Last Chance at a Beach Day

Before the winter begins to chill my bones, I took the opportunity to visit the beach one last time.  A couple of weeks ago we had some beautiful, warm weather.  The sun was out and putting out some nice, hot rays.  The air temperature was perfect and there was really no wind, which was definately a plus.  Wind can be bad!

Living on Long Island, New York, offers a quick trip to the beach any time you feel like going.  I can be at the beach in fifteen minutes, barring any traffic.  After the summer is over, a beach jaunt is so much more relaxing.  Everyone else is back at school and work.  Most people have had it with the summer activities by now.  Not me.

I packed up a quick lunch, ice coffee and off I went!  My travel bag of watercolor paints was already in the car. I decided that I was going to paint whatever I found when I got there. 

Point Lookout Beach, NY ©2009 Dora Sislian Themelis

The parking lot was practically empty and so was the beach. Maybe thirty people were scattered along the shoreline.  Another plus: no kids. Yes! Heaven is an empty beach on a nice day. I set up my chair and put the paints near me.  Along the shore I collected some objects for my painting. I found some nice shells of different sizes and colors, and an interesting branch of driftwood.

With my camera I photographed the scenery.  Who knows?  Maybe I'll paint from the photographs during the winter.  I usually like to paint from life, but sometimes it's not possible.  The photos will help motivate my creativity at a time when I can't get outside.

Shells and Seaweed ©2009 Dora Sislian Themelis
14x16 Watercolor on Lanaquarelle paper

Settling down with my still life items, I got myself to work.  I sketched a small collection of interesting shells.  The inside of the shells were so colorful I decided to paint them upside down.  Bits of seaweed clung to the undersides along with some hardened sand.  Would my watercolor sketch do them justice?  I don't know, but the point of the day was to get my inner artist to have the chance to play with colors on a nice day.

I think it worked.