"Seabrook Inlet'

Anthony and I spent a glorious early morning last summer watching the sunrise over the inlet at the south end of Seabrook Island, SC. I took a photograph but it doesn't do the scene much justice. It does, however, remind me of what the scene felt like, so it helped my painting memory quite well.
I kept this loose and abstract, focusing on the shapes, colors, and textures. I strayed away from reality to communicate what I love about the low country. That morning we saw dolphins swim up the creek within feet of us...it was incredible. So peaceful and quiet, with nary a wave and an unforgettable salty, marshy smell. The tall marsh grass is so beautiful to me, and the smell of marsh funk takes me back to my days living in the low country.

As for the technical side, this is pure watercolor on 300-Lb Arches Cold Press, a half sheet (15"x22") with Ox Gall added to the water for enhanced flow and spreadability. I used a limited palette of Permanent Rose (Winsor & Newton), New Gamboge (Daniel Smith), Cobalt Blue (Holbein), Sap Green (MaimeriBlu), Viridian (WN), and a touch of Italian Venetian Red (DS). This was more of a learning experience than a "finished" painting, but it is a record of where I am starting from with semi-abstract landscapes.