2 August 2022
At Sea, reeling and feeling
Chilly nights, these nights! I jumped into the first picture just as the sky was turning that habitual pale lemon hue after a short winter blue afternoon. Against this, like smoke almost pasted over it, was streaming a hint of lilac mist like la bevy of lost doves. I kept it simple not because I wanted to, but because it just came out quickly and was done before I even realised it. But suddenly, the sky began to heat up like an electric hotplate and then all hell broke loose.
Four rapid pictures, one after the other came in quick succession. They came easily. The whole session felt effortless because of the sumptuous ‘Bloom’ that had been building up slowly then suddenly exploded, and its effect seemed to last forever. It doesn’t always happen like this but when it does it’s spectacular and I don’t want to miss a thing. When I finished up there were still a few beach walkers in the fading light and even fewer surfers in their wetsuits.
I include three out of the four but in fact I liked them all. I’m certain that it’s because of my immense pleasure in watching them come up out of nowhere, filling up the empty canvas boards as if by magic. Sometimes, this mysterous fact catches me off guard even if I am the author. But the two on the following pages were more of a struggle and I persevered without thinking. I had faith in this fantastic sky that was just pulling me along like a I was a drunken sailor happy on leave.
Like most painters, I’m wise enough to know that a good painting session is only enhanced by the battle, and that’s only if you win.
So I packed up in the dark, feeling like a fisherman with a big catch and left the cold beach, alone, but happy and with a full heart.
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