Pete’s Dream | 8×16 | Oil on Linen Panel

Inspiration for Pete’s Dream

I started painting Pete’s Dream en plein air on a stormy summer’s day. To a casual observer walking along the Anclote River, this vessel might not appear too interesting. It doesn’t sport a bright red hull or teal cabin. But finding beauty where few think to look falls under the special purview of the artist! The richness of color in generic “gray” has always amazed me, and on a wet, sullen day, with a weather-worn, texture-rich fishing boat, the variety was dazzling! Every hue of the rainbow can be found in the rusted exterior of this craft—albeit in a subdued manner. The effect shows most prominently if you’re able to view the painting from life: even carefully adjusted color photographs viewed in hi-res can never capture the nuance and beauty of an original painting seen under proper lighting!