Bay Pine

Bay Pine, 8 x 6, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

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Our last morning in Spanish Bay was gorgeous, but I only had a short window of time to get out and paint. To go or not to go? That definitely was the question. Painting with a ticking clock in my head has its challenges, but sometimes it's perfect for a quick little sketch. Since I had considered painting this sea view several times AND it was close by, I decided to give it a go. What a delightful morning I had! I LOVE those Monterey Pines and when that sailboat showed up, I knew I had made the right choice! 

Windswept By The Bay

Windswept By The Bay, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

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This is another plein air piece from California. I spied this little dwelling next to the sea and knew immediately that I would go back to paint it. Some things just have my name on them! I loved the way it was nestled into the windswept cypress trees. When I got started, the afternoon breeze was just beginning to pick up. By the time I finished, my umbrella had blown off and had to be put away, my easel had tipped over once, and I was painting furiously to catch the scene before the wind drove me inside. One thing is for sure... I saw first hand how those trees got their twisted, leaning, weathered shapes!

Sea Spray

Sea Spray, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

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A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to paint in Carmel, California. My husband had meetings in Spanish Bay, so... there I was, and I just happened to bring my paint kit along! ;) The famous 17 Mile Drive was right outside our hotel, so I got out early to study that glorious, rugged coastline. What I didn't anticipate was how many tourists would be stopping by that same spot, and how many people would ask to take my picture. It was pretty funny. I can only imagine the number of family slide shows I ended up in! 

I finally asked one of them to take a picture with MY camera too... so I could have a picture for my own slide show! Here I am on my rock in full painting mode... a beautiful morning with no winds. Pretty idyllic!

See that little Sea Gull in the top right corner sitting on the rock? He watched me paint the entire time I was out there. He was great company!

Waving Tassels, 6 x 8, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

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This is another painting from St. Simons Island, after Hurricane Matthew. At one point, the storm forecasters were predicting that the storm might wipe out all the beaches and flood the island, if "the surge" coincided with a high tide. Fortunately, it did not. The beach is intact. People are out walking their dogs and children are picking up shells.The sea grasses are waving and glistening as if Matthew had never been a threat. It's the simple things that we sometimes take for granted... this was a good reminder to really "see" our world, and to breathe it all in.

Rising Tide Waters and a visit to St. Simons after the hurricane

Rising Tide Waters, 9 x 12, oil on panel, L. Daniel © 2016

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Many of you have been kind enough to remember my connection to St. Simons Island on the Georgia coast, and to ask how our family weathered Hurricane Matthew. Thank you for that. It was a nerve-racking time for us to be far away as the wind and waves were charging the coast. 

The island was closed for 5 days, and as soon as it opened back up, I got myself down there to check on things. Felled trees were the biggest problem across the island, and some areas were hit pretty hard. One neighborhood lost 700 trees... hard to believe... and if you have been there you know how beautiful those trees are. Overall, I am thrilled to report that the island was spared the widespread flooding and damage that was predicted. Our family and home-away-from-home are safe and sound. I even got out to paint a few times, and was relieved to stand before this gorgeous, golden marsh again, with brush in hand. 

But here is the most important thing to know... I saw neighbors helping neighbors and a very grateful community working together. Disasters often bring out the best in people. Have you noticed that? There is still work to be done (there and all along the coast where Matthew hit), but the camaraderie was a beautiful sight to witness. And our sparkling little island is still there. Thanks be to God!