It had been a couple months since I last painted with the Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters. My last outing was at Rustique Winery (you can read about that adventure here).
This time, they were gathering at the breathtaking Asilomar Beach in Pacific Grove, and as luck would have it, I needed to run an errand in the area—perfect timing to blend a little creativity with my to-do list. This State Beach’s name, meaning “a refuge by the sea,” perfectly captures the serene beauty of over 105 hidden acres, where lush forests meet the crashing surf and rolling sand dunes. It’s a true sanctuary of nature’s finest views.
The day was nothing short of spectacular! The sun was shining bright, with just a bit of wind, and the surf was gently rolling in. Painters were dotted along the coastline, each capturing the scenery in their own unique way. I couldn’t tell exactly how many of us were there, but it seemed like the usual group of 10-12 artists.
Here are a few snapshots from the day.
I spent a little over an hour immersing myself in the stunning coastal view translating it to canvas. Using a little artistic license, I made the wave bigger than the day’s surf, but have seen it that large many times before. Normally, I’d refine the painting later in the studio, but this one feels just right as it is—a keeper!
