What first pulled you to this coastal scene? I visited Wingaersheek Beach several times last summer. The massive rock formations there have always captivated me. I am especially drawn to walking out on the sandbars between tides and experiencing the rocks from different vantage points; sometimes surrounded by water and other times fully exposed. That shifting relationship between land and sea is what initially pulled me in.

How did you approach capturing the movement of the water?  I am fascinated by the way the tide advances and recedes around these rocks. While on site, I did some quick sketches to establish the composition, then recorded some short videos with my phone.  Back in the studio, those videos allowed me to repeatedly study the rhythm, direction and force of the water so I could paint from observation, rather than memory alone.

What role does color play in setting the mood here?  The color of the sky plays a large role in setting the mood here. Its blue is echoed throughout the water. In the distance, the ocean shifts toward cooler blue-green tones, while the shallower foreground water warms slightly. That progression helps convey depth, light and the physical reality of the shoreline. 

What do you hope viewers notice or feel first? I hope viewers first feel the force of nature and the and power of the water as it breaks against the rocks. At the same time, I wanted to convey the scale and permanence of those rock formations by placing them in contrast with the constant motion of the sea. 

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