Inspiration for Little Blue Motorboat

I began painting Little Blue Motorboat en plein air under the direct ultraviolet rays of a scorching spring sun. As a result, my neck ended up being about as colorful as my canvas! I’ve always been drawn to Palafox Pier in Pensacola because of the colorful buildings and boats. Especially the area behind the Scuba Shack, which has always reminded me of Venice. (Since I’ve never actually been to Italy, I have no clue of the validity of this idea, but hey, I like the thought so I’m sticking with it!) 😀

Little Blue Motorboat Times Two

 This craft nearly became to me what the hay bales were to Monet—I just kept coming back to it! A very similar painting, Aquamarine, resulted soon afterwards. Artists throughout the ages have been inspired by the same scenes under different circumstances: times of day, weather conditions, the passing of a long period of time, etc. The changes in hue and ambience of the scene under a lowering, cloudy sky versus blinding sunlight drew me back to complete this second painting.