Siesta Sunsets

Sunsets on Siesta Beach are always amazing!  The sun sets at just that perfect angle to catch a home going sailor passing through the channel off shore or light up the sky above with a rainbow of colors.  If you are  lucky enough to be there when a sunset sail goes by, then it's worth a moment to just watch ...  It seems like all the walkers on the beach pause to take a look when the sailboat passes in front of the sun.  My photos never seem to fully capture the magic, so here are two paintings of a sunset sail passing by the sun low in the sky (Sunset Sail 1), and one as the sun just starts to dip in the Gulf of Mexico (Sunset Sail 2). And...if you stay until just after the sun sinks into the Gulf, then the sky sometimes lights up in rainbow hues, like those I painted in the third painting below (Siesta Sunset at the Red Lifeguard Stand).  I hope these three paintings fill you with light and elicit a smile.  

 

 

 Sunset Sail 1

by CB Woodling

 

 

Sunset Sail 2

by CB Woodling

 

 

 

Siesta Sunset at the Red Lifeguard Stand

by CB Woodling 

 

 

 

 

 

Siesta Beach.... AHHHHHH

I haven't painted Siesta Beach inspired paintings for a while, but I always get that "Ahhhh" feeling when I walk to the beach.  Nothing like sand between your toes, sea breezes in your hair, the call of gulls, and the sound of waves against the crystal sands of Siesta to get you in that relaxed space and lower your blood pressure.  :)

And now, there is a new art gallery in Siesta Village, The Gallery on Siesta Key.  It's right next to the Village Café.  You can view some information about it on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gallery-on-Siesta-Key/1376709665967325 .  Stop in and visit them if you are on Siesta Key ... they are really the best source for local art.

So, after viewing the art in the Gallery on Siesta Key, I'm again inspired again to create Siesta Beach art.  Here are some new paintings that will hopefully help you get that same "Ahhhh" feeling. 

Beach Chair in Yellow and Blue, by CB Woodling

Beach Chair in White, by CB Woodling

Beach Chairs in Orange, by CB Woodling

Beach Chairs at Sunset, by CB Woodling

More Wings

I can't seem to get the image of "wings" out of my mind or out of my art.  So I further developed my previous work "Wings" into a larger piece, acrylic on canvas, 24 inches x 24 inches.  This new one I've called "In the Shadow of Your Wings", from Psalms 17:8.  May God's spirit of healing, love, and protection enfold you as you move along your life journey.

In The Shadow of Your Wings

by CB Woodling

Wings

WINGS by CB Woodling, c. 2015

I just completed leading a series of classes at First Congregational United Church of Christ, in Sarasota, Florida.  The classes were tied to the Lenten sermon series and were designed to help experience the season of Lent through art and self exploration.  The class did several sessions with Mandalas which are ancient and sacred forms of circular art used in many different cultures.  I did my Mandala AFTER all the classes were over, and indeed after Easter arrived.  So, my Mandala is a mix of the entire Easter season exploration.  

What an uplifting experience we had as a church.  For Maundy Thursday, for example, one of our members led us in writing prayers on colorful pieces of torn cloth, which we then added to our old rugged wooden cross.  What a beautiful sight, all the colors and all the prayers shared with each other.  So you see many colors in this piece of art.   

We are also approaching the second anniversary of the death of my step-mother, Paulette Vitrier Blair, who was a truly beautiful soul.  On the day she died, a glorious foot long pure white feather was found by my father at the front door, just below the room where Paulette lay taking that last of life's journeys into the unknown.  Truly, if an angel were to visit someone at their death bed and leave a feather behind as evidence, Paulette would have been top on the list. Thus the feathers and wings in my art.

And to top it all off, our son just announced his engagement to his long time partner ... I am so happy for them. I'm also grateful to the positive changes in our world that allow them to share their love with each other openly.  So my piece also celebrates the rainbow of humankind.

So, in the spirit of a a still speaking God and the spirit of embracing diversity which is celebrated both at our church and in our family, here is my newest work... WINGS.  

"Keep me...in the shadow of Your wings" Psalm 17:8 

"Under His wings you may seek refuge"  Psalm 91:4

Cindy