Every afternoon around 4:30 p.m., an eclectic group of residents converge at Sandy Bay in Rockport on board a 44-foot former fishing vessel called the Ocean Reporter.
"Each day Capt. Lee anchors his boat and then a bunch of people come on board for an afternoon session. Gradually I became part of this gang," said local painter Lawrence Martin-Bittman. "We discuss and resolve the problems of the world from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and I was so impressed that I painted a picture of this."
The painting is one of more than a dozen new works in a special exhibition at the Local Colors Artists Cooperative on Gloucester's Main Street. There is a free public opening reception with the artist on Saturday, Sept. 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
In the painting of the Ocean Reporter, there are six people with a glass of beer or wine depicted on the canvass.
"That's Larry's interpretation of our afternoon," said Capt. Bill Lee. "The funny thing is that as we all sit and talk, we wonder who he had in mind when he painted the people. Larry is one of the most welcome person aboard the boat. You see him coming, and he's always a few minutes late. We all yell 'Larry' and he raises his hand, like a school boy raising his hand to say he's present in class."
Lee explained that the gathering is called the "16-30 club."
"That is because we get together around 4:30 p.m. and then around 6 you have to go home to your spouse," said Lee.
Rockport's Martin-Bittman is bound to be an unique member to this global discussion group because he is a former KGB agent during the Cold War. Previously known as Ladislav Bittman, the Rockport artist is a former Czechoslovakian spy and diplomat. He found refuge in the United States where he found work in higher education at Boston University's College of Communication. Among the courses he taught was one titled "Disinformation and the Press." When he retired, he focused his energy on art and painting, the subject of which is often the vistas of Cape Ann, the place he made his home.
The day the news broke this summer of the Russian spy ring that was busted up, with two of the spies arrested in the Boston area, the group was eager to hear the former spy's thoughts on the breaking news.
"The day the news broke about the Russian spy swap was the day that Larry didn't make it and we wanted his interpretation of the story," said Lee.
But they would hear his views when they met up the next day to discuss world politics.
Lee said the group represents a mix of unusual people, a lot of retired people.
"We talk about 'stuff,'" said Lee. "We talk about everything. Recently it was about how good are gardens were this year, or before it was the BP oil spill."
Whatever the topic, Martin-Bittman is fond of the daily dialogues, so much so that he memorialized the group through his art.
In this show, the artist said many of the works deal with his traditional subject that is Cape Ann "and all its beauty." Most of the new paintings, including marine-related themes, are large acrylics, a break from the watercolor work he did in the past. There are also a few still lifes.
"Using vibrant colors and a touch of humor, Martin-Bittman's artistic creations reflect a unique perception and deep emotional attachment to Cape Ann's environment and its people," said Sally Seamans, a member of Local Colors.
The public is invited to a reception for painter Lawrence Martin-Bittman on Saturday, Sept. 11, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The exhibit will run from Sept. 4 to 24. Local Colors Artist's Cooperative is located at 121 Main St. in downtown Gloucester. For information, call 978-283-3996 or visit www.local-colors.org.
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