Along the River

 

It was worth standing in the full sun to paint this view of the Meramec River from the Cobblestone Lodge beach!  With a painting in every direction, it's hard to decide which view to paint!  The light quality in the Eastern direction called to me, so I chose this for my demo with the High School Plein Air students.   The saturated colors following the rain were glorious - and I get to reap the rewards in paint - and share my process with a new generation. This painting Now Showing at Gallery Zeke in Steelville, and is painting number 4910 in 4910 days. 

Morning at Longview Beach

 

It was super fun to paint Longview Beach during Walktober!  It's such a beautiful place and the trail is wonderful, too!  It has been years since I've been to this beach, and now I wonder why.  The trails are gorgeous and the lake is peaceful.  Mike watches the boys play as both Michaela and Tiffany paint, walking the trail and exploring the beach.  The weather couldn't be more perfect!  I'm happy this painting got a shout out from the judge - it was a joyful paint!  Painting number 4670 in 4670 days. 

North Side of Howard Beach

 

The white sand of Howard Beach is one of my favorite things to paint in Tarpon Springs! This north side is quiet and narrow, a perfect place for reflection and solitude.  A fisherman walked far from the beach and the water was only up to his knees.  It's a great place to look for little creatures in the water, because the water is so very clear. I'll think of these beaches all year long until I return again to paint them.  Painting number 5120 in 5120 days. 

Hammocks at Sunset

 

I like to paint on the beach as much as possible when in Florida. As sunset approaches, locals walk, bike or drive to the beaches just to watch the sun set. Then, just as quickly as they arrived, they pack up their gear and are headed out before it gets dark.  I love watching it, being part of the nightly ritual, and painting it when I can.  There is something magical about the rising and setting sun, and the thankfulness of it all. Painting number 5116 in 5116 days. 

Oldsmar Beach

 

I love the way those branches reach towards the water - just like I keep finding my way to the beach!  I think I'll go back into this one, and remove that far right palm trunk. I was so distracted by sudden gusting winds that I didn't edit that on the spot.  Perhaps I'll do it in my app before attacking it for real!  Painting number 5112 in 5112 days 

Lifeguard Shack at the Beach

 

Another day, another beach! I love what they've done with the lifeguard shack! The yellow and red really pop against the blue of ocean and sky.  I'm painting this one loosely, with quick marks and strokes.  Though I've painted the umbrellas in their natural blue, I have the strong desire to paint them red, orange or yellow at the very least.  Since that paint is thick, I'll let it dry a bit first.  Then, I'm totally boosting their impact!  Painting number 5108 in 5108 days. 

Sunset Beach Afternoon

 

White sand and sun - what a perfect February pairing!! The gulf coast beaches here are so very light that it bounces right back into my eyes as I paint.  I chose this side of the peninsula for a little protection from the wind blowing out of the north.  The cold side lighting is completely different, too. The water is a very dark steely blue, choppy with foam, and the north sky is cooler and more ultramarine.  Comfort and color landed me here, and I wish I could have stayed for another.  It could not be since Mom was ready to head back for a nap. Painting number 5107 in 5107 days. 

Dunedin Causeway Sketch

The tide left behind tethered trails of debris on the white sand, and they called to me.  As I grabbed my watercolor gear, Mr Great Egret returned to my side to assist me.  This time, I sketched him in as he waded along the water.  I'm told they follow the fishermen.  It is truly surreal to have a 4 foot tall bird stand by me, cocking his head as I talk as if responding.  I am thankful for the many blessings in this day!  Painting number 5105 in 5105 days. 

Causeway Clouds

 

I found my way to the beach after a day spent at Starkey Park and Ranch with family.  I would have loved to paint there, but it didn't work out.  My family's schedule is often not my own.  When I grabbed my easel out of the car, I realized I was missing the part that holds my panel.  I retraced my steps along the beach, but high tide has totally changed it.  I charged ahead to my painting with only a little light left before sunset. With every brushstroke, the day's stress melted away.  Perhaps I'll find that part or maybe I'll buy some clamps. I have a spare at home, but that doesn't help me here.  Painting number 5104 in 5104 days. 

Dunedin Causeway

It was totally worth the drive through snow and ice to get to this beach and paint!!  Oh sweet Florida!!  That white bird to the right, behind my easel, was my constant companion this afternoon.  This beautiful Great Egret is in his greening, which is represented by a green patch above his eyes, signifying breeding season.  He walked right up to me and was very inquisitive about my gear. When I talked to him, he came closer.  I was just ready to take a selfie with him over my shoulder when my Mom called!  He stepped away a bit and the chance was lost.  He waded along the coast and fished for his dinner while I painted another two from this spot.  There is nothing as therapeutic as the beach for my soul!  Painting number 5103 in 5103 days. 

Lakeside Beach

SOLD

 

This is my first Lakeside Beach painting of the plein air event - but it certainly wasn't my last!  I LOVE when a painting connects to so many!  Sitting on a bench, this view grabbed me right away.  It was the same bench my Mom and I had sat on to watch the sunset after dinner the night before.  I had already studied the scene - wishing I had enough time to paint before - so it was a natural choice this morning.  With ink and watercolor I captured the scene, and another artist joined me to visit before I finished.  It was a lovely way to start the day - and asking the first 4 paintings that literally flew out of my bag to be purchased as I arrived at my wet paint location.  What fun that was - and many others wanted this piece in those two hours.  It really does pay to be first at a wet paint sale! Painting number 5110 in 5110 days. 

