Sea Day
Hello friends,
I have shared a link to a YouTube video with sounds of the sea. If you’d like, I recommend having this play while you read the rest of the blog.
It is wonderful to be back with you. It’s hard to believe I haven’t posted since January. I’m actually using material that I had gathered for use in an April blog, and now here we are in August. Time has really flown.
To be honest, life has thrown me some curve balls. I don’t know about you, but for me, when life weighs heavy on my spirit, my creativity dies. There is a weight that presses on my psyche to such an extent that I have all I can do to survive.
I am sure that I am not alone in feeling this kind of pressure. The results may manifest differently for you, but we have all known stress and sorrow. Hopefully you can see from my journey that with time comes perspective and healing.
The longer I live, the more I realize that grief is something I can count on. The question is what I will do with it and how I will eventually come out from under its heavy spell. How do we learn to live with our pain and sorrow and yet reach for joy and the marvels of today?
“In order for the light to shine so brightly, the darkness must be present.”
What an interesting quote. I have certainly learned through my watercolor journey that if you want light, put it next to your darkest dark. I also like the idea that after the waves quiet down, we choose what to put a frame around. Much of joy is a choice.
I’m sitting here in my blue Italian linen dress that I purchased in an outdoor market in Saint-Cyprien, a commune in the Occitanie region of Southern France. A cup of hot coffee has been consumed, and I’m choosing to engage once more with you. Thanks to the perspective that comes from travel, the healing effects of the ocean, visits from some dear friends, words of encouragement and strength from those who know me best, I am able to find my creative voice once again.
This month I’m sharing a painting I did of Seaside Beach. I always think of it as Ten Mile beach. But when I was out there, I noticed it had a different name now. I’m sure some of you locals can help me out with this.
According to the site californiabeaches.com, Ten Mile Beach is the long stretch of coastline near MacKerricher State Park. The beach is actually closer to four miles in length, starting at Main Beach and continuing all the way to Ten Mile Creek just south of Seaside Beach.
Vern and I spent a glorious afternoon there basking in the sun. We found a warm spot near a large rock formation and soaked up the scene. The waves were gentle. The beach was surprisingly full of children playing and folks strolling along enjoying the day.
I was inspired to come home and put my emotions on canvas. Yes, that’s right, canvas! I’ve been having fun experimenting with painting watercolors on canvas.
This can be a fun and exasperating experience. The experience of watercolor on canvas is quite different than watercolor on paper. But what about watercolor isn’t challenging?
I encourage you to try it. I just found some cheap canvases at Michaels. They are a lot less expensive than watercolor paper, and I was needing a new artistic experience.
The application of paint to canvas is quite different. It’s easy to overwork spots and sometimes the pigment just doesn’t seem to want to stay where you want it. I loved the challenge, though.
I think I have as many failures as successes. But when magic happens, it can be very rewarding. I think this particular painting was a success, and I hope you enjoy it too.
Thanks, friends, for joining me once again. I really appreciate you and your comments. A special thanks to those of you who have taken a moment to leave a word of encouragement.
Life has also had its wonderful moments. Don’t get me wrong. My family and I took an amazing journey to Europe, and someday I’ll share some of that with you artistically. Life is good. To wake up each day is a miracle. I’m so grateful.
