Capt James N | 9×12 | Oil on Linen Panel

Inspiration for Capt James N

I completed Capt James N largely en plein air at local Pensacola landmark Joe Patti’s Seafood. Joe Patti’s sits right alongside the Inner Harbor Channel of Pensacola Bay. A few boats always park out back, so it’s a popular location for local painters. (That, plus the additional benefit of accessible restrooms. Or, if you get peckish, you can pop inside for amazing fresh seafood, sushi, or even hot beignets!) I went with a great student for two consecutive lessons working on this piece. We settled on this subject precisely because of the overtly symmetrical, powerful contrasting values. Amazing how so gray a scene can be so compelling, so beautiful!