While the Kids Got Sandy and Wet, 2021

Acrylic  and beach sand on canvas

36 x 48 inches

THE STORY:

I love the story behind this piece. My favorite place to be is the beach and my favorite thing to do is paint. So I got a little travel easel and decided to try plein air painting.  I took a much smaller than usual set of new canvases on the trip and traipsed my art supplies on to the beach. I was a bit shy about it and so set up toward the back of the beach near the fence protecting the dunes. I kept the kids insight, they got totally wet and sandy in their clothes (it was a bit cold) but they were safe and had a lovely time (the Airbnb has a washer and dryer...right?). I used water from the ocean as my paint water. It was windy and sand kept being blown into everything but I worked freely and in the spirit of the moment, packed everything up and called the wet, messy kids to come inside with me.  When I turned to walk back to the house I was shocked to be met with clapping and whistles from the group of college guys who were on the deck of the beach house behind me. They called out things like "Yeah painting lady!" "Whoohoo it looks great." Does the compliment count if it's preceded by whoo hoo? It was so funny that I wish I could retell it properly. It still makes me smile.