Wednesday, November 19, 2008

“Ocean: a body of water occupying about two-thirds of a world made for man—who has no gills.” (-Ambrose Bierce)

I’ve spent a good bit of time this week meandering through roads that hug the rugged California coastline.

It’s just awe-inspiring to see the majesty of the rocky cliffs and colors pervasive all along the state.

There’s such drama here, with jagged rocks right up to the water’s edge, and waves crashing into them, sending spray up into the air.

Even the sounds along the water’s edge evoke an energy and power.

Nature’s force is amazingly beautiful; at once calm and frenetic.


There’s something very soothing about the constant ebb and flow of water.

“Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn’t happen.” (-Stephen Wright)


21 comments:

bonnyracca said...

Suzanne, your painting is beautiful! No wonder with such gorgeous surroundings. You have the talent to translate what you see into gorgeous art.

Your photos are so inspiring!

Thanks for saring!

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

Sue These are wonderful photos. wow. and that painting is awesome. You captured that water foam so well. I am envious of you right now. :)) What part of the state is this? Are you in Malibu yet? I am traveling down the state with you. :)))

A Brush with Color said...

Thanks, Bonny and Cris.

Cris, these were all taken from Monterey down thru Big Sur, I believe. Now, I'm actually in Irvine! LOL...tonight, I'll be in San Diego. I've seen it all now. ;)) I don't always do all of CA every year--some years I hit schools in the north alone, and some the southern schools alone, but this year I did them both in one big trip, since I started out in Reno and headed over to Ca. I head home on Friday!! Yeah--I've been on this trip almost a month now.

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

wow.. you have been gone that long? Amazing. To bad you cant go thru Laguna Beach. Its a cute town too. Not as cute as Carmel but an Artist colony just the same.
You have been taking a lovely scenic trip. Did you wave to my old home town? LOL Wishing I was there too. :)

Cris, Artist in Oregon said...

PS. Is this your last trip or do you have more?

A Brush with Color said...

One more trip, Cris! For the fall, anyway--right after Thanksgiving. Just a week long--a quickie! LOL

I've been on the road since Sept 7th, with only about 5 days home that whole time, so the Thanksgiving holiday will be bliss for me!

ParisBreakfasts said...

what a journey you are on Sue!
Magnificent landscapes and excellent for attaining that for inner calm. The water is my salvation yet I don't go down to the sea enough...
Terrifically active and energized painting Sue!

laura said...

Your painting is very light and energetic! And the photos are wonderful. I love the rocky shoreline, and the colors in the scrub.

Merisi said...

Beautiful painting,
captures what your photos speak of so very eloquently!

Incredible journey, I hope you do get paid well. As much as you enjoy the sights you see, it must be very tiring too. So long away from home!

Janice C. Cartier said...

Okay, officially jealous. You are stomping on some of my favorite parts of the country. Did you stop in at Nepenthe?
These are beautiful and I love the watercolor. I could just drop in to anyone of these photo and be totally happy. Gorgeous.

Judybec said...

I agree with everybody here! -- amazing photos Sue!!! I love the watery blues in your painting too!

A Brush with Color said...

Thank you everyone, for being so generous and supportive. I didn't stop in Nepenthe, Janice, but it's on my list to look for another time! And Cris, I will have to keep Laguna Beach tucked into the recesses of my mind for future reference!

It is a long time to be gone, but I've done this a number of years now so it's routine for me. I guess you can see, though, why the end of summer is particularly poignant for me, since I realize how much I'll be gone as soon as fall approaches!

Janice C. Cartier said...

But look at all you've seen...still drooling over these. LOL...we so appreciate you taking us with you. ;-)

Just gorgeous. Love what you do.

africantapestry said...

I love your watercolour! It looks so splashy around that stack of rocks...and beautiful photots.
Ronell

A Brush with Color said...

Thanks so much, Janice and Ronell!

willow said...

Beautiful painting and beautiful photos! That blue is absolutely gorgeous. Water and sky.

Laura F. said...

This is exactly where I was and what I painted in June! I do hope my daughter ends up in graduate school there, so I can have an excuse for visiting often! Beautiful stuff, Sue!

A Brush with Color said...

Thanks, Willow and Laura. Kind of you. I do love the Monterey area--it's so pretty.

Jenni said...

The coast drive is inspirational everytime. It has been 4 years since i was there last and your post has me dreaming of another trip.

Robin Neudorfer said...

This is in my backyard, and I don't take nearly enough time these days to enjoy it. As a teen I was there as often as I could be.

One of the worlds treasures that is for sure.

A Brush with Color said...

Robin, do head out and enjoy it, then! It's just such a beautiful place. Thanks for stopping by!