why that and what were you thinking

"Boardwalk" This painting is of the boardwalk at Echo Park in Cape Coral Florida. I frequent this Mangrove echosystem along the Caloosahatchee river to get my fill of light play and shadows filtering through to the walkway. It has intrigued me for quite some time. I recently visited after Hurricane Ian to see if it survived. I am happy to say it did, with a few bumps and bruises though.

Below find the condition this park is in now after Hurricane Ian. The sky is open where there was canopy. The boardwalk made it pretty well. Amidst the destruction, life goes about its business of staying alive. I was happy to see tracks in the mud.

The evolution of this painting was so fun. Originally, I really wanted to play with the light filtering through the mangrove trees onto the boardwalk. But the more I studied the photos I took, the more I realized all the wonderful details that deserve my attention. So I played with the light and shadow on the walkway until I was satisfied with the shape and colors. blended different blues and muted blues and greens. Popping with warm hint of yellow white in the highlight sun spots. Then there were the mangrove trees. There are a multitude of them. The detail of the shadows cast across limbs adds to the richness and density. The bushes and leaves I did loosely, as I felt there was enough tight detail in the trees. I also felt it needed an open space, so I added the light between the trees to the back right. It was a lush ecosystem, and I know it will come back. Hurricane Ian actually cleared out so much that it will allow many more plants to grow in the light. Nature always wins. I think I will do a series of boardwalks. What do you think?

These images are part of the evolution of the painting Boardwalk coming together.

I will end with my own quote! "Forget about fear; remember gesso is your best friend!" So go for it, whatever it is. Sometimes we get in our own way and stop ourselves from starting. Don't let that happen to you.

I will end with to be continued..... talk with you soon!