A couple weeks ago, my husband and I went on a lovely holiday to the Isle of Wight.
On our first day there, we visited a gorgeous place called Freshwater Bay.
Nestled between cliff tops, the sea crashed, and the sunshine broke out, and shone throughout the clear blue skies.

We found a spot to sit, my husband got some lunch, and we sat to enjoy the peacefulness.
I have always loved water, and I particularly enjoy being near it. So, it was wonderful to soak in the sun’s warmth whilst watching the waves dance underneath its rays.
The bay, and the picture above, inspired me to paint a scene to remember it by.
It’s an abstract version of the picture, in oil, on canvas. I like the texture of oil, and for this painting, I needed texture!

On the left hand side is a cliff, with a rocky side, then a dirt top. A tree sits on top of the cliff, as an ode to nature, and the many plants and trees we saw on our trip.
There is, of course, the sea, swirling and twirling. I tried to mix in some other blues, and white, to capture the movement of the water, and the crashing of the waves, especially against the rock.
Now, I decided to go nice and bold with the sunshine. I described above how gorgeous and strong the sunshine was when we were sitting in the bay. I thought I’d use big, bold colours to try and express the warmth that we felt. I also tried to use brush strokes that went out for the rays, instead of the more swirly textures used elsewhere.
Freshwater Bay
Getting out of the car, the sunshine hits your face.
Strolling up to the beach, the salt lifts in the air,
Gently perfuming the bay with the sea.
Cliffs tower beside us,
Majestic.
Despite the peacefulness, the water churns on.
Crashing, pummelling the rocks and shoreline,
as if it were angry with it.
Then, every once in a while, the waves say hello.
Kindly. Softly.
As the rays warm my face,
I decide: this place is lovely.
Beautiful Erin….the painting & the poem ❤❤
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Thank you Sam. 🙂 I appreciate it!
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Just love this!~Kim
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Thank you very much! 😊
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Erin, I love your explanation of choices you made in abstracting the scene for a painting. The photo here shows the brush strokes so clearly–it feels exuberant, just like the poem. So glad you had such a great day.
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Thank you Betsy! I like the word exuberant. That feels like a fitting word to me. 😊
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I’ve never been to the Isle of Wight but I’d really like to go if ever I had the chance as I do hear positive things about it. The canvas is fantastic – like you, I love the texture of oil on canvas! 🙂
Caz x
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