Incoming Swell

Incoming Swell

Pastel, 9x12 on UArt Sanded Paper

This painting was "completed" some time ago, but it needed a bold rework. I changed the upper 1/3, added a wave, removed the horizon, and drastically changed the colors in the waves.

Waiting, not Waiting

Pastel, 9x12 on Wallis

As the tide comes in, the gulls often wait at the edge of the wave ready to grab any morsel of unwary fish that comes.  They seem almost made of stone until the moving tide encourages them take wing.  The sense of quiet and unhurried patience of the gulls belies the breaking waves only a few yards away.
The "original" that was posted yesterday bothered me - it was somehow incomplete. Decided to add the sanderling and change the title - now the picture tells a story.

Incoming Swell

Pastel, 9x12 on UArt

At times the tide comes in so quickly that the waves seem to fall over each other in the race to the shore.  One swell is still rolling over wet sand as the one following falls over it.

Spring Surf - GNG Demo Day 1

Pastel on UArt 400, 6x9

What I wanted to capture was the way the surf breaks close to the beach at high tide.  The time of day is mid afternoon.  The shadows are short and close, the colors are bright, and the clouds and the breaking waves are mostly blinding white.  In reality, the waves and clouds seen so white because the other colors are so intense.  I tried to capture that intensity by emphasizing the contrasts in value and purity of color.
This painting was completed as a demonstration in the Georgia Nick Gallery in St. Augustine.  My appreciation to Gayle Nick.