Lavendar Water Lily

This was a crazy image for a one day painting.  The thing about a one day painting is there comes a time that I have to work to pull the painting together, even though I want to develop some of the details more.  There is roughness in this work but it still has a pleasant flow.  The darks in the water became very important.  I also brushed the water lily pads with a watered down gold ochre.  This seemed to flatten the pads as well as giving them an unifying glow. 

Walking on the beach, observing people enjoying themselves is a guilty pleasure of mine.  I always try to photograph my subjects without them knowing I am there.

The interaction of water and sand are an element here.  Reflection on the children crouching in the water complete the scene. 

Bird of Paradise

These exotic flowers grow in yards and in street plantings in Naples, Florida.  I have seen huge black ones or colorful smaller ones like in this painting.  So why have I not planted one in my yard?  I will have to fix that.

This is so quick.  The white spot under the shell is water shining in the light for photographing.  Ugh.

I usually look for the perfect shell, but sometimes one that is missing parts of it's exterior, revealing the insides are beautiful.  The water can work wonders.

Toadfish

These fish are not the most beautiful.  The sit on the bottom of the Gulf and in secluded areas.  They have special muscles that vibrate the swim bladder, making grunts and croaks.  The is noisy enough to be hear through the hull of a boat.  They have broad flat teeth to crush fish and crustateans. They are not very active and sit around like land toads.

This is a koi swimming up to the surface with one thing in mind.  He thinks that I am standing at his waterhole to feed him.  I stayed at at hotel where there was a tropical greenhouse in the middle of the rooms going up the sides.  The koi were fed about 4:00 in the afternoon.  I showed up a little early with my camera.  Several of the koi swam up to pose.

This painting was fun and simple but sort of tedious in drawing and then painting the different areas.  I think this one is definitely an keeper.