Sunrise

Early morning, cuppa coffee, feet up, watching the path of the sunlight: first the thatch of the Palapa, then the little palm, then the edge of the waves, the beach, the wall, until all is sunlight, all day long.


That little palm was my initial delight and focal point. It lit up like a candle every morning. I couldn't stand to miss it. As the painting progressed I decided to include the Shrimp Guy, who showed up around 9AM every single day with a small red cooler filled with fresh and delicious 4 inch long (headless) cameroons. By that time, there were lots more people milling about, but I didn't want to include them in my painting. Just the bright little palm and the gentle, humble Cameroon Man.


This time I set my easel up on our 4th floor balcony, which gives the viewer a more elevated perspective. Once I committed to the light areas I was free to paint any time of day, since the basic structures remained static. Omitted were all the bustle of resort life: the pool, lounge chairs, waiters, vendors, shoppers, sunbathers, etc etc.


Don't get the wrong idea about me: I did NOT paint all day long! We were definitely a part of the daily bustle, enjoying guacamole and Pacifico just like the next guy!

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