You know how you go past something and you think it will always be there and then one day it isn't? That was the case (for me) with this old house that sat just south of Jockey's Ridge. It was one of the houses that really said "old Nags Head" and it sat in the lot next to what is now the Nags Head Post Office. An old boat was put in the front of two old cottages. The cottage in the back had a sign on it that said, "Elegantly Shabby." I know that because I had a friend who spent a few nights there. It was also a much photographed scene back in the 1980's. After awhile they had an antique store in the house and the boat was used as signage for the store. I have started to do value sketches before every painting so I included that to show you how I determine values. I made the puddle darker in the final painting since I wanted to draw the eye and it completes a visual circle. I have also found a good use for my credit card. I cut it up into tiny pieces and use it to make square windows and planks. This is a much better use for it than spending too much money at too high interest (LOL). I love these old charter boats made out of wood. They are so distinctive. You don't see lines like that anymore. When I started this research I didn't know what I was looking at but now I've gotten so I can recognize one at a distance. The house in the reference photo I had seems to have an S.J. Twine type railing with built-in seating. Don't know if it really did or not, but I took it as a suggestion. This is Watercolor on Arches, 8 x 10, matted to 11 x 14 and framed. $175. 