Sunrise Splash
I am settling in to my new home here on the beach. Most mornings I get up and watch the sunrise. There’s no better way to start the day! Ocean, clouds, and sun – my three favorite things! The other morning I was inspired enough by the sunrise to dig out my paint and brushes. And the result; another 8″ x 10″!
Golden Drops of Rain
This one is dedicated to my friends and fellow instructors here at NCOBS. It has been one rainy summer! Kudos to everyone for pushing through and running awesome courses in the rain, thunder, and lightning. It has to stop sometime, right?
Filed under art
Calm Before the Storm
This was the scene before our paddle from Cape Ramano to Coon Key on day 5 of a 7 day sea kayak course in Florida. It was March and I was working with my good friend Bart Blankenship. There was a cold front coming in and we knew some big wind was on the way, but we decided to venture a mile out into the Gulf of Mexico to check out this beautiful sandbar that Bart wanted everyone to experience. It’s strange shape made for some great shell collecting walks, photographs, and subsequently a nice painting.
Looking back I’m really glad we had the experience of watching the storm come in and enjoying the beautiful walls of rain even with the knowledge that it would bring a big challenge. The paddle from the cape to the islands was the hardest one I have done. We were going almost straight into an 18-20 knot wind and against the waves. Everyone was giving it their all and eventually we made it, although not to our original destination. I was impressed with each person on our crew – 12 strangers who had become a team and struggled together. I wouldn’t trade experiences like this for anything.
Dizzy and Seasick with Love
My most recent painting was inspired by my trip on the Atlantic ocean in April and May. It was an amazing experience to be be hundreds of miles from land and only see the ocean and the sky for weeks at a time. We sailed north from Key West to Bermuda, then south to the beautiful island of Dominica, and finally up through the Caribbean Islands to the Virgin Islands.
I wish there was some way to describe the beauty and richness of life out there in the middle of the sea. And the way the clouds moved and the crazy shapes they made. And the connection I felt from getting to know the stars and watching them move through the sky night after night. There really isn’t any way to describe what it’s like to be out there, so here’s a painting that tells a little.
Land and Sea #1
I’m on the land, you’re on the sea
maybe we could meet in between.
With mud on my toes and salt in your hair,
Baby we could meet in the air.
Night Paddle
The first hour after the sun goes down is magical. It’s my favorite time to be on the water. The air is calm, the water is smooth. I’m usually observing my students’ navigational skills and making bets with my co-instructor about how late we’ll get to base camp. And while I’m looking forward to a shower and sleeping in my own bed again, I wouldn’t trade these moments for anything. I want to always believe in magic.
Patsy Cooner Art 