Back to School: The Glimmers of the Ocean

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Pictures: Painting Ocean Patterns

Before the first week of school began, my family made a last minute dash to the windy coast of San Luis Obispo. Can you relate to the feeling? We wanted to savor a final taste of freedom before school began.

My family had been searching for the ideal beach. We resigned and discovered Oceano Beach State Park. You pay the $5 parking fee, only to realize that no one wanders on foot here.

It was as if we entered a drive-in movie. Cybertrucks and Dodge Rams slowly rambled onto the sand, and seemed more at home on this beach. All vehicles were parked in a single line, facing the water. The Ocean was the star of the show! The wind was gusty and it felt cold, less than 65 degrees outside.

The children left to explore the beach. My partner and I retreated to the car and to shelter from the wind. While he caught up with his work email, I pulled out my sketchbook and watercolors.

If you want to know why I often reach for my sketchbook and pens, it's because I am otherwise addicted to my iPhone. It's modern day pacifier.

While I scratched out the ocean's form on paper, there were two kite surfers skimming the ocean surface. Their boards were strapped to their feet and they floated on the gusts of wind with their kites.

With my watercolor brush, it felt as if I was playing along with the kite surfers, by sweeping concentrations of color in ultramarine, pthalo blue, and cerulean onto the paper. The practice of it felt like a glimmer of relaxation.

The ocean was alive with wave and wind patterns. We could also hear the soothing sounds of wind and could also hear the wind and the crash of the waves.

Often when observing the ocean, there is more to the page than the pictures. The ocean is a massive expression of energy. If you'd like to learn more about words to describe the ocean's energy, keep reading!