plein air from the bow: Saddlebag Islands

Started out as a foggy morning, but the fog lifted and cleared as I was painting. As I worked, I could hear the sporadic tones of the nearby fog horn, the splashing and wet exhalations of a seal, and the chirping call of Bald Eagles. An irregular but beautiful symphony.

Saddlebag Island

18 x 24

As I watched the sun set, it amazed me to note how the bright light carved a "U" shape in the land surfaces. I don't recommend staring at the sun, but this phenomenon fascinated me and I couldn't help but look at it!

I feel like I've spent enough time thinking about and painting the water to process most of my feelings about falling in last month. Life events take us to unexpected places. Don't you agree?

From Dictionary.com:

Serendipity.

1.	an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident.

Saddlebag Island Plein Air

Saddlebag Island final

morning set up on the bow

afternoon set up in the stern cockpit

It was good to set up my easel today and paint! Our boat is hanging on the anchor near Saddlebag Island State Park on a beautiful day! This morning I set up on the bow and in the afternoon in the stern cockpit (a little more crowded back there).

My new pastels are great but they are unfamiliar. It will take some time before I feel comfortable with this new collection of colors. Today I felt like I was wearing someone else's clothes. I'm not sure they fit yet.

Any day spent painting is a good day.