Memorable Day - St Pete Beach

 

Beach in High Key

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunset Over the Gulf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On our winter getaway to Florida this year, we routinely took a long but leisurely bike ride each morning .  On this particular day we decided to walk the beach instead and what happened next made me so happy we did!

Along the shore there was a large group of plein air painters.  We stopped to observe and started chatting with one of the students.  She pointed out the teacher's painting, and I instantly commented to my husband that it looked just like Roos Schuring’s work.  Roos (pronounced Rose) is a painter from the Netherlands who I have followed for years.  In my dreams I thought maybe someday we would travel to the Netherlands and participate in one of her plein air workshops.  (Additionally I envisioned us visiting the homeland of Dutch masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer whom I admire so much.) 

Yellow Beach Umbrella Morning

Well here we were in Florida, and there was Roos in the flesh!   I was so excited that I had to approach and introduce myself.  Fast forward..we hit it off immediately and she generously invited me to paint alongside the class.  

I was mesmerized by her setup, process, colors and results.   It was truly a God-given gift to stumble upon the group and observe Roos and her students.   Although I was not an official class participant, I was welcomed by all and got to connect with my favorite "celebrity artist" who I now consider my friend.  It was an experience I'll never forget!

 

 

 

 

Favorite Hangout Area

 On St Pete Beach, there is a fun and funky place right on the beach that draws a big sunset crowd each evening.   It's an informal fish fry type place called Paradise Grill where you order at the walk up window then sit to dine at picnic tables or on the many colorful Adirondack chairs that are at the edge of the beach.   Both of the paintings in this post were done at this spot.   The first was an afternoon capture of the pretty tropical water as a backdrop for the two rescue surfboards that lean on a tall rack.   Fortunately they never moved as far as I could tell during the trip.    The orange life jacket popped out against the turquiose water which caught my eye immediately.   The board was actually a black underpainting and maybe that is why the colors look extra bright.    

Rescue Boards

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The small but colorful sunset painting has a high key chroma for me and I'm going to say it took less than an hour.   My husband and expert consultant came over and implored me to stop right there and leave it as loose and colorful as it was.    I actually listened this time.  hahaha.   I do like the wild strokes and it has a nice tropical feel.   Hope you like it too!

Fans of the Sunset