Beach in Dawn Colors

Pastel, 6x9

Even in the winter, the rising sun paints the sky and the beach in radiant color.  I have tried to capture those colors with this view of Jacksonville Beach just before the sun comes up.  In the chilly days of February as the rain passes and day begins, the sense of stillness and color is exceptionally vibrant.  The dampness deepens all the colors of the winter grasses, and the rising light paints the shadows on the sand with deep purple.

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Beach Way, A Study

Pastel over ink and watercolor, 5x7

Along Neptune Beach, the low dunes are punctuated with paths that have provided access to the beach for years, the paths are well marked with the footprints of others who have come this way.  With the breaking clouds, the beach beckons with a clear invitation.

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Gray Day, A Study

Pastel over ink and watercolor, 5x7

This is my view of the walkway to the beach from Walnut Avenue in Neptune Beach.  The day was gray and mostly overcast and the wind was steady and strong from the south west.  The waving sea oats and the soft light give the scene a feeling that heavy weather is coming.

Evening Walk, Study

Pastel on UArt 240 - 6x9

The last light of the day paints the sky with gold and lavender which is reflected in the wet sand and broken waves.  The beach is nearly deserted in the evening after the tourists and families with children have gone. As the light falls and the temperature drops, this is the perfect time to come out for a stroll on the beach.  

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Palm Bay

Pastel on UArt, 12x12

I did this painting to express the sense of stillness and calm that surrounds the slow moving stream as it enters the salt marsh.  On the banks of the stream at the edge of the deep oak forest, the palm trees grow tall and straight.  It is as if these palms guard the entrance to the higher ground, and in the heat of the day, they appear to stand all that much taller.  As the clouds begin to form in the early afternoon, they diffuse the light and cast passing shadows over the marsh.

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Palm Bay, Study

Watercolor over Ink, 7x7

In this view, I have tried to capture the sense of the expanse of the marsh as it appears through the opening between the groves of palms where the fresh empties into the marsh.  The summer haze softens the colors and edges of the distance but intensifies the nearby shadows.  I did this painting as a study in preparation of a larger work, but I like it enough to let it stand on its own.

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Remembered

Watercolor 7x5

While away from home this week, I was able to complete this small watercolor view of Lake Ray at the Jacksonville Arboretum.  The foundation for the painting was a photo on my phone from a recent paint-out, but the final work was done as a reconstruction of memories.  It is from those memories that I assigned this piece the title, "Remembered."  I gave this painting with deep gratitude to my son and his family for their most gracious hospitality during our visit.