Beached at Goa

        

                                  This painting is more of my typical type, featuring beaches. Beached at Goa reminds me somewhat of the Phillipines, because I remember the boats pulled up on the beach. My parents would dive both during day and night. The night dives were my father exclusively because my mother wanted to see the sharks coming at them while in the water. The sharks were not overly aggressive, just curious. The only problem with curiosity and a shark is that there are large teeth involved! Hence, Mom let dad dive with the rest of the crew at night. Night dives were the best for lobster hunting as I recall and sometimes really big fish would come in as a result of my fathers expert shooting with a spear gun.
                            
                              I spent many happy days on the beaches in the Phillipines. When we first started going to Subic Bay, I was very concerned that the local children did not wear clothing. Their freedom was contageous and eventually after several trips, I too shed the layers of exterior covering. (However, out of some sense of modesty I kept my underwear on! I was only 7 years old at the time!)

                              More about my adventures on the beaches at a later date.

"Beached at Goa" 24 x 36 Acrylic on canvas $295.00

Splish~Splash

             
           It seems appropriate to start the 100 days~100 paintings 2012 with a post about the sea. I have really been a water bug my entire life. Now in my adult years, I find myself drawn to the water frequently. I may be swimming, out on a sailboat for an evening sail, or painting water. Our bodies are made up of mostly water so I guess that is the connection.

            I helped my father in Ohio when we had a boat refinish project. He made the gunnels, keel, dash, windshield, and other parts at the wood shop at the Air Force base we were living. This is the same base that brought me my first and only horse, gave me a new love for fresh corn, started me on the road to extraordinary kite flying, and fostered in me a new respect for children that were different from myself.
             
            I also spent what seemed like hours with my father under the boat painting the inside while the snow fell gently from the sky. As we worked, I dreamed the dreams of children, in eager anticipation for the day when I would again hit the water. Until then, patience was the key word, carefully pushing the enamel paint deep into the cracks and crevices of the fiberglass that would soon be under deck boards during the summer. My father finished the  wood pieces carefully and slowly, and, after several coats of polyurethane the water reflected in the sheen of the wood grain while we were on the water.
            
             The boat named Quarter Penny (because of  money found under the decking) also made the trip to California when we moved to yet another Air Force Base. This time though she was not on the water, but a trailer and made a very efficient way to carry the camping equipment we used while trekking and camping across country to our new base.
            
            This was the life of a military family, moving every couple of  years. New friends, new home, new schools, new adventures.
            
              The one constant in my life was the presence of water.

Impressionist Boats

I enjoyed painting with the children at the Mobile Museum of Art. We had an entire week of impressionist painting, making a journal, drawing, and watercolor. I never cease to be amazed at the styles and handling of paint that children possess. I had a younger sibling in the class that did so well she showed up the older kids and surpassed quite a few of them! She jumped right in and followed directions to the letter, carefully studying every move I made. I wish adults would listen so well when I am teaching!

Impressionist Boats 16 x 20 Acrylic on canvas.