Summer's Eve

As the cold winds began to blow a mile back from the ocean last week, I found my thoughts turning to warm summer evenings, and when I next picked up my brushes it was with a vision of what would become "Summer's Eve" in mind.

I loosely sketched in my vision with a thin oil wash, then started bringing this late evening memory alive. There's something magical about summer evenings on the shore, more so when there's a full moon lighting a path through the water and glancing off breaking waves.

There's a hush in the salty air. The sand is warm and wet between your toes, though the water can be bracingly cool even in the summer. The cries of gulls have quieted. One evening not so long ago, it was the moon, me and the lapping sea.

Moonlight refracted through the moist air created prisms of faint colors surrounding the moon, lending an air of mystery. Magic.

I painted this to share the feeling of the moment with you. I hope you enjoy this little window into a beautiful summer evening at the beach and that it brings back warm summer memories for you.

"Summer's Eve" (sold) is painting no. 8/25 in my Celebration Series of 25 small paintings commemorating my studio & gallery's 25th anniversary. It is a 6" x 6" x 5/8" gallery wrapped oil on canvas painted using the same glazing method I use on my larger studio works to create subtle color changes and luminescence.

The 25 Celebration paintings I'm creating are the smallest I've ever done and are strictly limited. All are signed on the painting's front and signed, titled and numbered with the painting's name, it's number in the series and the words Ellen Rice Studio & Gallery Celebration Series on the back of the painting's stretcher bars or panels.

OPEN STOCK PRINTS OF THIS PAINTING ARE AVAILABLE IN THE STUDIO by stopping in or calling (302) 539-3405.