Status of Original Painting – Sold

All prices are in Canadian dollars

Size: 15 x 20  inches

Price: $1,200

Medium: Watercolour on 300 lb Arches

Description:

Depicted here is Quidi Vidi Gut, a protected harbor that opens out into the Atlantic ocean. It’s located within Quidi Vidi, a small village and popular destination in the heart or gut of St. John’s, Newfoundland. The name is most commonly pronounced “kiddy-viddy” but other locals insist that it’s “kuh-why-duh-vy-duh.” An article from the CBC discussed the uncertainties about the name’s origin and pronunciation, including a tall tale that it’s Latin because Julius Caesar came, saw, and pronounced it a beautiful site. What is true is that Quidi Vidi village was established in the 1600s by cod fishermen from South Devon in England. Nearby is Quidi Vidi Lake where the Royal St. John’s Regatta has been held since 1816.

It was a beautiful Labor Day several weeks ago (September 2, 2024) when my wife Lisa and I strolled through Quidi Vidi Gut to take reference photos for future paintings. There were many seabirds about, in the water and on the roofs, but I chose to exclude them from the painting. Not seen in this view were fishermen filleting their catch, while others (such as on the left) were taking people out in boats to jig cod. On the right side of this view is the  Quidi Vidi Brewing Company where several local beers are brewed; the building used to be a fish plant.

I’ve done two prior paintings of this area with Quidi Vidi Gut in 2002 and then Quidi Vidi Wharf in 2021, each from a different perspective. I expect there will be more because that Labor Day excursion yielded many photos that call out to me to become paintings.

My thanks to my wife Lisa who suggested the title, which also evokes the fishermen who were gutting their catches that afternoon.