Ocean Pwer Walk

5 x 7 Oil on Archival Board

Another moment in time at the beach.  This woman was power walking along the shore.  What struck me as unusual was her attire.  Very elegant. These little vignettes are my way of recording what I saw and felt at certain moments.  Lots of surf, smells of salt water, smells of sun on the sand, and the pounding of the waves on the shore.

Late Day at the Ocean

5 x 7 Oil on Archival Board

Here is the second in my mini-series of beach vignettes.  There were rough seas this particular evening and I caught this woman walking her dog along the surf.    If you are interested in purchasing, just hit the Buy It Now link.  It will take you to my Etsy page of original oils.



Tidal Pool

9 x 6 Oil on Archival Board

The beach was deserted this particular morning, except for this beautiful woman walking slowly through a tidal pool that had formed.  The early morning sun reflected off her body leaving just form with little detail.  I loved that and really love the way this painting came out!

A Girl and Her Companion

6 x 6 Oil on Gessobord

SOLD

Do any of you remember Woody Allen's "Sleeper?"  The whole time I was painting this I couldn't get it out of my mind, and I haven't seen it in quite a while.  The movie takes place in the future, and everything is controlled by the Leader, who is seen as the national TV signs off each night.  The scene is the back of the Leader, in a wheelchair, with his hand on his dog beside him.  At least that's how I remember it.  As I said it's been a while. This painting really reminds me of it, silly as that is.  I think it's the staring off into the future thing.  The colors did not come out too well in the photo of the painting.  Everything has a greenish hue, but you get the idea...Hopefully.

Gull Convention During Rough Seas

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

I have become really fond of gulls.  I realize they are pests at times, but when they are soaring, they are quite beautiful...and of course, anything that has to do with the ocean has a special place in my heart.  Monhegan Island is like Vegas to the gulls that hang out there.  The tourists sit on picnic benches eating and spilling, dropping food, discarding leftovers, and then get up and just leave a big mess.  It's pay day!  Not only that, but some of the cooks bring the fish remains and toss them in the air.  What a sight that is.  I tried to catch the gulls in action with my camera but they were too fast, and I'm pretty sure I was running in the other direction.  They were pretty intense!   Jamie Wyeth did paint them, and of course, brilliantly.  If you get a chance, check out his incredible work.  Here are gulls during their down time.

Waiting for the Right Wave

6 x 8 Oil on Linen Board

There is a perfect wave out there.  It's just a matter of waiting until you see it, or knowing it when you see it.  It's sort of the same thing with people, too :-)  

Riding In!

12 x 12 Oil on Gessobord

I am really excited about this painting!  First of all I had such fun painting it, and secondly it came out better than I ever thought it would.  I experimented with mixing techniques and strokes, and hit on one that worked and I'm happy with.  I'd love to say that one of these people is actually me, however, you'd recognize me as the one with the Mickey Mouse tube and water wings on :-)  I'm always amazed at the balance surfers have.  I'm on a beach kick now, so I'll be posting lots more.  My wonderful daughter-in-law caught this shot for me.  She's the best, and a great photographer!

Silver Sea

11 x 5-1/2 Pastel on Wallis Paper

20 x 14 Framed

This painting shows why I keep saying that it doesn't matter what the weather is like on Monhegan Island.  Each and every day is more breathtaking than the day before.  This was one of them.  The stormy sky with just a little sun trying to get through gave the ocean a sparkle that was incredible.  That is what I tried to capture here.  That sparkle...

Shoulder View

7x7 Pastel on Wallis Paper, 16 x 16 Framed

$150 + s/h (Framed)

SOLDWhat better vantage point than from your father's shoulder?!  I caught these two at Ocean Point in Boothbay Harbor, Maine.  For the quintessential Maine experience one has to stand on the rocks and look out to sea.  The light, smell of salt air, and sound of the waves hitting the rocks should not be missed.  If I close my eyes, I can still sense it all. 

Digging to China

4.5 x 6.5" Pastel on Wallis Paper, 11.5 x 13.5" Framed

$100 + s/h (Framed)

This is a quick study of two children playing in the sand at Emerald Isle.  I find doing this type of painting a great exercise for future reference.  I only used a few pastel sticks and was really surprised that I was able to get as much information into the sketch as I did.  This leaves me with lots of insight into what another more finished painting would need.  It's funny though.  I've said this quite a lot, but I really like these spontaneous pieces!

Catching a Wave

SOLD

 I caught these two surfers just as they were going out.  Painting water and waves is probably one of my most favorite things to do.  I feel like I'm sculpting when I push the pastel around, and even though I'm in my studio, I feel the rush of the water and the spray.

A Perfect Place to Read

6 x 6 Pastel on Wallis Paper, 16 x 16 Framed

$150 + s/h (Framed)

Another painting from Emerald Isle.  I doubt if this woman would have been able to read so peacefully over the July 4th weekend.  We really lucked out with the timing of our trip there.  Cool breezes off the ocean, sun, salt air....AHHHH!

Beach Stroll

6 x 6 Pastel on Wallis Paper, 16 x 16 Framed

$150 + s/h (Framed)

Continuing my beach theme, here's another beach occupant getting some exercise.  I'm especially happy with the way this painting turned out.  The weather here today is in the 90's...hot and humid.  I might have to start doing some snow scenes to cool off...

Painting Monhegan

13 x 9-1/2 Pastel on Wallis Paper, 24-1/2 x 22 Framed

$250 + s/h (Framed)

 

This is actually an older painting. I did it 'plein air' the first year I went to Monhegan and still love it.  The wind was blowing, the sun was shining, and you could smell the ocean.  Nothing is better than that!  As I had mentioned in other posts about Monhegan, everywhere you looked there were artists painting the scenery.  I set up my pastels and spent a few hours in the "zone."  I've kept this painting, and whenever I look at it, I can feel that day and smell the salt air.

The FlowRider Kid

16 x 16 pastel on Wallis Paper, 16 x 16 Framed

$150 + s/h (Framed)

 

I found a brand new blue pastel and HAD to use it!  I love the color and texture.  I've never been on a FlowRider, but it sure looks like fun.  This was on a cruise ship.  I've been on many cruises, but none of them had anything like this.  Of course, it was many years ago, and at that time most people just went for the food :-)

Splash Redux

6 x 6 Pastel on Wallis Paper, 16 x 16 Framed

$150 + s/h (Framed)

SOLD

This is a new, smaller version of "Splash", a painting I did a few years ago.  I'm so fascinated with water, surf, and waves.  I never get tired of painting them.  The first "Splash" was on Monhegan Island in Maine, and this one is from one of the islands in the Caribbean.  This will probably be the second of many more.

Motoring Home

SOLD

This was a painting I completed during the summer, but since today is sunny and spring-like, it made me think summer is right around the corner and it would be a good time to put it up on the blog.  Water is always a challenge for me, but something I seem to have a need to do.  I think it must have something to do with growing up on Long Island.  I enjoy living on a lake, but it is not the same as living right on the bay or ocean.  There is nothing like the smell of the sea or the sound of crashing waves, and the beaches of Long Island and Fire Island are absolutely beautiful. I don't think there is another place that can match them.





Cooper at the Beach

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Cooper is the happiest dog and loves the water.  She is the only dog I know who actually plays and splashes while swimming.  She's a Boykin Spaniel and is almost human.  She belongs to our good friends.