads house is truly beautiful. Oh how I wish I could afford something like that. You can tell where you get your artistic talent from. My daughter is here from Atlanta and really enjoyed the pictures too. She a photographer and think your dad’s place is beautiful also.