Out on the Lake
Out on the Lake (2021)
18½x24½ Pastel on Pastel Paper
Original is Available
Traffic, troubles, and civilization seem to melt away into the distance the moment you set sail. The sun warms you, the water holds you, the wind moves you, and the sheer freedom feeds your soul when you are Out on the Lake.
Truth be told, I am not a great swimmer and I can suffer from mild motion sickness, so if it weren’t for marrying a sailor, I would have completely missed out on the joy of sailing! This piece is a love letter to those quiet, drifting afternoons where the only thing on the agenda is soaking up the sun and enjoying good company.
Capturing the unique layout of a sailboat deck meant playing with angles and perspectives. I wanted to focus on the contrast between the hard, functional elements of the boat—like the coiled rigging rope and the crisp white sail—and the relaxed, sun-warmed curves of the two men. Using soft pastels allowed me to blend the vibrant, multi-toned blue of the water seamlessly into the distant shoreline, creating a bright, open-air atmosphere that makes you feel the gentle tilt of the deck beneath you.
