This painting was inspired by a photo I took on the shores of Orcas Island in Washington looking out onto the water. I was actually watching the ferry go by in the way back, but I didn’t include the ferry in the painting. It was a tiny speck in the distance anyway. I have wanted to paint this scene for years. I finally couldn’t resist the urge event though I probably should be working on other things. But it took so long not just because of demands on my studio time, but also, painting water is hard and painting a sunset so it is not a cheesy sunset is also challenging. Maybe there’s a more eloquent way of putting that challenge, but that’s what it comes down to for me.
This was primarily painted with a palette knife. I learned a lot painting this. One important lesson is that I often don’t mix enough of one color. I need to stop being so stingy with my paint when I set up my palette. I don’t normally paint this big, so this was an important lesson. Which brings me to the second lesson. Painting big (for me) is really such a good challenge for me. It makes me slow down. Also painting in oils makes me slow way down versus encaustic because of the drying time.
Orcas Island is an important place to me. I’m happy that I finally painted this scene.
How magical is this planet we live on.