The Beaches of Summer

Summer is here, but for me - summer was here way back in the spring. It started off in early May with a few of my girlfriend's from high school. We rented a beautiful condo on Seacreast Beach just west of Panama City on the beautiful 30A scenic highway. We spent most of our days talking and laughing on the beach that was almost empty except for a few people. I took my morning walks completely alone on the beautiful sandy beach. Here are my foot prints. 

One set coming and one set going. I never met anyone while I was walking. Just a few sandpipers who I enjoyed annoying by following them.

Crystal blue waters that on some days didn't even have a wave. I picked up large seashells just by looking down and seeing them in the shallow water. 

We didn't get out and explore the beautiful community like I would love to do, but I did go to Grayton Beach area to visit Andy Saczynski's art studio. I bought this beautiful print. He's such a nice guy. Drop in and see his beautiful art if you are in the area.

Evenings were cool but beautiful. And yes, we saw dolphins.

These photos were taken from our balcony with my telephoto lense. So magical to see them.

Then a month later I went to Orange Beach in Alabama as the photographer for a ladies retreat. I got up around 5:30 every morning to see this beautiful sunrise.

Sunrise on Orange Beach

I had the most wonderful mornings on Orange Beach. I found a sanddollar, starfish and an embarrassing amount of seashells. I have never in all my beach combing days have seen so many shells in one place. I had the ladies so excited they all came out the last morning to collect shells. 

Another stage of the beautiful sunrise. 

Just example of the shells laying on the beach and if you look in the background, you can see the clusters of shells along the shore. Amazing.

I had three very wonderful ladies agree to be models for me one evening at sunset. I had to let my creative juices flow and I think people on the beach thought they were models - well, they were. It was so much fun.

I'm already looking forward to going back to the beach. I love summer.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

The Summer of the Sun

Or sand....

I don't want this summer to end. I have been forever spoiled by beautiful beaches and magical sunsets. 

I visited the beaches of Fort Morgan, Alabama for a few days at the end of July. If you have never sat on the beach until the sun sets, please put it on your list. Golden glows on the waters is magical.

Back at home the next week, the August art crawl was so well attended that it was mind blowing. Sugar Gallery was out of food and beverages in the first 90 minutes.

The tv station even came out.

I can't believe that summer is almost over. As I write this, our students are in their first week of school. 

And in the studio, I'm still in the coastal mind. 

Sun and sand. 

Need to find a cure.

My Visit to Grayton Beach

I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a week in a huge beach house on Grayton Beach. Need I say more?

It was more than a "week at the beach". My daughter went with my friend's youth group, and I tagged along to cook the meals (well, most of them) for 13 youth.  I can't say anything but what an adventure to stay for 7 nights in a three-story house with these kids. We had a craft project for a children's shelter and on another day we went to a homeless mission to cook a meal and help in their clothing shop. The youth were amazing to get to know. They helped me in the kitchen, and we had many laughs over lots of silly things.  I cried when we walked the streets of Grayton singing Hillsong United's "Oceans", while their leaders prepared a special surprise for them at the house. It was a week like no other in both mine and my daughter's life, and got closer to one another over the week as well. God never disappoints. Here are some photos that need no words.

I entertained myself while on the beach by posting "celebrity" photos on my instagram. My friend were sad when my trip was over because they were getting a kick out of the, so I will be going on another trip soon, so if you like quirky stuff, follow me and see what this busy beach girl is up to this summer.

On the drive home, I had the idea to create a painting from the "Oceans" (Where Feet May Fail) song. Here is the painting, which I named "Take Me Deeper". It's mixed media. 

I am still painting more island / beach themed art. I''m currently taking commissions until August 15 for beach themed art (or any art, but right now my mind is on salt and sea). Thanks for stopping by!