It can be a lot of fun to explore the possibilities of a painting.
This one stared with having a willing model to pose for me on a beach. In the cool gust of winds I failed to hold down my easel and paints while the model with now cold feet stood in the cold water in Hilton Head Island SC. Yes this is the practical side of painting, the reality of being in the moment and what the painter goes through to get an image.
The vision transcends the momentary earthly experience. I enjoyed the plein air paintings and was able to learn much about the color and movement of air. These paintings are not shown. Back in my studio I went forward with my plein air sketches and photographs taken on location to develop yet another 9 x 12 inch color study shown. Real experiences, plein air field studies, photographs and my feelings or impression from the experience had to now all come together in this study.
I learn so much from these smaller studies. I naturally simplify complicated shapes and gestures of the model into more meaningful visual interpretations. All painted with one painting knife.
From this I explored the more graphic and stylized abstract realism of the model in the environment of a beach setting. The beach and the woman seem to go perfectly together.