New Work 2022

“I have a great attachment to Block Island. It’s my ancestral home. It’s inhabitants share a proud heritage that comes from generations of surviving and flourishing on a small Island out in the ocean”.

“My prime interest as an artist and historian has been to pay homage to those men and women through paintings and illustrations. Through my paintings and STORY POSTERS I hope to insure their inventive nature and strong work ethic will not be forgotten”.

SIX NEW DOUBLE-ENDER WATERCOLORS

The recent 2022 paintings, ( #1 through #6 - NEW WORKS ) featured here show several important aspects of this fishing craft, designed to be launched from a beach in the morning then returned to the same beach by using Capstans, oxen and block & tackle equipment designed to move heavy loads. Logs and wooden posts were greased and used as rails to slide the boats up into safe sand dunes above the high-water marks. Many persons were needed to support and turn the boats during hauling and launches and William tries to suggest the importance this daily task played in holding the early Island fishing community together and shows how their interdependence helped strengthen their community.

The Block Island Boat Double-Ender poster. Designed and illustrated by William T. Hall 11” x 14” Printed on fine quality smoothe finish paper. (Unframed only)

The Block Island Boat Double-Ender poster. Designed and illustrated by William T. Hall 11” x 14” Printed on fine quality smooth finish paper. (Unframed only)

SIX NEW DOUBLE-ENDER WATERCOLORS

Title: Loading Stone Ballast at Dorry’s Cove, Block Island, RI

Artist: William Talmadge Hall – Watercolor on Arches Paper. Size: Image area - 5” X 7.5“ - Outside dimensions- 9”X 12”

STORY: Stones were used as ballast. Gathered field stones, loaded for ballast at launching spots were thrown overboard to compensate for the weight of fresh fish once they were landed into the boat. This process went on at all the launching spots along the beaches where the fish camps were located. There discarded stones from previous fishing trips needed to be replaced. Rocky fields provided plenty of stones to be harvested for this purpose and to build dock foundations as well as the miles of stone walls Block Island is known for.

Loading Stone Ballast at Dorry’s Cove, Block Island, RI

Title: Hauling Double Ender at Cooneymus Road Beach, Block Island, RI

Artist: William Talmadge Hall – Watercolor on Arches Paper.

Size: Image area - 5” X 7.5“ - Outside dimensions- 9”X 12”

STORY: There were several beaches on the South East and West sides of Block Island where fishing camps of Double Ender boats departed and returned. Although several outlying independent fishing hamlets developed, it is suspected when rough weather did not permit launching boats on one side of the Island the other side could be used because it was in the lee-side of the Island. Fishing was usually done year around by the most capable captains except in the worse winter weather. History shows December and February for Cod Fish and other bottom fish were challenging months, but fishing trips were important enough to risk a lauching. Year around fishing was essential both to provide the main Island food source and for fish to salt and dry for sale and shipment by Steamer to the mainland 14 miles away.

Hauling Double Ender at Cooneymus Road Beach, Block Island, RI

Title: Loading Stone Ballast at Pole Harbor, Block Island, RI

Artist: William Talmadge Hall - Watercolor on Arches Paper

Size: Image area - 5” X 7.5“ - Outside dimensions- 9”X 12”

STORY: As harbors were eventually built the stones were then brought to Pole Harbor (Now Old Harbor ) to be stacked and ready for loading into the Double Enders that could now rest floating safely between the vertical poles of that primitive harbor. The hauling of fieldstones became a lucrative job for farmers with Ox teams and stone filled fields. In some cases those farmers also owned Double Enders and sold stones to other island fishermen.

Loading Stone Ballast at Pole Harbor, Block Island, RI

Title: Loading Stone Ballast at Near Mansion Beach, Block Island, RI

Artist: William Talmadge Hall – Watercolor on Arches Paper. Size: Image area - 5” X 7.5“ - Outside dimensions- 9”X 12”

STORY: Stones were used as ballast. Gathered field stones, loaded for ballast at launching spots were thrown overboard to compensate for the weight of fresh fish once they were landed into the boat. This process went on at all the launching spots along the beaches where the fish camps were located. There discarded stones from previous fishing trips needed to be replaced. Rocky fields provided plenty of stones to be harvested for this purpose and to build dock foundations as well as the miles of stone walls Block Island is known for.

Loading Stones into Double Ender near Mansion Beach, Block Island, RI

Title:Taking Fish From a Live Fish Pen, Pole Harbor, Block Island, RI

Artist: William Talmadge Hall - Watercolor on Arches Paper.

Size: Image area - 5” X 7.5“ - Outside dimensions- 9”X 12”

STORY: The construction of a more modern breakwater with a light at the end allowed for Steamers to service the Island regularly and a dependable rhythm of Commerce and Tourism developed benefiting the Island. Fresh fish on demand for local restaurants became a necessity. This picture shows a way to keep yesterday’s catch fresh until needed. The Old Harbor Basin with other types of fishing vessels moored such as Cat Boats and smaller Schooners are there In view in the background with as are the line of hotels and guest houses along Water Street, some still there today.

Taking Fish From a Live Fish Pen, Pole Harbor, Block Island, RI

Title: Raising a Mast in a Double Ender, Pole Harbor, Block Island, RI

Artist: William Talmadge Hall - Watercolor on Arches Paper

Size: Image area - 5” X 7.5“ - Outside dimensions- 9”X 12”

STORY: When real sea barriers were constructed by the U.S. Government, Old Harbor started to be more safe from Easterly storms. A stone breakwater created calmer corners and an outer basin in Pole Harbor where Double Enders could rest in the waterover night and could be protected and worked on by the community of fisherman that in some cases shared the boats, shared the space and also shared the maintenance work.

Raising a Mast in a Double Ender, Pole Harbor, Block Island, RI

 

2022 - Representation and Purchase through: David Chatowski Gallery, Dodge Street, Block Island RI Telephone: (1-401- 835-4623) d.chatowskigallery@gmail.com