Shell Seekers

This is an early morning observation of a couple who had stopped short to look at a something in the water.  They had been walking, paused suddenly, turned to each other and peered into the water.  They stood there for about 5 minutes or so.

They looked to be in their 70s - he was shorter and wore an Irish wool cap.  She had very dark hair and was a good  five inches taller than he.  It was a fast color sketch, so I have had to finish without my reference.

The tide was out and the birds are having their breakfast of clams.  

They pickup clams in their beaks, fly up and fling them down on the sand.  Often they will do it several times until the clams, stunned, let go their grips and are gobbled up faster than you can say "chowder".

The shells are in thick piles all along the beach.  Its hard not to want to take home buckets of them.  I'm hoping to paint a series of shells I collected.

I'm having difficulty photographing my work.  I'll have to read up on technique.

Any suggestions welcome!

Sanibel Sandpiper

I took this photo on a trip to Sanibel Island, Florida with a best girlfriend.  We went for some warmth and a chance to paint at the beach.  We got both.
I entered this painting at Chestertown Art League Winter Blues exhibit.

I guess I need to get better at photography.

A special thanks to Carol Marine for the inspiration to paint everyday.  And I really hope I can get a place in one of her upcoming classes!

Once upon a time in a country far, far away...

I am new to blogging.

As a result of a the Painting a Day artists I have met through the wonder of my laptop computer I have decided to begin my own blog and accept the Painting a Day challenge.

Paint every day.

That's it.  Maybe something more erudite later.