Exploration Trip 2026 | Newport, RI

Exploration Trips | Newport, Rhode Island

Our latest exploration took Amanda and me to Newport, Rhode Island, where rocky shorelines, garden paths, and boats passing across the water offered plenty of reasons to pause—and plenty of inspiration to bring home.

There was so much to notice in the details: white hydrangeas against weathered shingles, dark shutters, and the texture of a stone lighthouse framed by blue sky. As a needlepoint designer, I’m always drawn to these combinations. Creamy whites, ocean blues, and garden greens make a beautiful starting palette, while nautical flags and the lighthouse’s simple silhouette offer possibilities for future canvases.

Between exploring, we made time for lobster rolls, breakfast overlooking the water, and an evening along the waterfront. The glowing windows of Clarke Cooke House and strings of lights above the boats gave Newport an entirely different character after dark. Even the little touches, like chocolates waiting at bedtime, deserved a photograph.

That’s what I love about these trips with Amanda: the chance to spend time together and notice things I might otherwise walk past. A color combination, an architectural detail, or a view from the breakfast table can be the beginning of something worth stitching.

— Jonathan
The Canvas Craftsman