The Beach Painting

Sometimes a “thank you” note isn’t enough.

When we visited La Jolla for Spring Break, we stayed with our friends.  We were there for a week, enjoying their company and using their home.  When we left, they gave us hand-crafted papers from Italy and all sorts of books in French (two little fetishes of mine).  I felt so spoiled.

I felt a “thank you” letter wasn’t adequate, although we wrote one.

To show the depth of our gratitude, I decided to create a painting for them.  I searched through all of our vacation photos, and I found one that I felt was specific and general all at once. It had a strong composition, so I knew I wouldn’t have to fight it.  It was a picture of my daughter, playing on the sandy beaches a few blocks below their home.

It has arrived safely to its home, and now that they have seen it, I thought I would show it to you guys on the blog.

My style has a lot of impressionist influences.  If one stroke of paint can do the trick, I love to lay it on and leave it.

I kept the blue of the ocean very thin.  The horizon line is blurred, for that is how it seems in the natural world.  The ocean and sky connect, and you aren’t sure exactly where one starts and the other ends.  The translucent layer of blue let me make the waves thick and frothy near the shore.

 

Some close-up, texture shots……

 

 

This painting was meant for our friends, and it came together quickly.  I think it is because it came from a place of love.

Have a great Thursday.

I am going to enjoy a long Memorial weekend with my family!!

xo,