Hey friends,
How many times have you been to the beach this summer? I’m embarrassed to say I’ve been exactly once. ONCE and I was in jeans. Ugh.
I think I’m having end of summer regrets. I feel this way at the end of summer because I start tallying up everything I did and comparing my list with the adventures I see on Instagram. Whew. I know that’s dumb, but I still do it.
I was whining to Jonti that I’ve only been to the beach once and she said something profound: “Don’t regret it, just do it!”
So, I’m taking her advice and planning some fun stuff to do over the next few weeks. I want to slow down time and savor every last sunny day. If you are feeling the same way, try these great ideas:
Do Some Beach Sketching: Spend some time painting or sketching the ocean views, colorful beach umbrellas, and capturing lively summer activities like volleyball. Use vibrant colors to reflect the warmth of summer or maybe cooler colors to represent the changing season.
Practice Painting Water: Experiment with new painting techniques to capture the fluidity and lightness of the ocean. Try wet-on-wet techniques to create soft, blended washes that mimic the gentle waves and sandy shores. Maybe even take some inspiration from these amazing paintings from Cara’s Rocky Shores class!
Do Some Outdoor Exploration and Nature Walking: Take your art supplies outside or set up your easel in a local park. Go on a nature walk and look for signs of fall. Sketch things up in the sky and down at your feet. Study how the late summer light affects colors and shadows. Draw an ice cream cone as you eat it - including melted drops and sticky hands!
As summer comes to a close, get outside and fully embrace and document the end of summer. Making art can be a wonderful way to capture the final moments of the season and embrace the inevitable transition to autumn. You may even create memories that stick with you forever!
We cannot wait to see what you make, so tag us on social media with #slowriverstudio or stop by our Open House on Friday, August 30th to show us your summer work! We would be so happy to see you!
Love, Jess and the Slow River Crew