Beginning

Pastel, 12x16 on UArt

As the tide starts to move and the sunlight and heat start to rise, the day begins on the estuary.  My goal is to capture the sense of stillness, cool colors, and wide vistas on the marsh as the tide begins to return and the heat of the day rises.

Painting is available, unframed, $500. To purchase, please click here.

Staying Put, Low Tide

Pastel 9x12 on Wallis

For this painting, I worked under the constant threat of rain.  The overcast broke from time to time giving sunlight and broken shadows on the marina.  The tide was low and going out further when I started this painting.  The first thing I did was sketch the basic masses of the cord grass and put in the water that was left.  When I finished with the basics, the foreground and middle ground were reduced to broad mud flats. 

This painting is about contrasts.  I wanted to show a contrast of the organic shapes of the grass with the straight line of the bridge and boat masts in the background.  I emphasized the contrast in colors between the light lavender of the sky, and water, the deep purple on the sandy mud, and red/brown of the grass.

This painting was originally done as part of a workshop with Kathleen Galligan.  The painting has been put away in a box for three years.  I got it out of storage last week, and today I retouched and adjusted some of the colors and values. 

Simplicity

Pastel on UArt, 240

I was inspired by this view of a tidal stream at low tide.  The foreground is in shadow from an unseen grove of oak trees to the left, but the middle ground and distance are in bright, hazy sunlight.  The winter has chased almost all the green from the marsh grass, and the gold and copper colors seem to set the marsh alight.
This study was done from memories and photographs, but I kept removing details until I reached the simple statement of color.  I left enough detail to identify place and time, but my goal was "simplicity."

"Low Tide, color sketch"

Pastel on Wallis, 6x9

I did this color sketch at Tide View Park. I wanted to capture the color of the grass and simple reflections against gray-purple sand of the marsh.  When I stopped with this sketch after 30 minutes, the tide had completely covered the sand.  Paint the shore line first, because it is what changes most quickly.

"Tide Water Afternoon II"

Pastel on UArt, 8x5.5

SOLD

This is an image I have done before.  The view is from the board walk over the marsh at Tide View Park.  Looking north in the late afternoon, with the tide going out, the marsh puts on a great display of oranges and purple.  The heat of the day begins to fall, the moving tide and wind ruffle the water.  What more could I want?

"Low Tide, Late Day"

Pastel on Self-sanded Arches, 9x7

SOLD

This is a study made from notes, drawings, and reference photos taken at Tide View Park.  The tide was completely out and the afternoon was passing quickly when I began these notes and drawings.  This painting was done as a value / color statement in preparation for a larger work.  The drama of the scene is accented as the sand turn lavender and blue and the oysters stand out against the reflections.

Reflections at Low Tide

Pastel on UArt, 12x9

To purchase, contact me.

In the late afternoon when the sun is low and the tide is out, the clear sky reflects on the wet sand and marsh-muck with almost the same intensity as it reflects from the few receding streams of water.  I wanted to capture the light and color of a late winter afternoon with the contrast of the abstract forms of the salt marsh against the rigorous, precision of the boardwalk.

I did this study as preparation for a larger work.  With summer coming, it may be a while before I get back to working out that plan.