I painted this jewel back in May of this year.  I saw that it needed a story just recently and some additional images, so here you are.  I really think I love to write.  The story of why I painted it is at the bottom.  I like to show images of my process too; like where I painted it to give you a sense of place and atmosphere.  Crystal Cove beckons me to paint it throughout the year.  It was a gorgeous day in May, warm and sunny, crisp light and gentle breezes.  I set up camp here for two days, well not actually a camp overnight, I just packed my art supplies and a picnic and stayed each day until sunset, producing four paintings en plein air.   Life is so enjoyable on days like those!

The painting was sold to a collector of mine. 

Below is an image of the day I painted this on location.  It is not complete here, I took it home to finish it. 

Below is an image of how I sketched this in first in burnt red oil wash.  The drawing of a complicated composition like this makes me feel less nervous about painting it in with color afterwards.  

The reason I chose to paint this scene is that I am very fond of this marine preservation area called the 'tidepools' at Crystal Cove.  The expansive view from the tidepool rocks acts as a stage for the ocean cove and the cottages which is so unique here.   It is a nutshell of marine life, blue ocean waters lipping onto the sandy shores with shabby residences from the past that takes you into another time when life was truly just a beach.