First Trip to the Beach

 

I realize that my subject matter is all over the place these days. Some of the paintings, including this one, were painted early in the year for special events, and I just never added them to the blog. In other cases when my subject matter seems random, it is because places I've visited will pop into my head, and outside of teleporting there, painting them is the best way to revisit them since teleportation isn't possible (yet.)

This scene was painted from a photo that I took in Cape May, New Jersey many years ago. I often worry that people think I am a creeper for taking pictures of random families at the beach. But, it is for the purpose of preserving happy moments on canvas that I witness. I painted this for the Beach Haven Art Walk in New Jersey, but the painting did not sell there. It is on 10"h x 8"w stretched canvas. SOLD.

Marblehead Sailboat

 

This is the last post of the year, though there are still quite a few paintings from 2021 that I have not yet uploaded to my blog. For the past three years, there has been constant uncertainty in life, not only because of the pandemic, but also for personal reasons. Though it has gotten me down at times, I searched for ways to stay optimistic, continued to push myself to work hard and to also travel whenever and wherever possible. I loved and am grateful for all the trips I've been able to take in my life and am especially glad to have had some travel opportunities in 2020 and 2021.

This boat painting is a good representation of the last few years. I was able to set sail, find beauty and appreciate it though there are storm clouds overhead. The show I had at the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art with my mother, Jolene Joyner, was called Looking for the Light in Dark Times, and that is what I still aim for, though it does take effort at times. This painting is from my solo trip to Marblehead, MA in August. I rented a kayak one day to get a closer look at some of the anchored sailboats that you can see from the main beach. I loved the feeling of freedom of biking through town, visiting the beaches and driving to the small towns along the coast. The painting is approximately 9" x 13". SOLD.

Cassis Beach

A painting of people enjoying their weekend on the beach of Cassis, France. One of my favorite beaches ever, as you can walk the calanques to other remote beaches, or just sip a glass of wine while eating fresh seafood at one of the many beach side cafes. Swimming in the Mediterranean is very refreshing, but I had to wear water shoes with all the small rocks. I seriously want to move there. Oil on 18"h x 24" w stretched linen. SOLD.

Cassis Boats

Boats docked in the beach town of Cassis, France. Next time I visit, I need to spend more than a day there. There are many beaches, some of which require a lengthy hike to reach. SOLD.

Eastons Beach of Newport

Time for a leisurely stroll on Eastons Beach of Newport, R.I. The water has a red tint to it because of the seaweed, which I've never seen on any other beach. Oil on 12"h x 16"w x 1" stretched linen. SOLD.

Morning Walk on Deauville Beach

Only one person walked on Deauville Beach in Normandy, France this particular morning (besides me.) The 1 1/2" deep edges of the gallery wrapped linen are painted raw umber, and the painting comes ready to hang. Oil on linen, 14"h x 18"w. SOLD.

Afternoon at Sandbridge IV

A painting of Sandbridge Beach, VA. Oil on 6"h x 8"w linen on panel. SOLD.

Sandbridge Beach

This is a little different from some of my more recent beach paintings. It was painted from a photo I took in Sandbridge, VA on a recent trip. I was fortunate that every day had its own distinct weather, so I have some brighter days, some overcast days, some pretty sunrises and sunsets. This particular day was hazy and hot. Oil on 5"h x 7"w stretched canvas. SOLD.

Cape May Castle Construction

Moat? Flying buttresses? This couple discusses what features to add to the sandcastle they're building on Cape May, NJ beach. Oil on 5"h x 6"w linen panel. SOLD.

Miami Beach II

People escape the hot sun of South Beach under colorful umbrellas. I love the contrast between the umbrellas, trees, and the light colored buildings. Oil on 6"h x 8"w linen panel.

Miami Beach

A painting of people frolicking on Miami Beach. There was a lot of seaweed on the shore that day. On our way home from our trip to Curacao in the fall, we had a long layover in Miami, so we took the bus to the beach for one last beach walk before flying home. Oil on 6"h x 8"w linen panel.

Curacao Clouds

A painting of the beach in Curacao on a cloudy day. The blue sky still peeks through to highlight the water, the rocks and the beach. Oil on 30"h x 40"w x 1 1/2" stretched canvas. SOLD.

Docked in Curacao

A solitary boat docked near the beach in Curacao. Oil on 20"h x 24"w x 1 1/2" stretched canvas.

Cloudy Day in Curacao

I was looking forward to a cold, snowy Christmas season. And even though I normally love gloomy weather, we have neither seen the sun in weeks, nor gotten any snow. To remind myself of sunnier days, I've painted a few scenes from my recent trip to Curacao. This is the view from the beach we visited. Oil on 20"h x 24"w x 1 1/2" stretched canvas.

Deauville Beach Umbrellas

People lounge amid a sea of umbrellas on the beach at Deauville, France. Because it was late in the day, the beach wasn't very crowded and only some umbrellas were unfolded. Despite the cool May weather, people rolled up their pant legs and shirt sleeves in order to get some sun. This painting is on 8"h x 6"w x 1/8" thick Ray Mar canvas panel, and will require a frame in order to hang. SOLD.

A Beach in Curacao

My husband and I recently took a trip to Curacao. There was a completely new palette of colors there to inspire me, and I have several paintings planned for the near future. This is an oil painting on 9"h x 12"w Ray Mar canvas panel.  SOLD. 

Trouville Town Study

This is the view from the bridge that links Deauville and Trouville, France. We stayed in Deauville a few weeks ago and found that we were able to walk to Trouville from there. When planning the trip, I wasn't sure how walkable it would be. Though it takes a while, especially when taking frequent picture-taking stops, it can be done. You can also rent bikes, which I think I may do next time. And there WILL be a next time, as three days was not enough to thoroughly explore these two towns in addition to Honfleur! I sadly didn't get to try the oysters from the market in Trouville, and need to go back just for that. Oil on 6"h x 8"w canvas board. SOLD.

Cape May VIII

Frolicking near the ocean in Cape May, New Jersey. Oil on 6"h x 8"w canvas board.

Beach Chairs

Everyone must be in the ocean catching some waves, because all of the beach chairs seem to be temporarily unoccupied. Oil on 8"h x 6"w canvas board.

Cape May VI

Some of the prominent houses and hotels along the beach in Cape May, NJ. Oil on 8"h x 10" stretched linen. SOLD.