daily paintings

Sunsets over the lowcountry marsh are so STUNNING! We usually just stay put to watch them because the view from the deck is awesome, and as the sun goes down, it becomes more and more phenomenal. And the high tide is always an added bonus. The only bummer is that we often have uninvited guests at dusk. Those darn noseeums (tiny bugs that bite) always seem to make an appearance as soon as that sun gets low on the horizon. We just throw a towel over our shoulders to keep them at bay and watch the magic of mother nature’s light show. 🙂

The other morning I sat out on the deck with my coffee and soaked up the marsh view.  The birds were singing, the tide was inching its way up and the colors were calling to me.  I ran inside and got my paints and went to work.  Half way through this painting the winds picked up and the sky grew overcast … I kept at it and then finally surrendered to the wind and went inside.  I put the painting away for a couple of days and went back to finish it yesterday.  This piece really captures the joy and feeling of witnessing the marsh come to life on a sunny morning.  So special!  

I love strawberries, don’t you? And it’s such a treat to get to enjoy strawberry season here in the Lowcountry and then again at home in early July. TWO strawberry seasons! 🙂 Nothing tastes quite as sweet and delicious as a strawberry right off the vine. They truly are nature’s candy. Yummm. Cheers to summer berries!

I love visiting the port Royal Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings. Seeing all of the vendors in the park under these huge oak trees covered in Spanish moss is other worldy, and having access to a summer bounty of produce in April is beyond exciting. I came home with zucchini, summer squash, red potatoes, cauliflower, radishes, strawberries, flowers, collards, sprouts and probably a few other things tool. Thank you, farmers!

I’ve been late to the sunrise every day this week. It’s coming up earlier and earlier and by the time I get to the beach access I can see it beaming over the marsh grass and tidal pools and sand dunes. It doesn’t matter if I make it to the beach before the sun comes up or 10 minutes after, it’s all beautiful. Here’s a painting of the first rays coming through the dune grass at the top of the beach. 🙂

I never regret a sunrise walk on the beach, even when I’m feeling sleepy, like this morning. It’s always a gift to witness the start of a new day with the pups in the salt air accompanied by the sound of the surf. And the low tide tidal pools are the best for sunrise reflections. 

Yesterday I saw a juvenile bald eagle on the beach which was so impressive. I had never seen one on the ground and so close before. WOW! No eagles today, but lots of pelicans and a couple of horseshoe crabs. Hope you are well! xox. Sending love and light your way. xox

The other morning I was waiting for the sun to come up so that I could take the pups to beach for our sunrise walk and I heard a racket outside. I walked out on the balcony and caught a glimpse of a herd of deer running through the marsh below me at high tide. What an incredibly beautiful sight. The deer on the island are such a wonderful part of the Fripp experience and I decided it was time I paint one of these cuties. This young buck came right up to see what was happening when I was sitting in the sand driveway playing ball with Zoe–just 6 feet from me. So amazing. Those eyes–he has sweetness written all over his face. xoxo 

We watched the sunset from the South end of the island the other night. It was a gorgeous one. Even a dolphin came out to watch. The dolphin made its way down the narrow channel between Fripp & Pritchard’s. We could actually hear it breathe and see that sweet dolphin smile. So special with this evening light!

Morning beach walks are the best. They give me time to move my body, breathe the sea air, ease into the day and just appreciate the beauty that surrounds me. And I get to play with our two pups … one in a wheel chair whose spirit is so big, nothing stops her from embracing each day. So many gifts first thing in the morning. xo