North of the Pier

 

It's SUPER fun to explore a new handmade paper from the pier at St Augustine Beach! Like every large body of water, the Atlantic Ocean is ever changing!  Light, color, and value shift with the light, clouds and the angle of the sun. Rarely does the ocean painting match up to the seascape at painting's end.  It is key not to chase the light, so I mark all passages quickly at the beginning,  and keep true to that through the finish.  I am focusing on the shifting waves, and how to describe that with watercolor here.  In addition to pushing this new softer, thinner paper, to see what it can do, I'm figuring out all that motion in the masses.  I have even used a scalpel to scratch into the waves, adding to the highlights and motion.  The ocean tide is mesmerizing, and the more I study it - the more I understand it.  All this beach time in the last months has strengthened my seascape game, and I can hardly wait for the next opportunity!  Painting number 3750 in 3750 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 Dunes and Pier

We arose early, to watch the sunrise over the Atlantic.  After an early 5k run to the pier and back, I grabbed my gear for a quick paint.  The dunes are tall near the pier, and more dramatic, so I walked a good bit towards our before setting up.  A couple of fire ants found my toes in the sand, so I moved much closer to the water.  It is SO refreshing when those waves lap up over my feet!  I could get used to this! What an amazing way to start the day!  ♥️🎨

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.  ❤️

Howard Beach

The sand between my toes, sun on my skin and coastal breezes are probably what I love best about Florida!  After driving through torrential rain last night, the very first thing on my mind this morning was relaxing on the beach!  After a not so quick spin around Howard Island in Tarpon Springs, I decided on this shady spot on the beach to set up. Though the breezes were strong, the heavy duty tripod I got from my dad held my pochade firmly. I sketched my composition out with my brush, and leisurely let the painting unfold.  I didn't do an ink sketch first, and I probably should have.  I already have a slightly different composition in mind for the next one.  I enjoyed painting such a peaceful coastline and visiting with others soaking up the Florida sunshine.  Time slips away when I'm painting on a beach, the sound of the surf mesmerizing me.  I'm absolutely going to bask in every moment here.  Painting number 3186 in 3186 days.