Side by Side
When I visit the gulf (minutes from my home), I often take photos while sitting in a beach chair. I capture the shot from a low angle rather than an eye-to-eye perspective because I find it more exciting and out of the ordinary.
I use the photos as a beginning inspiration and most often change - well pretty much everything by the time the painting is complete. I changed the color and value of their legs to blend with the sand and shifted their bathing suit colors to harmonize with the water. I added some trees in the background and then created a horizontal line along the shore. The painting seems to dictate what it wants—an ultramarine blue square along the right edge of the picture. Fine, I tell myself, none of it has to make sense; it only has to feel right.
Because life can be complicated and challenging, I use the sky diver's adage: "Look where you want to land" as my guide. It is why I focus and often refocus on the pleasure and beauty of life. This positive essence is what I hope to share.
The cradled wood panel is custom made and coated with GAC (a wood sealant), followed with two coats of gesso. It is wired on the back and ready to hang.