Lessons of Summer & Beaches

Sand & Stones
for Paint Party Friday
4x6" Water Soluble Pencil on 140# Strathmore Paper
©BEDeuel Bronson Hill Arts 2014

It's the semi-official conclusion of this year's summer: Labor Day weekend.

It's the weekend that reminds us of all the things we wanted to do and of all that we didn't get done this summer.

Having spent the majority of my childhood near Long Island beaches,  it's odd having gotten through entire summer seasons without burying my toes in the coarse, sparkling sand for many years now.

The beaches were the place we went to celebrate freedom from the rigors of school at the first chance in June. Too much sun, freezing water, and lots of unneeded sand in the shoes officially began the long, lazy vacation. Throughout the season, cars would be packed tight with bodies and coolers and blankets for the day's outing to "the" beach. The summer ended with tans for some, freckles for others, jellyfish warnings in the heated ocean water, and a wonderful sense of justified lethargy.

Everyone was different in their perspectives, goals and needs. But, we were all the same when we played and baked our bodies by the ocean's side. And, no matter what sadnesses we carried, there was just happiness that reflected off those quartz granules.

Maybe that's why, though it's on my "summer to-do-list" every year, I have rarely made it back to a beach.

It wouldn't be the same. It couldn't be the same. None of us are the same as we were then. And, that's all right.

Summer ending can be a good thing, because, as noted by many before me, without winter's cold, how could we appreciate the summer's warmth?

We never seem to do everything we want to do because those every-day demands get in the way. But if we were always able to do everything we wanted, how would we appreciate what we have been able to do?

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Trail to Light
Fire Island Lighthouse 2012
©BEDeuel Bronson Hill Arts

TMC Hamlin Beach Park

Hamlin Beach Copse
Watercolor Paint 4x6 Cold Press 140# Paper
©2012 BEDeuel

Last autumn (October 2010), Mike took his camera out to try to capture some of the remaining foliage on the shores of nearby Lake Ontario. The last several years, he'd become accustomed to using a digital camera, but wanted to try this venture with his new-ish 35mm.

What he found difficult, after all these years with instant results, was figuring out if he'd gotten the shot he'd wanted. Despite having taken film photographs for decades prior, it was alien returning to the form.

He was disappointed with the results. The day was beautiful but the foliage color was on the dim side, which, in truth was the only problem I could find with his photos. The composition was still excellent, the subject beautiful.

My motivation for using this photo for a 20-minute painting was to demonstrate to him how well his composition translates to others.

Personally, I'm pleased with the piece. Just as I was with his original photograph.

Thanks, Twenty Minute Challenge for letting me share!