Noon at Emerald Isle

12 x 24 Oil on Archival Board

Empty beach, sand, sun, beautiful beach houses, waves crashing, seagulls talking....Ahhhh!  Truly a moment of Zen.  Summer at its finest.  I really find that when I have a passion for a subject, the painting seems to flow.  I'm pretty sure I've said this before, but it's so true, for me at least.  When I was painting this, I really felt like I was placing actual sand on my painting surface rather than paint, and I could feel the softness of the clouds...It's definitely Zen.

End of the Day, Emerald Isle

5 x 7 Oil On Archival Board

 

Looking back from the water towards a beautiful sunset at Emerald Isle...What could be better?!  Wouldn't you like to own one of those beach houses and visit on a whim?  I know I would.  Since it was mid week, most of the houses were empty, but I'm pretty sure as it gets closer to summer they are occupied all the time.  I'm enjoying painting these studies.  They seem to flow and I think it's because the memories are fresh in my mind.  Ever since I began painting, I notice that I automatically try to memorize scenes that interest me.

Surf Fishing on Emerald Isle, NC

9 x 12 Oil on Gessoboard

Our friends were nice enough to take a lot of pictures for me when they went to Emerald Isle this year.  I got a lot of mileage out of last year's trip when we were there, so I hoped for more to work on this year.  They came through with lots of good shots.  I will probably do this one again when I have extra time and refine a few things that bother me, but I'm generally happy with it.