Let's Go to the Beach!

Board Girls, Stripes, and Tubular all 12"x12" oil on canvas

It may seem frivolous to be thinking about the beach while we're in a pandemic, but I'm pretty sure  I'm not the only one thinking about it. Since I can't go there myself, I've been looking through the beach paintings I've done over the years and dreaming of sun and sand. And lots of people to draw...

Sittin In the Sun, 4"x5" gouache on paper and sketch

The way I got into painting people on the beach was through drawing. When I’m at the beach I’m often sketching. It’s challenging to try and sketch people as they're sunning themselves. They look like they’re on their towels or in their chairs for the duration, and then poof, they move or get up. So I try and do my drawings in just a minute or two.

What Is It? and Shell Seekers 6"x6" oil on canvas/board

Other times I walk down the beach with my camera or phone clicking away, panning so that no one thinks they are being singled out. And they’re not, since in my drawings and paintings hopefully they are recognizable as people, but not as themselves!

On the Beach and Beach at Trouville, 6"x8" oil on canvas/board

Whatever we get at the beach, whether it's a lazy relaxing day, a vigorous swim in the surf, or only a sunburn, it's always worth it go. And that shower to rid ourselves of the sunscreen feels sooo good when we get home.

FYI, the Downeast Collection is now available here.