Beach Walk

Flying with only a carry-on bag, I am using minimal painting gear in St Augustine.  Prima's Classic half pan travel set, a water brush pen, a favorite fountain pen, and a small clipboard with 6x4 papers are small enough to fit in any bag.  This makes a quick paint easy, so I can get right back to family fun time!  Painting number 3744 in 3744 days. 

Sunrise on Anastasia Island

I love beginning each morning with a sunrise paint on the beach, followed by a run!  The colors change so quickly that I want to paint another when the colors fade to morning light!  The thrill here is sitting at water's edge, studying the ebb and flow of the surf as it crashes and breaks.  The gulf side is much calmer, so this is my first real painting experience with a lively surf.  Each day, I've grown more comfortable with the colors in that movement, and how the light dances and reflects of the water.  I'm looking forward to more study with this gorgeous Atlantic, though I don't know when that will be.  I'm going to miss these days of sand and sun on Anastasia Island.  Painting number 3743 in 3743 days. 

St Augustine Beach

I absolutely LOVE painting to the music of crashing waves - and the Atlantic Ocean is providing the beauty!  After a morning family run along this beach, I return with my pochade for some painting while the family plays in the water.  What a wonderful way to start the week! Painting number 3739 in 3739 days.  ❤️

On the Beach at Howard Park

 

On this windy day, I picked the quiet side of Howard's Beach to paint.  The rocks on the ridge sheltered me from the wind, allowing me to easily capture my scene with paint.  It is always fun to visit with passersby when I'm painting especially on a beach.  Everyone is happy and relaxed in such a place, soaking in the sun and sand of this paradise.  My models left the scene just as I was finishing up, and I believe they were from Iowa.  This is truly the best place to be in February!  Painting number 3698 in 3698 days. 

Dunedin Causeway

After a family lunch with Danny's office workers, I headed out to paint, unsure of where to go.  With a quick look at the map - I found myself heading towards Honeymoon Island.  Set up on the beach, I was so immersed in my process I didn't realize the tide had reached me until it was lapping at my feet!  What a glorious day at the office, capturing the beauty of the Dunedin Causeway in oils.  Painting number 3693 in 3693 days. 

Lakeside Beach

Lake Erie was moody and stormy earlier, clearing off enough for me to set up and start painting by 8am.  Even though I started this painting from the pavillion early, I didn't get it finished until the art sale was over!  It was fun to visit with everyone passing by, sharing their memories of places I'd painted.  This small community is special, and I'm so happy I found it.  I hope to return for years to come to the Lakeside Plein Air Festival!  Painting number 4278 in 4278 days. 

Day at the Beach

I love everything about these white sand beaches!  The color is so fun to explore with paint - and a challenge!  It is long between paint outs at the beach for me, and I forget how the powdery sand blows onto palette, painting, and skin, slipping between toes as I move to and from my painting.  The sun bounces off water and sand, burning my eyes a little as I work, and still I love everything about it.  It is sheer joy to put to paint what I see before me, and I'm learning the nuances of the beach in the moment.  I know when I go home I'll have sand in all my gear, and I'll probably be painting sand into my next paintings as I work out all out of my brushes and paint!  Painting number 3193 in 3193 days. 

Howard Beach Morning

This morning's quick paint could be any place within Howard Park, and after a quick spin through the area I headed to the end of the peninsula.  I seldom get a chance to paint white sand beaches, so I am taking every opportunity to explore the local color. I find it challenging to get the sand color as light as it is on these white sand beaches, and still make sense in the painting.  Just behind me, hundreds of birds gathered on the beach, standing in and out of the water, chattering away.  I did have to stand in the full sun to capture this scene, which I try to avoid. It's hard to get accurate color with the sun washing out the landscape, and messing with my eyes.  I never quite know what I have in this strong light until I bring the painting inside.  It's funny how the colors can change so much in artifical light. This was about an hour and a half paint, giving myself time to frame and turn in. I think I'll come back here for another after lunch.  I'll long for these beach days in the middle of winter!  Painting number 3191 in 3191 days. 

Morning at Sunset Beach

After yesterday's battle at the preserve with Florida's biting yellow flies, today I thought a day at the beach was in order.  After framing two earlier paintings, and turning in one, I headed to this new beach on my way to another favorite, wanting to check it out.  Well, I stayed for two paintings and didn't make it to Howard Park at all.  I first walked the beach, stepping through the warm gulf coast water, sand between my toes as I wound through the palm trees.  This Sunset Park is lovely, and so very paintable!   I set up in the shade of a palm, listening to the waves lap at the shore, visiting with others as they enjoyed the beach.  There are many birds here, more than the other beaches I've painted this week.  The breeze was calm and the temperature perfect for the entire process.  This painting has truly been a day at the beach!  Painting number 3189 in 3189 days.